PB4Y-1 63926 - SW Moors

A PB4Y-1 Anti-Submarine patrol Liberator of VB-110 Squadron
based at Dunkeswell, crosses the English coastline. Picture
taken from a painting by Alan E.Jones.

PB4Y-1 63926 Had been on patrol over the Bay of Biscay on
the afternoon of 28th December,whilst on patrol the Liberator
was attacked by 2 Dorniers, but after returning fire, and
another PB4Y-1 `B-12` coming to his aid, the two enemy
aircraft fled into cloud below.

Following an exchange of bearings for home with `B-12`, Lt
Parish turned for base,an ETA of 22.20 was given and that
was the last time any communication with `B-5`was heard.

At 22.50 a crash was reported by the ARP (Air Raid Precautions)
to 19 Group Coastal Command at Harrowbeer, then at 02.05 it
was said that this was a 4 engined aircraft and the location
was Sheleton Tor (Actually Shelstone Tor, a mile from the crash
site).The aircaft had struck level ground on a hill at 1,875ft
asl, and dug a furrow along the moor for about 1/4 mile before
hitting a rocky scree and disintegrating as it went. There were
no survivors.

Crew of 63926:

Pilot: Lt William W.Parish.
Co-Pilot: Ens Don M.Lyons.
Navigator: Ens Roger W.Lovelace.
Engineer: AMM2c Arthur J.Stork.
2/Mech: AMM2c John E.Shaffer.
1/Radio: ARM2c Leo M.Davenport.
2/Radio: ARM3c John F.Benson.
Ord Mech: AOM3c Alfred J.Roddy.Jr
Gunner: AMM3c Charles A.Reynard.
Gunner: AMM3c Dwight E.Nash.


	LT WILLIAM W.PARISH & CREW - VB-110 SQUADRON

Lt Bill Parish & crew of 63926 `B-5` of VB-110 Squadron.

Lt Parish is pictured front centre, and AOM3c Alfred J.Roddy

Jr, known as `Sonny` to family and friends is 2nd Left back

row. Sonny,who was born and raised in Troy,N.Y. was the

eldest of 7 children and much loved by all who knew him.

If anyone can add further names to faces I`d very much

appreciate it!

According to new sources the crew above have been named

as follows but note a slight discrepency with Roddy.

L to R: (Back Row) Bradfield, Benson,Davenport,Reynard,

                                                 Spillman & Shaffer.

             (Front) Roddy, Lyons, Parish,Lovelace & Nash.

Thanks to Sean Taylor for this information.

Photo: Via Bernard Stevens.


	Lt Bill Parish in `B-5` shortly before the accident.

Lt Parish poses for a shot at Dunkeswell in `B-5` alias
the Liberator 63926 that crashed on Dartmoor.

Photo: George H.Charno. Jr.


	Crash Site Revisited - 30 years on.

A picture of the tail section of 63926 near Slipper Stones,
Dartmoor, The site being revisited by members of D.A.R.R.T,
Devon Aircraft Research & Recovery Team in the early 1970s.

Photo. Mr R.Hill Via D.J.Smith.


	Scene Revisited - 1999.

Wing wreckage found at the scene by the author in October 1999.


	Fuselage & Wing wreckage

Still lots of alloy scattered and in craters on the moor
from Lt Parish`s Liberator.


	Wing Wreckage looking down the Copse

Another ditch with mainly flap & wing parts


	A sheet of armour plate from 63926


	A POIGNANT REMINDER.

The grave of Gunner on 63926 AMM3c Dwight E.Nash USNR,
from Tennessee, in the American War Cemetery at Madingly,
Cambridge,England.