Crash site Noorduyn Norseman 43-5344

On July 10 1944 a USAAF Noorduyn Norseman UC-64A 43-5344 assigned ton320th Air Transport Squadron, 27th Air Transport Group was tasked to transport a Lockheed Husdon wheel and tyre to Prestwick to repair an aircraft. On approaching the Somerset/Wiltshire border in thick fog, the pilot requested permission to land at nearby RAF Zeals. Flying Control refused permission because of the bad weather conditions and shortly after the aircraft struck the pinnacle of Alfred's Tower causing the aircraft to crash on Hillcombe Farm killing the Pilot, 1st Lt Wilfred Malone and two engineers, Master Sergeant Lloyd F, Cheek and Corporal Mazzie.

Alfred's Tower is a folly built by Henry Hoare the owner of nearby Stourhead to commemorate the end of the Seven Years War with France. It also marks 'Egberts Stone' where Alfred the Great gathered the Anglo-Saxons in 878 before defeating the invading 'Great Heathen Army' under Guthrum at the Battle of Edington.

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Source

• Text: Sharky Ward
• Photos: SDASM Archives (1), Anthony (Sharky) Ward (2)