On 27th March 1942 this 77 Squadron aircraft took off from Leeming in the evening for an operational flight to bomb St.Nazaire, the target was not identified by many of the bombing aircraft because of thick cloud and this crew dumped their bomb load over the sea on their way home. The wind had changed direction on their way north and as they neared Yorkshire the aircraft drifted too far west and over high ground. Almost certainly flying in cloud they assumed that were over the Vale of York and descended to try and work out their position. The aircraft flew into the ground in the moors above Kirby Malzeard at around 04.00hrs. A fire is broke out soon after it crashed and destroyed the aircraft and sadly one of the crew was killed in the incident with the other four being injured. The aircraft itself was written off but the engines were deemed reusable and given Cat.B damage. The location is widely quoted is Kirby Malzeard Moor, but this actual location is some way from the actual crash site. This term is probably used on the Am1180 crash card as technically the aircraft crashed on the moor above Kirby Malzeard rather than the actual named location. At least one member of the crew, a New Zealander, was able to find his way off the moor for help, he was probably the pilot as he was later awarded the DFC partly for his actions on this night. A number of other Whitley's sustained damage in incidents away from their airfields in Yorkshire on this night because the change of wind direction was different to that forecast.
Whitley Z9221 was built to contract 106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was received by 5 MU on 30th September 1941. It was taken on charge by 10 Squadron on 12th October 1941 and carried the squadron code "ZA-T". On 4th November 1941 a repair on site was begun but what this was needed for is not known. It was returned to 10 Squadron on 6th December 1941 and was then transferred to 77 Squadron, also at Leeming, on 13th December 1941 when 10 Squadron began using Halifaxes operationally. At 77 Squadron it was given the squadron code "KN-G". As a result of the crash on the side of Nidderdale on 28th March 1942 Cat.E2/FB Burnt damage was recorded on the paperwork and the aircraft was struck off charge.
Pilot - P/O James Arnold Harrison RNZAF (NZ.404870). Injured.
Second Pilot - Sgt Joseph Wallace Paul Emile Louthood RCAF (R/77304). Injured.
Observer - Sgt Douglas Murton Colledge RAFVR (1258650), aged 25. Buried Leeming Churchyard, Yorkshire.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt Michael O'Donovan Fuller RAF (745940). Injured.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Andrew McArthur Waddell RNZAF (NZ.39011). Injured.
Douglas Colledge was born in Islington, London on 15th August 1916 and was the son of Harry and Maud May (nee Murton) Colledge. In the 1939 register he is listed as being a clerk to a chartered accountant and living in Newbury, Berkshire.
Michael O'Donovan Fuller was born on 5th August 1915 at Sawston, Cambridgeshire and was the son of Richard Charles and Susannah Ann (nee Teversham) Fuller. He married Violet M Linsdell in Cambridge in 1937 and they had one son. In the 1939 Register he was listed as a glove cutter and was also a member of the RAFVR at Cambridge. As a result of the crash of Whitley Z9221 he sustained serious injuies, suffering a fractured thighbone, lacerations and concussion and was treated at Harrogate hospital. Whilst many previously published brief accounts of this accident give his name as "Sgt D M Donovan Fuller" but following contact with his grandchildren that his correct name was F/Sgt Michael O'Donovan Fuller. He would recover from his injuries and return to active service, sadly he died serving with 35 Squadron on 26th May 1943 after being shot down over Dusseldorf whilst doing an extra tour. He is now buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany (Plot 5, Row D, Grave 17). I also thank Mr Graham Sharpe for the photograph of his gravestone.
The pilot James "Pod" Harrison was born in Hastings on 28th September 1914. Prior to enlisting he was a farmer in the Hastings area, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. His RNZAF service began on 30th November 1940 , he served with 77 Squadron before posting to 10 Squadron and later to 76 Squadron and during his service he was awarded the DFC and DSO. Colin Hanson's book 'By Such Deeds - Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999' has further information, the citation for the Distinguished Flying Cross (Gazetted on 8th March 1943) was awarded while serving with 10 Squadron but the incident to Z9221 in March 1942 with 77 Squadron is mentioned. The citation reads.. "In March 1942, this officer was involved in a serious crash and sustained head injuries, a broken arm and crushed foot. Undeterred by the experience, Flight Lieutenant Harrison returned to operational duties immediately on his discharge from hospital and has since taken part in numerous sorties in the face of severe enemy opposition. Over Dusseldorf in September 1942, his aircraft was held by searchlights and badly damaged by anti-aircraft fire. In November 1942, whilst returning from Turin, his aircraft was repeatedly attacked by an enemy fighter which was eventually destroyed by his rear gunner. Throughout all his operations this officer has displayed exemplary determination and a grim resolution in seeking out and bombing his target. His fine leadership has been an inspiration to the squadron. On the night of 27th / 28th Mar 1942, when returning in bad weather from a raid on St Nazaire, his aircraft crashed on the Yorkshire moors. His navigator was killed. Although suffering from head injuries, a broken arm and a crushed foot F/Lt Harrison dragged his unconscious wireless operator from the burning aircraft before collapsing himself. After five months in hospital he returned to operational flying."
The Citation for his Distinguished Service Order from 17th November 1944, for service with 76 Squadron also flying Halifax's reads.. "Squadron Leader Harrison has completed two tours of operational duty during which he has attacked a wide variety of targets many of them far into enemy territory. He has set a magnificent example of skill, gallantry and devotion to duty, qualities which have been well illustrated in the high standard of operational efficiency of the flight he commands. On a recent occasion, Squadron Leader Harrison led a large formation of aircraft on an attack against Scholven Buer. By his outstanding skill this officer contributed in good measure to the good results obtained." He died in Waipukurau in Hawkes Bay province on 12th August 1998.
Errol Martin's RNZAF research informs me that Andrew Waddell was born on 6th April 1912 and died on 22nd December 1957 at the young age of 45. He is buried at Waikumete Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand. Thanks to Mr Martin for this information.
I visited the crash site in July 2008 with Graham Sharpe aided by a couple of local gentlemen, one of whom, Mr Glover, had located the site in the 1960's and had had a chance meeting with historian Graham Sharpe at the Yorkshire Air Museum. The photograph above shows a piece Mr Glover recovered in the 1960's and came from the aircraft's tail.
These other photographs show the crash site as it is today, the remaining parts include a near-intact battery and a large piece of the aircraft's main spar. The piece below is from the very front of the aircraft's glazed window section. My thanks to Elliott Smock for his time in identifying these pieces.
