Armstrong Whitworth AW.38 Whitley

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was completing a night training flight and was returning to his base in Belfast-Aldergrove when the pilot in command lost his orientation and continued to the northeast to Scotland. While running out of fuel in low visibility, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in the Fathan Glinne Mountain Range, near the village of Balquhidder, by the Loch Voil. A crew member was seriously injured while five others were killed. Crew: Sgt John James Westoby, pilot, † Sgt William John Barnfather, pilot, † Sgt John Whitsed, observer, † Sgt James Gerrard Curtis, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt Jack Perfect, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt W. S. Hamilton, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

On a night training flight, the aircraft hit a hill located southwest of Nairn. Three crew members were seriously injured while four others were killed. Two days later, one of the survivor died from his injuries. Crew (19th OTU): F/Lt Raymond Wilson Pitts McFarland, pilot, Sgt Kenneth Johnson Sampson, pilot, † F/O Alexander Chalmers Barrie, navigator, † Sgt Ronald Hartley, air bomber, † F/Sgt Arthur Thomas Hawkins, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt Ronald Alfred Hartwell, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt Padley, air gunner.

British Overseas Airways Corporation - BOAC

Shortly after take off from Gibraltar-North Front Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members were killed. They were involved in a test flight following a maintenance operation. Crew: Sgt Samuel D. J. Cunrock, P/O Philip R. Dean, Cpt Charles G. K. Browne, Ronald S. Mallett.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Leeming in the morning on a bombing mission to Wilhelmshaven. While overflying The Netherlands, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter, dove into the ground and crashed in an open field located in Driezum. Four crew members were killed while the fifth occupant was seriously injured. Crew (77th Squadron): S/L Leslie E. W. Parkin, pilot, † Sgt Douglas J. Sandlin, pilot, † Sgt Robert C. S. Hancock, radio navigator, Sgt Edmund S. Ayton, air gunner, † Sgt Wilfred Whittam, wireless operator. †

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was engaged in a bombing mission to Brest, France, and left RAF Linton-on-Ouse at the end of the day. En route, the crew was advised that due to deterioration of the weather conditions, he should return to England. On approach to RAF Acklington, the crew did not realize his altitude was too low. By night and poor visibility, the aircraft hit tree tops 1 mile short of runway, stalled and crashed in a wooded area. Four crew members were killed while the fifth occupant was seriously injured. The mission of the crew was to attack German ships parked in the harbor of Brest. Crew (58th Squadron): P/O Andrew Allison Law, pilot 4.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Dishforth at 2200LT on June 8 on a bombing mission to Dortmund. On the return flight in the next early morning, the crew lost his orientation when the aircraft hit a hill located in Bank Foot, near Ingleby Greenhow. All five crew members were killed. Crew (51st Squadron): F/Sgt Gordon Stubbs, pilot, P/O James Raymond Pertwee, pilot, Sgt William Charles Goy Roper, observer, Sgt Charles Frederick Ranson, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt James Cousins, rear gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Topcliffe at 1629LT on December 27 to bomb an aircraft factory based in Mérignac, Bordeaux. Following the mission, the aircraft was returning to its base. On touchdown, it went out of control, veered off runway and collided with another Armstrong Whitworth AW.38 Whitley parked on the ramp. All five occupants were injured while both aircraft were destroyed. Crew (77th Squadron): Sgt Harold Joseph Dowling, pilot, P/O Leonard Edward Pearson, pilot, Sgt John Stafford Bools, observer, Sgt Gill, wireless operator, Sgt Alfred John Hurlston, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Linton-on-Ouse at 1725LT on a mission to Boulogne, France. One hour into the flight, the crew encountered technical problems with some instruments and decided to return to his base. After touchdown, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and collided with a parked Westland Lysander. An explosion occurred and both aircraft were destroyed. A crew member was killed while all four others were injured. Crew (58th Squadron): F/O Cresswell Montagu Clementi, pilot, Sgt Walter Thomas W. Large, pilot, Sgt James Wilfred Henry Brown, observer, Sgt Herbert Frederick Jennings, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Irwin Geoffrey Johnson, wireless operator and air gunner. † Source and photo: http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/york40/p5098.html

