Armstrong Whitley P5046 23/24 Sept 1940

[andy bird]

Could anyone help me with the Wireless Ops name on this aircraft?
I have:

P/O Dunn. (pilot)
Sgt Gibbons
Sgt Saville
Sgt Allen
Sgt Ripley (rear gunner)

Many Thanks

Andy Bird

[andy bird]

Believe its 19 year old Allen

[Peter Cornwell]

I cannot answer Andy's question but can somebody kindly positively confirm that this aircraft ditched at 05.50 on 24 September 1940 ? The survivors were finally picked up at 17.35 on 27 September 1940 supposedly after 'four days' adrift in their dinghy. Confirmed time of last take-off would be most helpful here but I do not have a copy of this ORB. Many thanks.

[rafcommands]

Hi Peter,

Took off 20:00 hrs on 23rd.

DP 679
P/O Dunn wirelessed back soon after leaving the target that he was in difficulty, and requested that the aerodrome should be kept clear for him to land.
Their last fix was approximately eighty miles from the east coast and nothing more was heard.
Search was made by flying boats, and the dinghy was located during the morning of the 24th but later was lost to be found again two days later.
By this time there was only two on board.
One was Sgt Allen, and the other was Sgt Riley. Sgt Allen was dead.
Sgt Riley was rescued and taken to the Royal Naval Hospital Rosyth."
AIR27/655

Sgt D B Allen

Regards
Ross

[andy bird]

Thanks Peter and Ross,

I can add: 'C' Flight 235 Sqn's Belgium's where first aware of the ditching at 07.15 on 24 Sept, 1940:
P/O 'Steve' Hebron lead observer on 'U-Uncle' with Pilot Officer Henri Gonay (pilot), Sergeant Douglas Cooper (AG) took co-ordinates from 16 Group at the above time and flew out at 07.30 hours. Searched: “Over rectangular area from position 005 degrees Lowestoft 5 miles thence 35 miles south and 30 miles east.” Hebron writing "Nothing Found - Weather Appalling'

Original W/T message from Whitley taken at approx. 05.45 - Air Ministry Summary. Followed by: Two minutes later a further signal is received by the W/T station (does not say which one). Ditching . . .

Searches by a host of a/c whilst the crew are in the drifting dinghy. inc. 254 from Dyce, 248 Lossiemouth, 235 Bircham Newton, Hudson's Thornaby/Bircham Newton

Pick up: Hudson aircraft 'F' of No 220 located the dinghy at 08.43 hours in position 068 deg. Spurn Point 80 miles. Three of the four men were observed in dinghy. Owing to bad vis the dinghy was lost sight of after about five minutes, sea swell very bad. At 12.55 hours HSL was in formed of its position and a second Hudson took over and begun a square search. At 14.10 hours the dinghy is sighted in position 086 deg. Flamborough Head 74 miles with three men on board. A flame float is dropped and a bag of comforts which was picked up by one of the men. The dinghy was then watched continuously until 17.30 hours when position was indicated by lamp to naval units and at 17.40 two men were taken on board. One man was seen to fall overboard before the arrival of the naval units.

Also: Hudson 'L-Love' and 'X-ray' of 220 Sqn on search for dinghy sighted two He. 115s at 08.12 hours, 072 deg. Flamborough Head 72 miles and was engaged, both escaped to cloud cover. Hudson X sighted two He. 115s circling two RN naval units at 500 feet in a position 078 deg. Flamborough Head 78 miles. Went into cloud, reappeared from cloud, X rear gunner engaged. Hudson 'P-Pip' engaged two He. 115's in pos. 076 deg. Flam' Head 83 miles at 1500 feet at 09.15 hrs. Burst seen to enter 115, the observed a stick of bombs exploding in water in position 069 deg. Flam'Head 85 miles at 11.10 hrs.

Blenheim 'M-Mother' 254 Sqn sighted a dinghy in position 067 deg. Flam'Head 78 miles. 27 Sept. 1940

[Peter Cornwell]

Thank you gentlemen. A sad case but not unusual I regret to say.