Hawker Hurricanes PZ851, PZ765 and PZ854 of 11 (P)AFU crashed on Tintwhistle Knarr near Glossop, on the 22nd February 1945.

 

 

Crew / Passengers

Rank - if applicable

Position e.g. Pilot

Status

Ernest Mary Leon Marien (Belgian)

Flight Sergeant

Pilot (PZ851)

killed

Marcel Henry Leon Orban (Belgian)

Flight Sergeant

Pilot (PZ765)

Killed

John Victor Robinson

Flight Sergeant

Pilot (PZ854)

Killed

 

The flight of three aircraft had taken off  at 10:00 from RAF Calveley near Nantwich with F/Sgt Marien leading the flight. They had been tasked with practicing formation flying and had been instructed to avoid flying in cloud. For some reason, around 20 minutes after take off, the flight entered smog to the East of Manchester, on the Form 1180 it was described as industrial haze, while flying in this smog the three aircraft flew into rising ground below the summit of Tintwhistle Knarr where all three aircraft broke up and burst into flames killing the three pilots.

It was thought that the lead pilot had seen the high ground and attempted to climb over it but was too close for the rapid climb to have any meaningful effect.

 

The two Belgian pilots were repatriated to their homeland, possibly after being buried in the UK for sometime.

Flight Sergeant Robinson was buried at London's Abney Park Cemetery, which is a Victorian era 'Garden Cemetery' where trees and undergrowth have been allowed to grow unimpeded. This can make photography a little troublesome.

 

Not much of the three aircraft remains on Tintwhistle Knarr, small pieces can be found around around a small cairn.

 

Above is a photo of some of the few remaining parts from the aircraft.

 

 

Below Tintwhistle Knarr is this simple wooden cross with a plaque to all the airmen who died on the hill.

These are the crew of PA411, the Pilot of P-38J 42-67207 and the three pilots of the Hurricanes.

 

 

A closer view of the plaque.

 

BACK