Yesterday my sister Llinos and I went up Graiglwyd mountain in Pen. It's a steep climb but well worth a visit. This mountain is the site of the Stone Age Axe Factory which sits on the slopes, Druids Circle on the summit and a WW2 crash site just off the track.
Although a sunny day, it was still very cold. I'll tell you a bit about the crash site first. (some facts might not be exactly right as my Dad is on holiday for two weeks so I can't check, you know me
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On January 7th 1944 the American B-24j Liberator Bachelors' Baby was flying over Penmaenmawr. It was extremely misty and due to navigation equipment at the time not being as advanced as it is today the 11 crew and Booster the dog thought they were flying over the sea. Unfortunately their mistake was realised too late and they crashed on Graiglwyd Mountain.
Suffering a broken leg one of the survivors struggled in great pain down the mountain to Penmaenmawr to raise the alarm. A rescue party was organised and the group made their way back up to the crash site in the freezing January conditions. Unfortunately 5 crew members and Booster the dog were killed.
Some years later a survivor from that crash accompanied by a vicar and some local people returned to the site and erected the memorial we can see today.
When I was a kid I remember large parts of the plane were still there but over the years people have removed bits and pieces as mementos, small bits of debris such as screws and bits of metal can still be found there, people have more respect nowadays and they tend to leave them around the memorial.