RAF Ibsley – P47 crash onto WI Hall

Return to Base - Cover image. A P-47 Thunderbolt from 404th squadron - built in 1944. The picture was taken towards the end of the war, on the ground in Germany as the Allies advanced.
On May 11th 1944, a P47 crashed on Rockford WI Hall, just avoiding the village school.  My dad (Wally Walling) was a pupil at the school, and was there that afternoon.  Over the years, I heard stories about what happened from Dad himself, and from his Dad before him – but I never knew the full account.  Having seen a reference to the incident, and also noted that the 70th anniversary was fast approaching, my natural curiosity led me to see what I could find out.
I was soon immersed in the almost endless information that is now available to us all via the internet.  I ended up researching the full story – before, during and after the pieces that I had known.
I produced a small booklet with a summary version of what I found, to create a formal record.  I hope it is of some interest and adds a few new details to this story.   If I have made any errors or omissions – and I am sure that I must have – I apologise, and I will happily make corrections for any that are pointed out to me.
You can find out more about Ibsley Airfield in this overview article, which has links to other articles relating to Ibsley Airfield.
Date: 1944
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