Monument record MDO45047 - World War Two plane crash site, Wimborne Deer Park, Wimborne St Giles

The approximate crash site of aircraft R1152 - a Wellington Mk IC bomber, which crashed on 16th of August 1943. The aircraft was attached to 29 OTU RAF. R1152 took off from Moreton-in-Marsh on a leaflet dropping operation in France. On return at 0052 it was intercepted and shot by a Mosquito who had mistaken it for an enemy aircraft. The Wellington crashed into the deer park at Wimborne St. Giles. Three of the five crew managed to bale out.

T/O Moreton-in-Marsh on nickelling operation to France. On return intercepted by a Mosquito and in a tragic case of mistaken identity was shot down at 0052. Crashed into the Deer Park at Wimborne St Giles, 10 miles NE of Blandford Forum, Dorset. Three managed to bale out and it is reported that their skipper made a valiant effort to try and save his aircraft. <1>

From certain angles the shape of a Wellington could be mistaken for a Junkers Ju88; both types featured a single high tailplane. <2>

<1> 26-Jan-2015, World Wide Web page http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/Aircraft%20lost%20on%20Allied%20Forces%20Special%20Duty%20Operations.pdf (viewed 26 January 2015), 109 (Digital archive). SDO19088.

<2> 26-Jan-2015, http://www.thedownsman.org.uk/magazines/2001%2008.pdf (viewed 26 January 2015), 29 (Digital archive). SDO19089.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1591108 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 20 2022 11:16AM