Anson DJ453 on Cross Fell.
On 18th February 1943 this No.4 (Observer) Advanced Flying Unit aircraft took off from West Freugh to undertake a cross country training exercise at 09.15hrs. While flying the leg between Barnard Castle and Kirkoswald the aircraft began to ice up and the pilot attempted to descend to try to clear the icing conditions but as he did so the aircraft flew into the ground on Cross Fell, north of Appleby. Thankfully none of the crew were seriously injured in the crash at 10.10hrs. Historian David Earl includes a well documented account of this incident in his book "Hell on High Ground 2" and I do not wish to simply copy his work. There are two known photographs of the aircraft in situ before 83 MU broke it up and both are included in this publication.
Pilot - Sgt Victor Henry Hill RAFVR (1314738). Injured.
Wireless Operator - Sgt William Charles Alfred Hughes RAFVR (1259512). Injured.
Navigator - LAC Llewellyn Vivian Fussell RAFVR (1601433). Injured.
Navigator - LAC Aubrey Douglas Walker RAFVR (1466284). Injured.
Navigator - LAC John Henbury RAFVR (1576123). Injured.
My wife and I located the crash site on a wet day in April 2009, what little remains at the site today is well hidden in rocks near the crash site.
The photograph above shows the distinctive yellow paint work given to many wartime training aircraft.
My wife enjoying the Cross Fell weather.
Anson DJ453 was delivered as new to 4 A.O.S. on 8th June 1942 and appears to have had an uneventful life until 18th February 1943 when it crashed into Cross Fell. Cat.E/FA damage was the damage assessment that saw it struck off charge.
