During the afternoon of the 9th October 1941 the pilot of this aircraft was undertaking a local flying training exercise. The weather quickly deteriorated and almost certainly the pilot knew of his position in relation to the high ground of the Caldbeck Fells, he made a wheels down landing in a stubble field near Prior Hall, Ireby at 16.45hrs. Before the aircraft stopped the wheels dug into the soil, the aircraft entered a swing and the undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft was later repaired.

Pilot - Lt Bernard Fuchs FFAF.

Bernard Fuchs was born in August 1916 in Wilwisheim, North-East France and is shown in the cockpit of the aircraft on the photograph above. He served in France prior to the France falling to the German forces and arrived in England in June 1940. He was posted to 154 Squadron in November 1941 on its formation and later served with 610 Squadron, 19 Squadron and 501 Squadron. He took in the Dieppe raids with 19 Squadron. He later served as an instructor before being posted to an administration role just after D-Day. In August 1944 he entered Paris with a number of high ranking French officers including General Valin, Chief of Staff of the Air Force. In November 1944 he was awarded The Cross of the Liberation by General de Gaulle. Post-War he remained in the French Air Force in the higher ranks. He retired from the French military in 1966 and died in 2005. He was awarded the UK DFC (for service with 19 Squadron) and various French awards including the French Croix de Guerre, the Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit, the Companion of the Liberation and the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour.