Wellington Mk.IC R1011 coded M of 28 OTU RAF crashed on Birchen Bank Moss 30th January 1943 while on a Bullseye exercise from Wymeswold near Loughborough.

The crew were one of seven from No.28 OTU taking part in a Bullseye exercise from Wymeswold and the unit's satellite airfield of Castle Donington (which is now in use as East Midlands Airport), they had taken off at 19:19 on the 29th January. At 01:45 on the 30th January while flying in low cloud and wintry weather the aircraft flew into Birchen Bank Moss killing three of the crew and injuring the two others. They were eventually rescued and transferred to Ashton under Lyne hospital suffering from exposure. Also lost during the exercise was Wellington R1538, which crashed near Stoke on Trent. Additionally Wellington Mk.III X3941 from No.27 OTU crashed in the Peak District after the Bullseye exercise it was taking part in was cancelled due to the weather.

Above is a photograph of the aircraft's Bomb Aimer Charles Douglas Brown.

Thanks to Ishbel Newstead for providing the photograph.

A small plaque has been placed at the location where three of the crew of five met their untimely deaths

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  Myself inspecting the small fragments of metal that remain at the crash site.

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