We set out to locate the crash site of the Wellington Bomber MF509 on the slopes of
Carreg Goch in the
Black Mountains in the Brecon Beacons in Wales.
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| the MF509 |
The MF-509 was a Vickers Wellington bomber which crashed into the southwest slope of
Carreg Goch during a night-training mission on November 20, 1944.
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| the memorial |
Although the subsequent RAF report attributed the crash to crew error, it is thought more likely to have been caused by carburetor icing in the Wellington's starboard engine.
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| the crew of MF509 |
The entire Canadian crew on board the bomber was killed. They were interred with full military honours in Blacon Cemetery, Chester, England.
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| the route map |
The original route we intended to take was to join the well-formed foot path at the rear of
Carreg Haffes Farm and progress in its north-westerly route until approximately E82362-N17525 and then head south-west on a bearing of approx 4074mil over
Carreg Goch to the crash site and return via via the same route.
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| at rear of Carreg Haffes Farm |
However, at the rear of
Carreg Haffes Farm it was rather impossible (especially for GS) to safely cross the
Afon Haffes (river) due to the high flow (and some mini rapids too!!) and we were compelled to change course from our planned route.
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| a south-eastern view from Burnt Mound |
Our new route from the rear of
Carreg Haffes Farm was to head up the south to south-western slopes of the
Burnt Mound and cross the
Afon Haffes at the Waterfalls (approx E83000-N18000).
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| the main waterfall |
What a fantastic route!!!! Even though it was overcast with some light drizzle, the views were amazing. With the Afon Haffes running at nearly full bore the waterfalls were in their full glory. We stopped for hot soup and sandwiches on a wide ledge directly opposite the main waterfall, which was a picture perfect picnic location ~ and would be especially in the summer!!
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| a view from Burnt Mound looking north |
Fully refreshed in mind, body, and spirit we left the waterfalls headed south-west up the slope between
Waun Fignen Felen and
Twynwalter until we joined the original well-formed foot path we intended to use at approximately E82362-N17525. Taking the bearing of approx 4074mil from this point, we headed south-west over
Carreg Goch to the crash site.
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| GS and KL at the memorial |
By now there was a layer of mist restricting visibility beyond 500m obscuring any potential views and respective photo opportunities. We located the crash site with ease, and after paying our due respects at the memorial, we sat down to finish off the remainder of soup and sandwiches. Refreshed, we spent around 30minutes investigating the crash site and took numerous photographs, prior to continuing back the way we came to join the main foot path.
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| a easterly view from the foot path |
In joining the main foot path, we followed its route in a south-easterly direction to the rear of the
Shire Horse Centre and continued back onto the A4067 out of the gates to the
Dan-yr-Ogof show cave entrance.
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| a south-easterly view from the foot path |
Even though the weather was not exceptionally favourable, all in all it was a fantastic 4.5mile excursion, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
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| south-east from Burnt Mound |
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| north-west from Burnt Mound |
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| decent to Afon Haffes |
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| upstream to the main waterfall |
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| Afon Haffes flowing downstream |
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| decent to Afon Haffes |
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| the main waterfall |
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| smaller falls downstream |
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| the best picnic area ~ in the area |
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| crash site debris1 |
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| crash site debris 2 |
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| at the memorial |
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| KL and GS |
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| crash site debris 3 |
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| crash site debris 4 |
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| the Canadian flags |
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| the main path on route back |
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| can we go home now......?? |
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| another hard day.....!! |
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