Whitley Z9323 damaged by flak, returned to Dishforth airfield.
In the early hours 6th April 1942 the crew of this aircraft were tasked with other 51 Squadron crews in flying an operational flight to bomb the Gnome and Rhone
engine factory at Gennevilliers, Paris and left Dishforth at 01.17hrs. The crew did not released their bomb load, on the first run on the target they were forced
to take evasive action due to flak (which slightly damaged the aircraft) and did not drop them on a second run over the target so returned to base and landed at 08.19hrs.
The aircraft was soon repaired. Later reports stated that the engine factory was not damaged in this raid.
Pilot - Sgt Lionel Albert Chennell RAFVR (1375552), of Croydon.
second Pilot - Sgt Richard Granville Douglas Mathews RAFVR (1324301), wife of Barming, Kent.
Observer - Sgt Aubrey John Fromings RAFVR (1162831), of Thornton Heath, Surrey.
Wireless Operator - Sgt Shaw RCAF (R/64407).
Air Gunner - Sgt Reading.
Whitley Z9323 was built to contract 106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 11th November 1941. It was taken on charge by 51 Squadron at Dishforth later the same month and as a result of this minor flak damage on 6th April 1942 Cat.A/FB damage was as bas as the assessment got. 51 Squadron took the aircraft to Chivenor on detachment to Coastal Command on 6th May 1942. It was lost on 12th October 1942 when it ditched in the Bristol Channel off Newquay after engine failure on patrol. Cat.Em damage was recorded on the paperwork.
Lionel Chennell received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) on 1st May 1942 (125429) and was promoted to F/O on probation on 1st November 1942.
He was awarded the DFC for combined service with 51 Squadron and another unknown unit, the citation was published in the London Gazette on 27th August 1943 and reads..
"This officer has completed many sorties and has displayed great skill and determination to achieve success. On one occasion, after bombing Rostock, his aircraft was
severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire but, by a skilful and determined effort, Flying Officer Chennell flew it safely to base. More recently, this officer has completed
numerous anti-submarine patrols and air/sea rescue sorties during which his keenness and devotion to duty have been outstanding." He was later promoted to F/Lt on 1st May
1944 but appears to have left the RAF at the end of the war.
Richard Mathews was posted from 10 OTU to 51 Squadron on 5th March 1942, he was still serving with 51 Squadron when they were sent on detachment to Coastal Command and
was killed on 6th September 1942 while flying an anti-submarine patrol in Whitley Z9387 when the aircraft disappeared and no trace was ever found. He is commemorated on
the Runnymede Memorial. He was twenty one years old.
Aubrey Fromings was posted to 158 Squadron on 18th April 1942 and was killed on 14th July 1942 when flying in Halifax W7753 on Ops to Duisburg when the aircraft failed
to return and crashed in Germany. He was initially buried locally but is now buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery and was twenty seven years old.
Sgt Shaw was posted to 296 Squadron on 4th May 1942. Nothing more is known about him.
A Sgt W E A Reading was posted from 51 Squadron to 78 Conversion Unit on 22nd April 1942 and is probably the same person as involved in this flak incident. He was probably
a William Edward Reading who was born in the Holderness area of Yorkshire.