On the night of 15th / 16th May 1941 the crew of this aircraft were one of a number of 10 Squadron crews tasked with bombing Hannover. They
took off from Leeming at 22.16hrs and this crew bombed the target area from 14,000 feet at 01.21hrs. The aircraft received minor flak damage to
the port wing, tail plane and rudder but the crew were able to make a safe return to base and landed safely at Leeming at 05.25hrs.
Pilot - P/O Maurice Littlewood RAFVR (87649), of Saanichton, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Second Pilot - P/O Clapperton (probably P/O George Clapperton RAFVR (60761)).
Observer - Sgt James Francis Bassett RAFVR (745308).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Douglas Arthur Clarence Wilkinson RAFVR (904071).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Christopher William Charlton RAFVR (971845).
Whitley Z6586 was built to contract 106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 12th March 1941. It was allocated to 102 Squadron at Topcliffe the same month but then appears on charge with 10 Squadron at Leeming in April 1941. As a result of the damage on 16th May 1941 Cat.A/FB was probably the damage assessment although the incident is not listed in its published history. It would have been repaired on site and returned 10 Squadron. On 17th August 1941 it failed to return from Ops to Cologne and Cat.E m/FB damage was recorded.
Sgt Douglas Wilkinson and P/O Littlewood were flying in Whitley Z6721 on 12th / 13th June 1941 when the aircraft was ditched in the North Sea after suffering engine failure. The dinghy overturned but the five crew were able to climb into it with it upturned. After five hours in the raft the crew of a German Heinkel HeIII spotted them and flew towards an RAF ASR launch boat directing them towards the dinghy. As a result all five were rescued. For his efforts on this night Sgt Wilkinson was awarded the British Empire Medal, Gazetted on 31st October 1941. The citation for his award adds alot of detail and reads.."One night in June 1941, this airman was the wireless operator of an aircraft which, in the course of an operation, was compelled to descend on to the sea off the Dutch coast. Although Sergeant Wilkinson had had trouble with his wireless set he had managed to maintain wireless contact with a home station until the aircraft crashed, thus enabling an accurate fix to be obtained of the aircraft's position. After the crash he released his captain who was strapped in and assisted him through the front top hatch. Sergeant Wilkinson was about to leave the aircraft, which by this time was half full of water, when he observed the navigator lying unconscious in the tunnel. Sergeant Wilkinson immediately went to the navigator's assistance, and dragging him into the cockpit, managed to revive him and then assisted him to climb out through the top hatch. Following him through the hatch, Sergeant Wilkinson saw the dinghy had not yet been launched so, dropping down on to the port wing, he jumped into the sea, swam round to the door and, opening it fully, enabled the rear gunner to throw out the dinghy. It failed to open but Sergeant Wilkinson pulled on the cord until it eventually opened but upside down. Eventually, however, the dinghy was righted and all the -crew were able to jump into it except the navigator who fell in the water. Sergeant Wilkinson grasped him and with the assistance of the rear gunner was able to pull the navigator into the dinghy. Within the next few minutes the aircraft sank. Sergeant Wilkinson showed great presence of mind and devotion to duty and undoubtedly was instrumental in saving the life of the navigator besides contributing largely to the successful launching of the dinghy which led to the eventual rescue of the entire crew." He received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 24th April 1943 (145900). For further service with 61 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 19th October 1943 but he had already been killed in action before the notification was published. On 3rd October 1943, in the rank of Acting F/Lt, he was flying in Lancaster W4279 on Ops to Kassel when the aircraft crashed near Rothwesten, Germany. He is buried in Hanover War Cemetery. CWGC does not list the fact that he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, in my mind a major error in the listing the service of a brave young man.
Maurice Littlewood received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 16th November 1940 (with seniority of 7th November 1940). Having survived the ditching of Whitley Z6721 on 13th June 1941 Maurice Littlewood resumed flying with 10 Squadron. He was killed flying Whitley Z6815 on 8th / 9th August 1941 on Ops to Kiel when the aircraft crashed in the target area. He was twenty two years old and is buried in Kiel War Cemetery. His brother F/O Peter Ronald Benjamin Littlewood RAFVR (126714) died on 30th July 1943 while flying with 410 Squadron and is buried in Scopwick, Lincolnshire. He was a navigator flying Mosquitos at the time of his death but his death occurred during a navigation exercise in the squadron Oxford which crashed near Honiley, Warwickshire, he would be Mentioned in Despatches after his death for the work he had done previously.
James Bassett was awarded the DFM for service with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 23rd September 1941. He later received his commission on 13th November 1942 to the rank of P/O on probation (135461) and was promoted to F/O on 13th July 1943. He was awarded the DFC for further service with 158 Squadron, Gazetted on 29th October 1943. The citation for his DFC reads.. "As navigator, this officer has taken part in many sorties, involving attacks on industrial centres in the Ruhr and numerous other important and well defended targets. His exceptional ability has been evident throughout and has contributed materially to the many successes achieved. By his outstanding determination and unswerving devotion to duty. This officer has set a highly commendable example." He later re-trained as a pilot and survived the War. He remained in the RAFVR until 16th May 1952.
Christopher Charlton was later posted to 161 Squadron and served in the SOE. He was awarded the DFM for service with 161 Squadron, Gazetted on 9th November 1943. The citation reads.."As wireless operator /air gunner this airman has taken part in a very large number of sorties. He has at all times proved himself to be a most reliable member of aircraft crew and his skilful work has contributed materially to the successes obtained. Flight Sergeant Charlton has set a fine example of devotion to duty." He later received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 1st October 1943 (158540) rising to F/O on 1st April 1944 and F/Lt on 1st October 1945.
George Clapperton received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 25th December 1940 rising to F/O on probation on 19th November 1941 and was confirmed in the
rank of F/O on 25th December 1941. He was awarded the DFC for service with 78 Squadron, Gazetted on 13th March 1942 while he was in the rank of Acting S/Ldr. He later served at No.4 Group HQ. He was promoted to S/Ldr (temp) on 20th April 1943 and was Mentioned in Despatches on 14th January 1944. He then received the OBE for further service, Gazetted on 1st January 1945. He was granted a Deputy Lieutenant Commission in Greater Manchester in March 1981.