Whitley Z6748 damaged by "friendly fire", landed at Topcliffe airfield.
On the night of 6th / 7th July 1941 this 102 Squadron aircraft was one of a number tasked with bombing the railway station at Dortmund, they
took off from Topcliffe at 22.33hrs and released their bombs from 11,000 feet. Shortly afterwards the Whitley was attacked from the starboard side by an unidentified aircraft which injured the pilot and second pilot in the legs. The pilot believed that the aircraft that attacked them was a Wellington. Despite their injuries and the minor damage to the aircraft they landed safely at Topcliffe at 04.50hrs.
Pilot - P/O Basil Arthur Quarton Wynyard-Wright RAF (89802). Minor injuries.
Second Pilot - Sgt Ralph Fisher RAFVR (1250759). Minor injuries.
Observer - Sgt Denis Charles James McKendry RAFVR (904965).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner? - Sgt Geoffrey William Griffin RAFVR (906512).
Air Gunner? - Sgt Frederick Potts RAF (984209).
P/O McKendry was killed on 3rd January 1944 flying 83 Squadron Lancaster JB453 on Ops to Berlin. He is buried in Berlin War Cemetery.
Whitley Z6748 was built to contract 106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 15th May 1941. It was initially taken on charge by 102 Squadon at Topcliffe but the date it arrived is not yet known. As a result of the damage sustained on 7th July 1941 minor Cat.A/FB damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site. The aircraft later served with 19 O.T.U. at Kinloss but by August 1944 had been placed into MU storage as the unit had ceased operating the type. It was struck off charge on 26th April 1945.
Basil Wynyard-Wright was posted to No.4 Group Target Towing Flight to served as Second in Command of the training unit. He served with them through various name changes to 1484 (Bombing) Gunnery Flight into mid-1943.