This aircraft was on charge with No.1613 Target Towing Flight which, at the time of this incident, was based at West Hartlepool. It was the re-named No.1 Anti-Aircraft Co-Operation Unit and undertook flights that towed drogue banners that would train ground units in firing at the banners that simulated firing at aircraft. On 14th February 1943 the aircraft took off from West Hartlepool at 10.10hrs and was due to undertake target towing duties over a range at Whitby that was operated by the 15th H.A.A. Practice Camp. During the exercise the aircraft's engine failed so the pilot force landed at 11.55hrs near Lythe.
Pilot - F/Sgt Portalis.
Drogue Operator - LAC Croft.
F/Sgt Portalis was posted to the Parachute Training School at Ringway on 24th March 1943.
Henley L3296 was built to contract 540805/36 by The Gloster Aircraft Co.Ltd. at either the Hucclecote or Brockworth factory and was delivered to the RAF in April 1939. It was initially taken on charge by No.3 A.T.S. at Sutton Bridge but no date for its arrival is known. On 3rd March 1939 No.3 ATS merged into No.4 Air Observer School at West Freugh. On 1st November 1939 this unit was redesignated No.4 B.G.S. and was still based at West Freugh. On 14th June 1941 it was redesignated as No.4 A.O.S. and was still based at West Freugh. On an unknown date in 1942 it was transferred to No.1 Anti Aircraft Co-Operation Unit and was based with 'N' Flight at West Hartlepool. On 1st November 1942 this unit was redesignated No.1613 Flight and it was initially still based at West Hartlepool. On 14th February 1943 it was force landed at Lythe and if it was damaged then Cat.A/FA damage would have been as serious as it got with a repair on site being made and it being flown out back to West Hartlepool. The unit later moved to Driffield. The aircraft later appears on charge with 695 Squadron at Bircham Newton which had been formed in December 1943. When the aircraft arrived with them is not known. 695 Squadron ceased operating Henley's in June 1944. The aircraft next appears on charge with 631 Squadron at Towyn but again the date it was taken on charge is not known. On 15th October 1944 it was belly landed at Towyn that saw a Cat.E2/FA damage assessment and it was struck off charge.
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