Casualties in training accidents.

[John Williams]

Hi All,

Does anyone know how many Aircrew were killed in training accidents during WW2. Also if there is a break down by nationality?

Cheers,

John.

[Jagan]

I refer to

RAF WWII Operational and Flying Accident Casualty Files in the National Archives by Mary Hudson has a table prepared in 1947 that provides partial answers to this question. its an amazing document calculated and written down on paper before the era of electronic spreadsheets and it is mind boggling to think how much effort went into it. The numbers are for 3 Sept 1939 - 14th August 1945


It does not say Training Accident but categories deaths into Flying Battle / Flying Accident / Ground BAttle and Ground deaths.

Under Flying Accidents:

22815 Killed 22 Missing (127 POWs) -> RAF 15869, RCAF 3042 WAAF 20 RNZAF 668 RAAF 1485 SAAF 431 Other Dominions (61) Polish 609, Allies 630

For Flying Battle

70188 Killed 66 Missing 12063 POWs

[John Williams]

Hi Japan,

Many thanks mate for that detailed reply.

Cheers,

John.

[Ross_McNeill]

My observation of England town war memorials is that for RAF deaths about 30% are operational, 50% are training with the remaining 20% usually illness/ground accident.

Not hard and fast but I find the generalism seems about right.

Ross

[John Williams]

Thanks Ross.

John.

[jonheyworth]

My observation of England town war memorials is that for RAF deaths about 30% are operational, 50% are training with the remaining 20% usually illness/ground accident.

Not hard and fast but I find the generalism seems about right.

Ross

I'd agree totally with that assesment

[jonheyworth]

I have the statistics for 1946 and 1947 when they began compling them Into causes again but God only knows where I've stashed them as they are useless at allocating causes to individuals but they do break down into blocks of causes

[John Williams]

Thanks Lads,

It for part of a talk I’ll be giving next year very helpful I’m staggered it was so high.

Cheers,

John.