Details regarding this possible Yorkshire-related incident are not yet fully known or proven, the only mention to date was in a 1980's RAFA magazine in a "letters"
section and clearly something happened on or around this date which this informant was referring to. The informant also stated that the pilot would be killed later
in the War, in either 1940 or 1941 but after he had been awarded either a DSO or DFM for "sitting" on a Dornier whilst he was on an airtest, causing the Dornier to crash.
The incident the letter refers to is that (possibly) on 29th February 1940 the crew of this 99 Squadron Wellington were carrying out a patrol of the North Sea, when,
200 miles out to sea, the port engine seized and later caught fire. The fuel supply to the engine was cut and the fire went out but the hydraulics were now useless
begin pumped by the engine. The pilot managed to reach the Yorkshire Coast and up-draft allowed him to reach Thornaby airfield and make a landing. It is not known
whether damage was caused to the aircraft on this landing or whether the undercarriage was lowered. The letter stated that the following were on board.
Pilot - F/Sgt Bill Williams.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Cpl Thomas Brown, of Littleport, Ely (He possibly lost a brother, Norman Brown in 4th Btn, Hampshire Reg in 1943).
Rest of crew - Names unknown.
The 99 Squadron ORB Form 540 gives some details for 29th February and Wellington N2887 was used on a "special sweep" and that it landed at Thornaby. N2887 was on the books of 99 Squadron at the time but no damage is listed on it's AM Form 78. More information required. The "special sweep" referred to in the unit records was ordered by No.3 Group.
f/sgt reginald george Williams afm 363497