Halifax LL593 hit by flak, returned to East Moor airfield.

On the 27th of August 1944 the crew on board this Halifax were undertaking Ops to bomb a flying bomb site at Mimoyecques when the aircraft sustained flak damage to fuselage resulting in mid-upper gunner being injured. The pilot was able to return to East Moor with no further damage being sustained.

Pilot - F/O James A Weir RCAF (J/24474),

Flight Engineer - Sgt J Potter,

Navigator - F/O Ronald M Fleming RCAF (J/24920),

Air Bomber - F/O P Bowen,

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/O H Lyons,

Mid Upper Gunner - P/O J Thompson, injured (normally Air Gunner in P/O Little's crew).

Rear Gunner - F/Sgt H Warner.

James Weir was one of the original members of the 415 Squadron Halifax crews to serve in Bomber Command. He and crew commenced Ops on 1st August 1944 (415 Squadron's second Halifax operational flight). The above incident took place on his eleventh. In all he completed twenty one operational flights with 415 Squadron with the last being on the night of 14/15th October 1944.

He was born in Windsor, Ontario in January 1922, he was living there and enlisted there in February 1942. He crew trained at 1666 HCU at Wombleton and was involved in a taxying accident on 26th April 1944 in Halifax W7804. He was posted to 415 Squadron in mid-May 1944 and was later awarded the DFC for service with 415 Squadron, Gazetted on 19th December 1944. Post war he worked as a medical officer with Trans-Canada Airlines. The DFC citation reads..

"In October 1944, this officer piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Bochum. Early on the outward flight the port outer engine became defective but Flying Officer Weir continued his mission. Whilst over the enemy territory the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. One of the petrol tanks was pierced by fragments of shrapnel. A little later an enemy fighter closed in but by skilful manoeuvring the enemy fighter was evaded. Whilst over the target the bomber was again hit by anti-aircraft fire. Nevertheless, Flying Officer Weir executed a successful bombing attack and afterwards flew the damaged aircraft to an airfield in this country. This officer has invariably displayed a high standard of skill, courage and resolution."

Ronald Fleming was born in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia in 1912, he worked there as a salesman when he enlisted in Halifax in April 1942. He was awarded the DFC, effective from 19th December 1944. The Citation reads..

"This officer was the navigator of an aircraft detailed to attack Bochum one night in October 1944. During the operation the aircraft sustained extensive damage when hit by anti-aircraft fire. Much of his navigational equipment was rendered useless. In spite of this Flying Officer Fleming navigated the aircraft home with his usual accuracy. He set a fine example of skill and devotion to duty in most difficult circumstances. This officer has participated in a large number of sorties involving attacks on a wide range of enemy targets."

Halifax LL593 was built to contract ACFT/637 by Rootes Securities Ltd at Speke and was delivered to 415 Squadron at East Moor during the 1st week of August 1944. Damage was put at Cat.A/FB in the incident detailed above. It was repaired at East Moor with repair completed by 28th August 1944. It again suffered Cat.B/FB damage by flak on 9th October 1944 and was again repaired but on completion of repair it was sent to MU store. It was later issued to 1665 HCU at Tilstock on 16th February 1945 and then to Saltby on 26th March 1945. It again moved with unit to Marston Moor on 1st August 1945 but soon after was flown to MU store at Clifton and struck off charge as 'sold for scrap' on 30th July 1946.

LL593 had commenced Ops on 8th August 1944 and was on it's tenth when it suffered minor flak damage detailed above. It suffered an engine failure to the starboard outer prior to landing after it's fifteenth Op on 11th September and the subsequent repair put the aircraft out of service until 6th October 1944. On it's seventeenth Op on 9th October it suffered flak damage again and after fuel loss, the power to the port outer engine was lost but F/O Weir was able to make a safe landing at Manston emergency strip in Kent. It remained there awaiting repair and was replaced by LK765 at 415 Squadron.