Wildboarclough – Boeing B-17G (USAAF)

Boeing B-17G (USAAF) – 02/01/1945
Boeing B-17G, 43-38944, 398th BG, USAAF was on a ferry flight from USAF base Burtonwood heading for Royston when it struck the top of the hill while flying at an extremely low altitude killing all 5 airmen.

Start point – Meeting location is at Clough house car park SK11 0BD. Please see map below or view Google Map. Meeting times will vary due to light conditions and will be confirmed on your booking confirmation. We want to be near the wreck site at around dusk to add to the atmosphere but we will still have the half-hour buffer so 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 – Same as start point.

Ground in general – From the car parking area we will be following a country lane up to the main road A54. Caution A54 is a busy road cross with caution. We will then be on open moorland up to the crash site.

Duration – approx 2 hours.

Distance – 3.2 miles.

Trek grade – Easy going along country lanes until we get onto open moorland. On the way to the wreck I will conduct regular ground briefs and head checks. The area of the crash site is exposed so it is very important to be prepared with the correct kit and equipment.

Points to note:

A head torch is essential. Please make sure it works before you arrive and you either have spare batteries or a spare head torch. Head torch is safer so you can keep your hands free. A whistle is required for safety reasons so please ensure you have one attached to you.

On approach to the wreck site (Approximately 100 meters short) I will close you all in for a head check and issue you with a red light marker will be clipped to your jacket or rucksack and switched on and then we switch head torches off. I will be ahead with a green light marker on my rucksack to guide you to the wreck site and we will do this in complete darkness as it adds to the atmosphere. I will brief you on the story of the aircraft and what happened and only after that point we can switch head torches on so we can have a look around the wreck site. I will take back the light markers then we use head torches for the route back.

Additional info can be found on The Phantom Airmen of Birchenough