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On the 9th February 1945, Sunderland Mk III ML829 crashed on takeoff in Plymouth Sound.

Type

Short Sunderland Mk III

History

On the 9th February 1945, Sunderland Mk III ML829 from 10 Squadron RAAF captained by Flt Lt Stan Reeve attempted to take off from Plymouth Sound on an operational sortie.  Sunderland expert Darell Jago told The SHIPS Project that this aircraft crashed in marginal weather conditions; she hit a wave, raised into the air but stalled near the eastern end of Plymouth breakwater.

Another account says that the aeroplane failed to become airborne after passing the end of the flare path, struck the boom defence on the western end of the breakwater, broke up and sank almost immediately.  

Randell rescued other crew members by smashing a hole in the hull and dragging them out, later he was awarded an MBE for his actions. Flt. Sgt. Hore drowned in the accident, the aircraft was salvaged from the sea and his body was recovered from inside, and the flight engineer, Flt. Sgt. Groennou, died from his injuries.  Four of the crew were seriously injured, two slightly injured and three were unscathed but were suffering from shock.

Crew:
Flt Lt S. R. Reeve, Captain (Pilot), (429485) Seriously injured
Flt Lt W. H. Stockdale, (Pilot), (409455) Slightly injured
FO I. W. Fielder, (Pilot), (422798) Slightly injured
Flt Sgt H. T. Groennou (Flight Engineer), (15979) Killed
Fl Lt R. W. S. Gross, DFC, (Stn Nav Officer), (265147) Seriously Injured
Flt Sgt W. N. Watts, (Wireless Air Gunner), (422888) Seriously Injured
Flt Sgt M. M. Summers, (Wireless Air Gunner), (435004) Not inj/shocked
Flt Sgt C. A. Allison, (Flight Engineer), (8998) Not inj/shocked
WO H. D. Randell, (Wireless Air Gunner), (411642) Not inj/shocked
PO P. M. Hore, (Air Gunner), (434172) Killed
Flt Sgt A. R. Emerton, (Air Gunner), (429628) Seriously Injured

Location

This aircraft was completely salvaged at the time of loss.

Please note that all aircraft in UK waters that have crashed during military service are protected under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.

Last updated 12 Sept 2021

Position GPS: Redacted

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