On the night of 12th / 13th June 1941 the crew of this 10 Squadron aircraft were tasked with an operational flight to bomb marshalling yards at Schwerte. They took off from Leeming at 22.37hrs. The crew released their bomb load over the target area at 01.30hrs from 13,000 feet and they reported heavy and intense flak. A safe landing was made at Leeming at 04.55hrs where a few small flak holes were found in the aircraft. The aircraft's AM Form 78 states that a quick repair was then made but three days later a further repair was needed and this was not for further battle damage so it may be for additional damage discovered when it was believed repaired following the incident on 13th June 1941.
Whitley Z6656 was built to contract 106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton. It was received by 45 MU on 6th April 1941 and was taken on charge by 10 Squadron at Leeming on 29th April 1941. On Ops to Dortmund on 8th / 9th June 1941 it received flak damage to the tail fins, port wing and cockpit, it's crew was diverted to land at Silloth and a safe landing was made. The damage cannot have been too severe as it was flown back to Leeming on 10th June 1941 but only because of poor weather across the Pennines earlier. The damage was swiftly repaired as it was next used on Ops on 12th / 13th June 1943 and was very slightly damaged by flak, a safe landed was made at base. It received an assessment for damage by No.43 Group D.A. on 13th June 1941 and was returned to 10 Squadron on 15th June 1941. A day later it was again assessed by No.43 Group D.A. and a repair on site was then made but it took until 8th November 1941 for it to be returned to 10 Squadron. The aircraft appears to have been unwanted so was transferred to 58 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 22nd November 1941 and then on to 78 Squadron at Croft on 24th November 1941. As a result of a crash on the side of Nidderdale in January 1942 Cat.E2/FB damage was the assessment and the aircraft was struck off charge on 7th January 1942.
Pilot - Sgt Reginald Eric Griffin RAF (748335).
Observer - Sgt Richards
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Griffiths
Front Gunner - F/O Harry James Heal RAF (41583).
Air Gunner - Sgt George