West Okement Valley 63926 Memorial
West Okement Valley, Dartmoor, Devon (Dartmoor)
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Location
West Okement Valley, Dartmoor, Devon (Dartmoor), Devon (Dartmoor)
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Narrative
Aircraft & Operation Details
Crew (10 members)
About the Crew
Lieutenant and pilot of the PB4Y-1 Liberator from VB-110, US Navy. Was returning from an anti-submarine patrol mission over the Bay of Biscay.
Ensign serving as co-pilot.
Ensign serving as navigator.
Aviation Machinist's Mate 2nd Class serving as flight engineer.
Aviation Machinist's Mate 2nd Class serving as flight engineer.
Radioman 2nd Class serving as radio operator.
Radioman 3rd Class serving as radio operator.
Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class serving as gunner.
Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class serving as ordnance operator.
Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class serving as gunner.
Memorial Details
Memorial Care
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Local remembrance and memorial support
Further Reading
Detailed account of the PB4Y-1 Liberator 63926 crash in West Okement Valley. The aircraft departed Dunkeswell on 28 December 1943 with 14 other aircraft from Air Wing 7 to engage enemy destroyers in the Bay of Biscay. At 22:15 the pilot radioed an ETA of 22:20, but minutes later the aircraft struck the hillside in low cloud.
Aircraft was part of a 15-aircraft mission from Air Wing 7Pilot Lt Parish radioed control at 22:15 with ETA of 22:20Aircraft still carried a full bomb load for unknown reasonsWreckage was partly removed in 1960s; Devon Aircraft Research and Recovery Team examined site in 1973Considerable wreckage still visible at site over 80 years later
Legendary Dartmoor's account of the 'Lost Liberator' crash on Dartmoor. Describes the remote crash site in West Okement Valley and the long campaign to get a memorial erected for the ten US Navy crew members who died.
Describes the remote and atmospheric crash site locationWreckage strewn from near ridge top down to the river
Official Royal Navy news release about the May 2022 memorial installation. Commando helicopters from the Royal Navy delivered the memorial stones to the remote Dartmoor crash site, enabling a formal dedication ahead of the 80th anniversary of the crash.
Royal Navy Commando helicopter transported the memorial stoneDedication timed for 80th anniversaryOfficial military involvement in memorial installation
Walking guide to the PB4Y-1 Liberator 63926 crash site on Dartmoor, describing the route from Meldon Reservoir car park and the memorial plaque installed in 2022 on the ridge above the crash site.
Walking route approximately 3 miles from Meldon Reservoir car parkPhotographic documentation of wreckage and memorial
Photo gallery documenting the tragic history of the US Navy PB4Y-1 Liberator on Dartmoor, with images of the crash site wreckage and the surrounding landscape in West Okement Valley.
Photographic documentation of wreckage fragments at crash site
Historic England's Pastscape database entry for the crash site of PB4Y-1 Liberator 63926/E, recording it as a heritage feature on Dartmoor with formal archaeological documentation.
Formally recorded as heritage feature by Historic EnglandListed under aircraft designation 63926/E
Sources
- dartmoorexplorations.co.uk(website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Nearby Memorials
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