Local Lynx No.130 (revised) February-March 2020

This will take you to the Wells courses. Click on the
‘view details’ button next to this course and then follow
the ‘Enrol online’ link at the bottom of the page.
Alternatively, you can enrol by phoning 0300 303 3464.
Or just turn up on the day. For help, advice or further
details please contact Annie Whitelaw on 07856 792186
or email anniewhitelaw53@ icloud.com. In the
meantime…a very happy new year to you all!
LANGHAM DOME NEWS
On 11 November, Armistice Day, Ian Harris, the
nephew of Flight Sergeant Frederick Harris, who died at
RAF Langham in Wellington F for Freddie, which
suffered an engine failure and crashed on take-off for
operations in March 1945, killing four of the seven
crew, returned to the Dome to lay a wreath at the
memorial plaque in memory of his uncle and all who
lost their lives in the crash. Flight Sergeant Harris was
the aircraft’s co-pilot, and the short ceremony also
honoured all who died on operations from RAF
Langham.
The wreath is laid in the presence some of the FoLD Trustees
In the last issue we told the story of a wartime
Beaufighter operation from Langham as narrated by a
now 101 years old Navigator/Wireless Operator, Arthur
Steel. Although not directly related to those operations
from Langham his story of what should have been a
fatal crash just weeks later makes his survival to 101
even more remarkable. This is it - an amazing tale
again told in his own words.
On 20th July 1944 the North Coates Beaufighter
Wing was briefed to attack shipping off the coast of
Norway. Flight Lieutenant Tony Adams, my pilot, with
me as his navigator, in torpedo aircraft U of 254 Sqn,
were well on the way, when our port engine started
giving trouble. We informed the Wing Leader, and set
course back to base, getting as far as 40 miles off
Flamborough Head, by which time the engine was
vibrating so badly it was increasingly difficult to do
anything. For a few more miles we struggled on, until
the engine finally tore itself out of its mounting, causing
the aircraft to flip over, and dive vertically into the sea. I
noted the air speed indicator showed 280 knots - about
320 miles per hour - as we fell, and I knew we should
both be dead within a few seconds, as no-one ever
survived such incidents.
I regained consciousness deep under water, trapped
by cables and torn metal, struggling to hold my breath,
and furious that I was drowning instead of being
instantly killed on impact. Ultimately I could hold my
breath no longer, and clearly recall taking three deep
breaths of seawater. By a miracle I broke clear and
surfaced coughing and spluttering. After a time I was
conscious of my surroundings, watched the tail of the
aircraft disappear under the sea, and our dinghy, which
had released from the wing, set off for the horizon in a
brisk wind. I managed to stay afloat partly by my Mae
West jacket, but mainly from using the fuel tanks that
had floated from inside the wings when the aircraft
disintegrated. Tony was nowhere to be seen, although I
kept calling but with little hope he could still be alive.
My right leg was swinging about, from the knee
joint, and I wasn't in great shape, but I had to stay
conscious if I had any hope of surviving. Many miles
out to sea, injured, no dinghy and with only a fuel tank
under each arm, things weren't too optimistic.
After sometime I became aware a vessel was
heading my way, and begun to blow my whistle as
issued to all aircrew, and which I was told was heard
nearly a mile away. All I had to do was keep afloat,
which I just about managed until this wonderful trawler
got close - and went past as it still had too much way. I
managed to hang on, it came round again, a man dived
over and tied a rope around me, and I was pulled in.
There was a nasty moment as I got nearer to the
propeller, which was still turning, but I was hauled
aboard and promptly lost consciousness. While I was
6