Identity of RAF Whitley 4 May 1941 (crew baled) shot down by 118 Squadron?
 

Hello

Whitley Identity?
I'm seeking assistance please, regarding the identity of a Whitley claimed to have been accidently shot down on the South coast by an aircraft of 118 Squadron on 3-4th May 1941? I am led to believe the crew all baled out.

Whitley T4336
Apparently, this is a separate incident to Whitley T4336 on 4-5/5/1941, a landing incident, in which Spitfire X4609 was involved, at Church Fenton.

Whitley T4299
Incidentally, a month earlier 3 April 1941, 2115 to 2120 hours Whitley T4299 of 51 Sqn was shot down near Blandford Dorset for not showing Resin lights at 10,000 feet, apparently crashing half a mile NE of the village of Manston, near Sturminster Newton, Dorset. Sgt W. N. Brindley 938689 (Sgt William Norman Brindley) was killed. It was later reported that F/Lt J. C. Carver had failed to identify the Whitley, according to A.V.M. Sir C. Quinton Brand, of No. 10 Group and W/Cdr Harvey. Air Marshal W. S Douglas raised the point that there was a lack of information concerning the movements of friendly bombers in the Filton Sector and that he was instructing A.O.C. No.10 Group to put this right immediately.

Other crew (uninjured) of Whitley T4299 were:-
43046 P/O Norman Edward Sharp;
81065 F/O Robert Clifford Alabaster;
11643 [poss partial, number 11643?] Sgt J. A. Gibson;
755506 Sgt L. U. Allum.

Thanks in anticipation, Mark

Re: Identity of RAF Whitley 4 May 1941 (crew baled) shot down by 118 Squadron?
 

Hi Mark,

According to the 118 Sqdn ORB:
Aircraft chased over Warmwell. Found to be empty Whitley which was shot down into the sea by P/O Mackenzie, 30 miles S. of Portland at 06.25 hrs.

So no accidental event, but on purpose. No idea which Whitley was involved, though.

Regards,
Hans

Re: Identity of RAF Whitley 4 May 1941 (crew baled) shot down by 118 Squadron?
 

Hello

Thanks Hans, but anyone have an identity please, for this Whitley?

There is a suggestion online that the Whitley was crewed when the chase began, who then bailed out.

Also the 118 Sqn ORB Form 541 for 4.5.41 says "X Raid" and the Whitley was the "X aircraft", so it was likely a returning Whitley, as it was being classed as an "X Raid."

"X Raid." Time up "06.10". Time Down "07.10" "X aircraft chased over Warmwell. Found to be empty WHITLEY which was shot down into the sea by P/O. MACKENZIE 30 miles S. of Portland at 0625 hrs."

The aircraft of P/O Mackenzie was Spitfire P8086 and the other pilot of 118 Squadron was P/O Robson.

Mark

RAF Station Ibsley ORB - AIR 28/395 May 1941? re Spitfire - Whitley incident
 

Hello All

I was wondering please, if anyone might have the May 1941 page/s from the RAF Station Ibsley ORB - AIR 28/395, which might shed further light on this 4th May 1941 Whitley - Spitfire incident, or reference to any Inquiry?

Thanks, Mark

Re: Identity of RAF Whitley 4 May 1941 (crew baled) shot down by 118 Squadron?
 

The John Foreman 1941 books should have some info on these incidents