Blenheim L8729 at Catterick airfield.
On 20th May 1940 this aircraft landed heavily at Catterick at 12.20hrs following a training flight and the undercarriage collapsed. A date of 22nd May 1940 for
this incident has also been suggested but the date of 20th May 1940 is the one given in the 219 Squadron ORB.
Pilot - P/O Henry Ferdinand Auger RAF (41815).
Henry Auger had crash landed Blenheim L8686 at Catterick on 28th November 1939, Blenheim L6709 on landing at Greatham on 24th March 1940 and Blenheim L1105 at Scorton
on 4th May 1940. He was later posted to 261 Squadron and flew in the defence of Malta. He was killed on 23rd April 1941 and is commemorated on the Malta Memorial.
Blenheim L8729 was built to contract 551920/37 by Rootes Securities Ltd at Speke and was awaiting collection in August 1939, it was then delivered to 64 Squadron
who were based at Church Fenton later in the month. 64 Squadron converted to Spitfire MkIa's in April 1940 and on 18th April 1940
they were detached to Catterick airfield and took L8729 with them for transfer to 219 Squadron who were in residence at Catterick by
that date. Following the minor accident at Catterick detailed above in May 1940 Cat.R/FA damage was recorded and the aircraft was repaired on site
by a team from The Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd. whose job it was to repair Blenheims at their operating stations. No date is known
for the completion of these repairs but the aircraft was returned to 219 Squadron when this was done. 219 Squadron moved to Redhill on 12th October 1940
and 600 Squadron moved in to Catterick from Redhill on the same day and L8729 was taken on charge by them. 600 Squadron themselves ceased operating
Blenheims in February 1941 and this aircraft was transferred to 54 OTU at Church Fenton. It was destroyed in a fatal crash, with Cat.W/FA damage recorded,
on 18th July 1941 when it flew in to high ground at Conister Howl, on the North Yorkshire Moors during a training flight and the pilot was sadly killed on that occasion.