On the night of 27th / 28th June 1941 this 102 Squadron aircraft took off from Topcliffe airfield at 22.32hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Bremen. The aircraft was attacked at 02.20hrs by an enemy aircraft and one of the crew sustained a leg injury caused by gun fire. The aircraft was brought back to Topcliffe where a safe landing was made at 05.18hrs.
Pilot - Sgt W J Wilson.
Observer - Sgt A Lakin RAFVR (937052).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Cyril Higson RAF (654157).
Air Gunner - Sgt Arthur William Summers RAF (755204). Wounded in left foot.
On 29th August 1941 Sgt Higson was still flying with 102 Squadron and survived the crash of Whitley Z6951 in Norfolk with injuries, this accident caused the death of three other members of his then crew. He later received a commission on 23rd August 1943 and was awarded the DFC for service with 466 Squadron, Gazetted on 20th July 1945.
Whitley Z6798 was built to contract 106962 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd, at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 5th June 1941. It was taken on charge by 102 Squadron at Topcliffe later the same month. As a result of this minor damage sustained on 27th/28th June 1941 minor Cat.A/FB damage would have been the damage assessment but it is not listed in the published Air Britain history. As a result of another similar incident in August 1941 Cat.A/FB damage was recorded, the aircraft was repaired on site and and returned to the unit both times. On an unknown date the aircraft was transferred to the care of 10 OTU at Abingdon. On 6th May 1944 it took off from
Stanton Harcourt for the crew to practice a single engine landing when the port engine cut on climbing out, the pilot force landed the aircraft near the
airfield with injury to any of the crew. The aircraft was initially inspected and given Cat.B/FA damage but upon further inspection it was Re.Cat.E and struck off charge on 1st June 1944.
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