At 00.15hrs on the 6th of June 1940 Thornaby Airfield suffered an enemy air raid, the attack destroyed two Hudsons, N7309 and P5157, which were being refueled at the time. The raid was destroyed two fuel bowsers, killed one and injured three men. The runway was also damaged. In all six bombs were dropped and exploded and a further two failed to explode. An entry in 13 Grp. F.C. O.R.B. states "00.19 hrs. 2 Hudsons destroyed by bombs at Thornaby". Killed was :

AC2 Frederick W Nutter RAFVR, aged 19, of Burnley, buried Burnley Cemetery, Lancs.

The names of the injured I do not yet know.

Both aircraft were built to contract 791587/38 by Lockheed at Burbank. After delivery to the UK, N7309 was issued to 220 Sqdn in late 1939. P5157 was issused to 220 Sqdn in early 1940. Both aircraft were written off by this bombing.