Bristol Beaufighter Crash La Ferrière (1944)

Bristol Beaufighter (Royal Canadian Air Force) and crew members, February 1945

Beaufighter Crash — night of 2 November 1944

On the night of 2 November 1944, a Bristol Beaufighter — a night fighter used by Allied forces — crashed on the slopes of Montagne de l’Arpette, near the village of La Ferrière, in the Haut-Bréda valley. This tragic event, still deeply rooted in local memory today, left a lasting mark on the history of the region during the Second World War.

The Crew on Board

The aircraft carried three crew members:

The pilot 1st Lt. Jesse W. Berryhill
The radio-radar operator 2nd Lt. Raymond Rodgers
Passenger S/Sgt Murrell Anderton

The exact circumstances of the crash appear to be linked to a combination of poor night weather, flight trajectory and reduced visibility, which led to the tragic impact with the mountainous terrain. Contact with the aircraft was reportedly lost near Bourg-en-Bresse, while the plane was heading toward its mission area.

Local information and remembrance work carried out by associations, including Beaufighter Crash Memories, now help keep this chapter of history alive. The event is recalled through reenactments, stories and testimonies, with a strong desire to pass this history on to present and future generations.

The Bristol Beaufighter — an Iconic Night Fighter

The Bristol Beaufighter was a heavy fighter and strike aircraft used by the Royal Air Force and Commonwealth forces, deployed in Europe during the final years of the war. Designed for night missions with onboard radar, it combined firepower, endurance and the ability to operate in difficult conditions.

This type of aircraft was widely engaged in operations against Axis forces on several fronts, including Western Europe in 1944. Its role included intercepting enemy aircraft as well as conducting night strike operations against strategic targets.

Preserving the Memory

In La Ferrière and throughout the Haut-Bréda valley, the memory of the Beaufighter crash is preserved by residents, history enthusiasts and local associations. Every commemoration, reenactment or discussion surrounding this tragedy helps remind us of the human and historical cost of the war in these mountain territories.

BCM is committed to honoring the memory of this crew and sharing their stories so that these men are never forgotten and history continues to live at the heart of the community.

Aircraft Sheet — Bristol Beaufighter (technical reference)

Technical extract — useful reference points to understand the aircraft involved in the crash of 2 November 1944.

The Bristol Beaufighter was a heavy aircraft designed for interception and night operations. The aircraft involved in the accident on the slopes of Montagne de l’Arpette belonged to the Beaufighter Mk VIF version, mainly used as a night fighter.

Type

Twin-engine night fighter.

Version

Beaufighter Mk VIF.

Powerplant

2 × Bristol Hercules, 14-cylinder radial engines (Series VI or XVI depending on configuration).

Power output

Approximately 1,650 to 1,700 hp per engine.

Main armament

4 × 20 mm Hispano cannons mounted in the fuselage, supplemented by machine guns depending on the version.

Operational role

Night interception, air defense, radar missions.

Recommended external source: for a complete and detailed profile of the Bristol Beaufighter, consult the AvionsLégendaires website (French language).

Learn more — full aircraft profile

History of the Bristol Beaufighter

An aircraft born from urgency — designed to meet the critical needs of the Royal Air Force at the beginning of the Second World War.

The Bristol Beaufighter was designed in the late 1930s to fulfill the role of a long-range heavy fighter. It was largely inspired by its predecessor, the torpedo bomber Bristol Beaufort, from which it reused several structural elements: the wings, tail assembly and landing gear. This lineage significantly shortened development time at a moment when war was becoming imminent.

The project answered a specific request from the Royal Air Force: to provide an aircraft capable of escorting, intercepting and fighting at long range. Very quickly, however, the Beaufighter’s potential went beyond this initial role. Its robustness, firepower and versatility allowed it to be used in numerous roles: night fighter, ground-attack aircraft, anti-shipping aircraft and torpedo bomber.

Development and early missions

Four prototypes were ordered on 15 October 1938, the same day as the first flight of the Beaufort. The first Beaufighter took to the air on 17 July 1939. Following the performance observed during testing, the British authorities quickly placed an order for 300 aircraft.

The first operational version, the Beaufighter Mk I, entered service in September 1940. It was armed with four 20 mm cannons mounted in the fuselage and six 7.7 mm machine guns installed in the wings. Some aircraft were fitted with onboard radar, allowing them to play a decisive role during the Battle of Britain as night fighters.

The first truly effective radar-equipped night fighter

The Beaufighter became the first truly effective radar-equipped night fighter. In early versions, the radar operator carried out several tasks, including reloading the aircraft’s cannons. This was a demanding job, as the ammunition drums weighed about 18 kg each, while the aircraft performed tight maneuvers in pursuit of its target.

A formidable maritime strike aircraft

The Beaufighter’s strength quickly attracted the attention of Coastal Command. Specific variants such as the Mk IC were deployed for maritime escort and torpedo missions. In this role, the aircraft proved particularly formidable: it is credited with the destruction of nearly 300,000 tons of enemy shipping in the English Channel, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

Among the most notable operations was that of a Beaufighter Mk VIC of No. 236 Squadron, which flew in broad daylight and at very low altitude over the Champs-Élysées, dropped a French flag, and then launched a rocket attack on the Gestapo headquarters in Paris.

A long and global service career

Beyond Europe, the Beaufighter was also deployed in the Middle East and the Far East. By September 1945, nearly 5,900 aircraft had been built, all variants combined.

Several Beaufighters continued flying in regular units until the 1950s, leaving behind the image of a robust, versatile aircraft closely associated with the major air operations of the Second World War.

Bristol Beaufighter — Timeline 1938 → 1950

1938 — The Royal Air Force calls for a long-range heavy fighter. Bristol relies on the Beaufort to accelerate the design of the future Beaufighter.

17 July 1939 — first flight of the Bristol Beaufighter. The aircraft’s performance confirms the potential of the twin-engine design despite the tense pre-war context.

September 1940 — entry into service of the Beaufighter Mk I. It takes part in Britain’s night defense during the Battle of Britain.

1941 – 1942 — the Beaufighter becomes a reference radar-equipped night fighter. Its role gradually expands to ground attack and maritime missions.

1942 – 1944 — large-scale deployment by Coastal Command. Maritime and torpedo versions contribute to the destruction of nearly 300,000 tons of enemy shipping.

Night of 2 November 1944 — a Beaufighter crashes on Montagne de l’Arpette, in the Haut-Bréda valley. A tragic event now at the heart of BCM’s work of remembrance.

September 1945 — end of production. Nearly 5,900 Beaufighters were built, all variants combined.

Late 1940s – 1950 — the Beaufighter continues its career in regular units before gradually being withdrawn from active service.

A timeline that reminds us that beyond the machine, the Beaufighter is above all linked to human destinies and to territories shaped by history.