Site last updated 1st February 2012

Peak District Air Accident Research

Vickers Wellington Mk.XIII MF174 of the Empire Air Navigation School crashed on South Barrule on the 22nd December 1944.

Crew / Passengers	Rank - if applicable	Position e.g. Pilot	Status
Jozef Piasecki	Warrant Officer	Pilot	Killed
Francis R. Riley	Flight Lieutenant	Co-pilot	Killed
Harold Anthony Hartland	Flying Officer	Navigator	Killed
Joseph Cromarty	Warrant Officer	Wireless Operator / Air Gunner	Killed

The aircraft had taken off from RAF Shawbury in Shropshire at 11:23 for a navigation exercise. The aircraft should have returned to Shawbury at around 16:00. The aircraft reached the island at close to 16:00 crossing the west coast heading in an easterly direction. Shortly after the aircraft flew into South Barrule killing all those on board. The aircraft was located the following day by an airman working at a signal station close to South Barrule when he went for a walk. This same airman had located the B-26 on Cronk ny Arrey Laa in July 1944.

Wreckage from the aircraft is quite well scattered on South Barrule with a number of small collections of wreckage.

Above is another such collection of wreckage about 30 yards from the previous one.

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