Oxford V3623 at Church Fenton airfield.

On 20th July 1941 this 54 O.T.U. aircraft was taking off during the afternoon from Church Fenton airfield but as the aircraft picked up speed near the airfield's runway intersection he saw another aircraft on the other runway in the process of landing on an intersecting runway. Both pilots attempted to pull up but the two aircraft collided over the airfield at a height of around fifty feet. Blenheim T2337 hit the Oxford's starboard wing and then struck the starboard engine. The Oxford rolled into the ground and the Blenheim crashed inverted onto the airfield but no serious injuries were reported. The photograph above depicts the crash scene. On this date the wind kept changing direction so the runway the pilots were ordered to land on was being constantly being altered. This incident is detailed in P.D.Mason's book "Fighting Church Fenton". As is probably the case with the other aircraft, this aircraft may have carried a second airman. In the case of this this pilot it is known that his regular navigator throughout the rest of the War was the named airman and that both men had begun this partnership during their time at Church Fenton and 54 OTU. Even if the second airman was not on board in this instance his career went hand in hand with that of his pilot and is worthy of documentation here.

Oxford V3623 was built to contract B.55346/39 by The De Havilland Aircraft Co. Ltd. at Hatfield and was awaiting collection in December 1940. After a lengthy period of MU storage it was taken on charge by the newly formed 60 OTU at Leconfield on 7th May 1941 but on 16th June 1941 it was transferred to 54 OTU at Church Fenton. As a result of this incident at Church Fenton on 20th July 1941 Cat.E2/FA damage was recorded and it was struck off charge five days later.

Pilot - Sgt Harold Edward White RAF (1284643).

Possible Observer - Sgt Michael Seamer Allen RAFVR (1388889), of Croyden, Surrey.

Harold White was born in 1923 and enlisted into the RAF in 1940 but was too young and lied about his age. He and Allen trained at 54 OTU and were posted to 29 Squadron flying Beaufighters, and later to 534 Squadron flying Havocs, before teaming up again with 141 Squadron in 1943 on Mosquitos. He received his commission to P/O on probation on 26th March 1942. As F/O he was awarded the DFC with 141 Squadron (Gazetted on 24th September 1943), the citation reads.."This officer has completed numerous sorties over enemy territory and has displayed great skill and determination throughout. In July 1943, he shot down a Messerschmitt no, while during another sortie in August, 1943, he engaged 3 hostile aircraft in separate combats. In the latter engagement his opponent's aircraft was seen to spiral towards the ground in flames and explode on impact."

Both F/O Allen and F/O White were awarded the Bar to the DFC with 141 Squadron (Gazetted on 14th April 1941), the joint citation reads.." As observer and pilot respectively these officers have completed many sorties since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross They have set a fine example of keenness and devotion to duty throughout and have now destroyed at least five enemy aircraft at night. Their achievements have been worthy of much praise."

Both men were awarded the Second Bar to the DFC, Gazetted on 13th October 1944, again this was for service with 141 Squadron. They had their own citation this time, White's reads.."Since the award of the first Bar to the DFC, this officer has destroyed three enemy aircraft and damaged one while flying as a night fighter pilot. His skill and daring in thiB capacity have been outstanding. On one sortie while patrolling near Aachen, he destroyed a Me. 109, which exploded so near sad with each brilliance that he was blinded for some moments. He has completed a large number of operational missions". Allen's citation for this award reads.."By his exceptional skill and co-operation, F/Lt Allen has enabled his captain to destroy three enemy aircraft since the award of the Bar to the DFC. This officer has always shown the greatest courage and resourcefulness, and has set a high standard of skill and devotion to duty under adverse conditions."

In the Post-War shake-up he reverted to F/O in 1946 but rose through the ranks in the years to come. He became the Commanding Officer of 46 Squadron but the period is not yet known. He rose to S/Ldr on 1st July 1950 and was awarded the AFC in the New Year Honours list in 1952 as S/Ldr. Exactly two years later he was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air. On 1st January 1957 he rose to W/C and to G/C on 1st January 1962 and to A/C on an unknown date.

Air Commodore White CBE, AFC, DFC and 2 Bars retired from the RAF in 1977, he took up the role as Chief Executive Swale Borough Council in the 1980's and died in March 1990.

Michael Allen was born in March 1923, after attending college he began working for Fairey Aviation. He was later accepted for the RAF early in 1941 and formed his partership with Harry White at 54 OTU in July 1941. Although I have yet to confirm Allen was on Oxford V3623 his Wartime career goes hand in hand with Whites. Sadly Allen's parents were killed when a V2 rocket struck their house in July 1944. Following their training at Church Fenton both were posted to 29 Squadron at West Malling and flew Beaufighters and then to 534 Squadron at Tangmere flying Havocs. He was awarded the DFC and two Bars in 1944. The details of his Bar to the DFC and 2nd Bar are shown above, his DFC was awarded differently to that of his pilot, (Gazetted on 5th November 1943) the citation reads.."As observer, Flying Officer Allen has undertaken very many sorties at night and has assisted in the destruction of 3 enemy aircraft. This officer has displayed exceptional keenness, skill and determination." Their partnership split for a time and Allen spent a period in ferrying Beaufighters to the Middle East but then returned to the UK and to 141 Squadron (where many of their DFC's were gained) before a spell at the Bomber Development Support Unit. He and White teamed up again and had a serious accident on 2nd January 1945 when Mosquito MM797 crashed on take off after engine failure. F/Lt Allen's foot was jammed in the fuselage and White was pinned underneath him with the aircraft on fire. White had apparently considered reaching for the axe to amputate Allen's trapped foot to allow both men to escape. Before he could resort to this a farmer and two labourers had seen the crash and managed to pull both of them to safety. Both continued to fly together until November 1945 and during their time with 141 Squadron became known as "The Old Firm". Allen left the RAF in 1946 and worked for Avro, Pye Telecommunications, BTR and Rank Hovis McDougall. In 1966 he moved to South Africa and became chairman of the Pretoria branch of the South African Air Force Association. He returned to Britain in 1982 and worked for the Officers' Association. He died in June 2001 aged 78. He published his autobiography "Pursuit through Darkened Skies" in 1999.

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