Plane Crash in Southrepps 19/20 Nov 1940

[dayofday1944]

A Handley Page Hampden Mk1 on a Bombing Raid to Lutzkendorf
From RAF Waddington 44 Sq tail no X3023KM crashed in a field in Southrepps Norfolk England.
Bird Sgt injury only
Have been finding bit of plane with green paint and rivetts just laying on top of the field.
Not sure if it's from this one as other crashes happen I have been told
B24s and B17s and Spitfire and a land mine went off in a field after ever one had looked at it in the day time woke them that night going off in wartime sadly the main villagers that know so much have all past us by if any one can help with more info on this or the other crashes please do many thanks ...and they will be ploughing the field soon what other thinks Will come to the top must get my metal Tec working and talk to the land owner more...if any one near by would like to help find more bits get in touch please..

[ukgreens]

My grandfather Jack Leonard Frederick Ottaway , squadron 44 was killed in this crash but I don't know much more about it. I'm just investigating it now
Rgds
Jo Green

[northnorfolk]

The eariest remembered was a Spitfire which crashed in the field known as '110 acres' where a trench had been excavated to stop German landing. Finished upside down, but pilot O.K.
There was a later crashin the same field to the Eastern side near the White House by a Flying Fortress, which finished up across the Trunch Road with the end of a wing bent against a tree.
Much later (1950s/1960s) a Hunter jet powered into this field on a foggy morning, disappearing entirely in to a huge crater. Crew baled out. Remains never excavated.
Another flying fortress earlier crashed on the road to Northrepps just North of Southrepps church.
Most notable was the landing (after all but one crew had baled out) of a badly disabled Liberator in the field near the railway line, clipping a tree, and finishing up under the power cables. The Americans built a runway in the sugar beet field while stripping the plane to bare essentials and doing repairs. This took a long time and gave some local youngsters the chance for a ride in the Lysander which visited daily. Eventually the Liberator took off bound for (I think) Coltishall.
A meteor crashed just South in Antingham (?) reducing itself to scrap. No idea, but late in war. Have no idea as to whether the decoy airfield in Antingham had any bearing on this.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Re the last post can you tell me where the White House is in Southrepps?

Is it the house called Wedgewood which sits in a triangle with the lane to Trunch on one side and the Mundesley road on the other with, strange as it may seem, two barking dogs, a little black bull, some chickens and a lama in the garden?

[northnorfolk]

Yes, that is the one......was occupied by a Pellew-Harvey (nice chap usually seen taking his dog for a walk attached by long lead to his cycle) who I believe was connected pre-war with some artists/cultural 'set' but was "disappeared" by the authorities during the war, as there were stories of an area in the roof of the house which attracted their attention. He returned after the war which was when I knew of him. Rumours were that he was of German origin.:eek:

[Jackw106]

I remember the White house very well we used to walk passed it on our way to school in the 50's

[Chrisdoughty28]

I live on Chapel Road Southrepps.

Keen on ww1/2 history would help search records or crash sites. Have been involved on RAF crash sites in the Sixties

[Chrisdoughty28]

I have a photo of a Sgt Bird on No37 Air gunners course with my father wonder if it's the same chap. Site will not let me post the picture.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Sgt Hird not Bird was the only survivor. X3023 44 Squadron crashed in bad weather Southrepps. Reference Moyle 'The Hampden File' page 122.

[Chrisdoughty28]

Thank you for the update re Sgt Hind.