Re: Whitley Bomber loss 23/24 August 1940

[Danny152]

Hi all,

I have looked in BCL - W.R Chorley 1940, without success, can anyone shed light on a Whitley bomber that crashed into the North sea over 23-24 August 1940. The crew survived and were eventually rescued from a dinghy a few days later.

There was a large rescue mission that took place, and all I know is the bomber was part of 18 Group.

Thanks for your time and help all!

Regards

Danny

[Stig Jarlevik]

Not much help Danny but your given data just doesn't make much sense.

Checking the sources I have
a) No 18 Group was part of Coastal Command so not much use checking Chorley.
The only Whitley Squadron in Aug 1940 would have been No 502 even if the data I have is
they got them in September....
Even worse No 502 Sq belonged to No 15 Group

b) It does not seem like any Whitley squadron from BC were operating the night in question.

c) I cannot find any Whitley loss during the night in question anywhere.
Nothing from BC or CC.

Sure about the type, date and/or Group?

Cheers
Stig

[Danny152]

Stig,

You are correct in your assumption, it's September, not August. I hope this makes it easier!

Thanks

Danny

[Danny152]

I was so focused on a incident from one of my last posts and the Danish engagement with 220 Sqn in late August, thanks Stig.

[MW Giles]

Chorley would tell you that P5046 of 77 Sqn ditched 80m off Flamborough Head at about 04:50 on night of 23/24 September

No CC Whitley loss

Martin

[Stig Jarlevik]

Indeed Martin

And checking which Group No 77 Sq belonged to, it was the 4th Group!

So ribbing you a bit Danny, one point out of three.....

Cheers
Stig

[Danny152]

Has ha ..... I will go and give myself a good talking too all .....

Interesting thoe, the 220 Sqn ORB's reads.

27 Sep 1940

'At 19.44hrs the following message was received from the A.O.C 18 Group = "Please convey to all concerned my most sincere congratulations upon the skill and determination shown by all concerned during the continuous searches for the Whitley Bomber crew and dinghy'.

But I guess this 220 Sqn getting the praise, as being part of Coastal Command hence my confusion!

Thanks all for putting me right!

Cheers

Danny

[Danny152]

I am confused now, as it shows the crew were all killed, but 220 Sqn ORBs talk about the crew being saved, and were alive in the dinghy?

[Stig Jarlevik]

Danny

The way I see it, the SAR was performed by Coastal Command and perhaps specifically by Hudson
crews from 220 Sq, which did belong to No 18 Group!

Of the crew of five, three had died and two were alive when rescued.
Unfortunately one of those two died shortly after being rescued.

I don't know if the three who died 'instantly' had followed the Whitley to the bottom or if found and
taken ashore.

So the statement all killed or all saved is wrong, but it is understandable that the 220 ORB wanted
to sound positive and it is even possible that was what was conveyed to them at the time.

B Rgds
Stig

[MW Giles]

Read the last entries in the Form 541 for 220 Sqn 27/09/40

Three men in dinghy.

Later ships approach

One man went over the side, no sign of life

Two men taken aboard, one fair, one very ill.

Problem solved Sgt Riley was the one that survived

Three and a half days in an open dinghy in the North Sea would do for most of us

Martin