Royal Air Force - RAF

Shortly after take off, while in initial climb, the bomber stalled and crashed in flames on a farm located near the airport. The captain was killed while all four other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed. Crew (10th Squadron): P/O Peter Beckford Gough, pilot P/O Ross Leslie Flewelling, pilot, † Sgt John Thomas Evans, wireless operator, Sgt Ronald Leslie Somerville, wireless operator, Sgt Edward Peter Hogan, wireless operator.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Topcliffe at 1641LT on a bombing mission to Berlin. Few minutes after take off, an engine fired and forced the crew to return to his base. While approaching the airbase, the aircraft hit a hill located near Osmotherly and was wrecked. One of the wireless operator was killed. Crew (77th Squadron): P/O Hayden Hugh James Miller, pilot, Sgt Douglas Henry Gilbert, copilot, Sgt G. Thorpe, observer, Sgt Cyril Williams, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt Albert Edward Hammond, wireless operator and air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Topcliffe at 1704LT on December 15 on a bombing mission over Berlin. While returning to his base, the crew was forced to ditch the aircraft due to fuel exhaustion. The bomber came to rest into the sea at 0350LT some 32 km off Scarborough. The rescue teams did not find any trace of the aircraft nor the crew. Crew (77th Squadron): Sgt Philip Rowe, pilot, Sgt Reginald Douglas, pilot, Sgt Philip James Anstey, observer, Sgt Peter O'Neill Darbishire, wireless operator, Sgt Kenneth Henry Wake, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

While returning to his base in RAF Topcliffe following a bombing mission over Germany, the crew was forced to ditch the aircraft off the English coast due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft crashed into the sea off Whitby. While all five crew members were rescued, the aircraft sunk. Crew (102nd Squadron): F/Lt K. H. Hannah 4.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Linton-on-Ouse at 1605LT on December 2nd on a bombing mission to Lorient, France. On the return trip, the crew lost his orientation and decided to divert to the RAF Cold Kirby airfield which is not suitable for this kind of aircraft. After touch down on a grassy runway, the aircraft went out of control and came to rest. All crew members were unhurt but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Crew (58th Squadron): Sgt Ronald Albert Gosling, pilot, P/O Jack Gordon Kerry, copilot, Sgt Reginald Denis Kirby, observer, Sgt Patrick William Kenealy Crisp, wireless operator, Sgt John Grange Uff, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was engaged in a bombing mission over Lorient, France. Shortly after take off from RAF Dishforth, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed in flames. All five crew members were rescued but five rescuers were killed when bombs stored in the cargo bay exploded. Crew (78th Squadron): Sgt Charles Arthur Smith, pilot, Sgt T. A. Brown, copilot 3. List of the fire members killed on ground: AC2 Frederick Percy Griffiths, AC1 Walter Douglas Victor, AC1 Alfred George Haslett, LAC Alfred John Patterson, LAC Robert Smith.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Dishforth at 1850LT on November 17 on a bombing mission to Gelsenkirchen, Germany. On the return trip to England, the crew encountered bad weather conditions with stormy activity and lightnings. Concentrated static influenced several equipment that went unusable. After touchdown, the aircraft veered off runway and crashed in an ammunition store. All five crew members were injured while the aircraft was destroyed. Crew (51st Squadron): Sgt Alfred Ellis Prior, pilot, P/O R. Keeling, pilot, Sgt Wilson, observer, Sgt Julian Robert Wanbon, wireless operator, Sgt Barnes, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Driffield at 1715LT on November 14 on a bombing mission to Berlin, Germany. While returning to his base the next early morning, the crew noticed that the fuel reserve was insufficient. The captain decided to ditch the aircraft few miles off shore. All five crewmen were quickly rescued while the aircraft sunk and was lost. Crew (77th Squadron): Sgt N. C. Bizley, pilot, P/O Pearson, pilot, Sgt Sewell, observer, Sgt Middleton, wireless operator, Sgt Higgins, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Leeming at 2146LT on November 13 on a bombing mission over Merseburg, Saxony-Anhalt. En route, a last w/t contact was established at 0155LT and the bomber disappeared without trace. Crew (10th Squadron): W/C K. F. Ferguson, Sgt C. S. Rogers, Sgt F. Fraser, Sgt A. Watson, Sgt K. F. Weston.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Newmarket at 1910LT on November 5 on a bombing mission over Milan, Italy. While returning to his base in the next morning, the crew lost his orientation while cruising in poor weather conditions. As he was unable to establish his real position, the captain decided to make an emergency landing and ditched the aircraft some 10 miles off Tynemouth, northeast of Newcastle. All five crew members were rescued as the aircraft sunk. Crew (77th Squadron): Sgt D. H. Gilbert, pilot, P/O Hayden Hugh Miller, pilot, Sgt Thorpe, observer, Sgt Hurlston, wireless operator, Sgt Bingham, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Topcliffe at 1632LT on November 3 on a bombing mission to Mannheim, Germany. On the return leg, while on final approach to RAF Topcliffe, the aircraft ran out of fuel, crash landed, veered off runway and came to rest in flames. All five crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire. Crew (77th Squadron): Sgt N. C. Bizley, pilot, P/O Leonard Edward Pearson, pilot, Sgt Sewell, observer, Sgt James William Middleton, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Engel, wireless operator and air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was returning to his base after a bombing mission over Meersburg, in Germany. On final approach to RAF Dishforth, the crew encountered strong cross winds and lost control of the aircraft that went out of control and hit the ground short of runway. The copilot was killed while all four other occupants were injured. Crew (51st Squadron): P/O Norman Edward Sharp, pilot, Sgt John Raymond Brown, copilot, † Sgt Douglas Henry Crocker, observer, Sgt A. Britain, wireless operator, P/O S. Storey, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

