Whitley at Rye Topping Farm, Brompton.
The only mention to this incident occuring was from a display at Ebberston Village Hall in their local memories project in 2004.
A brief hand written
note in a policemans notebook is its only reference.
What is known is that an unidentified Whitley either landed or crash-landed near Rye Topping Farm, east of Brompton on the
10th of September 1940 in what is thought to have been a forced landing. The aircraft is thought to have been repaired and
returned into service. I have no details regarding the aircraft's serial number, base, squadron, crew etc. This incident could have been more
a landing and after refueling a day or so later, the aircraft could have taken off from the field and flown back to base.
Crew - unknown.
Rye Topping Farm.
If it were a "crash" then probably the only real "damaged" aircraft this could relate to is that of also unidentified Whitley
operating with 77 Sqdn. It was reported to have been damaged in action believed by flak on Ops to Berlin on the nigh tof 10th/11th September 1940.
It is believed to have sustained Cat R damage but its is not known whether it actually force landed away from base of Linton on Ouse or it made ot back to
base and was assessed there. The pilot being Sgt T.E. Coogan. There were a number of other Cat R. incidents on this date but all are thought to have occured nearer their bases under or
overshooting landings .