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The tale of the WW2 Luftwaffe pilot who mistakenly landed in west Wales
IT WAS this time of year, 1942, that a bizarre series of events led to a German fighter pilot landing at RAF Pembrey in South Wales, unintentionally aiding the war effort of The Allied Forces in the process.
On June 23, 1942, Oberleautnant Armin Fabar was ordered to a fly a combat mission along with his squadron, in response to an Allied bombing raid of northern France.
Armin Faber mistakenly flew to South Wales after the dog-fight
Fabar’s squadron (the 7th Staffel) all flew Focke-Wulf 190 fighter planes. These planes were seen as superior to the then current Spitfires of the Allied Forces, and in the subsequent dog-fight that developed over The English Channel seven Spitfires were shot down, compared to only two Focke-Wulf 190s (FW-190s).
One Czechoslovakian Spitfire pilot, Alois Vašátko, dramatically lost his life when, in the fray of combat, he collided head-on with an FW-190. The German pilot bailed out and was later captured by Allied Forces.
Spitfire pilot Alois Vašátko lost his life in the battle
In the ensuing battle, Faber became disorientated and was separated from his squadron. He was attacked by a Spitfire manned by Seargent František Trejtnar. In a desperate attempt to shake off his pursuer, Faber fled North over the skies of Devon. He pulled off a brilliant ‘Immelman Turn’, a move in which the sun is used to dazzle a pursuer on your tail. Now flying directly from Trejtnar’s view of the sun, Faber shot him down.
Trejtnar crashed near the village of Black Dog, Devon suffering shrapnel wounds and a broken arm.
The victorious Faber had another problem entirely, though he was unaware of it at the time. He had mistaken The Bristol Channel for The English Channel, and flew north into south Wales, thinking it was northern France!
Finding the nearest airfield – RAF Pembrey, in Carmarthernshire, Faber prepared to land. Observers on the ground ‘could not believe their eyes’ as Faber waggled his wings in a victory celebration, lowered the Focke-Wulf’s undercarriage and landed.
Faber expected to be greeted with open arms by his German brothers, but was instead greeted by Pembrey Duty Pilot, Sgt Matthews, pointing a flare gun at his face (he had no other weapon to hand).
As the gravity of the mistake slowly dawned on him, the stricken Faber was ‘so despondent that he attempted suicide’ unsuccessfully.
Faber was later driven to RAF Fairwood Common for interrogation under the escort of Group Captain David Atcherley. Atcherley, fearful of an escape attempt, aimed his revolver at Faber for the entire journey. At one point the car hit a pothole, causing the weapon to fire; the shot only narrowly missing Faber’s head!
Fabers mistaken landing in Wales was a gift for The Allied Forces, a disaster for The Third Reich.
He had inadvertently presented the RAF with one of the greatest prizes of the entire war – an intact example of the formidable Focke-Wulf 190 fighter plane, an aircraft the British had learned to fear and dread ever since it made its combat debut the previous year.
Over the following months Faber’s plane was examined in minute detail, the allies desperately looking for any weakness in the FW-190. There were few to be found.
They did find one, however.
The FW-190s became relatively sluggish at higher altitudes. This knowledge aided the Allied Forces and saved countless lives, as the aerial battles turned increasingly in their favour.
Faber was taken as a prisoner of war, eventually being sent to a POW camp in Canada. Towards the end of the war he was sent home to Germany due to his ill health.
49 years later Faber would visit the Shoreham Aircraft Museum, where parts of his FW-190 are displayed to this day, along with parts of the Spitfire that he shot down in the skies over Devon. He presented the Museum with his officer’s dagger and pilot’s badge.
This little-known but important piece of Carmarthenshire history illustrates not only the high-stakes arms race between The Third Reich and The Allied Forces during WW2, but also the cost of human error.
POLICE have issued an urgent update in the search for two missing teenagers from Ceredigion, following a confirmed sighting in Aberystwyth.
Isabelle and Daniel, both 16, were reported missing on Monday (April 7) and are believed to have been travelling together across Wales. The latest confirmed sighting was on Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth, at 12:30pm on Friday (April 11).
It is believed they boarded the T1 bus, which departed the town at 12:36pm.
