Whitley P5073 near Easingwold.

On 24th October 1940 the crew on this aircraft had just taken off for Ops to Berlin from Tholthorpe at 22.00hrs when they were attacked by an enemy aircraft at 1400ft whilst still in the airfield's circuit. The enemy aircraft was piloted by Fw Hans Hahn, serving with 3/NJG2. The German had used a parachute flare to light up the landing ground at Tholthorpe from where the Whitley had taken off and his gun fire had set alight part of the Whitley. The Whitley pilot saw the tracer fire from the Luftwaffe aircraft and then saw a fire begin from underneath the aircraft. He was attempting to make a forced landing with no lights on when the aircraft struck a tree and crashed at 22.10hrs, the fire immediately spread. The location quoted for this incident varies greatly, Myton on Swale is given, as is North Carolina Farm, Tholthorpe, as is 1200 yards west of Alne Station. The location given in a police report is probably correct, this being 3/4 mile north of Alne railway station. The aircraft crashed close to the main Thirsk to York railway line, the pilot used his hands to put out the fire which had taken hold in his wireless operator's hair, he also attempted to free the rear gunner but because of the intense heat he was forced to give up the rescue attempt when the bomb load began to explode. Both pilot and wireless operator then took shelter on the railway embankment. The rear gunner then managed to free himself and dispite his injuries was able to make his way to the railway embankment to shelter. Sadly the other two crew were killed in the incident. An Army unit stationed nearby arrived at the crash scene and treated the three airmen for their injuries before being taken to York Military Hospital. The aircraft's wireless operator and rear gunner were so seriously injured that both died on 2nd November 1940 in York Military Hospital.

Pilot - F/O Anthony G Davies RAF (40806). Injured.

Second Pilot - P/O Thomas R Murfitt RAF (42759), aged 24, of Williesden, Middlesex. Buried Newton on Ouse Churchyard, Yorkshire.

Observer - Sgt Ian C Scoular RNZAF (391870), aged 25, of Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Buried Newton on Ouse Churchyard, Yorkshire.

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Angus S Wilson RAF (624190), seriously injured. DoI on 2nd November 1940, buried Stane Cemetery.

Air Gunner - P/O Terence E Lee RAF (43162), aged ? DoI on 2nd November 1940. Buried Trusthorpe Churchyard, Lincolnshire.

Sgt Scoular (photo via Jim Rutland) and his gravestone.

P/O Murfitt (photo via Jim Rutland) and his gravestone. He received his commission to the rank of Acting P/O on probation on 9th October 1939. He was graded as P/O on probation on 4th May 1940 and later to P/O on 8th August 1940.

Terence Lee received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 7th April 1940.
Anthony Davies was almost certainly of Welsh extraction. He received his commission to the rank of P/O probably in late 1930 or early 1940. He rose to F/O on 3rd September 1940 a nd exactly a year later to F/Lt (war subs). He transferred to the Reserve on 4th April 1942 and later to the Reserve of Air Force Officers in 1943. Having survived the War he remained in the RAF Reserve of Officers until relinquishing his commission of F/Lt on 1st August 1955.
The pilot credited with shooting down Whitley P5073 was Fw. Hans Hahn. This was the first allied aircraft of his twelve "night-intruder" victories he was credited with shooting down. On 13th March 1941 he shot down Blenheim near Church Fenton. His last was 12 FTS's Oxford AB767 near Grantham on 11th October 1941. His Ju88 collided with the Oxford and the crews of both aircraft lost their lives. Fw Hahn was undoubtably a fine pilot and very successful in the role he was given operating at night near UK airfields. He is buried with many of his countrymen at Cannock Chase Cemetery, Staffordshire. He was born in February 1919.
Whitley P5073 was built to contract 75147/38 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd, at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 21st June 1940. After a period of MU storage it was taken on charge by 102 Squadron at Leeming in August 1940. On 1st September 1940 it moved with the unit to Prestwick and returned to Yorkshire on 10th October 1940 when the unit moved into Linton on Ouse. On 24th October 1940 Cat.W/FB Burnt damage was recorded following the incident recorded above.