On 16th November 1941 this aircraft was force landed near the village of Micklebring, Rotherham probably while the crew were flying a cross-country training flight.
Also on this night 17 OTU lost Blenheim V5421 on a cross-country training flight, when, in bad weather the crew baled out leaving the aircraft to crash near Grantham,
Lincolnshire. Bad weather was probably the reason for the landing of Blenheim R3837 being made although no accident report for this incident has yet been seen to
confirm this was the case.
Crew - Names unknown.
Blenheim R3837 was built to contract 1485/39 by Rootes Securities Ltd. at Speke and was awaiting collection in June 1940. It was initially taken on charge
by 59 Squadron at Thorney Island in July 1940 but this unit ceased operating Blenheim MkIV's the following month so the aircraft was passed on to 17 OTU at
Upwood. As a result of the damage sustained near Rotherham on 16th November 1941 the assessment was recorded as being Cat.B/FA damage. From here it was transported
by road for a repair in works. On completion of the repair it was taken on charge by 114 Squadron at West Raynham in 1942. It was lost on 26th July 1942 (Cat.E.m recorded)
when it failed to return from an operational flight to bomb Venlo Airfield and was believed shot down by Oblt. Reinhold Knacke, the Commanding Officer of JG1. The Blenheim's
then crew of three were all killed and are buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetery.
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