Black Hill from Holme Moss – 5 Wrecks

Consolidated B24H (USAAF)
09/10/1944
Consolidated B24H, 42-94841, 857th Bomber Squadron/492nd Bomber group USAAF crashed into the area of Holme Moss summit while on a low-level cross country navigation exercise resulting in 9 crew killed and 1 survivor.

NA F86e Sabre (RCAF)
14/12/1954
North American F86 Sabre, 19234, 137 Flt, RCAF was on a test flight from Ringway (Manchester airport) when it crashed into the area of Holme Moss in bad weather killing the pilot.

Fairey Swordfish
25/01/1940
Fairey Swordfish, P4223, 751 Squadron (RN) was on a ferry flight when it became separated from the rest of the flight in extremely bad weather and crashed into the area of Black hill killing the pilot.

Gloster Meteor’s x 2
12/04/1951
Gloster Meteors’s VZ518 & WA791, 66 Squadron (RAF) was taking part in a 4 ship interception exercise when the 2 aircraft descended through cloud too soon and crashed into the area of Black hill still in formation. Both pilots were killed.

Start point – Holme Moss summit car park (HD9 2QH). Please see map below or view Google Map.

Meeting – 0900 and depart for the trek at 0930, this will give late arrivals time to prepare. I will then conduct a head check, safety brief, weather update and route description then answer any questions.

Finish point – As start point.

Ground in general – From the car park straight onto open moorland crossing peat troughs with gently rolling slopes and crossing small streams. We will have to cross the A6204 and back onto exposed moorland.

Duration – up to 8 hours

Distance – 8 miles.

Trek grade – Moderate going across open moorland however it is an exposed summit so the wind speeds could increase, stunning views of West Yorkshire.

Points to note:

A route description will be given after we have visited each wreck site and we will have plenty of opportunities for a break.

This area is within MOD low flying area 8 so there could be a possibility of seeing some fast jets or helicopters so fingers crossed.

One of the wrecks is on a taster trek which is the B24H.