World War II Airfields & Radar Stations
Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress Dawlish Recovery Runway
29th September 2008
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This is believed to be roughly were the temporary runway was located. The break in the hedged field boundary being the only visible clue
This is believed to be roughly were the temporary runway was located. The break in the hedged field boundary being the only visible clue
"Werewolf" draped in camouflage netting
 Repairing the aircraft and building a temporary runway to fly her out saved time, manpower and dollars
Repairing the aircraft and building a temporary runway to fly her out saved time, manpower and dollars
The temporary runway can be clearly seen in this photo
The temporary runway can be clearly seen in this photo
Pfc. Eugene Nachaven, Des Plaines, Illinois and S/Sgt. Frederick R. Landry, Baton Rouge, Louisiana working on the aircraft's landing gear
Pfc. Eugene Nachaven, Des Plaines, Illinois and S/Sgt. Frederick R. Landry, Baton Rouge, Louisiana working on the aircraft's landing gear
 T/Sgt. Donald T. Rowland, McCook, Nebraska, Pvt. John Kainrad, Diamont, Ohio and S/Sgt. Ernest L. Neiswinger, Clay City, Indiana installing a supercharger
T/Sgt. Donald T. Rowland, McCook, Nebraska, Pvt. John Kainrad, Diamont, Ohio and S/Sgt. Ernest L. Neiswinger, Clay City, Indiana installing a supercharger
 Members of a 8th US Air Force Service Command Mobile Repair Unit hoisting a new No. 3 engine into place
Members of a 8th US Air Force Service Command Mobile Repair Unit hoisting a new No. 3 engine into place
 The Flying Fortress being wheeled into position prior to take-off
The Flying Fortress being wheeled into position prior to take-off
Flying Fortress taking off at Dawlish. Numerous civilian spectators are visible in the original photograph
Flying Fortress taking off at Dawlish. Numerous civilian spectators are visible in the original photograph
 Lt. George J. Oxrider & Crew - 358th BS. Tragically, Lt. George J. Oxrider was killed in action on Easter Day 1944
Lt. George J. Oxrider & Crew - 358th BS. Tragically, Lt. George J. Oxrider was killed in action on Easter Day 1944
 An exhibition at Dawlish Museum detailing the forced landing of the B-17F Flying Fortress
An exhibition at Dawlish Museum detailing the forced landing of the B-17F Flying Fortress
On 23rd January 1943 Boeing B-17F #41-24606 Flying Fortress named "Werewolf" force landed on a rugby field adjacent to Langdon Mental Hospital at Dawlish, Devon after three of her four engines were put out of action by enemy FW190 aircraft whilst returning from a mission to bomb the u-boat pens at Lorient. The aircraft was subsequently repaired by the US 8th Air Force Service Command Mobile Repair Unit whilst trees, walls and hedges were all removed by the US 347th Engineer Unit in order to construct an improvised 2,250ft runway. The B-17F was flown out on 22nd April 1943 to Honington Air Depot where further repairs were carried out on the aircraft prior to it being reassigned to the 401st BS / 91st for two months. On 11th June 1943 Werewolf went to the US 3rd Base Air Depot at Langford Lodge and then on 14th June to Little Staughton (8th Group RAF Bomber) and finally to 1st Combat Crew Replacement Centre at Bovingdon. Members of the crew on the 23rd January 1943 missions were: 1st Lt. George J. Oxrider (P), 2nd Lt. Donald W. Hurlburt (CP), 2nd Lt. Donald L. Grant (N), 2nd Lt. Earl A. Steele (B), T/Sgt. Frederick B. Ziemer (E), S/Sgt. Everett A. Dasher (R), Sgt. Robert C. Smith (BTG), Sgt. Samuel P. Heaps (LWG), Sgt. Samuel P. Maxwell (RWG), Sgt. James K. Sadler (TG). The US 347th Engineer Unit levelled the field surface following the successful take-off of the aircraft. Further details about the forced landing can be found on Gary Moncur's excellent Hell's Angels website.
© 1998-2009 Shaun Churchill - All copyrights rest with the Author
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