Wellington W5437 damaged on Ops, crash landed at Leeming airfield.

On 30th September 1941 the crew of this 104 Squadron aircraft took off from Driffield airfield at 19.19hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Stettin. At 23.15hrs while roughly south of Neuminster the aircraft was held in three searchlights and a twin engined enemy aircraft approached to attack. The Wellington's rear gunner exchanged fire with the enemy aircraft and hits were seen to enter it. The aircraft dived away and it was seen to explode on hitting the ground. The Wellington received minor damage to the fuel gauges so the crew opted to release their bomb load over Wolgast and made for home. Owing to Wellington W5392 crashing at Driffield airfield on their return, the other returning 104 Squadron crews were diverted elsewhere to land. The crew of W5437 were diverted north to land at Leeming and at 03.30hrs they made a heavy landing. Unfortunately the undercarriage collapsed causing minor damage to the aircraft.

Pilot - Sgt Benjamin Hargrave Knights RAFVR (1251253).

Second Pilot - Sgt Hugh Murray RAFVR (1000346).

Observer - Sgt Summers RAFVR (969484).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Richard William George Bryant RAFVR (1160208).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/O Norman Ruck RAF (82993).

Air Gunner - Sgt Johns RAFVR (1379443).

Wellington W5437 was built to contract B.71441/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Weybridge and was awaiting collection on January 1941. On 2nd February 1942 it was allotted to 12 MU and was received by them on 8th March 1941. After a period of MU storage it was taken on charge by 104 Squadron at Driffield on 27th April 1941 just after the squadron reformed. As a result of battle damage on 9th May 1941 and then the following night on 10th May 1941 the aircraft received very minor battle damage. There was probably so little damage to the aircraft that no record was filled out on the record card for the first. The 10th May 1941 incident did see Cat.Ac/FB damage be recorded on the AM Form 78. It was repaired on site both times by ground crew. As a result of the minor battle damage then further damage after crashing at Leeming on 30th September 1941 Cat.Ac/FB damage appears to have resulted. It received a repair on site beginning on 2nd October 1941 and was returned to 104 Squadron on 29th November 1941 only to require another repair on site on 3rd February 1942. Once repaired it was one of 104 Squadron's aircraft that were transferred to the newly formed 158 Squadron at Driffield. On 25th February 1942 it sustained Cat.Ac/FA damage in some form of flying accident though no additional information is known. It was repaired on site and returned to 158 Squadron on 21st March 1942. On 4th June 1942 158 Squadron moved to East Moor and started conversion to Halifax MkII's transferring the majority of it's Wellington MkII to 12 Squadron at Binbrook. This aircraft was one that went to 12 Squadron on 4th June 1942. On 26th July 1942 it was Cat.B/FB damaged when it suffered an engine failure en route Duisburg, the crew made an early return but crash landed on the beach on approach to North Coates. On 21st September 1942 it had been recovered but after inspection in works it was Re-Cat.E and struck off charge.

Back to table.