Is this the Stirling Bomber that crashed at the Stambourne Q Site (Decoy WWII site for Ridgewell)? The site was in a field near the playing field and illuminated at night to draw attention away from the important airfield at Ridgewell.
Does anyone recognise the photo or know anyone who remembers the crash? Please get in touch.
A Stirling Bomber is said to have crashed at the decoy airfield in Stambourne, see below:
Stirling N6009 Information
| Type | Stirling |
| Serial Number | N6009 |
| Squadron | 7 |
| X1D | MG-? |
| Operation | Cologne |
| Date 1 | 20th April 1941 |
| Date 2 | 21st April 1941 |
Further Information
“Serial Range N6000 – N6049. 50 Stirling Mk.1. Part of a batch of 100 Short S.29 Stirling Mk.1. N6000-N6049; N6065- N6104; N6120-N6129 built at Belfast and N6065-N6084 at Aldergrove. N6025-N6028 and N6031 were destroyed whilst under construction by enemy action at the factory, and were replaced in May 1943 by MZ260- MZ264. Delivered by Short & Harland between Oct40 and Sep41. Contract No.774677/38. Delivered to N0.22MU 10Feb41, to Wyton 23Feb41, to No.7 Sqdn 14Mar41. Airborne 2150 20Apr41 from Oakington. On return, crash-landed on a Q site at Stambourne, 8 miles NW of Halstead, Essex. The crew escaped unhurt, despite the efforts of an enemy Intruder to bomb the wrecked Stirling. F/L R.A.Cruikshank DFC. Sgt R.S.Havery Sgt K.F.Wilson Sgt G.W.Smith Sgt J.McIntyre Sgt S.A.Hives Sgt E.Barratt This crew were destined to be KIA 2/3May41. See: N6012. There is a possibility that Sgt Wilson could be Sgt Wilkinson. “