Hudson T9330 damaged by enemy aircraft, landed at Thornaby airfield.

During the 9th February 1941 the crew of this 220 Squadron aircraft was briefed to undertake an operational flight named a "Hornli Patrol". A Hornli Patrol involved patrolling the waters between Horns Rocks, Denmark to Lista, Norway. They took off at 10.38hrs from Thornaby and headed out into the North Sea. At 12.40hrs they reported seeing an enemy cruiser being escorted by three destroyers, the Hudson began to shadow the ships but received attention from the ship's anti-aircraft guns. At 13.00hrs the Hudson was attacked by an Me110 and in the first attack the air gunner of the Hudson was sadly killed. With evasive action being immediately taken the Hudson did not receive further attacks and following return fire from the other Hudson's gunner the Me110 was believed to have sustained damage to it's port engine. Having sustained damage to the tail, the top turret, the wings and a propeller the crew were somewhat lucky to be able to return to Thornaby where they landed at 16.57hrs. The incident's damage assessment does not feature on the aircraft's AM Form 78 so it must have only have been minor in nature.

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Stanley Allen Victor Doe RAFVR (903109), aged 20. Buried Clacton Cemetery, Essex.

Pilot - F/O Anthony James Carey Simpson RAFVR (72349).

Second Pilot (/ Navigator) - Sgt George Robert Heppell RAFVR (758127).

Wireless Operator - Sgt T C Mills RAF (640404).

Hudson T9330 was built to BPC contract A-67 by the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation at Burbank, California and was transported to the UK by sea, arriving in July 1940. On arrival it was taken by road to the Lockheed Assembly Division (UK) Ltd at Speke and after testing it was passed to 20 MU on 28th July 1940. It was then taken on charge by 220 Squadron at Thornaby on 28th August 1940. As a result of the damage sustained on 9th February 1941 Cat.A/FB damage was probably the damage assessment but it is not listed on the aircraft's AM Form 78. It was repaired on site and returned to 220 Squadron. On 19th July 1941 No.6 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit was reformed at Thornaby and the aircraft was taken on charge by them a few days later on 30th July 1941. It was transferred to No.1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit at Silloth on 18th November 1942, they then moved to Thornaby on 22nd March 1943. It went to 22 MU on 7th April 1943 and was stored until being issued to the ATA on 31st March 1944 where it is likely to have served with their AFTS (Advanced Flying Training School). On 15th September 1944 it was given a Cat.E damage assessment that then saw it struck off charge on that date.
Anthony Simpson was later awarded the DFC for service with 220 Squadron. He was later killed on 13th October 1941 when Hudson AM636 crashed failed to return from an anti-shipping patrol. He is buried in Trondheim.

George Heppell was awarded the DFM for service with 220 Squadron, Gazetted on 26th August 1941. The citation for which states "Sergeant Heppell joined No. 220 Squadron in September, 1940, and has completed over 200 hours operational flying with this unit. He has been in three air combats in two of which the enemy was destroyed. On 7th June, 1941 he was Navigator in a Hudson which attacked a Ju.88. He fired several bursts from the side guns until a bullet from the enemy aircraft struck a marine distress signal which exploded and started a fire which Sergeant Heppell dived at and managed to extinguish with his helmet. He has always shown considerable skill and devotion to duty both as pilot and Navigator." He received a commission in March 1942 but was then killed on 6th April 1942 in a flying accident at Oulton involving Hudson AE565. He is buried Newcastle (West Road) Cemetery.

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