On the night of 12th / 13th June 1940 the crew of this aircraft were tasked with attacking road and rail communications in Amiens. This aircraft was hit by flak
but the pilot was able to return safely to Linton on Ouse and land without further incident in the early hours of 13th June 1940.
Pilot - Acting S/Ldr John Stuart Bartlett RAF (34037), of South Kensington, London.
Crew - Names unknown.
John Bartlett received his Commission around 1933 and as Acting P/O he flew with 101 Squadron in 1934. He rose to F/O on 24th September 1935 and flew with 607 Squadron in 1936.
He rose to F/Lt on 24th September 1937 but he transferred to the Reserve on 24th March 1939 after completing a period of service in the RAF as stated in the terms of his Short
Service Commission. He later transferred back to the RAF on an unknown date, probably after War was declared. Acting S/Ldr Bartlett was awarded the DFC for service with 58 Squadron
on 22nd November 1940 but no citation for his award has been found. He rose to S/Ldr (temporary) on 1st December 1940 and it seems likely he rose to an Acting or Temporary rank of
Wing Commander in 1941. W/C Bartlett died of wounds sustained on 22nd August 1941, he is buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery and was twenty nine years old. At the time of his death
he was serving with 255 Squadron. 255 Squadron were based at Hibaldstow in Lincolnshire at the time.
Whitley N1427 was built to contract 75147/38 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was
awaiting collection on 14th November 1939. It was flown into MU storage and later issued to 58 Squadron in March 1940
who were based at Boscombe Down, they were converting to Whitley MkV's at the time and it moved with this unit to
Linton on Ouse on 14th February 1940. Cat.M/FB
damage was recorded following the flak damage on 25th May 1940 (with the same pilot being involved)
and it was repaired on site and returned to the unit. On 13th June 1940 it was again hit by flak on Ops to Amiens with
Cat.M/FB damage was again recorded. Again it was repaired at Linton on Ouse but was lost (with
Cat.W/FB damage recorded) on 3rd September 1940 on ops to Genoa. The aircraft out of fuel on the return
and was ditched in the English Channel, off Margate, at 06.20hrs. S/Ldr Bartlett and his crew rowed
ashore in the dinghy.
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