En route, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing in a prairie located in Knarsdale Common, some 3 miles north of Slaggyford. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, all five crew members were unhurt. Crew (10th Squadron): P/O William Edgar Peers, pilot, Sgt Ottaway, pilot, Sgt George Dove, wireless operator, Sgt George, observer, Sgt Minor, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Linton-on-Ouse at 1727LT on October 25 to bomb a petrochemical factory based in Szczecin, Poland. While returning to his base by night, the crew realized the fuel reserve was insufficient and decided to abandon the aircraft and bailed out. Out of control, the bomber dove into the ground and crashed near a railroad and was destroyed. All five crew survived. Crew (102nd Squadron): P/O Jack Simon Gustave Crawford, pilot, P/O Edward Read Osborn, pilot, Sgt Walter Livesey, observer, Sgt George E. West, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt R. Adams, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Crashed eight minutes after its take off from RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Shortly after take off, while climbing, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter. Out of control, it dove into the ground and crashed in Myton on Swale, seven km northwest of the airbase. Two crew were killed while three others were seriously injured. Nine days later, on November 2, one of the survivor died from his injuries. Crew (102nd Squadron): F/O Anthony Glyndwr Davies, pilot, P/O Thomas Russell Murfitt, pilot, † Sgt Ian Cowie Scoular, observer, † Sgt Angus S. Wilson, wireless operator and air gunner, P/O Terence Edward Lee, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Linton-on-Ouse at 1900LT on October 20 to bomb a Skoda factory based in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. While returning to his base the following night, the crew did not realize he was flying too low. The bomber hit a hill and crashed in flames. Three crew were killed while two others were seriously injured. Two days later, one of the survivor died from his injuries. Crew (58th Squadron): F/O Ernest Henry Brown, pilot, † Sgt Leonard Frank Percy Adlam, pilot, † Sgt Marcel Cuthbert Caryll-Tilkin, air gunner, † Sgt Cyril Sidney Garrick Green, observer, † Sgt R. E. Langfield, wireless operator.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Following a bombing mission over Milan, Italy, the aircraft was returning to its base when the crew lost his orientation in bad weather conditions. Due to fuel exhaustion, the captain decided to ditch the aircraft in the Mersey, off Liverpool. As all five occupants were rescued, the aircraft sunk. Crew (51st Squadron): Sgt Anthony Denis Wright, pilot, P/O Stanley Gordon Hookway, pilot, Sgt Taylor, observer, Sgt McKenzie, wireless operator, Sgt Kelby, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Linton-on-Ouse at 1817LT on October 18 on a bombing mission to Lünen, Germany. While on the return trip the next night, the crew realized the fuel reserve was insufficient. He decided to abandon the aircraft and bailed out. Out of control, the bomber dove into the ground and crashed in a pasture located in Bullatree Farm, near Maltby. All five crew members were rescued while the aircraft was destroyed. Crew (102nd Squadron): P/O K. T. Hannah, Sgt A. L. Chapman, Sgt J. A. Clemett, Sgt G. F. Almond, Sgt G. Robson.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The pilot, sole on board, was in charge to convoy the aircraft from Baginton (Coventry) to Prestwick. En route, while cruising at a too low altitude, the bomber hit a hill and crashed in High Eldwick, near Bingley. