Whitley N1481 at Dishforth airfield.
On the night of 13th / 14th November 1940 the crew of this 51 Squadron aircraft took off from Dishforth at 22.22hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Merseburg. As the aircraft left the ground it clipped the boundary hedge with it's undercarriage but it remained in the air and set course for the target. Having flown out over the North Sea severe icing conditions caused the aircraft's starboard engine to cut out, the crew jettisoned the bomb load and opted to make for home. At 04.40hrs the undercarriage collapsed on landing at Dishforth.
Pilot - P/O Donald Peveler RAF (42764).
Sgt Bailey
Sgt Richardson
Sgt Thomas Colin Imrie RAFVR (902676).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Charles Thomas Swaffield RAFVR (935828).