Hudson AM561 damaged by enemy action, crash landed at Thornaby airfield.
On 25th October 1941 this aircraft was one of three 608 Squadron aircraft being flown on a a rover patrol. All had taken off at 11.30hrs. At 14.20hrs while off Blaavandshuk an enemy aircraft made an attack all three aircraft but only scored damage on Hudson AM561. The Hudsons were probably flying in formation at the time. The wireless operator on board AM561 was hit by a bullet over his right eye and the aircarft received holes in the cockpit, rear turret, starboard fin, both wings and fuel tanks were hit. The gunners aboard all three Hudsons returned fire and hits were seen on the enemy aircraft. The Hudson pilot's turned their aircraft into cloud for cover and made their own way back to base. Hudson AM561 landed at Thornaby at 17.35hrs (nearly an hour after the other two) and this may be a sign that the damage slowed them down or navigation equipment was also damaged. On landing the undercarriage legs would not lower properly and the bomb doors were hanging open so the aircraft received further damage.
Pilot - P/O Nigel Graham Henderson RAFVR (60552).
? - P/O Frederick Samuel Cundy RAFVR (66550).
? - Sgt J W Moore RAFVR (954509).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Richard David Shackleton RAFVR (1165672). Injured.
Hudson AM561 was built to B.P.C. contract A-1749 by the Lockheed Corporation at Burbank, California, USA and was shipped to the UK, arriving at Liverpool Docks in April1941. It was taken by road to No.1 A.A.U. at Speke for assembly and testing then went to 22 MU on 25th April 1941. On 1st July 1941 it was taken on charge by 608 Squadron at Thornaby. As a result of battle damage sustained on 10th September 1941 Cat.Ac/FB damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. As a result of further battle damage on 25th October 1941 Cat.Ac/FB was the damage assessment but it may have been upgraded to Cat.B as the aircraft left the unit around this time. The aircraft went to Cuncliffe Owen on 31st December 1941 probably for a lengthy repair. On 22nd July 1942 it went to 22 MU and was then taken on charge by No.1 (C)O.T.U. at Silloth on 8th October 1942. On 17th April 1943 it was flown to 10 MU. The aircraft existed until 28th March 1946 when it was struck off charge.