Bristol Blenheim IV
RAF Serial: R3912
13 OTU
Pilot: Sgt. James Falconer Anderson (killed)
Observer: Sgt. Adam Hogg (killed)
W/Op and Gunner: Sgt. Gilbert Ingram McBoyle (killed)
Date: 5th July 1942
Place: near Bridgewater, Bristol

It is a sad fact, though often ignored, that a huge percentage of casualties were caused by accidents.

Blenheim IV R3912 was serving with No.13 OTU on the 5th of July 1942 when it was lost on a training flight from Bicester to bomb a practice target near Bristol. Just after midday, the Blenheim was seen to be in a near vertical dive when it was lost to view in cloud. When it was seen again, it straightened slightly and then went into another steep dive. It crashed into Pawlett Hams on the east bank of the River Severn near Bridgewater and exploded.

Its three crew members: Sergeant Anderson, Sergeant Hogg, and Sergeant McBoyle were killed in the crash. No cause for the mysterious crash could be discovered.

After a ten-year effort to gain permission for an excavation, it was finally carried out by a team led by Tim Hake in July 2007. Permission was granted by the MoD with the proviso that EOD (bomb disposal) officers were in attendance, and Natural England conservators stipulated that precautions to protect newts in this SSSI area were observed.

Amongst the wreckage unearthed during the excavation were parts of both engines, one wheel and undercarriage, and two propeller blades. Later cleaning of the items brought to light maps, parts of the controls, and fragments of a parachute – a sobering reminder of the high cost of training wartime crews.