A PLAQUE has been installed in the Upper Swansea Valley to mark the site of past military flying tragedies in the area.

Ystradgynlais District Heritage and Language Society are behind the plaque, which remembers the 24 airmen who lost their lives during training exercises in the area.

The natural rugged beauty of the mountainous area behind Dan Yr Ogof Caves has over many years been used by the RAF for flight training purposes.

However, in many of the more isolated regions of this area evidence can still be seen of past military flying tragedies.

Between 1939-1953 24 Airman have lost their lives during training exercises in this area.

The wreckage of Wellington bombers, Lancaster’s, and an American Liberator bear witness to the cost in young lives when things went horribly wrong when flying in this part of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Some of the losses were due to mist and ice-covered wings, miscalculations in navigation, lost radio contact, poor visibility, or simply an engine failure.

These Airman came from Britain, Canada, and America, and local people have long wanted their sacrifice to be officially recognised as having paid the ultimate price for freedom’s we take for granted today.

The Ystradgynlais society held an event at Dan Yr Ogof on Monday, October 28.

The event, attended by an RAF band, Squadron Leader Lamond, and a number of local air cadets as well as other military and local dignitaries, unveiled a plaque to mark the sacrifice of those airmen who had died in air crash incidents in the area.

More than 10.000 people from all parts of the world now visit this area every year to see these sites where so many were lost, and the plaque will now forever record their valour.

For further details please contact John Owens on 07970106583 or Arwel Michael on 01639 844080.