Operation: Training

Date: 4th March 1945 (Sunday)

Unit No: 56 Operational Training Unit (OTU), 11 Group

Type: Tempest V

Serial: NV924

Code: None

Base: RAF Milfield, Northumberland

Location: Barmoor Farm, South Moor, near Lowick

Pilot: Fg Off. Pierre Nicolas Bernhart J25260 RCAF Age 24. Killed

Note: Some records list this Tempest as EJ924 but this was the serial for a Typhoon Ib which was based at the 56 OTU Signals School on the 13th March 1947.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Red Leader (Fg Off. Bernhart) took-off with Red 2 in formation at 09:44 hrs. Red 3 and 4 took-off immediately afterwards but did not join up with Red 1 and 2 before they entered cloud. All 4 aircraft were in radio contact with Flying Control. Red 1 and 2 entered cloud but after 30 seconds or so Red 2 lost his leader and broke away, breaking cloud in the circuit.

Weather: Cloud base 250ft., visibility good, Surface wind W-WNW 5-25 mph.

Red 1 apparently stayed in the cloud and his radio must have gone u/s as nobody could contact him. The weather was by this time deteriorating quite rapidly and Red 1 broke out of the cloud 8 miles NE of base and flew into the ground at approximately 09:55 hours at Barmoor Farm, South Moor, near Lowick.

The aircraft was strewn over an area of ground about ¾ mile long from the point of impact to where the engine came to rest, it had completely disintegrated, the only large piece being the engine.

Summary report

The sudden weather clamp is a feature of this area at this time of year. Less than half an hour later the weather was as good as it had been bad when Bernhart crashed. I consider the loss of VT contact was due to the pilot flying low to remain below aloud. The primary cause of the accident was bad weather.

From the evidence shown this accident was caused by rapid deterioration of the weather combined with the fact that the aerodrome is surrounded by hills on two- thirds of its sides and this particular pilot had no contact with the ground.

Pierre Nicolas Bernhart

He was educated at Vancouver College. Worked for four years as a front office clerk for the Vancouver Hotel prior to enlisting. Enlisted on the 16th of April 1943. Trained in Canada with No, 7 Initial Training School then to No. 6 Elementary Flying Training School until the 27th December 1942.

Further training with No. 10 Service Flying Training School on the 28th of December 1942. Awarded his wings on the 16th of April 1943. He proved to be an Exceptional pilot and was then moved to No. 2 Flying Training School from April until July 1943. Joined 121 Squadron until the end of October. Then to 123 squadron in Derbert, Nova Scotia. After this he was sent to England and joined 439 squadron. After his tour had expired he went as an instructor for 56 Operational Training Unit (OTU).

His parents immigrated to Canada from France sometime after 1920. Brother of Gerard and Marie.

Burial details:

Fg Off. Pierre Nicolas Bernhart. Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery. Sec. H. Row G. Grave 11. Born on the 1st June 1921 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Grave Inscription: 'MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE 1921-1945'. Son of Antoine (died 6th June 1941, age 51) and Marie Bernhart (née Weckel)(died 16th November 1988, age 93) of 423 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Researched by Kelvin Youngs (Webmaster) and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot (Jun 2023). Reviewed and updated with correction to aircraft serial No by Aircrew Remembered (Feb 2025).

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