Lancaster DS632 damaged by a night-fighter, returned safely to East Moor airfield.

On 26th November 1943 this aircraft left East Moor around tea-time for Ops to Berlin. Whilst over the target the aircraft was attacked by a night-fighter which inflicted severe damage, and rendering the rear turret out of action. They avoided further action and returned safely to East Moor. Whilst their exact take off time and landing time is not known 432 Squadron set out between 16.30hrs and 18.00hrs, bombing the target between 20.30hrs and 22.00hrs. The first aircraft arriving back at East Moor shortly after mid-night, with the last returning around 02.00hrs.

Pilot - Sgt Peter W Dennis RCAF (R/14066), of Fort William, Ontario, Canada.

Navigator - Sgt Gordon Atkins RCAF, aged 22, of La Riviere, Manitoba, Canada.

Bomb Aimer - P/O John F O'Gorman RCAF (J/26089), of Perth, Ontario, Canada.

WOp/AG - Sgt P B Woolfenden RAF (173999).

Flight Engineer - Sgt W H Kent RAFVR,

Mid Upper Gunner - Sgt W Piding.

Rear Gunner - Sgt Joseph H L Quesnel RCAF (R/136383). Born Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada. Living in Reading, Berkshire, England.

For their actions on this night F/Sgt Dennis and Sgt Quesnel were each awarded DFM's. The pilot received his for bringing the crippled aircraft back and the rear gunner for directed his pilot as to the whereabouts of the night-fighter after his turret was rendered unservicable.

Peter Dennis was born in 1923 and worked as a clerk until he enlisted in Winnipeg on 13th November 1941. He was awarded his Wings on 18th December 1942. Quesnel was born in 1922 in Canada but later came to the UK and worked in Reading as a lathe operator. He returned home and enlisted in Toronto on 27th October 1941 and finished his basic training in Canada in January 1942. He survived the War and received his DFM by post in 1950. The operational flight detailed above was F/Sgt Dennis's fifth with 432 Squadron and his second on Lancasters. The citation for the DFM reads..

"Flight Sergeant Dennis has completed numerous sorties and has displayed great skill, determination and devotion to duty. One night in November 1943 he piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Berlin. Whilst over the target area his aircraft was attacked on three occasions by enemy fighters. Nevertheless, he skilfully evaded the enemy aircraft and successfully attacked the target, afterwards flying his badly damaged aircraft to base. His effort was highly commendable."

Joseph Quesnel's citation reads.. "As rear gunner Sergeant Quesnel has taken part in several sorties and has proved himself to be a cool and reliable member of aircraft crew. During a sortie one night in December 1943, his aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters. In the engagement Sergeant Quesnel fought with great resolution and destroyed one of the attackers. On another occasion in November 1943, his aircraft was attacked three times by enemy fighters. His turret was rendered unserviceable but he coolly directed his pilot's combat manoeuvres and the attacker was evaded. This airman has set a very fine example."

In total P/O Dennis and his crew completed twenty one operational flights with 432 Squadron before some were posted out in mid-March 1944.

Gordon Atkins. The 26th November 1943 Op was his seventh.

F/O John O'Gorman received a DFC for service with 432 Squadron, Gazetted on 12th December 1944. He was recommended for the DFC in September 1944 and had flown 32.5 operational flights at the time from 2nd September 1943 to 4th August 1944. Hugh Halliday's research has found this recommendation which reads.. "This officer has completed a long operational tour most successfully. His trips include Berlin (eight), Hanover, Frankfurt (twice), Stettin, Brunswick, Magdeburg, Stuttgart (twice). His co-operation, coolness and devotion to duty contributed in a large measure to the success of these operations. Flying Officer O'Gorman's cheerful confidence, reflected in the high standard of morale in his crew, has inspired the whole unit. For his splendid record and high degree of technical ability, this officer is recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross." He was born in 1918 in Perth, Ontario, he enlisted in Ottawa in May 1942 and was commissioned in 1943. Having survived the War he was presented with his DFC in 1949.
On 19th April 1944 P/O Kent was lost when Halifax LW643 of 432 Squadron failed to return from Ops to Noisy-le-Sec. It crashed near Clichy and he is buried along with five other crew members in Clichy Northern Cemetery, just north of Paris.
P/O Woolfenden was still with 432 Squadron and was made a PoW on 28th June 1944 when Halifax MZ591 was shot down by a night fighter, he was the only survivor.
Lancaster LL632 was build to contract ACFT/239 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd at Baginton and delivered to 432 Squadron at East Moor in October 1943. The aircraft suffered Cat.A(c)/FB as a result of the damage detailed above. It was repaired on site and the repair took some considerable time to complete and the aircraft was not used operationally again until 21st January 1944 when it completed only it's 2nd Op. with the unit. The aircraft completed a further 3 Ops. with 432 Squadron before being transferred to 408 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse (then coded "EQ-G") during the first week of February 1944. It was lost as Cat.E(m) on 20th February 1944 when it failed to return from Ops to Leipzig. It crashed near Stendal, Germany, two being killed and 5 PoW's being taken.