Whitley P5013 at Hatfield Park, Finningley.

On 11th February 1941 the crew of this 51 Squadron aircraft had taken off from Dishforth for an operational flight to Bremen at 18.40hrs, they bombed from 11,00ft. The weather over the East and North of England had changed when the bomber force returned to the UK. 10/10th fog had formed making visibility impossible. Aircraft from all over England were diverted north and along with Yorkshire-based aircraft, they were all trying to land safely. The crew on this aircraft were given an incorrect instruction to divert to Driffield which was an error; they were meant to go to Drem in Scotland. The crew attempted to land at Linton on Ouse but after trying to land were told to go to Finningley where there was a break in the cloud. The cloud had closed in by the time they reached Finningley and again they failed to land, they were then ordered to climb to 5,000ft and bale out after running out of fuel. The crew baled out over Bentley Colliery, near Doncaster and the aircraft crashed in or near Hatfield Park, Finningley in the early hours of 12th January 1941. It was the second pilot's first operational flight. The crash site was dug in recent years and a collection of wreckage including the remains of both engines are housed locally.

Whitley P5013 was built to contract 75147/38 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd at Baginton and was awaiting collection during the last week of May 1940. It was delivered as a spare aircraft for 51 Squadron during the first week of June 1940. It was written off with Cat.E2/FB damage following this incident detailed above.

Pilot - Sgt Douglas Corbett Beddow RAFVR (748747). Landed safely.

Second Pilot - Sgt Edward Sinclair Cameron Halsall RAFVR (936497), of Shipley, Yorkshire. Injured leg on landing.

Observer - Sgt Eric Hughes RAFVR (751491). Landed safely.

Wireless Operator - Sgt John Garnett RAFVR (966875). Injured knee on landing.

Air Gunner - Sgt George Henry Carter RAFVR (935349). Landed safely.