Whitley Z6471 at Brough.
On 20th March 1941 this 612 Squadron aircraft being flown from Llandow to an un-recorded destination, but probably Dyce airfield to join 612 Squadron. After two and a half hours flying and in very poor visibility the pilot was attempting to land at Brough airfield, before it could come to a halt on the ground it struck Tiger Moth N6523 and destroyed it. The Whitley was damaged beyond repair. The same pilot had attempted to fly this aircraft from Llandow on the two previous days but was forced back to Llandow after poor weather and with seventy minutes flying each time.
The published Air Britain history of Whitley Z6471 states that it was built to contract B.106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection in December 1940. The aircraft was taken on charge soon after completion by 612 Squadron who were based at Dyce. The aircraft sustained serious Cat.W/FA damage as a result of this accident on 20th March 1941 but does not list a location, simply stating "DBR in accident, NFD.".
Pilot - F/O Robert Burrell RAF(AAF) (90603).
? - Sgt Taylor.
Pilot - Sgt Stanley Woodmass RAFVR (938840).
Sgt Woodmass was injured with 612 Squadron on 4th December 1940 when Whitley P5062 crashed on take off from Dyce despite the unit orb stating none of the crew were injured. Air81 / 4450 contains the statement that Sgt Woodmass was injured.
Robert Burrell was granted a commission to the rank of Acting P/O on probation before the War while serving in 608 Squadron AAF. Just prior to the outbreak of the war he was graded as P/O on 4th August 1939 and would rise through the ranks over the coming years. While serving with 105 Squadron he was the pilot of Mosquito MM237 on 6th March 1945 flying an operational flight to Wesel. The aircraft was attacked by a friendly Mosquito in error on the return to England and was badly damaged. Unfortunately Robert Burrell was wounded in his right thigh and he and his navigator had to bale out before the aircraft crashed near Frating Abbey, Essex. Both landed in the sea off St.Osyth and were fortunate to survive as the tide was coming in at the time. Both he and his navigator resumed flying together on 2nd April 1945. S/Ldr Robert Burrell was awarded the DFC for service with 105 Squadron, Gazetted on 18th May 1945. I thank his son, also called Robert Burrell, for kindly supplying additional details to this account.