Isabelle is described as 5ft 3in tall and usually has blonde hair, though she may have dyed it a darker colour. She was last seen wearing a black parka-style coat with a fur-lined hood, grey jogging bottoms, and carrying a large black backpack.
Daniel is 6ft 1in tall with short dark brown hair and shaved sides. In the latest sighting, he was wearing a black baseball cap with white markings, dark blue jeans, a black T-shirt, and a black collared coat. He was carrying a large black, red, and grey camping backpack.
Both teenagers are believed to have taken spare clothes and camping equipment with them. Police say they may now be wearing different clothing.
Isabelle and Daniel have known connections to Gloucestershire, Merseyside, and North Wales, and their families are growing increasingly concerned for their welfare.
Officers are urging anyone who has seen the pair or has information about their whereabouts to get in touch immediately.
Information can be submitted via the following methods:
| Dyfed-Powys Police website
| Email: 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk
| Direct message Dyfed-Powys Police on social media
| Call 101 and quote reference 141 of April 7
A 26-year-old man has been reported missing in Thailand after his family lost contact with him more than eight weeks ago.
Daniel Davies was last seen on March 13 on Phi Phi Island, a popular tourist destination in southern Thailand. He had been staying at the Hangover Hostel in Bangkok prior to his disappearance.
A missing person report has been filed with Dyfed-Powys Police, and the case is now listed under reference number DP-20250329-215.
Daniel is described as being around 6ft tall, of slim build, with blonde hair and a beard. He also has tattoo sleeves on both arms.
Echoes of the Lost – a national missing persons initiative – has now joined the appeal alongside SARS Cymru, urging anyone with information to come forward. In a statement, they said: “Daniel, if you happen to see this post, please get in contact with your family. They are worried. If you wish to message us to pass information along, please feel free to do so.”
His aunt, Nicola Doran, has been sharing emotional appeals online, writing: “My nephew Daniel Davies, 26, from Llanelli – he’s gone missing in Bangkok, Thailand. He’s been reported and is now a missing person. No one has had any contact in weeks.”
Friends and family have been spreading the appeal across social media, hoping someone in Thailand may have seen him. One post reads: “Can all my mates out in Thailand, Bangkok area, please share this and keep eyes out for my lil’ kuzen – he’s been missing 8 weeks over there.”
Daniel’s disappearance has been reported to Thai police, and the UK Foreign Office is understood to be aware of the case.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk or calling 101, quoting reference DP-20250329-215.
DYFED-POWYS POLICE have issued new photos in the search for Isabelle and Daniel, who are both aged 16 and have been reported missing from their homes in the Cardigan area on Monday April 7, 2025.
Enquiries have led to a new confirmed sighting of them both at Llandunno train station at 8.20pm on Monday, where they asked for directions to the Dolgellau area.
Isobel is described as 5ft 3 and usually has blonde hair, however she may have dyed her hair to a darker colour. She was last seen wearing a black parker style coat with fur edge, grey jogging bottoms, carrying a large black backpack.
Daniel is described to be 6ft 1 with short dark brown hair, with shaved sides. He was last seen wearing dark blue jeans, black t-shirt, and a black collared coat, carrying a large camping backpack, which is black, red and grey.
Both are believed to have taken a change of clothes with them and may now be wearing something different.
It is believed that they have taken camping equipment with them and have connections to the Gloucestershire, Merseyside and North Wales areas.
Their families are increasingly concerned for their safety and welfare and eagerly await their safe return home.
DI Rebecca Thomas said: “We are continuing our search to find Isobel and Daniel. “We know that they purchased camping equipment but they have left their homes without any communication and their family and friends are becoming increasingly concerned as they have had no contact with Isabelle and Daniel for almost a week. “It is also know that they don’t have their mobile phones on them.
“I would ask anyone who has seen them to get in touch.
“I would especially appeal to Isabelle and Daniel to get in touch with the police or family so we can ensure that they are safe.”
If you have seen Isabelle and Daniel, or have information about their whereabouts, please, let us know:
️ | https://bit.ly/DPPmissingperson
| 
| 101
Quote reference 141 of April 7
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