Whitley T4336 at Church Fenton airfield.

On the night of 4th / 5th May 1941 this 58 Squadron aircraft was being used on an operational flight to bomb Brest and took off from Linton on Ouse at 21.30hrs. The aircraft suffered engine trouble on the outbound leg of the flight and the captain opted to cancel the flight and return to base. At around 00.30hrs the aircraft attempted a landing at Church Fenton but overshot in poor visibility, on touching down the aircraft swung out of control and the undercarriage collapsed. The crew escaped injury. It was then either struck by Spitfire X4609 taking off in the hours that followed or it struck Spitfire X4609 which was parked at the time of the landing.

Second Pilot - P/O Frederick John Joshua RAFVR (87041).

Pilot - Acting F/Lt (or P/O?) Sidney Patrick Daniels RAFVR (81676).

Observer - Sgt Hardie.

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Dodd. (Possibly Sgt Victor Stuart Dodd RAFVR (940286)).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Mole.

Frederick Joshua received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 19th October 1940 and rose to F/O exactly a year later. F/O Joshua was later posted to instruct at 1652 HCU. On 14th April 1942 he was the pilot of Halifax L9576 which crashed near Wetherby with, Yorkshire the loss of the nine men on board. He was twenty nine years old and is buried in his home town of Penarth.
Although Sidney Daniels technically in the rank of P/O on Probation on the date of the crash at Church Fenton, he was awarded the DFC only weeks later and his rank in the London Gazette (of 6th June 1941) is down as being Acting F/Lt so it is likely that this was his rank at the time of the incident at Church Fenton. Sidney Daniels received a commission as P/O on probation on 11th July 1940, to F/O on 8th July 1941, and to F/Lt on 8th July 1942. Then to S/Ldr on 19th January 1944 and later to W/C.

As Acting S/Ldr he was awarded the Bar to the DFC, Gazetted on 4th November 1942, the citation reads.. "Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross this officer has participated in numerous successful sorties. His attacks have at all times been pressed home with great determination and excellent photographs of the target area have frequently been obtained. One night in July 1942, Squadron Leader Daniels piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Hamburg. On the outward flight, shortly after setting course from base, one of the engines caught fire and became useless. Despite this. Squadron Leader Daniels flew on to his objective and, regardless of the heavy defences, bombed it successfully. Displaying fine airmanship, he flew the aircraft to base and landed it safely. This officer is an exceptional operational captain who has always displayed fearless determination to complete his allotted task."

Also as acting S/Ldr he was awarded the DSO with 83 Squadron, Gazetted on 12th March 1941, probably for completing a second Tour.

As acting W/C he was awarded the Bar to the DSO with 35 Squadron, he was the 23 year old C.O. of the Pathfinders unit, the award was Gazetted on 29th September 1944. The citation reads.."This officer has completed a third tour of operational duty during which he has completed many sorties against strongly defended targets in Germany. He has pressed home his attacks with the greatest determination and his coolness and courage in the face of enemy fire have been most inspiring. He is a highly efficient squadron commander whose sterling qualities have impressed all."

A Sgt D Mole was on Whitley Z6504 which ditched off Essex on 30th August 1941, he is probably the same man who survived both incidents.

A F/O Douglas John Mole RAFVR (168506) was killed in France on 18th December 1944 with 10 Squadron in Halifax LV818, he may well be the same man.

If the Sgt Dodd was Victor Stuart Dodd then he was killed by enemy action at Linton on Ouse airfield on the night of 11th / 12th May 1941. F/Sgt Victor Dodd was twenty years old and is buried at Stoke Churchyard, Warwickshire. I strongly believe that they are one and the same.
Whitley T4336 was built to contract 38599/39 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 17th December 1940 and delivered to 77 Squadron at Topcliffe during the last week of December 1940. It was transferred to 102 Squadron at Topcliffe in early 1941 and then onto 58 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on an unknown date shortly afterwards. As a result of the incident detailed above on 5th May 1941 Cat.E/FB damage was recorded and it was written off.

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