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed. Crew (4th FPP): F/O Thomas Dowell Trouncer, pilot.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Leeming at 1733LT on October 14 on a bombing mission over Szczecin, Poland. While returning to his base, the crew noticed the fuel reserve was insufficient. All five crew members decided to abandon the aircraft and bailed out. Without crew, the bomber dove into the ground and crashed in a field. All five crew members were rescued. Crew (10th Squadron): S/L Kenneth Francis Ferguson, pilot, Sgt Charles Stanley Rogers, pilot, Sgt Walter Fraser, observer, Sgt Ernest Cummings, wireless operator, Sgt Mark Alfred Niman, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Linton-on-Ouse at 1805LT on October 14 on a bombing mission over Szczecin, Poland. While returning to his base in the next early morning. the crew noticed the fuel quantity was insufficient and decided to divert to RAF Driffield. On approach, the captain attempted to make an emergency landing few miles short of runway. All crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Crew (58th Squadron): F/O B. Brooke, pilot, Sgt C. S. Halley, pilot, Sgt Henderson, observer, Sgt Collie, wireless operator, Sgt Guest, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Leeming at 1727LT on October 14 on a bombing mission over a synthetic oil plant located in Szczecin, Poland. While returning to his base in the next early morning, the crew was unable to determine his exact position in low visibility and thick cloud. Due to fuel exhaustion, the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing in a field. The aircraft eventually crashed and burnt. Two crew members were killed while all three others were seriously injured. Crew (10th Squadron): F/Lt Dennis Brendon Geoffrey Tomlinson, pilot, Sgt Byrne, pilot, P/O Robert James Dickinson, observer, † Sgt Leslie Peter Neville, wireless operator, † Sgt Somerville, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Topcliffe at 1740LT on October 14 on a bombing mission over a synthetic oil plant located in Szczecin, Poland. After completing this mission, the crew was returning to his base in the next early morning when, on final approach, the pilot made a sharp turn to line up with runway. Too low, the aircraft hit tree tops, stalled and crashed few yards short of runway threshold. The aircraft was wrecked and a crew member was killed. Crew (77th Squadron): S/L George Roderick Hartwell Black, pilot, † Sgt Thomas Edward Coogan, pilot, Sgt Boddington, observer, Sgt Garwood, wireless operator, Sgt Woodroffe, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Following a bombing mission over Hanau, east of Frankfurt, Germany, the crew was returning to his base RAF Topcliffe. During the final approach, the pilot did not realize his altitude was insufficient. The bomber hit a wooded hill located in Snape, some 15 km northwest of the airbase. All five crew members were killed. Crew (77th Squadron): Sgt George William Brown, pilot, Mid David Arthur Charles Hadingham, pilot, Sgt William Goodall MacMorland, observer, Sgt Joseph Reginald Wardman, wireless operator, Sgt Cleveland Cottham, wireless operator and air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Shortly after lift off, while climbing, the aircraft stalled and crashed in flames 800 metres past the runway end. Three crew members were killed as two others were seriously injured. Crew (58th Squadron): Sgt Herbert Cornish, pilot, † F/O Arnold Irwin Watterson, pilot, † Sgt Leslie Hambleton Taylor, observer, † Sgt R. Fowlie, wireless operator, Sgt John William Chamberlain, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

