Lost WWII Ghost Plane; The Mystery of the Maid of Harlech
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- Опубликовано: 9 янв 2025
- In this episode, Kate Broug unravels the mystery of the Maid of Harlech, the legendary WWII "ghost plane" buried beneath the sands of Wales. This P-38 Lightning has become a symbol of aviation folklore. In this episode, Kate explores the crash site and its haunting history, offering rare insights into the WWII aviation legacy and the preservation efforts surrounding this iconic wreckage.
Special thanks to Phil Scott from Rib Ride, Cadw, Matt Reeves, and Eric Morris for their dedication to keeping the Maid of Harlech protected. A heartfelt thank you to our production team: Fernando Urdapilleta, James Ari, James McConachie, and Matthew Berger.
Disclaimer: The Maid of Harlech is a protected historical site, and we fully respect its preservation. At no point during the filming of this episode did we intend to physically uncover the aircraft, nor would we ever reveal its exact location. Our goal is to honor its significance and contribute to its ongoing protection.
Such a legendary story that a few of us can see from time to time. It's poetic. Beautiful video
I went looking for it last year, but like most found nothing. It's a really interesting story, as no one died in the P38 it's not a war grave, so really if the funds could be raised, it would be nice to see the Maid of Harlech put in a museum for all to see. Great video Kate, really enjoyable to watch
Steve I thought the same about war graves. If Wiki is right, then airman don't necessarily need to die for war grave declaration. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_grave#:~:text=The%20term%20%22war%20grave%22%20does%20not%20only%20apply%20to%20graves.
I think the Mosquito might have a claim to be the most successful twin-engined fighter of the war, albeit it could also act as a fighter-bomber, etc, and was arguably the first true MRCA.
Totally agree with you buddy.
Interesting video, Kate! My Great-Grandmother was born in Wales in 1899, and took a steam ship to the US when she was orphaned at 8 years old...
Great channel Kate. Subscribed. I have flown from Llanbedr many times, never seen the P38 but have a good idea where it is. Double engine failure screams out he ran out of fuel ......
I love this castle, and I really like the place! It is one of my favorites
The biggest mystery is why, if the aircraft came down on Harlech Beach, they are looking for it in the Menai Straight!
Thank you, I was also wondering that!
That's true!
Ribride, the company that provided the inflatable to go to the wreck site, is based in Menai Bridge
Engaging subject matter, well presented. Cheers! you gained a sub
Interesting video, lots of aircraft and crews where lost in the hills around the North of England and Wales some due to weather conditions,a few books catalogue their details and site
I used to live in Harlech. The 'Maid of Harlech' was actually engulfed by the sea and sand, because of the barbed wire defences and mines lain along the beach to prevent it being used for German amphibious landings meant it couldn't be recovered from the beach immediately.
There are lots of other crash sites across the area. One is a B25 Mitchell, the 'Bachelors baby'. She was part of a group of aircraft that were transiting from the US, via the northern route through across the Atlantic and to North Wales. The squadron landed at RAF on Anglesey, the final stop before transiting to their new base RAF Walton on the south coast of England. However, when they took off the Bachelors baby was not among them due to technical issues. The following day the Bachelors baby took off into thick low cloud (estimated at 300 ft) and began her flight east. The navigator had received instructions to fly no lower than a pre set height due to mountains in the area until they passed the river Conwy and they could drop to a lower altitude. Apparently the bachelors baby flew into strong headwinds and through a break in the cloud he could see what he thought given the time they'd been airborne was the river Conwy. However, what he'd actually seen was the Menai strait, and the bachelors baby descended through the cloud and into the mountains. I read one account where one of the crew realized they were in trouble when as he was looking out a window he glimpsed a sheep go past... then another... The plane struck the ground in a shallow dive, ripping her bomb bay doors off before careening onwards before hitting the ground and catching fire on the desolate mountainside above Penmaenmawr . 5 of the 11 crew died (3 instantly, 2 of their injuries before help could arrive). The pilot, 2nd Lt.Schultz said in a later interview that the surviving crew were in shock that there was so much nothing in somewhere so small. There's no bog parts of the wreck left, but you can find small components at the site and a pair of memorials.
Nice research; thanks. My wife introduced me to a fellow DDS classmate 1986-89. As a fellow warbird buff, he showed me his maps & research of a number of crash sites in the US pinned on his wall. He contacted Darryl Greenamyer who was looking for the B-29 Kee Bird & offered to give him the crash site in Greenland. My friend's only ask was a place on the crew. Unfortunately, he was and remains a 'handshake' guy. After he relayed the info, Greenamyer ghosted him. After the Kee Bird expedition "found' the crash, my friend decided to just forget about the deal. I think I'm more "burned up" (see what I did?) than he is to this day.
I’ve had the gift of knowing two veterans who flew the P-38. One French. One American. Both fascinating.
How long was the journey in the boat from Menai Bridge to Harlech ? 😮
Nice work on these videos.
Interesting video.
Not really “ away from enemy bombing raids”. In Feb 1941 most of Swansea , s Wales was destroyed by enemy bombing. 11,000 buildings destroyed, 230 killed.
He forgot to switch over his fuel tanks after take off.and wasted a brand new aircraft
Why in heck has it not been reclaimed & restoration efforts began
Money...
Very nice video. Should have brought the fish finder! ;-)
It was visible on Google maps for a while.
@katebroug >>> Great video...👍
Talking about Wales while showing Cornwall???
Lockheed P-38 Lightning, not Lightening.
The spelling on those subscripts is appalling.
👍
is it me or is this woman a total smoke show?!? Damn
She's smoking hot.
We "Brits" say (like you) Second "Leftenant" (in phonics). This pilot was USAAF. Americans say Second "Lootenant". You should really brush up on your WW2 history. The P-38 was not nearly as fantastic as you seem to believe, especially this particular model of P-38.
It isn,t a ghost aircraft , the crew walked away , in more recent times , people who claimed ownership , turned out to be nothing more than euphoric nonsense , so nothing was done , nice to romanticise though .