Whitley Z6840 damaged by flak, landed at Driffield airfield.
On the evening of 31st October 1941 a number of 51 Squadron Whitley crews were tasked with flying an operational flight to bomb the Altona
railway station with the take off times from Dishforth for the 51 Squadron aircraft being recorded in their operational orders as being at 17.30hrs
and onwards. The squadron orders were to be over the target at between 21.45hrs and 22.15hrs. The port engine of this aircraft was hit by flak
and on the return flight it failed while nearing the English Coast. The crew landed the aircraft at Driffield airfield on their return to Yorkshire
having already thrown out anything they could remove to make the aircraft lighter. The landing must have been after midnight on 1st November 1941
and after landing it was found that the crank case on the failed engine had shattered and con rods were protruding.
Pilot - Sgt Alfred George Hughes RAFVR (1257325).
Second Pilot - Sgt Brian S Walley RAFVR (1062112).
Observer - P/O Porter.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Name unknown.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Name unknown.
Whitley Z6940 was built to contract 106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd, at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 7th July 1941. It was
taken on charge later the same month by 51 Squadron at Dishforth and sustained Cat.A/FB damage as a result of this flak damage. It must have
had a new engine fitted and this was all possible on site. On completion of the repair in early 1942 it was taken on charge by The Parachute
Training Squadron at Ringway. On 15th February 1942 this unit was re-designated Parachute Training School then on 12th July 1944 the unit was
re-designated No.1 Parachute Training School and was still based at Ringway. By late 1944 the aircraft had been placed into long term MU storage
to await disposal. It was finally struck off charge on 11th January 1945.
Alfred Hughes was posted from 51 Squadron to 24 OTU on 25th April 1942 and received his commission on 1st May 1942 to the rank of P/O on probation
(emergency) 131640. He was promoted to F/O on probation (war subs) on 1st November 1942 and to F/Lt (war subs) on 1st May 1944. He was later awarded the
DFC, Gazetted on 21st September 1945.
Sgt Walley had survived the ditching of Whitley K9033 while training at 19 OTU at Kinloss on 27th July 1941 when it was forced down two miles off
the Moray Coast. On the night of 7th / 8th November 1941 he became a POW, being the sole Survivor when Whitley Z9180 of 51 Squadron failed to return from Ops to Berlin.