On approach to the British coast, the right engine failed. As the captain was unable to maintain a safe altitude, he decided to ditch the aircraft some 20 miles off Easington. All five crew members were rescued while the aircraft sunk and was lost. Crew (10th Squadron): S/L Kenneth Francis Ferguson, pilot, Sgt Charles Stanley Rogers, pilot, Sgt Walter Fraser, observer, Sgt Ernest Cummings, wireless operator, Sgt Mark Niman, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was returning to RAF Leeming following a reconnaissance mission. After landing, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and collided with military houses. All five crew were slightly injured while three people on the ground were killed. Crew (77th Squadron): P/O Peter Ernest Eldridge, pilot, S/Lt Peter Owen Williams, pilot, Sgt Victor Charles Cowley, observer, Sgt Frank Crawford, wireless operator, Sgt Raymond Carter Dawson, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Leeming at 0006LT on a reconnaissance mission over Ostend, Belgium. On the return leg, while on a night approach, the aircraft overshot and landed long. Unable to stop within the remaining distance available, the aircraft overran, hit a fence and came to rest in flames on a road. All five occupants were rescued and only the captain was slightly injured. Crew (10th Squadron): P/O J. C. Cairns, pilot, Sgt V. Snell, pilot, P/O F. R. Goddard, observer, Sgt R. E. Nicholson, wireless operator, Sgt A. S. Shand, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Leeming at 2026LT on September 3rd on a bombing mission to Berlin. Ran low on fuel and crash landed, undercarriage still retracted, in a small field at Hall Farm, Nether Silton, 5 miles southeast of Northhallerton, North Yorkshire. All five crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Crew (10th Squadron): F/Lt Dennis Brendon Geoffrey Tomlinson, pilot, P/O Kenneth Douglas Brant, pilot, Sgt Wilfred Campbell "Sammy" Walters, observer, Sgt Patrick Joseph Hughes, wireless operator, Sgt Angus J McIntosh, air gunner. Source and photos: http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/planes/40/p4967.html

