Aircraft Crash Sites To Receive Monument Recognition

RAF Lysander propeller from air crash site, Abereiddi, set up at
Haverfordwest Airport control building.
DS2008_016_001     NPRN 407502

On this anniversary of Battle of Britain, it is fitting the RCAHMW announce that is has begun a programme of research to add and enhance monument records for aircraft crash sites in Wales and around the Welsh Coast.

Although the majority of wartime operational airfields in Britain were situated in the south and east (being the shortest distance to enemy occupied territory), Welsh airfields played a significant role in operational training, aircraft maintenance and preparation as well as the watching over the seaplanes of the Bristol Channel and Irish Sea. The reports from the long meteorological flights taken out into the Atlantic facilitated the co-ordination of offensive campaigns. The number of high ground crashes prompted the development of the RAF Mountain Rescue Service, which is the origin of the many mountain rescue service in UK today.  These are but a few of the significant roles that have begin to be identified. 

It is hoped that over the next two years the part played by the Welsh military airfields, aircrews and differing aircraft types in the war effort will become better understood.

The research is also regarded as a way to pay tribute to the many sacrifices made and the importance of any surviving remains.... never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few.

Related Military Links:
Discover more: Aircraft crash sites in Wales Coflein

Subscribe to the Heritage of Wales News and sign up for the full feed RSS, just click this RRS button and subscribe!