Wellington crash on Trucial Coast 1943
A few years ago I did some research on the crash of Wellington HX748 in 1943. It was on the strength of the Aircraft Delivery Unit, 4 Ferry Control Unit, Middle East Command.
On 13 February 1943, it landed at the Staging Post, RAF Sharjah, and on 14 February 1943, took off for Karachi. Some 30 minutes later, when over the sea, the pilot noticed oil on the reduction gear casing of the port engine. This coupled with a visibility of only 2 miles made him decide to return to Sharjah. After about 7 minutes the port propeller flew off . The pilot was forced to land on a rocky strip of coast at Dhadnah, now in the UAE: the aircraft was badly damaged and the navigator killed.
On 17 February, an aircraft (I presume a Bisley) from 244 Squadron Sharjah took off to drop supplies. This aircraft reported that four members of the crew were apparently uninjured.
On 22 February three of the crew, rescued by the Royal Navy, reached Sharjah, the fourth survivor, the passenger, remaining on board HMS Capetown in order to continue his journey to Karachi.
The crew and passenger were as follows: Sgt. G. Chadwick (pilot); Sgt. W.H (Billy) Donnelly (navigator); Sgt. G.A. Wharton (wireless operator); Sgt. W.J. Brown (wireless operator); Lt.-Col. De Watteville (passenger).
Billy Donnelly was buried by the crew near the aircraft. A month later someone photographed the grave, and I have just been sent a copy of the photo by a member of Billy's family. Apparently it was labelled 244 Sqd on the back. However, the exact site seems not to be known.
The question is: does anyone know any more about this accident, or have any way of contacting the surviving crew members?
Billy's family is keen to know more, and locate the crash site.
As I shall be in that area soon, I agreed to try to help them
Thanks all.
Laurence