Whitley T4150 at Harpham, Driffield.
In the early hours of 15th October 1940 the crew on this 58 Squadron Whitley were returning from an operational flight to bomb Stettin when the aircraft ran out of fuel just prior to landing at Driffield. A forced landing was made at 05.10hrs near Harpham, some five miles west of Driffield. As can be seen in the photograph below, the aircraft ran through a hedge and lost part of its starboard wing. The crew escaped injury.
Pilot - F/O B Brooke.
Second Pilot - Sgt C S Halley RAAF.
Observer - Sgt Henderson.
Wireless Operator - Sgt Alexander Petrie Collie RAFVR (967329).
Air Gunner - Sgt Guest.
Whitley T4150 in the field near Harpham (photo via Graham Sharpe).
F/O Brooke and Sgt's Halley and Henderson found themselves having to ditch Whitley P5058 in the River Humber on 20th October 1940 and all were rescued.
Sgt Collie was awarded the DFM for service with 58 Squadron, Gazetted on 6th June 1941.
Whitley T4150 was built to contract 38599/39 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd, at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 11th August 1940. It was taken on charge shortly after this date by
58 Squadron at Linton on Ouse. On 15th October 1940 it sustained Cat.W/FB damage following this accident near Driffield.