Allied – Hurricane P3172

The tragic story of a forced landing that went terribly awry, resulting in the loss of both the aircraft and the young pilot officer, J. A. J. Davey. His Tangmere Hurricane P3172 from No. 1 Squadron had been dispatched earlier that day to intercept a large bombardment mission consisting of 56 Junkers Ju88s, 25 Heikel He111s, and escorts of 65 ME BF110s and 30 ME 109s, all of which were en route to Weymouth and Portland. The subsequent aerial combat resulted in the Hurricane receiving significant damage from a Bf109, compelling it to search for a safe place to land. The location selected to attempt a landing was what is now the Sandown High School campus. There exists multiple versions of what followed.

According to one account, the approach was smooth and level, but the aircraft overran and had to avoid a small boy in a hedgerow. It then struck a slope and toppled over on its snout. At this juncture, it appears the pilot attempted in vain to open the canopy, but the aircraft was soon consumed by fire. Thus, according to all accounts, it was Pilot Officer J. A. J. Davey’s valiant attempt to evade the young child that ultimately led to his demise.

The book Wight Air Wrecks by A. T. Gilliam contains an intriguing account from the young lad. aviator Officer J A J Davey is the only aviator shot down over the island during World War II who is buried on the island.

Note: All images are merely representative of the aircraft and not specific.

• Wight Air Wrecks – A T Gilliam ISBN 0-7524-2376-2
• Batttle in the Skies – H J Leal (IWCP)
• Contemporary landing picture of a Hurricane on approach, Images copyright Arpingstone