On the 3rd of January 1942 the crew of this aircraft were returning from Ops to St Nazaire when they became lost. Having descended through cloud to try and locate their position the aircraft crashed onto Woogill Moor, north of Scarhouse reservoir Nidderdale at 02.50hrs. Although sustaining injuries all survived and some were able to walk away for help.
Pilot - Sgt Albert J Attwell RCAF, of Toronto, Canada. broke his left leg.
2nd Pilot - Sgt Eric C Smith RAFVR, of ?.
Obs - F/O K Blyth RAF,
W Op - Sgt J D Johnston RCAF. Probably Jack Johnston, of Montreal, Province of Quebec.
AG - Sgt V E Shirley RAF.
I searched for this site in July 2006 and located one large peice which i doubt is at the actual crash site. A return trip is required to locate this area again.
Just days before this incident Sgt Atwell and Sgt Johnston were involved in another crash landing, on 19th December 1941 Whitley Z9308 crash landed at Keanley Sides Farm, near Harwood, Durham after the aircraft lost power in an engine. No injuries reported.
Smith was killed on 3rd May 1942, when his 78 Sqdn Halifax crashed into the North Sea whilst flying as second pilot to Sqdn Ldr Snow.
If it were Jack Johnston RCAF, he was killed on 17th March 1945, sering with 619 Sqdn, he was 30 years old.