Whitley Z6972 damaged by flak, returned to Linton on Ouse airfield.
In the early hours of 11th October 1941 the crew of this aircraft were one of a number of 58 Squadron crews tasked with flying operational flights to bomb
to Essen. This specific aircraft took off at 00.13hrs, it was damaged by flak in the fuselage and wings over Germany but the crew were able to make a safe return and landed at base of Linton on Ouse at 06.48hrs.
Pilot - P/O Kenneth Monckton Tuckfield RAFVR (62307).
Second Pilot - Sgt Alan Whewell RAFVR (742715).
Observer - P/O Carleton Thompson Lane RCAF (J/4777).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt J Jarvis RAFVR (1052855).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Arnold Scott RAFVR (925659).
Kenneth Tuckfield received a commisison to the rank of P/O on probation on 6th March 1941. He, Lane and Scott were killed on 8th November 1941 flying Ops to Berlin with 58 Squadron in Whitley Z6972. They are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Sgt Whewell was killed on 30th November 1941 when Whitley Z6506 failed to return from Ops to Hamburg. He is also commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Whitley Z6972 was built to contract 106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 5th August 1941. It was taken on charge shortly after by 58 Squadron at Linton on Ouse. As a result of this battle damage on 11th October 1941 minor Cat.A/FB damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. It was lost on 8th November 1941, Cat.E(m) damage recorded, when it failed to return from an operational flight to Berlin, having ditched in the North Sea on return and its then crew of five were killed.