Eye Witness to Wellington crash prompts new investigation into a tragic loss. Local historian John Panter kindly showed us the general location of a Wellington crash witness by him at the time. This site is now under further investigation.

Crash site located by Ruediger & Ricardo Kaufmann 2005 with Founder A. R. S. member David King & former member M.Brownless pin pointing the crash site in the company of the current landowner and young Ricardo Kaufmann.

On the 6th July 2019 Rare Boulton Paul Overstrand site located. M.O.D. Licence applied for. Recover took place between  18th and 19th September 2020. Where a minutes silence was held in memory of the crew prior to the investigation.

This aircraft took off from Bicester at 0950 hours on a training cross-country flight. Shortly before 1220, eyewitnesses saw the Blenheim in a near vertical dive, entering a large area of whitish cloud which was estimated to have its base at 3,000 to 5,000 feet. On emerging from cloud, the Blenheim appeared to straighten out but then dived again and crashed resulting in the tragic loss of the three airmen at Pawlett Hams on the East bank of the River Parrett, 4 miles north of Bridgwater, Somerset.

The aircraft crashed on return from an operation to Berlin 14th January 1945 in woodland near Snelsmore Farm, Chieveley, Berkshire. Sadly both crew members were killed. (Pilot) F/O John Perenara Morgan R.N.Z.A.F. Age 24 and (Navigator) Sgt. J.A.M. Sturrock R.A.F.V.R. Age 19.

Pilot: Earl W Bierer 

15th February 1943

Contact with several land owners has taken place to establish the location and the current land owners of the crash site area.

Researched by David King,Rüdiger Kaufmann & previous member M.Brownless