Whitley Z6496 near Plompton.
On 12th September 1941 the crew of this 10 Squadron aircraft were returning from an operational flight to bomb Warnemunde and with thick fog covering much of North
Yorkshire the crew became lost. Running low on fuel the pilot made a good forced landing in a field south of Knaresborough near Plompton at 05.26hrs. The crew
escaped injury. The aircraft sustained little damage and flew again after recovery by 60 MU.
Pilot - Sgt Patrick George Rochford RAFVR (1168914). Parents of Vence, Alpes Maritimes, France.
Second Pilot - Sgt Lloyd.
Observer - P/O Edward Basil Hamilton Openshaw RNZAF (NZ.403610).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Cleare.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt R W Carlyle RNZAF (NZ.402978).
Patrick Rochford was awarded the DFM for service with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 29th May 1942, the citation refers to action on 27th/28th April 1942 and 28th/29th April 1942
with the aircraft operating from Scotland. It reads.. "One night in April 1942, Flight Sergeant Rochford was detailed to attack the German naval base at Trondheim. On arriving over the target he encountered fierce anti-aircraft fire.
Flight Sergeant Rochford dived down to a very low level and pressed home his attack. His aircraft sustained severe damage but he succeeded in returning to base. On the following
night he was again detailed to attack the naval base. On the outward journey the rear gunner reported that the guns in the rear turret were unserviceable and beyond his repair.
Flight Sergeant Rochford continued on his mission and pressed home his attack from a low level. His second pilot and first wireless operator were seriously wounded and his aircraft
was holed in many places. Flight Sergeant Rochford has displayed great courage, perseverance and devotion to duty." On 6th June 1942 he was the pilot of Halifax W7696 on Ops to
Essen when the aircraft crashed in Germany and he was killed. He was twenty one years old and is buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.
Whitley Z6496 was built to contract 106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 27th January 1941 then taken on
charge by 10 Squadron based at Leeming. The date 10 Squadron took charge of the aircraft is not known. It was slightly damaged by flak on 14th March 1941 in 10 Squadron use and was probably repaired at Leeming although the damage was not recorded on its published service history. It was damaged on landing at Leeming on 9th May 1941 and again this damage is not listed in the history. As a result of the incident on 12th September 1941
near Knaresborough Cat.B/FB damage was recorded and the aircraft was taken away by road to be repaired in works. On completion of the repair it was
placed into MU storage. On or around 10th July 1942 the aircraft was takenn on charge by the newly formed 81 OTU at Ashbourne then on 1st September
1942 it moved with this unit to Whitchurch Heath (Tilstock). It crashed on 2nd February 1943 after suffering an engine failure on approach to land at
Whitchurch Heath, the aircraft crashed on undershooting and caught fire. Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was later recorded and the aircraft was written off.