On 25th April 1968 India Team and the NEAF Team redeployed to the exercise forward airstrip at Got-El-Afrag to receive Airhead Agencies of 38 Group and the main body of 16 Parachute Brigade, both from the UK via Malta. OC UKMAMS with the remainder of the detachment redeployed from Malta to El Adem on 28th April following completion of transplanement activity.
The recovery of exercise elements by air from Got-El-Afrag to El Adem took place between 3rd and 10th May whilst the tactical phases were still in progress, which provided a severe test of the capability of the 5 teams in El Adem.
The two teams at Got-El-Afrag were required to work at high pressure in difficult conditions. The UKMAMS Teams were rotated from El Adem to gain experience in this type of environment.
On the 7th of May 1968 during a fly-past at the improvised desert strip Got-El-Afrag, Libya, Argosy XR133 flown by John Proctor, flew into the runway, cart wheeled and blew up, according to the official report.
However an eyewitness reports that the pilot buzzed the camp, his wing tip clipped a makeshift shower or water tower (50 gallon drum) at the Afraq Hilton (a tent) and they ploughed into the desert with the loss of 11 lives. One wonders how high the shower was.
The recovery of exercise elements by air from Got-El-Afrag to El Adem took place between 3rd and 10th May whilst the tactical phases were still in progress, which provided a severe test of the capability of the 5 teams in El Adem.
The two teams at Got-El-Afrag were required to work at high pressure in difficult conditions. The UKMAMS Teams were rotated from El Adem to gain experience in this type of environment.
On the 7th of May 1968 during a fly-past at the improvised desert strip Got-El-Afrag, Libya, Argosy XR133 flown by John Proctor, flew into the runway, cart wheeled and blew up, according to the official report.
However an eyewitness reports that the pilot buzzed the camp, his wing tip clipped a makeshift shower or water tower (50 gallon drum) at the Afraq Hilton (a tent) and they ploughed into the desert with the loss of 11 lives. One wonders how high the shower was.
We were able to obtain a crash report from Aviation Safety. The details are very sketchy because of the military need for confidentiality:
India Team, Got-El-Afrag, Libya, 1968. Dave Allen,
Dave Gillinder, Tommy Benson and Ken Davie.
Dave Gillinder, Tommy Benson and Ken Davie.
Squadron Leader Bill Jacobs, OC UKMAMS, an HQ element and 4 Teams deployed to Malta, in addition to two teams that were deployed to El Adem, to provide Air Movements facilities for the annual Joint Exercise Crayon (previously named Parula).
Date: 07.05.1968
Type: Armstrong Whitworth AW-650 Argosy C Mk.1
Operator: Royal Air Force - RAF 267 Squadron
Registration: XR133
C/n: 6788
Year built: 1963
Location: Got-El-Afraq (Libya)
Nature: Military
Remarks: Hit obstruction while flying low and crashed.
Type: Armstrong Whitworth AW-650 Argosy C Mk.1
Operator: Royal Air Force - RAF 267 Squadron
Registration: XR133
C/n: 6788
Year built: 1963
Location: Got-El-Afraq (Libya)
Nature: Military
Remarks: Hit obstruction while flying low and crashed.
