F/O William Warfield KIA 03.12.44 Spitfire MK232.
 

Hi,

F/O William Warfield is given crashed with in Spitfire MK232 ran of fuel on 3th december 1944 in a belgian field "near Nivelles" or "near Charleroi" after a sweep.

If not really Nivelles, does anybody know the exact place ( name of the village or the city ) ?

Thanks a lot.

Re: F/O William Warfield KIA 03.12.44 Spitfire MK232.
 

421S 22-8-44 Ran out of fuel on sweep and abandoned nr Nivelles 3-12-44 F/O W Warfield killed

Details from "Spitfire - Main" at airhistory.org

He was from the USA.

Exact details of aircraft and body being found are in the AIR 27 pages -

http://discovery.nationalarchives.go...mageViewerLink

Re: F/O William Warfield KIA 03.12.44 Spitfire MK232.
 

421 (RCAF) Squadron's Summary of Events of 8 or 9 Dec 1944 says Wakefield's body and Spitfire were found approx. 3 miles SSW of B.75 Nivelles.
Reported missing on 3 Dec 1944

Regards,
Leendert

Re: F/O William Warfield KIA 03.12.44 Spitfire MK232.
 

Hi,

The RAF Form 412 (Proceedings of court of inquiry or investigation) mentions that the plane crashed at:

3 miles south east of Nivelles. Between Nivelles – Charleroi and Nivelles-Namur Highways
Ground level – 150 metres above sea level

Best regards

Luc

Re: F/O William Warfield KIA 03.12.44 Spitfire MK232.
 

Hello,
I know the exact crashsite of this Spitfire.
What is your particular interest in William Warfield's Spitfire?

You can contact me by PM.

Nicolas

Re: F/O William Warfield KIA 03.12.44 Spitfire MK232.
 

Hi all,
Thanks for your answers.
Unfortunately, just a few miles out my zone of interest.
Best regards.

Re: F/O William Warfield KIA 03.12.44 Spitfire MK232.
 

Nicolas and/or Ytargsillou,

Perhaps you would like to share the exact crashsite with us.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: F/O William Warfield KIA 03.12.44 Spitfire MK232.
 

Not until the planned recovery... during this summer.
Yes, 4 km SE of Nivelles.
Last clue : between a P-38 and a BAF Spitfire XIV crashsites...
Be patient.

ClinA-78

Re: F/O William Warfield KIA 03.12.44 Spitfire MK232.
 

No worries. Wasn't aware a recovery was planned. Best of luck!

Regards,
Leendert

Re: F/O William Warfield KIA 03.12.44 Spitfire MK232.
 

Hello Gents,

I succeeded to find out the wreckage of Spitfire IX MK232 on the 22nd August.

The dig was successful, uncovering the RR Merlin buried at 3 meters depth, under the Walloon archaeological service eyes.

The National TV even made a reportage such as this one :
https://www.rtbf.be/info/regions/det...es?id=10567165

The cherry on the cake was the fly-by late afternoon of the only flyable Spitfire in Belgium : SL721 adorned with the "Red Indian" such as MK232 of 421 Sqn!

Pictures will follow pending time.

Enjoy!

ClinA-78