Mosquito DZ258 near Ryther.
On 21st January 1943 this 25 Squadron aircraft took off from Church Fenton airfield at 18.00hrs to undertake a patrol off the East coast. During the flight the crew undertook practice interceptions under the guidance of Easington Chain Home Low station. With the exercise complete the crew returned to Church Fenton but at 20.00hrs the aircraft turned to line up with the runway. Already at a low height, the speed decreased and in order to stop the aircraft from stalling he pushed the nose down. Unfortunately as the aircraft was already very low it then struck two things (possibly trees) before it then crashed near Ryther. The aircraft broke in two behind wings on impact and the crew of two sustained minor injuries.
Mosquito DZ258 was built to contract ACFT/555/C.23[c] by De Havilland Ltd. at Hatfield and was awaiting collection in November 1942. It was immediately flown to 30 M.U. on 29th November 1943 and on 14th December 1942 it was taken on charge by 25 Squadron at Church Fenton. As a result of the crash on 21st January 1943 Cat.E2/FA damage was the damage assessment. It was struck off charge on 22nd January 1943.
Pilot - F/Sgt Bernard Travers RAFVR (1061915). Slightly injured.
Navigator / Radar Operator - Sgt Alexander Winter Patterson RAFVR (1559968). Slightly injured.
Bernard Travers was posted to 25 Squadron in 1941. He would receive a commission on 4th January 1944 to the rank of P/O on probation (171012) who was promoted to F/O (war subs) on 4th July 1944.
Both these airmen were posted from 25 Squadron to 301 Ferry Training Unit at Lyneham on 11th February 1943 to prepare for service overseas (North Africa?).