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Linton-on-Ouse at 1945LT on August 30 on a bombing mission over Berlin. On the return leg, the crew realized that the fuel reserves were insufficient and the captain decided to ditch the aircraft into the North Sea, few km off Hornsea. A crew member was killed while all four other occupants were rescued. Crew (58th Squadron): P/O Neville Oxynham Clements, pilot, P/O Ronald Arnold Hadley, pilot, Sgt Ian Alexander Zamek, observer, P/O R. F. Williams, wireless operator, Sgt Matthew Hill, air gunner. †

Royal Air Force - RAF

On final approach, the crew did not realize he was flying too low. The aircraft hit a fence, lost its undercarriage and landed on its belly. It skidded on runway for several yards before coming to rest. All five crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Crew (77th Squadron).

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Driffield at 2030LT on July 26 on a bombing mission to Mannheim. While flying over The Netherlands, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and the captain decided to reduce his altitude to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in an open field located in Spijkenisse, in the suburb of Rotterdam, and came to rest. All five crew members were taken POW. Crew: P/O R. F. Beauclair, P/O J. C. W. Bushell, Sgt E. A. Caloway, Sgt C. Wood, Sgt K. J. Read.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Driffield at 2124LT on May 21 on a bombing mission over Euskirchen. En route, the crew was forced to abandon the aircraft and bailed out for unknown reason. Out of control, the aircraft crashed in a field near Metz and was destroyed. All five crew members were unhurt and were able to return to UK. Crew (102nd Squadron): P/O G. H. Womersley, P/O R. F. Beauchair, Sgt J. Derbyshire, AC1 H. F. Hurt, AC2 A. Sedgley.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Dishforth at 2030LT on May 21, on a bombing mission to Jülich. Arriving over the target area, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. All five crew members were take POW while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Crew (51st Squadron): Sgt T. W. Bowles, Sgt G. Raper, Sgt T. C. Collard, LAC L. J. R. Barber, AC1 T. E. Stainer.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Driffield at 2029LT to bomb a bridge spanning the River Oise near Ribemont. While cruising south of Saint-Quentin, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in unknown circumstances in Brissy-Hamégicourt, some 10 km southeast of Saint-Quentin. All five crewmen were killed. Crew (102nd Squadron): F/L D. W. H. Owen, P/O D. F. S. Holbrook, Sgt D. H. J. Barrett, LAC R. J. Newberry, AC2 M. D. Dolan.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Driffield at 2036LT on a bombing mission to Cambrai. While cruising over the region of Abbeville, the captain decided to reduce his altitude and attempted an emergency landing for unknown reason. The aircraft came to rest in a pasture and was damaged beyond repair while all five occupants escaped unhurt. Crew (77th Squadron): F/O D. D. Pryde, P/O A. W. Dunn, Sgt A. C. Thomas, AC1 T. B. Kenny, AC1 F. Crawford.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Driffield at 2000LT on a bombing mission to Gelsenkirchen. While overflying The Netherlands, the bomber crashed in unknown circumstances in a pasture located in Milheeze. A crewmen was killed, a second one evaded while all three others were taken POW. Crew (102nd Squadron): F/O W. C. G. Cogman, P/O L. Miller, Sgt K. V. Thrift, † LAC J. R. Nicholson, AC2 E. H. Bros.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Driffield at 2010LT to attack a synthetic oil plant located in the region of Gelsenkirchen. While approaching its target, the bomber was hit by Flak. All five occupants were able to abandon the aircraft and bailed out. Out of control, the aircraft crashed in a field near Goch. Crew (102nd Squadron): F/S E. L. G. Hall, P/O J. T. Glover, Sgt D. L. Dick, LAC J. McCutcheon, AC2 A. Murray.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Driffield at 2005LT on a bombing mission to Hanover. At 2135LT, while flying at 9,000 feet and some 60 miles off the Dutch coast, the Whitley was attacked by a Me.110 and damaged. In turn, the enemy aircraft was claimed destroyed by AC1 Parkes. Despite a painful foot wound, F/L Raphael ditched the bomber and the crew clambered into the dinghy. Their plight was seen by F/L Crockett, who happened to be in the area at the time, and he was able to direct a Royal Navy destroyer to the scene. After four hours afloat, the crew were rescued and take into Yarmouth. Crew (77th Squadron): F/L G. L. Raphael, P/O R. P. Payne, Sgt Prescott, LAC Storey, AC1 Parkes. Source: W. R. Chorley.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Driffield at 2025LT on a bombing mission to Mönchengladbach. While approaching its target, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. A crewmen survived and was taken POW while all four other occupants were killed. Crew (77th Squadron): F/O T. H. Parrott, † F/O D. Blew, Sgt T. T. Atchison, † LAC T. Poad, † AC2 T. Jones. †

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Dishforth at 1835LT on 2nd of May on a bombing mission to Oslo-Fornebu. On the return flight, while cruising by night and in poor weather conditions, the crew became lost and was unable to locate an alternate airfield so the captain ordered the crew to bail out. Without pilot, the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field. The bomber was destroyed while two crewmen were injured, three others unhurt. A day later, one of the survivor died from his injuries. Crew (51st Squadron): S/L Gerald Price Marvin, pilot, P/O Albert John Oettle, pilot, Sgt Guy Maxwell Brisbane, observer, LAC Ernest Fisher, wireless operator and air gunner, AC1 Angus Hepburn, air gunner. †

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Kinloss on a positioning flight to RAF Driffield. While flying some 6 miles southeast of Huntly, the aircraft hit the Hill of Foudland. Three crewmen were killed while all five other occupants were injured. Two survivors died from their injuries, one on the 6 of May, the second on the 25 of May 1940. Crew (102nd Squadron): F/O K. N. Gray, † Sgt J. H. Hopper, † Sgt F. J. Bass, † AC1 A. W. H. Hart, † AC2 G. Main, AC1 H. Buttery, † AC1 J. A. Hewitt, AC1 F. Wallwork.