Whitley Z6655 damaged by flak, landed Linton on Ouse airfield.
On the night of 8th / 9th June 1941 the crew of this 78 Squadron aircraft were tasked with flying an operational flight to bomb Dortmund. While dropping flares over the target at 16,000ft the aircraft was hit by flak, the wireless operator sustained injuries and the HF radio was damaged. The intercom to the rear turret was
also severed. Because of the poor weather over Northern England on their return the aircraft made a landing at Linton on Ouse (possibly using the
new Lorenz navigation system). Whitley Z6466 also landed at Linton after taking action to avoid a night fighter on this night but is not included on a
seperate page as I don't believe it sustained damage.
Pilot - Sgt Kenneth Napier Hudgell RAFVR (964546).
Second Pilot - Sgt Turnbull.
Observer - P/O Philip Henry Inigo-Jones RAFVR (87362).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Hollingworth (Probably Sgt John French Hollingworth RAFVR (968358), of Rhyl, Flintshire, Wales). Injured by flak.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Turner.
Sgt Hudgell died in a flying accident on 21st July 1941 while flying in 76 Squadron Halifax L9533, the aircraft crashed at Middleton St.George
avoiding a close flying Hurricane on a fighter affiliation exercise. He was twenty eight years old and is buried in Ipswick Old Cemetery.
Philip Inigo-Jones had trained as a civilian pilot before the war and had gained a Royal Aero Club aviators' certificate (Cert.No.16991). After his time with 78 Squadron he was posted to 76 Squadron on 18th June 1941. He baled out of Halifax L9518 on return from Ops on 29th / 30th August 1941 with the aircraft going on to crash near Pocklington causing the death of his then pilot and rear gunner. He survived the war and remained in the RAF until 1954. His first wife later re-married Douglas Bader.
Sgt John French Hollingworth was killed while serving with 78 Squadron when Whitley Z6558 was shot down over Holland on 3rd July 1941. He was
twenty five years old and is buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Netherlands.
Whitley Z6655 was built to contract 106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 7th April 1941. It was
taken on charge by 78 Squadron at Middleton St.George later the same month. As a result of the battle damage on 9th June 1941 Cat.A/FB damage was
recorded, temporary repairs were carried out at Linton on Ouse in order for the aircraft to be flown back to Middleton St.George for a full repair
on site. On 8th August 1941 Cat.E(m) damage was recorded when it failed to return from Ops to Kiel, it was hit by flak over the target and was
unable to make it back to English coast so it was ditched off Blyth, Northumberland. The crew were rescued.