Whitley K9021 at Linton on Ouse airfield.
On 8th November 1939 this aircraft was on the delivery flight to 51 Squadron based at Linton on Ouse from 10 Squadron based at Dishforth. On the approach to
land at Linton on Ouse the pilot lowered the undercarriage legs but then failed to notice that only one of the green lights was showing that confirmed that the legs had locked into place. He realised the problem but at just twenty feet from the ground there was little chance of overshooting. He applied power to the engines but only one engine responded so he swiftly raised the undercarriage and made a belly landing.
Pilot - F/Lt Peter Alexander Gilchrist RAF (37348).
Hugh Halliday's superb RCAF awards research has located a draft citation for the DSO dated 30th July 1941 (when he was at Pocklington airfield) and had flown 2117 hours/33 operational flights, this reads.."Wing Commander Gilchrist led his squadron on its first daylight operation, the target being the "Gneisenau" at Brest. He was responsible for organizing the operation as a whole, and in this he spared no effort. His attention to detail, his powers of leadership and his own personal example inspired the whole squadron and were responsible for its success as a whole. Leading his own section of three aircraft, he arrived over the target exactly on time and carried out a successful attack. Immediately after bombing, and before his following aircraft could rejoin him, his aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter, and when last seen two members of his crew had baled out. The aircraft appeared under control in a gentle dive, and it is possible that the remainder escaped also. In the event of this officer being a prisoner of war, I recommend that his leadership and cool determination in leading his squadron to the completion of a successful operation should be recognized by the award of the Distinguished Service Order." He was not granted the DSO but a draft citation was prepated and read.. "This officer completed 32 operational flights in his previous squadron and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He took over command of No.405 Squadron in June 1941. His first operational flight with No.405 Squadron occurred at night when a successful attack was made on the marshalling yards at Osnabruck. On 24th July 1941, Wing Commander Gilchrist carried out his second operational flight when he led his squadron in a daylight attack on the German battlecruiser Gneisenau at Brest. At the head of the first formation of three aircraft, he arrived over the target exactly on time and carried out a determined and successful attack. After the bombs had been released, his aircraft was attacked and damaged by the fire from an enemy fighter. The rear gunner was killed and other members of the crew baled out when ordered to do so. Wing Commander Gilchrist was ultimately shot down but, by his courage and resourcefulness, succeeded in making his way across France to Switzerland where he was interned. After a period of seven months he made good his escape and returned to this country. Wing Commander Gilchrist was responsible for organizing the whole of the operation against Brest and he spared no effort in the task. His high qualities of leadership and his personal example have been largely responsible for the many successes he has achieved."
Peter Gilchrist was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan on 1st August 1940 and was living in Port Pelly, Saskatchewan when he joined the RAF in 1935. He was appointed to a commission in the RAF as Acting P/O on Probation on 7th October 1935, rising to F/O in 1938; F/L in April 1940; S/Ldr in May 1940 and W/Co in June 1942. At the outbreak of War he was already flying with 51 Squadron and flew with this unit until July 1940. He was later posted to 35 Squadron on 5th November 1940 and then to command 405 Squadron on 20th May 1941. On 24th July 1941 he was flying in Wellington W5551 on Ops to Brest, France when the aircraft was shot down over France, Peter Gilchrist was able to evade capture and was interned in Switzerland on 18th November 1941. He was released and
arrived back in the UK in July 1942, he then took a role in Ferry Command before commanding 53 Squadron in 1944. He transferred to the RCAF in February 1945 and remained in the RCAF until 1962 rising to Air Commodore. A remarkable period of service. For service with 51 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 31st May 1940. There was no proper citation. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 11th June 1942 for his evading capture and Hugh Halliday has located a recommendation for this which reads.."This officer was captain of a Wellington aircraft which bombed Brest on 24th July 1941. Shortly afterwards they were attacked by an enemy aircraft and compelled to bale out. On landing he immediately hid in a wood and, travelling by night and hiding by day, crossed the Mountains d'Aree on 28th July. He then went to Nantes and on 25th August left Nantes to make his way to Switzerland which he reached, after crossing Lake Geneva in a rowing boat on 30th August. He remained in Geneva until 12th January 1942 when he left to travel to Gibraltar via Madrid. He was repatriated from Gibraltar on 27th January 1942."
Whitley K9021 was built to contract 522438/36 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd at Baginton and was allotted to 10 Squadron use at Dishforth on 13th March 1939 but was delivered to Dishforth on 16th May 1939. It was then transferred to 51 Squadron who were based at Linton on Ouse on 8th November 1939. Following the incident detailed above Cat.M/FA damage was recorded and it was repaired on site and returned to the squadron. It later transferred to 10 OTU at Abingdon 27th May 1940 when 51 Squadron converted to Whitley MkV's. It then transferred up to 19 OTU at Kinloss 13th June 1940. It suffered a Cat.M(c)/FA accident on 14th October 1940 when the undercarriage collapsed on landing at Kinloss. Again it was repaired on site by a team from 43 Group (Repair and Salvage) based at Andover and on completion of repair it returned to 19 OTU use. It suffered a minor Cat.A damage incident on 10th July 1942, presumably at Kinloss and after repair it was returned to 19 OTU use on 18th July 1942, clearly only very minor damage. It suffered Cat.A/FA damage on 20th July 1942 when the undercarriage collapsed on landing at Kinloss and was again repaired on site very quickly. It then suffered Cat. B/FA damage on 9th Auguest 1942 when it swung on landing at Kinloss and undercarriage collapsed again. After this incident it was dismantled and transported to S.S. Cars Ltd at Coventry on 14th August 1942. On arrival it was assessed and Re-Cat.E presumably as the aircraft was an old model, it was broken up and returned to produce on 15th August 1942 but officially struck off charge on 23rd June 1943.