Crash of an Armstrong Whitworth AW.38 Whitley V off Cromer

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1940 at 0425 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N1502
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Driffield - Driffield
MSN:
1642
YOM:
1939
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Driffield at 2208LT on July 12 on a bombing mission over Emden. While cruising over the target at an altitude of 11,000 feet, it was hit by the German Flak, destroying the left engine. The captain was able to evacuate the area and while returning to his base, he skillfully ditched the bomber in the sea some 38 miles off Cromer, Norfolk. All five crew members were rescued and the aircraft sank and was lost.
Crew:
Sgt R. T. Langton,
S/L C. S. Bryan,
Sgt C. P. Coad,
Sgt G. Gibson,
Sgt C. Wood.

Crash of a Vickers 408 Wellington IA off Cromer: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 18, 1939 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N2983
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Honington - Honington
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While performing a reconnaissance flight off the German coast, the bomber was attacked by the pilot of a German fighter. The crew was able to leave the combat area and attempted to return to his base in Honington, Suffolk. While approaching the British coast, the crew was forced to ditch the aircraft. The crew of the vessel named 'Erillas' was quickly on the scene and was able to evacuate four injured occupants while the fifth was killed.
Crew (9th Squadron):
Sgt John Richardson Ramshaw, pilot,
Sgt Robert Hewitt, copilot,
LAC D. J. Connolly, wireless operator and air gunner,
LAC Walter Lilley, air gunner, †
AC1 Charles Ronald Driver, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Vickers 408 Wellington IA off Cromer: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 18, 1939 at 1505 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N2961
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mildenhall - Mildenhall
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Took off from RAF Mildenhall at 0927LT. Crippled by enemy fighters and ditched at 1505LT some 40 to 60 miles east of Cromer, Norfolk. As the bomber hit the sea, it turned 90 degrees to starboard with the waves breaking over the fuselage. At least three airmen were seen clinging to the dinghy, but despite an extensive search by the Cromer lifeboat, no survivors were ever found, though two bodies were eventually washed ashore.
Crew (149th Squadron):
F/O Michael Franklin Briden, pilot,
P/O William Stanley Francis Brown, pilot,
Sgt Valentine Henry Garner Richardson,
AC2 Isaac Davidson Leighton,
AC1 Peter John Warren,
AC2 A. G. Foster, wireless operator and air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.