Whitley P5055 landed safely at Cold Kirby dummy airfield.
On the night of 18th / 19th March 1941 the crew of this 10 Squadron aircraft were tasked with bombing Kiel. Although based at Leeming 10 Squadron begun many of their operational flights from Dishforth around this time, Whitley P5055 took off from Dishforth at 20.53hrs. The crew made their run on the target from 12,000 feet at 00.20hrs and having flown through thick cloud to get to the target area. They made a safe return to Yorkshire but bad visibility was effecting the airfields in the Vale of York. Instead of landing at Leeming as instructed prior to taking off the crew landed safely at the dummy airfield at Cold Kirby, near the top of Sutton Bank, at 04.19hrs. No damage was recorded in the squadron records and technically this is not a flying mishap, it is included on this website for completion of the record.
Pilot - Sgt Charles Robertson MacDonald RAFVR (758139).
Second Pilot - Sgt George Bertram Lewis RAF(AAF) (805396).
Observer - Sgt Henry Richards George RAFVR (759205).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Douglas Albert Miner RAFVR (965937).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Leonard Charles Hall RAFVR (941556).
Charles MacDonald received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 17th July 1941 (101516), he was promoted to F/O on 18th July 1942 and to F/Lt on 18th July 1943. He was awarded the DFC for service with 78 Squadron, Gazetted on 10th September 1943, the citation for his DFC reads.."This Officer is now on his second tour of operational duty and throughout has displayed a fine fighting spirit. An excellent leader, Squadron Leader MacDonald has inspired his crew by his courage, skill and determination, in action". He was awarded the DSO for further service with 78 Squadron, Gazetted on 25th April 1944 while in the rank of 78 Squadron. The citation reads.."This Officer has completed a very large number of sorties and has successfully bombed some of the most heavily defended targets in Germany. He has set the highest example of bravery and devotion to duty which, together with his great skill, have inspired all. His record is worthy of the greatest praise". He later served at 1663 HCU in 1944.
Henry George was posted to 78 Squadron by mid June 1941, on 19th June 1941 he was flying in Whitley Z6661 on Ops to Bremen when the aircraft crashed in Germany with the loss of the whole of his then crew. He is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery and was twenty three years old.
George Lewis was a pupil of Moseley Grammar School from 1926 to 1931. He was still serving with 10 Squadron on 8th July 1941, on this date he was
the pilot of Whitley Z6627 flying Ops to Hamm. The aircraft was lost without trace. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Douglas Miner was posted to 76 Squadron by the end of May 1942. On the night of 30th May 1942 he was flying in Halifax W1065 on Ops to Gennevilliers when the aircraft was damaged by flak and crashed in France. He is buried in Viroflay New Communal Cemetery, France and was twenty two years old.
Leonard Hall was later posted to and awarded the DFM for service with 161 Squadron, Gazetted on 9th November 1943. The citation for his DFM reads.. "Flight Sergeant Hall is a very efficient wireless operator / air gunner. He has taken part in a very large number of sorties, involving attacks on important and well defended targets. His coolness and resolution in the face of the enemy have proved inspiring". He received his commission before the award of the DFM was granted and was promoted to the rank of P/O on probation on 18th August 1943 (158257). He rose to F/O (war subs) on 18th February 1944. He was then awarded
the DFC for further service with 161 Squadron, Gazetted on 19th January 1945 and was promoted to F/Lt on 18th August 1945.
Whitley P5055 was built to contract 75147/38 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 18th June 1940. It was allotted to 6 MU on 19th June 1940 and was received by them on 28th June 1940. The aircraft was taken on charge by 10 Squadron at Leeming on 18th August 1940. It replaced Whitley P4955 lost on Ops to Jena on 17th August 1940 and P5055 was to be allotted the same squadron code. On the night of 20th / 21st September 1940 it was slightly flak damaged on Ops, it was quickly repaired. On 25th September 1940 it was flak damaged again, Cat.M/FB recorded after this second incident. Again it was repaired on site and returned to 10 Squadron. On 28th June 1941 it failed to return from Ops to Bremen and it's crew of five were killed. Cat.W(m) damage was recorded. The aircraft was struck off charge on 1st July 1941.