On 1st May 1942 this 43 Squadron aircraft was one of two that were flown on an operational interception sortie, they had taken off from Acklington and had located the enemy aircraft, chased it for some time with full power applied to their engines. Whether or not they were successful in shooting down the enemy aircraft I have not yet ascertained. They must have chased it over towards Lancashire because when they later attempted to cross the Pennines and return to base both Hurricanes ran out of fuel. A problem with the radio transmitter at Catterick prevented them being diverted to land there so both attempted to force land. The leader force landed succesfully, believed to have been in a field in the Bowes area. The number two pilot then attempted to also force land but he was flying too low and his flying speed was also too low. The aircraft was flying at stalling speed just prior to the pilot attempting undershoot and avoid a collision with a stone wall, he attempted to pull the aircraft up to clear the wall but stalled, struck the wall and crashed in the ajoining field at 07.30hrs. The location given was being in a field near Stonebridge Farm, Bowes. The pilot slightly was slightly injured, he was deemed to blame for not force landing in the correct way and was posted to 87 Squadon the following day.
Hurricane Z3316 was built to contract B.62305/39 The Hawker Aircraft Co. Ltd, at Kingston and was awaiting collection on 15th May 1941. It was taken on charge by 43 Squadron at Drem on an unknown date and later moved with the unit to Acklington on 4th October 1941. Following the crash landing near Bowes on 1st May 1942 the damaged aircraft was inspected and it was deemed to be too bad to repair, Cat.E2/FA damage was recorded on the paperwork that saw it struck off charge.
Pilot - F/Sgt Godefroy Jean-Marie Le Gal FFAF (30131). Injured.