Whitley on Ilkley Moor.

On the 27th of March 1942 the crew on this aircraft left Dishforth at 20.24hrs for Ops to St. Nazaire. As already stated on the previous losses on this date, the crews were unable to locate their target and returned home. The weather was bad on the return and many aircraft appear to have drifted too far west. This aircraft flew into high ground, though to be near Cowper's Cross on Ilkley Moor in the early hours on the 28th March. The aircraft caught fire and was destroyed. All the crew sustained injuries serious enough to be admitted to hospital.

Pilot - Sgt D G Bray RAF, injured.

? - P/O Smith RAF, injured.

? - Sgt Reader RAF, injured.

? - Sgt Whyte RAF, injured.

? - P/O Duncan RAF, injured.

I have yet to locate the crash site. I visited the area in early 2006 but found no sign of the aircraft. I am told that fragments do remain however and a return visit is on the cards.

Around 1980 a television company transported, for filming purposes, a Percival Pembroke to Ilkley Moor and blew it up about 200 yards from Cowper's Cross for "dramatic effect". The location of where this second Whitley is open to question. Parts known to exist in the Cowpers Cross area could actually be remains of the Pembroke.