Two P-47D-1-RE Thunderbolts, 42-7872 and 42-7898 of the 2906th Observation Group USAAF crashed on Cats Tor 30th September 1943 whilst on a training flight from Atcham near Shrewsbury.

The sister ship of 42-7898, 42-7897 crashed near Llangollan in North Wales whilst being operated by the 6th Fighter Wing from Atcham 74 days earlier.

The two aircraft belonged to a unit which together with the 6th Fighter Wing we responsible for Operational Training at Atcham. They became the 495th Fighter Training Group during December 1943.

Captain Stepp was leading the flight to check S/Sgt Morrison's formation flying ability, they took off from Atcham at 12:40. The weather at the time was fairly typical for the region with cloud down to 1500 feet, but with good visibility below the cloud.

At around 14:30 the two aircraft were head to flying over the Bollington area and shortly after a local farmer reported hearing an explosion. The two aircraft had flown directly into the side of the hill while in cloud.

The investigation concluded that Captain Stepp had possibly suffered radio failure as he was never heard requesting any guidance to safely return to Atcham.

Captain Malta Stepp had before being posted to the 2906 Ob. Grp. been a member of 121 Squadron RAF, one of the Eagle Squadrons. And after the Eagle Squadrons were disbanded and the personnel transferred to the USAAF, he was posted to the 4th Fighter Group. Making Malta Stepp quite an experienced pilot, it just goes to show that even experienced pilots could fall prey to hills covered in clouds.

Mark Sheldon stood in one of two impact craters that the aircraft made.

Above is one of the largest pieces that remains at the crash site.

These are the two impact scars viewed from below.

Staff Sergeant Morrison was buried at Cambridge American Cemetery while Captain Stepp was buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery near San Francisco.

Below is a photograph of S/Sgt Morrison's grave.

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