Halifax W1051 at Linton on Ouse airfield.
On 7th May 1942 this 35 Squadron aircraft was returning from an operational flight to Stuttgart, it swung off the runway on landing at Linton on Ouse at 02.30hrs and hit Halifax L9568 which was parked and marked by red lights. Halifax L9568 ended up being cut in half by W1051. Fragments of the propellers of W1051 also struck and slightly damaged Halifax L9607. A member of the airfield's groundcrew who was in either R9568 or L9607 who was on sleeping guard suffered severe shock. No injuries other than this severely shocked guard are believed to have occurred.
Halifax W1051 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co. Ltd. at Samlesbury. It was taken on charge by 102 Squadron at Dalton on 27th Mach 1942 but was then transferred to 35 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 9th April 1942. As a result of the landing accident on 7th May 1942 Cat.E/FB damage was recorded and it was struck off charge on 11th May 1942.
Pilot - Sgt Harold Adrian Brown RAFVR (1257552).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Walter Alfred Elliot RAFVR (1105223).
Navigator - P/O Charles Vincent Harvey RAFVR (105183).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Burtonshaw (Probably Sgt Frederick Esmond Perry Burtonshaw (549181)).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt R W Long.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Ogg (Possibly Sgt Archibald Craig Ogg RAFVR (1108344)).
Air Gunner - Sgt Stewart (Possibly Sgt Charles Fullerton Stewart RAFVR (1026401)).
Harold Brown was awarded the DFM for service with 35 Squadron, Gazetted in May 1942. The citation for his award reads.. "Sergeant Brown has completed many operational sorties. One night in April 1942 as captain of an aircraft, he was detailed to attack the German naval base at Trondheim. Throughout this flight, of 1,350 miles over the North Sea and mountainous country, he displayed the greatest skill and airmanship. Sergeant Brown pressed home his attack, in the face of intense opposition. He displayed bravery and cool determination." He received a commission on 5th May 1942, rising to F/O six month later and F/Lt a further eighteen months after that. Following time instructing with 1658 HCU he was posted to 578 Squadron where he flew a second Tour. For service with 578 Squadron he was awarded the DSO, Gazetted on 2nd January 1945. He remained in the RAF until 1953.
Charles Harvey received a commission to P/O on probation on 9th August 1941, rising to F/O (war subs) exactly a year later and was awarded the DFC for service with 35 Squadron, Gazetted on 27th October 1942. The citation reads.."P/O Harvey has displayed an outstanding example of navigational ability. Throughout his operational duties he has taken a keen interest in night photography, and has often brought back excellent photographs of the target area. On two consecutive nights in April 1942 P/O Harvey was the navigator of an aircraft detailed to attack the enemy naval base at Trondheim. These operations demanded a high standard of navigation at a very low level, but P/O Harvey located the objective and directed his aircraft into the attack at a height ot only 200 feet." He rose to F/Lt on 9th August 1943 and was Mentioned in Despatches on 14th January 1944, he survived the War.
The identity of Sgt Burtonshaw was probably Sgt F E P Burtonshaw and if so he was posted to 10 Squadron possibly during July 1942. He first flew operationally with 10 Squadron on 31st July 1942. On 15th October 1942 his aircraft was shot down on Ops and he saw out the War as a PoW, being held at Stalag Luft Heydekrug.
One F/Sgt Charles Fullerton Stewart RAFVR (1026401) was awarded the DFM for service with 35 Squadron, Gazetted on 14th May 1943. It is possible that he was the man on board Halifax W1051 in May 1942 but it does seem rather a long time to be with a squadron. The citation for his DFM reads as follows.. "F/Sgt Stewart has completed a large number of sorties against enemy targets. His skill and daring as a gunner in defence of his aircraft have been a source of great confidence to the rest of his crew. In evading strong ground defences and, enemy searchlights his commentaries, coolly and accurately delivered, have also been of great assistance to his captain". I link this man for the time being but this may need altering should new information come to light. Charles Stewart received a commission on 19th November 1943 to P/O on probation (emergency) 169048 and rose to F/O (war subs) on 19th May 1944.
One F/Sgt Archibold Craig Ogg RAFVR (1108344) was awarded the DFM while with 76 Squadron (Gazetted on 20th April 1943) and may also be the same airman who served with 35 Squadron earlier in the War. The citation for his DFM reads.. "F/Sgt Ogg has flown on operations against the enemy continuously for eleven months, during that time as wireless operator he has taken part in attacks on many of the enemy's most heavily defended targets. On two occasions in adverse weather it has been mainly due to the initiative and technical skill of this airman that the aircraft has returned safely to base." As yet I cannot prove he was not our man but again link him for the time being and should fresh information come to light I shall change this account.
Sgt Elliot was later made a PoW on 1st August 1942 when Halifax W1100 failed to return from Ops to Dusseldorf.