P-47C Thunderbolt 41-6227 of the 63rd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group crashed at Horsehill Tor on 25 April 1943. The site now lies within the Peak District National Park and also The Dark Peak Site of Special Scientific Interest.



The aircraft was on a return flight from Horsham St Faith to Liverpool (Speke) for obtaining aircraft parts, when it encountered thunderstorms and went into a spin. The aircraft crashed at high speed into the side of Horsehill Tor. The pilot, John E Coenen was able to bale out but suffered severe spinal injuries. Despite this he returned to service for a period and was decorated for his part in a later action before being invalided out of the service.