Ascension Islands and WW2 Wrecks

[Digger]

Hi Everyone.

I have a question regarding possible wrecks on the Ascension Islands. Its my understanding that during WW2 and in particular the supply of allied forces in North Africa that aircraft arrived at the Port of Takoradi by air from the U.S. via South America and the Ascension Islands.

I have been told by a very reliable source who was stationed at Takoradi during the war that many aircraft types were abandoned on this island, he was responsible for accounting for the actual delivery numbers and had to give a brief explanation of why a certain number did not arrived, he says he recorded many as 'crashed' or 'abandoned' on this Island stop over.

I understand that Ascension has an airstrip (built by the Americans in 1942) but only RAF flights from Brize Norton to the Falklands stop over along with USAF flights from Patrick AFB (Florida) that service the US Base on the island. I have read that until recently the Island was closed to the public but now is trying to attract the tourist trade. With this apparent isolation over the years could it be possible for any wrecks to remain on the island????

Has anyone else heard of similar stories or does anyone have any specific literature they can refer me to. I have been told that numerous B-24' and B-25's came to grief here and ended their days as a source of spares for other aircraft being ferried to the war zone in Africa.

I have checked several reliable sources but these seem to be very scare on details regarding Wartime airsupply activities on the Ascensions and or even South American ports/bases of departure.

any assistance appreciated.

cheers

Digger

[Originalboxcar]

According the below reference, "surplus" items were either shipped back to the US or buried. Hmmm.

Is this island the possession of the UK? If so would MOD be involved?

n May 1947 the last troops left the island and the US Base was deactivated. In moving out the US forces removed all the temporary buildings and tents. At sites such as the US Hospital, only clinker areas remained to show that anything at all had existed. Surplus material had been either shipped back to the US or buried in large pits near the site of the old base.

Airbase photos:
http://www.heritage.org.ac/HS906.htm

Regards,

t~