World War II Airfields & Radar Stations
Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress Lytchett Minster Recovery Runway
28th September 2008
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Aerial photo of the forced landing site circa 1940's. The outline of the temporary runway is just about visible
Aerial photo of the forced landing site circa 1940's. The outline of the temporary runway is just about visible
 Aerial view of the field as it appears today. Some very faint linear disturbance in the field surface is believed to be the outline of the runway
Aerial view of the field as it appears today. Some very faint linear disturbance in the field surface is believed to be the outline of the runway
A view of the field as it appears at ground level in 2008
A view of the field as it appears at ground level in 2008
"Stella" under guard in the wheat field at Lytchett Minster
S/Sgt. Raymond J. Mayewski, Glen Lyon, Pennsylvania surveying the wheat field
S/Sgt. Raymond J. Mayewski, Glen Lyon, Pennsylvania surveying the wheat field
 The temporary runway under construction
The temporary runway under construction
 Sheep foot rollers, operated by members of the US 347th Engineer Unit
Sheep foot rollers, operated by members of the US 347th Engineer Unit
 Cpl. Albert L. Eegness of the US 347th Engineer Unit fuels a D-7 tractor, which hauls an eight yard carry-all
Cpl. Albert L. Eegness of the US 347th Engineer Unit fuels a D-7 tractor, which hauls an eight yard carry-all
Incredibly the temporary runway took only 9 days to construct
Incredibly the temporary runway took only 9 days to construct
"Stella" being repaired by members of the 8th Air Force Service Command

On the 7th April 1943 Boeing B-17F-65-BO named "Stella" was on a delivery flight to the United Kingdom from Marrakesh when the aircraft unfortunately ran out of fuel. More fortunately the aircraft was able to make landfall just west of Poole in Dorset where it made a successful forced landing in a wheat field within the parish of Lytchett Minster, not that far from the Royal Navy Cordite Factory at Holton Heath. The aircraft was comparatively undamaged, and as was often the case in such circumstances, it was decided to fly the aircraft out from where it had landed. For this purpose the US 347th Engineer Unit created an improvised 2,500ft runway in only 9 days while a Mobile Repair Unit of the US 8th Air Force Service Command made repairs to the aircraft. The aircraft successfully took-off on 27th June 1943 and joined the 544th Squadron of the US 384th Bomb Group. The aircraft served until 4th April 1944 when, after 28 missions, it was withdrawn and returned to the USA on 3rd July 1944. The aircraft was scrapped at Altus Airbase, Oklahoma on 17th August 1945. The US 347th Engineer Unit levelled the field surface following the successful take-off of the aircraft.
© 1998-2009 Shaun Churchill - All copyrights rest with the Author
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