Emergency Landing in Portugal 7th May 1943

**SimonTasker** · 26th January 2022, 17:40

Hi

I am trying to find some information about a Pilot and an incident on 7th May 1943

Sgt Graham Alan ‘Taffy’ Rich (1315748) was part of 1PRU attached to Coastal command (later a stunt pilot for a number of major films, including Blue Max and Mosquito Squadron)

He took off from Portreath at 0700 on 7th May 1943 bound for Gibraltar

His aircraft developed fuel system issues and he was forced to land on the beach near Aveiro, Portugal. He went to the local police station where he telephoned the air attache. He was then interned in a hotel in Elva until 21st June, when he was returned to Bristol

i am trying to find some information on the plane he used ? Were there any crew involved ? The purpose of the flight ? What happened to the plane?

i am also researching the RAF career of Taffy for a book , which lasted into the 1950s, i know he flew a great deal of different planes in his career

Any advice or any information on the incident of Taffy very gratefully received

many thanks

simon

**davew** · 26th January 2022, 18:45

Simon

The a/c was a Spitfire XI EN419. A short account of the incident is to be found here. https://www.portugal1939-1945.org/en...-in-furadouro/

DaveW

**alieneyes** · 26th January 2022, 18:59

Commissioned Pilot Officer 24 April 1944. Officer's number 176737.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...upplement/3140

Regards,

Dave

**SimonTasker** · 26th January 2022, 20:45

DaveW - thanks so much !
simon

**Andy Fletcher** · 27th January 2022, 09:47

Sgt Rich was posted to RAF Benson on 06 Apr 43. If he was destined for overseas service he probably joined 'B' Flight 543 Sqn (309 FT&ADU) for further training prior to despatch abroad. The actual date of his ferry flight was 05 May 43 with EN419 being SOC on the 7th.

The Benson ORB says the following for 05 May 43:

"Sgt G.A. Rich, who was ferrying a PR.XI from Portreath to Gibraltar, force-landed on a beach near Oporto, Portugal. A report for the British Air Attache in Lisbon gave the reasons for forced landing as icing and engine trouble. The a/c was undamaged, but all secret equipment was destroyed by pilot."

The purpose of the flight would have been to deliver the aircraft to either 682 or 683 Sqn with the pilot joining the unit on posting.

Best regards

Andy Fletcher