Manchester L7431 near Woodsetts.
On 2nd January 1942 this 25 O.T.U. aircraft was being flown on a day time training flight that included practicing making landings using high intensity sodium flares on the flarepath, probably at Bircotes airfield rather than the parent Finningley airfield. Practice flights in the daytime that used these type of flares meant that pilot's had to wear very dark goggles to block out daylight. A full crew was being carried along with an instructor and a trainee pilot doing the training. During the flight the port engine was heard to make a series of loud bangs and a panel that was located behind an air intake blew off. Realising the problem the instructor and the trainee changed seats, the instructor took control of the aircraft but was initially unable to maintain height on just one engine. He made a wheels-up landing at 12.10hrs in a field near Cotterill Woods Farm, Woodsetts (a mile north of our side of the Yorkshire / Nottinghamshire border). It came to a halt against a large tree in a hedge. One of those on board, Sgt John "Jack" Bushby, later wrote the book "Gunner's Moon" in which he described the events leading up and also after the crash landing.
Pilot (Instructor) - P/O Charles Geoffrey Hughes DFM RAFVR (68144).
Pilot (Trainee) - Sgt Richard Norman Williams RAFVR (1256789).
Air Gunner - Sgt Jack Russell Bushby RAFVR (801513).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Stanley Jack Ross-Hoff RAFVR (902896).
Williams, Bushby and Ross-Hoff were all posted to 83 Squadron. The latter was killed on 2nd June 1942 and has no known grave. Richard Williams was awarded the DFM for service with 83 Squadron in July 1942 and later a DFC with them in 1943.
The then Sgt Hughes was awarded DFM for service with 61 Squadron, Gazetted 4th April 1941. The citation states that "In March 1941, this airman was the pilot of an aircraft which carried out a successful operation over Cologne. On the return journey, while at about 8000 feet, he observed an enemy aerodrome fully illuminated and in operation. Although he had expended all his bombs, Sergeant Hughes determined to attack a number of aircraft in the vicinity of the flare path. He dived to 2000 feet at which height he saw two Junkers 87's circling the aerodrome. He immediately attacked each in turn and tracer bullets were seen to enter the fuselage of the second aircraft. Pulling out of his dive at 300 feet and whilst climbing, he attacked a Messerschmitt which, after a burst from his front gun was observed to crash. Sergeant Hughes displayed great initiative in these attacks which were carried out persistently and fearlessly. He has completed eighteen operational flights displaying a high standard throughout." He was posted to 25 O.T.U. on 6th September 1941 and appears to have received a commission towards the end of 1941. He was made a PoW on 31st May 1942 flying the Thousand Bomber raid on Cologne flying 25 O.T.U. Wellington L7802. The aircraft was badly damaged by flak.
Manchester L7431 was built by A.V.Roe Ltd. It was allotted to 25 O.T.U. on 11th June 1941 and was received by them at Finningley on 4th July 1941. On 8th November 1941 it received a Cat.Ac damage assessment but possibly found during an inspection rather than a flying accident. Once repaired it was returned to 25 O.T.U. on 31st November 1941. As a result of the crash at Woodsetts on 2nd January 1942 Cat.B is listed as being the damage assessment on the AM Form 78 but it was back with 25 O.T.U. on 8th January 1942 so may have been downgraded to Cat.Ac. The aircraft passed to 1654 Flight on 6th July 1942 and sustained minor Cat.Ac/FA damage on 11th August 1942. It was again repaired and returned to 1654 Flight on 3rd October 1942. The aircraft was converted into Ground Instructional Airframe 3772M on an unknown date.