This month marks the anniversary of the event which saw Whitby achieve a number of notable firsts during the early hostilities of the Second World War and teacher Steve Midwood wants to know more.

There is a plaque on a stone pillar which commemorates this incident (pictured below left), erected by the then North Riding County Council.

There is also a marker stone with a commemorative plaque at Danby Beacon.

At the time, the Whitby Gazette announced how the first enemy plane of the war to crash upon English soil came down on the farm, on a snow covered Saturday morning.

The radar station at Danby Beacon also played a part in events as it was responsible for first detecting approaching German aircraft.

Hurricane fighters of 43 Squadron were scrambled from their base at Acklington – the only north-east fighter station not out of action due to snow.

Sightseers witnessed the aerial drama as the German pilot fought to bring his aircraft safely down.

The doomed Heinkel snapped through telegraph wires and narrowly missed a barn before crash landing in a field.

The pilot watched helplessly as the aircraft slithered across the snow, heading directly towards the cottages at Bannial Flatt Farm.

A line of sycamore trees checked the aircraft's progress as it came to a final resting place, just yards from the cottages.

One of the first at the scene was Special Constable Arthur Barratt who achieved another notable first for Whitby as the first Englishman to enter a German plane landing in England since the war started.

Mr Midwood, who teaches in Goole and lives in Selby, told the Whitby Gazette: "What began as a school-based project quickly developed into something much more.

"I have spent the past year gathering as much background research as I can find, which is where Whitby Gazette readers may be able to help.

"Events witnessed by those who were there at the time provide a very special and a more personalised insight into the past and if these memories are not recorded then there is a danger they will be lost."

l Anyone with any memories or stories should call the Whitby Gazette newsdesk on (01947) 829904 or email: steve.midwood@btinternet.com or call him on (01757) 638968.