 Normandy: It was estimated that about thirty large bombs dropped within the borders of Normandy parish. However, only minor damage occurred in Normandy. A string of four bombs was dropped south to north, the first one landing near the British Legion hut. The next one cleared the houses and fell behind some kennels. The third ended up in a field and the last in a wood without exploding. A report stated that an aerial torpedo was dropped on the western side of the stream going under Glaziers Lane. This failed to detonate but was found twenty five feet down in the earth. What a torpedo was doing so far from the sea was not explained. A land mine was dropped near Tunnel Hill on the ranges. John Mullard recalled that the explosion lifted his bed off the floor but when he asked his father what he should do the reply was "It's a bit late now, go to sleep". He was told later by the village policeman that the land mine had felled a swathe of pine trees of about half a mile in diameter fanning out from the centre of the explosion. Finally, what was reputed to be the second Doodlebug (flying bomb) to land on British soil ended up in the sewage farm near Elm Hill. Several aircraft crashed in the area including a Dornier bomber that came down near the Anchor but the most tragic incident occurred in 1941. On the night of 10 March, a Halifax bomber returning from its first raid on enemy territory was hit by "friendly fire" and the wreckage crashed at Merrist Wood just inside the parish boundary. Four of the crew were killed but two survived by bailing out. 1945: Norman Ratcliffe: On Thursday 23rd August, 1945 at about midday, an RAF Mosquito fitted with experimental equipment from the RAE was flying over the Hogs Back at about 17,000. Something went wrong and it dropped to 12,000 feet and broke up. The plane hit the ground around Wanborough Manor Farm. The pilot was Fl. Lt Brooks and he was able to deploy his parachute and landed safely near Flexford Farm, Wanborough. His passenger was a scientific officer from the RAE, Mr Becker. He was killed and his body recovered in Greencut Copse, Wanborough. At the Inquest into the death of Mr Becker evidence was given that the flight was authorised and experimental elevator equipment was on board. No explanation was given as to why the aircraft broke up, not even by the pilot. PC Deacon of Puttenham gave evidence of finding the body. The cause of death was multiple injuries. The Inquest verdict was Accidental Death. At the same time as the crash an army lorry carrying Guardsmen from Pirbright was coming down from the Hogs Back. It was suggested the driver swerved to avoid the falling wreckage and lost control. The lorry hit the verge and turned over, killing 4 Guardsmen and serious injuring 4 more. At the Inquest it was said the lorry zigzagged for some distance before hitting the verge and turning over. The front passenger in the lorry said it was doing about 20-25 mph on a straight road, and when the driver braked it shot across the road and turned over. PC Nokes of Camberley said there were some broken areas near the verge otherwise it was a good road. No evidence seems to be given to connect the lorry as avoiding the plane. September and October 1982: Drug Squad, Special Crime Patrol Unit and HM Customs and Excise kept observation on a house in Normandy where it was suspected that LSD was being manufactured. Search warrants were executed at Normandy and in the Metropolitan Police District. In Normandy 75,000 doses of LSD with all the necessary manufacturing equipment was found. A further 4,000 doses were recovered in the address in the Metropolitan Police District. The total street value of the LSD recovered was about £260,000. More LSD was recovered in Amsterdam. Arrests were made and one person was connected to illegal importation of cocaine from Brazil. Three people were committed to the Central Criminal Court. August 1991: A young man went missing from his home in Normandy and his car found abandoned in Slough. A major enquiry was undertaken without success - closing in November.
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