Lysander N1299 near Alne, Easingwold.
In the early hours of 5th July 1940 this 4 Squadron aircraft had been flown by a crew of two on a recconaisance patrol in the area between Acklington and Seaham harbour and then they were detailed to return to Linton on Ouse. Having taken off at 03.20hrs they landed safely at 05.00hrs. At 06.45hrs they then took off again in the same aircraft and carried another patrol of the same area. On their way back to base following the second flight the weather turned poor inland and the pilot was forced to make a landing in field to the north of Alne, near Easingwold and not far from his base at Linton on Ouse. He overshot the field he had selected to land in and crashed into a hedge at the far end of the field damaging the aircraft. Pilot inexperince was deemed a factor for the mishap. The aircraft was later repaired.
Pilot - P/O Bryan William Smithers RAF (41750), of South Africa.
Air Gunner - Sgt Taylor.
Bryan Smithers was born in Poole, Dorset in 1918. He received his commission on 2nd October 1939 possibly having been Cranwell-trained.
He would later be posted to 105 Squadron and took part in the defence of Malta. As an Acting Squadron Leader he was awarded the DFC with them on 29th September 1941. The Citation reads.. "In September 1941, in an attack on Cotrone harbour, this officer obtained a hit on a 4,000 ton merchant vessel which subsequently appeared to be a total loss. In the
course of a long patrol some days later, Squadron Leader Smithers observed two enemy ships. Attacking one of them he obtained a direct hit and left it in a sinking
condition. The next day, Squadron Leader Smithers led a force of bombers which operated against a convoy of six merchant vessels escorted by seven destroyers. Flying
through an intensive barrage, he subsequently attacked the largest ship of the convoy. The
vessel which was also damaged by other aircraft afterwards caught fire. Although his
aircraft sustained damage, Squadron Leader Smithers flew it skilfully back to base. This
officer has at all times shown outstanding gallantry and fearless leadership." He rose to F/O on 2nd October 1940 rising to F/Lt exactly a year later. He transferred to the
Special Duties Branch on 28th December 1942 and survived the War. He was still piloting aircraft in 1970.
Lysander N1299 had a long service history, it was built to contract 611814/37 by Westland Aircraft Ltd. at Yeovil factory and was awaiting collection in September 1939 to be issued to 4 Squadron and flown out as part of the Air Component B.E.F. to Mons-en-Chaussee on 2nd October 1939. It moved with unit to
Monchy-Lasache on 3rd October 1939 which became it's permanent base until the Battle of France started.
On 16th May 1940 it moved with the unit to Lille/Ronchin and four days later with the unit to Clairmarais.
On 22nd May 1940 4 Squadron evacuated to Detling and it was flown over The Channel, on 24th May 1940 it moved
with the unit to Hawkinge and the following day to Ringway with the rest of the Unit. On 8th June 1940 it came to Yorkshire
with the unit to Linton on Ouse but suffered this accident at Alne on 5th July 1940 with Cat.R/FA damage being recorded. It
was dismantled and transported to Redwing Aircraft Ltd., Thornton Heath for repair in works and on completion of the repairs
it was sent to MU storaged but no date for this is known. In January 1941 it passed to 47 MU at Sealand for packing to go abroad.
The following month it was shipped to India and on 1st April 1941 it was taken on charge by 2 Squadron IAF at Peshawar.
In September 1941 it moved with this unit to Kohat before transfer to 28 Squadron RAF at Kohat, but no date for this is known.
On 28th January 1942 it moved with this unit to Lashio. A series of moves then began as the squadron was deployed in various locations.
On 8th February 1942 it moved with the unit to Magwe, on 6th March 1942 to Asansol, on 7th March 1942 to Lahore, on 3rd April 1942
to Ranchi, on 17th April 1942 to Kohat and on 31st August 1942 it moved with the unit to Ranchi. 28 Squadron ceased operating
Lysander mkII's on 11th December 1942 and the aircraft was transferred to 20 Squadron RAF at Chharra. 20 Squadron then
ceased operating Lysander MkII's on 16th May 1943 and the aircraft was transferred to 308 MU at Bamhrauli for long term storage.
It remained there until being struck off charge on 31st July 1944.