3/4 April 41. Attack Against Brest. (from the O.R.B).
Eight Wellington aircraft of this Unit were detailed to carry out individual bombing attacks against the above target. SAW.728 brought bombs back as nothing could be seen over target area owing to 10/10 cloud. SAW.898 (Captain, F/O Prichard) collided in midair with another aircraft, believed to have been a Blenheim, and was badly damaged and a forced landing was made at Bosecombe Down. The rear gunner of SAW.898 (F/O Brown), shot down one Me.110 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (Immediate). A mixed bomb load was carried and consisted of 500 lbs. S.A.P. and 250 lbs. G.P. Fairly heavy cloud, with ground haze, was experienced over the target area.
Some of the damage caused to Wellington R1161 after a collision with a Blenheim, which unfortunately crashed. The Wellington made a landing at Bosecombe Down. Having looked at the Movement Card for R1161, there is no mention of major damage to the aircraft on this date.
The crew of the Wellington were as follows;
Wellington IC R1161 AA.W Up 18:45 Down 00:15
F/O Prichard, D. L. Captain. 36203
P/O Rees, W. J. 2nd Pilot. 86395
P/O Struthers, K. N. Obs. NZ40950
Sgt Clark. WO/AG —–
Sgt Errington, N. G. F/Gnr. 115683
P/O Brown, W. D. R/Gnr. NZ40732
Enemy aircraft were operating in the target area and the crew were attacked by a Me110 night fighter, which was eagerly engaged by the Rear Gunner, William Davenport Brown. In spite of bad visibility he was able to keep the night fighter in sight, and fired three short bursts which resulted in the fighter diving straight into the sea.
R1161 was again in a spot of trouble on their homeward flight, when Prichard and crew were approaching their south coast crossing point, at Bridport. In doing so they strayed over the RN Base at Portland Bill, receiving some heavy AA fire, which they successfully avoided. Then while still looking for Bridport they collided with an aircraft, believed to be a Blenheim, flying in the opposite direction. The Blenheim crashed on the mainland, fatally injuring the crew.
Prichard’s aircraft, although badly damaged, was still airworthy and with the second
pilot’s assistance, he managed to maintain control. The W/op quickly transmitted a
Mayday call and they were directed to head for RAF Boscombe Down, where Prichard
carried out an emergency landing without injury to the crew.
F/O Prichard received a Green Endorsement in his Log Book for the above action. “The Air Officer Commanding No.3 Group has highly commended Flying Officer Prichard, Captain of Wellington R1161 on 4th April, on his skill and successful landing of the aircraft after it has collided with a Blenheim which crashed, becoming a total wreck”. [Signed] C. E. Kay, O.C. of 75 (NZ) Squadron.
A few months after the above incident, F/O Prichard was awarded the D.S.O. for another encounter with the enemy.
Citation D.S.O. (Immediate). 25 Jul 1941. One night in June, 1941, this officer carried out an attack against Cologne. While some distance from his target and when on the edge of a dense belt of searchlights through which he had just flown, Flying Officer Prichard’s aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter which opened fire from a very close range. A cannon
shell damaged his engine – almost severing one of the airscrew blades, while the rear
gun turret was completely put out of action. Although forced to fly at a reduced speed
with subsequent loss of height and all power of defence gone, Flying Officer Prichard
continued his mission overcoming almost insuperable difficulties before finally
dropping his bombs in the target area. Despite a harassing return journey he
skillfully flew back to base where he successfully crash-landed his aircraft without
injury to his crew. On a previous occasion, Flying Officer Prichard displayed great
flying skill which enabled his crew to shoot down and enemy fighter which attacked
his aircraft when returning from a successful attack on Brest. Throughout the
numerous operational flights in which he has participated this officer has displayed
high courage, skill and devotion to duty.
If you have any further information on this incident, particularly the identity of the Blenheim, contact me and I can update the information.
(Wellington Photo credit – “Night After Night” by Max Lambert).
75nzsquadronremembered 