Whitley Z6579 at Dishforth airfield.
On the night of 17th / 18th May 1941 this 51 Squadron aircraft was used on an operational flight to bomb Kiel. The crew took off from Dishforth airfield at 22.30hrs and while over Germany the aircraft was caught in a searchlight cone which then received attention from flak guns. The aircraft received flak damage. The crew released their bomb load from 12,000 feet at 02.05hrs. The aircraft landed in poor visibility at Dishforth at 05.38hrs but the pilot realised that the aircraft would overshoot and was heading towards a hut and a dispersed aircraft. He swung the aircraft away from the course the aircraft was heading but the undercarriage then collapsed.
Pilot - P/O Rowland Leslie Rossiter RAFVR (85671).
Observer - Sgt James.
Bomb Aimer - Sgt McFadden.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt John Kenneth Napier RAFVR (974768).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Geoffrey Frank Keen RAFVR (923049).
Geoffrey Keen's father had been killed in the First World War. Geoffrey enlisted for RAF service in 1940 and was awarded the DFM for service with 51 Squadron, his first Tour was completed by the end of 1941 and his DFM was Gazetted in January 1942. Following time at 10 O.T.U. he later began a second tour with 427 Squadron.
The events of 12th March 1943 while flying an operational flight to Essen in Wellington BK164 saw him being recommended for the highest gallantry award of the Victoria Cross for his actions, the recommendation was not carried through to the award but was down-graded to the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Gazetted on 23rd April 1943) because the V.C. award had to involve a risk of certain death and his actions after the flak burst did not, but taking nothing away from his heroic and brave actions on that night that was partly responsible for his aircraft returning to England and landing at Stradishall. The recommendation for the V.C., as drafted by his 427 Squadron Commanding Officer states that "Flight Sergeant Keen was the wireless operator in an aircraft bombing Essen on 12th March 1943. In the target area the aircraft was hit by heavy flak, the Navigator being killed. Flight Sergeant Keen's right foot was blown off and he received cuts in both legs. Despite this, he regained his seat in the Wireless Operator's cabin from the astrodome and for over two hours worked to repair his damaged wireless set. He was not in Radio Telephone communication with the rest of the crew owing to damage to the aircraft, but when the Bomb Aimer spoke to him on at least a dozen occasions he found him still conscious working on his wireless set or giving directions for the manipulation of various secret installations. He offered to assist in navigating the aircraft and twice, somehow, reached the navigator's compartment to obtain essential navigational information. Flight Sergeant Keen displayed courage and determination of the very highest order whilst seriously wounded." The Station Commander, Middleton St.George, wrote "I consider this Non-Commissioned Officer's superb display of courage and devotion to duty whilst seriously wounded fully merits an award of the Victoria Cross." Part of his right foot was later amputated but he eventually returned to 427 Squadron and remained in the RAF until the end of the War.
John Napier received the DFM for service with 51 Squadron, Gazetted in January 1942. He had already been posted from 51 Squadron several months earlier. He was posted to 22 O.T.U. on 21st August 1941 and appears to have remained there on their staff books for some time. He was still there on 30th / 31st May 1942 adn failed to return from the Thousand Bomber raid on Cologne in Wellington DV843. He is buried at Bergen-Op-Zoom War Cemetery.
Rowland Rossiter's Spring and Summer 1941 postings are a good example of how No.4 Group switched and changed airmen between squadrons at this period. He was posted from 35 Squadron to 58 Squadron on 25th April 1941 for operational experience, flying just one operational flight. He was then at 51 Squadron on 3rd May 1941 and flew as a second pilot in one of their Whitleys. He remained at 51 Squadron until being posted back to 35 Squadron on 20th June 1941. He then re-joined 51 Squadron from 35 Squadron on 27th July 1941. He received the MBE on 1st January 1944.
Whitley Z6579 was built to contract 106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 9th March 1941 and was taken on charge by 51 Squadron at Dishforth later the same month. On 18th May 1941 it probably sustained Cat.A damage as a result of the incident referred to above. It was probably repaired on site and continued to serve with 51 Squadron until 15th March 1942 when it was transferred to the newly formed 24 OTU at Honeybourne. Later in the year it was transferred to the care of 10 O.T.U. at Abingdon and on 29th October 1942 Cat.E(M) damage was recorded when failed to return from a flight over France with its then crew of six being killed.