News blackout

Michael Mulford from Cupar has been in touch reporting progress in his investigation into the tragedy of paratroops who died in an accident in the Tay off Wormit during the Second World War.

Michael’s mother, Anna, witnessed the tragedy from the beach at Wormit. She saw men jump from aircraft and land in the river. She knew it was serious and approached a Polish officer who turned up. When he saw she was heavily pregnant, he told her everything was ok.

“That started the story that a number of Poles had drowned,” says Michael. “I have now established that although Polish troops were involved, they all survived. An official clamp was put on information and local people were told to say nothing to anyone.”

Michael has established that 13 Whitley aircraft each carrying 10 men had left Salisbury Plain and were to fly over Tentsmuir and disgorge their troops. “Two of these converted former bombers flew over the Tay well off course and 19 men jumped. The 10 Polish soldiers landed in relatively shallow water on the Fife side and managed to get ashore. The next day a lot of their equipment including their distinctive helmets was found on the shore.

“Sadly, eight of the nine British men who jumped from the other aircraft drowned in around 25 feet of water. Six bodies were recovered, but two were not. All were members of the 8th (Midlands) Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, including a Major who had previously won the Military Cross, a young Lieutenant and six other ranks.

“The 10th man refused to jump having realised they were over water and was subsequently court-martialled. The one survivor was RSM Alan Parsons who is thought to have landed on a sandbank before struggling ashore.

“Questions remain, particularly why these aircraft were 11 miles off the drop zone. I am looking into this with the help of parachuting experts. I am grateful to the many people who have been in touch with information which helped to find the truth of this tragedy,” says Michael.