Halifax LW582 damaged by flak, returned safley to East Moor airfield.

On the night of the 26th/27th March 1944 fourteen 432 Squadron crews were tasked with Ops to Essen, this aircraft sustained flak damage to the starboard aileron but the pilot was able to make a return to East Moor and land safely.

Pilot - F/O Gordon W Webb RCAF (J/19654)

Flight Engineer - Sgt John B Whitehouse RAF (1876410), of Kings Lynn, Norfolk.

Navigator - F/O Victor F Painter RCAF (J/23470), of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Bomb Aimer - F/Sgt Clarence A (Cy) Young RCAF, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt George Bova RCAF (R/169371), of Ottawa, Canada.

AG - P/O Don Ryan

AG - Sgt Charles Edgar (Ed) Scarffe RCAF (R/208615), of Abbey, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Left to Right: Don Ryan, Cy Young, George Bova, Vic Painter, John Whitehouse, Gordon Webb, Ed Scarffe.

P/O Webb and his crew completed a Tour with 432 Squadron between 9th March and 24th June 1944 and Gordon Webb was awarded the DFC for this. Soon after completing their Tour they joined 405 Squadron in the P.F.F. probably after being hand picked to join this squadron. For service 405 Squadron Gordon Webb was awarded the Bar to the DFC within six months. George Bova, Cy Young, Vic Painter, John Whitehouse and Ed Scarfe were also awarded DFM's or DFC's with 405 Squadron. It is clear that this crew were an outstanding crew. I'm not sure what Don Ryan did wrong though, he was the only one not to receive a DFM or DFC !

Gordon Webb was recommended for the DFC when he had flown thirty nine operational flights between 25th November 1945 and 13th September 1944 (213 hours flying). It appeared in the London Gazette on 12th December 1944. The recommendation reads..

"Flying Officer Webb is pilot and captain of a crew, now on their second operational tour. Under a calm and quiet manner, he has a fine offensive spirit in action, which inspires confidence in his entire crew. By his cheerful courage, unselfishness and devotion to duty, he has set an excellent example which has been an inspiration to other aircrew and an aim to be achieved by all members of the squadron."

The Bar to his DFC appeared in the London Gazette on 13th April 1945, the citation reads..

"Flight Lieutenant Webb has completed two tour of operational duty which have included attacks against a wide range of targets in Germany and enemy occupied territory. Regardless of enemy opposition he has always shown the utmost determination to complete his mission. He has proved himself to be an excellent leader. Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross this officer has continued to maintain a high standard of keenness, courage and devotion to duty."

John Whitehouse was born in 1925 in Kings Lynn. He enlisted in May 1943. The recommendation for the DFM was made on 20th January 1945 when he had flown fifty four operational flights (270 hours). The notification that he was awarded the DFM appeared in the London Gazette on 17th April 1945 but there was no proper citation, the recommendation was more detailed, it reads..

"Flight Sergeant Whitehouse is an engineer who has completed two tours of operations numbering attacks on enemy positions including Nuremburg, Duisburg and Stuttgart. His ability and efficiency to make all his missions successful have contributed in no small way to the success attained by his crew."

Clarence Young lived in Winnipeg when he enlisted in May 1942. He was recommended for the DFC on 21st October 1944 when he had flown forty operational flights (208 hours) and notification of his DFC appeared in the London Gazette on 19th January 1945. The recommendation reads..

"Pilot Officer Young is an extremely capable and efficient Air Bomber now on his second tour of operations. On many occasions, this officer has been placed in extreme personal danger but he has always displayed a fine fighting spirit and dogged determination to successfully complete his missions. The fine, unswerving spirit shown by this officer has had an inspiring effect on all members of his crew. Strongly recommended for the non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."

Victor Painter was born in Victoria in 1918 and enlisted in Vancouver in October 1921. He was recommended for the DFC on 21st October 1944 when he had flown forty one operational flights (213 hours flying). The notification of his DFC appeared in the London Gazette on 19th January 1945. The recommendation reads..

"Flying Officer Painter is a very efficient Navigator, now on his second tour of operations. He has participated in attacks on such strongly-defended enemy areas as Kiel, Stuttgart and Russelheim. Underneath a quiet, unruffled personality, he possesses a fine offensive spirit and a keen sense of devotion to duty which make him a very valuable member of aircrew. Invariably, this officer has displayed a desire for operational duty and a technical skill which has served as an inspiration to all members of his crew. Strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."

Charles Scarffe was born in Abbey in 1921 and enlisted in Winnipeg in December 1942. He too was recommended for the DFC on 20th December 1944 when he had completed fifty operational flights between 25th November 1943 and 22nd December 1944 (253 hours). Notification appeared in the London Gazette on 27th March 1945. The recommendation reads..

"Flight Sergeant Scarffe is a very capable and keen Air Gunner, who has now almost completed two tours of operations. He has participated in attacks on such heavily defended enemy areas as Stuttgart, Essen and Kiel. Invariably and without reservations, this non-commissioned officer has applied himself diligently to all air and ground tasks allotted, performing these duties with a decided enthusiasm, which has set a splendid example to other air gunners in the squadron. His fearlessness and high sense of responsibility is very commendable and in keeping with the highest traditions of the service."

George Bova's DFC appeared in the London Gazette on 27th March 1945, he had enlisted in June 1942 and flown his first operational flight on 25th November 1943 to Paris. This flak incident detailed above occured on his third operational flight. There was a large gao between his first and second which was on 25th March 1944. From then on he (and the crew named above) were very busy. He was recommended for the DFC on 20th December 1944 when he had flown forty nine operational flights lasting 154 hours between 25th November 1943 and 6th December 1944. This recommendation reads..

"Warrant Officer Bova is a very capable and keen Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, who has now almost finished two tours of operations. Throughout his long and adventurous operational career, which has included attacks on such heavily defended areas as Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Stettin, he has invariably put forth his maximum efforts to make his missions successful ones. On many occasions he has been placed in extreme personal danger through contact with the enemy, but he has not swerved from his allotted tasks, performing his duties in a very cool and efficient manner. His dogged determination and coolness under fire has done much to keep the morale of his fellow crew members at a high level."

Halifax LW582 was built to contract 1808/C4/C by E.E.C. Ltd at Salmesbury and was awaiting collection on 4th February 1944. It was delivered to 432 Squadron at East Moor on 10th February 1944 and suffered Cat.A/FB damage in the incident detailed above, it was repaired on site with repairs complete by 9th April 1944. It was lost on Ops on 8th June 1944 when it crashed at St.Dennis Le Ferment, France. LW582 commenced Ops with 432 Squadron on 24th February 1944. This flak incident took place on it's ninth and it was lost on it's twenty seventh.