Liberator crash at Watergate Bay in 1943
On 28 December 1943 a United States PB4Y1 Liberator named ‘Muck’s Mauler’ took off from RAF St Mawgan carrying nine crew and four passengers. Shortly after take-off it’s believed the plane got into difficulties and tried to turn back to base. However, during this attempt the plane came down and crashed into the cliffs at Watergate Bay killing all 13 service personnel on board.
A rescue mission was launched but resulted in a further five casualties due to the incoming tide.
![Memorial plaque from liberator plane crash reading In memory of 13 US airmen who died in Dec. 1943 when their Liberator Plane crashes here. Also 5 US personnel from St. Mawgan who were downed in a rescue mission](/media/s4de40ss/liberator-crash-memorial-plaque.jpg?width=338&height=0&quality=70&rnd=133111757801230000)
Liberator crews like ‘Muck’s Mauler’ were tasked to watch out for, and sink, German submarines or U-boats which were a threat to Britain’s food and war material supplies being shipped to Cornwall.
At the time a then 14 year old Douglas Knight cycled to Watergate Bay and witnessed the wreck of the U.S Liberator.
The cliff was all burnt and the beach was covered with wreckage. For several years after this accident whenever we walked across this part of the beach we still found bits of the wreckage.
More history
![History Of Watergate Bay Newspaper Article](/media/rhijev5h/history-of-watergate-bay-newspaper-article.jpg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133104856492800000)
History of the hotel
Watergate Bay Hotel's history stretches back to 1900. It's been through some radical changes since.
![Watergate Bay Hotel Beach Aerial Blue Sea](/media/v3noillv/watergate-bay-hotel-beach-aerial-blue-sea.jpg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133105675943400000)
Find the plaque
Walk south along the beach and see if you can find the memorial plaque on the cliffs.
![Double room - Ocean wing sea view bedroom](/media/rzhlhweh/sea-view-standard-room.jpg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133249901951270000)
Book to stay
Explore the history of the hotel yourself when you book to stay with us.
![History Of Watergate Bay Bomb Uncovered](/media/kptflcio/history-of-watergate-bay-bomb-uncovered.jpg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133111772884230000)
More history
WW2 bomb was destroyed Watergate Bay with a controlled explosion.
Discover more
![TOM WREN SWNS AOTB WATERGATE 165 (13)](/media/mxjdrivj/tom_wren_swns_aotb_watergate_165-13.jpg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133658710234900000)
Round up: Arts on the Beach 2024
Making waves at Watergate Bay, the second year of our two-day free family festival drew...
![Arts on the beach - stilt walkers](/media/ou4fukio/roaming-theatre-arts-on-the-beach.jpg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133571465680430000)
Arts on the Beach 2024
Arts on the Beach is back for 2024, packed with some of last year’s favourites...
![Mindfit Cornwall walk](/media/4ndffbsx/walking-3.jpg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133558361921530000)
Walking for wellness
Find out how walking by the ocean, whether alone or side by side with a...
![Young Chough Begging To Be Fed, Image By Adrian Langdon](/media/h0tnjh1c/young-chough-begging-to-be-fed-image-by-adrian-langdon.jpg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133528297253400000)
Cornwall's wild coast
Cornwall Wildlife Trust introduces us to some of the visitors you might spot in our...
![David White Wildlife Newquay Wild Activities Rockpools](/media/x1fnv0gp/david-kirwan-newquay-wild-activities-rockpools.png?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133476294353930000)
Newquay Wild Activities
Learn about the varied wildlife that share our coastline and shores. Book onto a Rockpool...
![At Home with Nature](/media/5xjj0mne/img_5589-hdr.jpg?width=342&height=192&quality=70&rnd=133475470286130000)
Love of life: Marianna Popejoy
Biopic design gives a connection to the natural world and creates places where people and...