Whitley Z9291 damaged by flak, returned to Linton on Ouse airfield.
On the evening of 18th December 1941 this was one of a number of 58 Squadron aircraft briefed to carry out an operational flight to bomb Brest. This aircraft took off
from Linton on Ouse airfield at 16.08hrs, it was struck and slightly damaged by flak around the time it was over the target at 18.55hrs, receiving a six inch hole on the port side of the fuselage. The crew were able to bring the Whitley back to Linton on Ouse and land at 22.32hrs. The damage was almost certainly repaired but the aircraft's identity is not yet known.
Pilot - S/Ldr Robert Bourne Harvey RAF (37172).
Second Pilot - Sgt William Bilton Begy RCAF (R/66041).
? - F/Sgt McNeill.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Ronald Ivor Alexander RAFVR (927019).
? - Sgt Foster.
Ronald Alexander was granted a commission on 14th September 1943, he survived the war and remained in the RAF until 1956.
Robert Harvey was granted a commission on 16th April 1935 to the rank of Acting Pilot Officer on probation. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 24th September 1941. He was killed flying with 45 Squadron on 29th August 1942 and is buried in Delhi War Cemetery, India.
William Begy survived the War and later transferred to the RAF. He was Mentioned in Despatches for service in Malaya in 1950 and later the DFC for further service in Malaya, Gazetted on 16th March 1951.
Whitley Z9291 was built to contract 106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 24th October 1941. It was taken on charge by 58 Squadron at Linton on Ouse a short time later and would replace Z6972 'GE-P' which failed to return from Berlin on 8th November 1941. As a result of the minor battle damage on 18th December 1941 minor Cat.A/FB damage was the assessment and a repair on site was carried out. On 8th April 1942 it moved to St.Eval with 58 Squadron to join Coastal Command but was then lost on 19th June 1942 with Cat.E(m) damage recorded. It was found to have crash landed on Culatra Island, Portugal, during a patrol over the Bay of Biscay.