Whitley Z9148 damaged by flak, further damaged on landing at Leeming airfield.
On the night of 26th / 27th October 1941 the crew of this 77 Squadron aircraft undertook an operational flight to bomb
Hamburg. This aircraft took off from base of Leeming at 17.45hrs and bombed the target area from 13,000 feet. During the run into the target area an anti-aircraft shell burst close to the fuselage of the Whitley and put the control of both rudders out of action, it also made a hole in a wing fuel tank and also injured the wireless operator in a couple of places. The pilot was able to bring the aircraft back to Leeming with no rudder control but on landing at 01.20hrs the aircraft swung, damaging the undercarriage.
Pilot - P/O Stephen Delancy Watts RNZAF (NZ.404008).
Second Pilot - Sgt George Ronald Millar RCAF (R/62407).
Observer - Sgt Charles Edmund Darby RCAF (R/67606).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt John Meredith Farley Shilan RAFVR (946428). Injured.
Air Gunner - Sgt Libert Joseph Boucher RCAF (R/64618).
F/Sgt Millar was killed on 16th February 1942 when 77 Squadron Whitley Z9231 crashed at Colerne. He is buried locally at Colerne.
Stephen Watts' service deserves a closer look at. Stephen Watts was awarded the DFC for service with 77 Squadron, Gazetted on 26th June 1942 and he was then Mentioned in Despatches on 2nd June 1943. He later served with and commanded 692 Squadron, for service with this squadron he was awarded the DSO, Gazetted on 13th June 1944, for his actions in May 1944. The citation for his award was a joint one with other members of his squadron, it reads.. "One night in May 1944 several crews of Mosquito aircraft were detailed for a difficult and dangerous mine-laying mission. The operation called for the highest standard of skill and accuracy. In the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, balloon defences and considerable searchlight activity the attack was pressed home with great precision from low level. That complete success was achieved in spite of such hazards is a high tribute to the calm courage and iron determination shown by the following officers who participated in various capacities as leaders and members of aircraft crew." W/Co Stephen Watts was killed on 11th July 1944 when Mosquito PF380 on Ops to Berlin and has no known grave. He was twenty eight years old and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. He was the squadron's commanding officer from March 1944 until July 1944.
Charles Darby was awarded the DFM for service with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 4th August 1942. He served at a number of the 6 Group training units after completing his first Tour but later began flying with 608 Squadron. He was killed on 28th August 1944 flying Mosquito KB212. Hugh Halliday gives a long account of his service on the "RCAFassociation.ca" website.
Libert Boucher was awarded the DFM for service with 405 Squadron, Gazetted on 29th December 1942. He survived the war. Yey.
Whitley Z9148 was built to contract B.106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 1st September 1941. The aircraft was taken on charge as new by 77 Squadron at Leeming later the same month. As a result of the battle damage sustained on 27th October 1941 minor Cat.A(c)/FB damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. On 28th January 1942 it was again damaged by flak, sustaining Cat.A/FB damage. It was again repaired on site and returned to 77 Squadron use. On 27th February 1942 it failed to return from Ops to Wilhelmshaven and Cat.E(m) damage was recorded on the paperwork.
F/Sgt Shilan was killed on 28th February 1942 when 77 Squadron Whitley Z9148 crashed in Germany. He is buried in Sage War Cemetery.