Community
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.
Charity
Ffynnon Community Resilience CIC creates green spaces with exciting new garden package

FFYNNON Community Resilience CIC are going green in 2025 thanks to new garden from Keep Wales Tidy.
Ffynnon Community Resilience CIC will be creating a new orchard garden in Pembrokeshire to benefit nature and the local community. Environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy will be installing the garden and providing all the plants, tools and materials for free through its Local Places for Nature scheme.
Jo Denham from Ffynnon Community Resilience CIC said: “Our group of community allotmenteers have been so excited to receive the garden package from Keep Wales Tidy.
“We chose to put in a communally accessible fruit cage with an array of different bushes, and it’s been really fun installing it and choosing what to put in there.”

Keep Wales Tidy’s Local Places for Nature scheme offers communities free garden packages that range from small gardening projects to orchards and large-scale makeovers. 1,300 gardens have been created and restored across Wales since it was launched in 2020. Groups and organisations of all shapes and sizes have benefited, including emergency services, youth groups, sports clubs, animal homes and disability charities.
Chief Executive for Keep Wales Tidy Owen Derbyshire said: “Creating thriving green spaces not only benefits the health and wellbeing of individuals but strengthens our communities.
“We are delighted that groups, like Ffynnon Community Resilience CIC can make a real difference through the Local Places for Nature scheme, and we are grateful to Welsh Government for their ongoing support.
“I can’t wait to see the orchard garden take shape over the coming weeks and months.”
Keep Wales Tidy’s initiative is part of the wider Welsh Government ‘Local Places for Nature’ programme committed to creating, restoring and enhancing nature ‘on your doorstep’.
Community
Community comes together for Big Haverfordwest Litter Pick

HAVERFORDWEST residents joined forces to clean up the town in a community-driven litter pick organised by Haverfordwest Town Council, HaverHub, and Haverfordwest Heritage.
The event, which saw volunteers collecting rubbish to improve the town’s appearance, was attended by County Councillor Thomas Tudor, who represents the Castle Ward on Pembrokeshire County Council.

Cllr Tudor said: “It was lovely to participate in and help with the Big Haverfordwest Litter Pick. I’d like to thank everyone who attended today—this will be the first of many similar initiatives for Haverfordwest, the County Town of Pembrokeshire.”
The initiative is expected to become a regular event to maintain cleanliness and encourage civic pride.

Community
Cawl competition celebrates International Women’s Day in Pembroke

PEMBROKE marked International Women’s Day on Saturday (Mar 8) with a successful cawl competition, bringing the community together to celebrate and support local women.
The event, organised by Pembroke Town Team, saw participants enjoy a variety of cawl, including vegetarian and vegan options, from Gio Recchia Pizza Contemporanea, Watermans Arms, Buddy’s Baked, and Will’s of Pembroke.

A key highlight was the inspiring speeches from local women who play a vital role in the community. Information stalls were also present, with groups such as New Pembrokeshire Pride, Pembroke Street Pastors, and Lamphey WI sharing resources and support.
Local businesswomen showcased their products, offering visitors the chance to browse and buy from a range of stalls.

The event was made possible thanks to a donation from Pembrokeshire Women, which organisers said played a crucial role in ensuring the day’s success. Volunteers, including Lisa Boswell, Angela Marston Halifax, Rhian Cowen, Ness Moseley, Ann Mortenson, and Tegan, worked tirelessly to keep things running smoothly, with Lewis George stepping up as compere.
Organisers thanked all those who attended, saying the support from the community made the event truly special.
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