Halifax LW594 damaged by flak, returned safely to East Moor airfield.

On the night of the 26th/27th April 1944 fourteen 432 Squadron crews were tasked with Ops to Essen, this aircraft sustained minor flak damage and the pilot was able to make a return to East Moor and make a safe landing. The date of 27th March 1944 is also given for this incident however F/O Smith did not fly on this night so this must be incorrect.

Pilot - F/O Hilliard H Smith RCAF (J/22257), of Clandeboye, Manitoba, Canada.

Navigator - F/O Robert Le L Plommer RCAF (J/23469), of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Bomb aimer - F/O Clifford G Balsdon RCAF (J/25124), of West Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

WOp/AG - Sgt Peter Clench RAF

? - Sgt R Pringle

? - Sgt J Rudland

? - Sgt E Lestrange RAF (176164)

Hilliard "Geronimo" Smith was born in Manitoba in 1917 and enlisted in Winnipeg in June 1940. He received his commission in 1942 and was recommended for the DFC for service with 432 Squadron on 18th June 1944 when he had completed thirty operational flights between 5th January and 16th June 1944. The DFC was granted and notification appeared in the London Gazette on 15th September 1944 though there was no proper citation, the recommendation was more detailed, it reads..

"This officer has, by his superb captaincy and airmanship, completed a total of 30 trips as pilot over enemy territory and has never yet failed to carry out his mission. The majority of these trips have been over heavily defended targets in Germany, including Berlin (five times), Frankfurt, Essen, Dusseldorf, Stettin, Stuttgart, Schweinfurt, Magdeburg and Brunswick. By his fine record of achievement, together with his exceptional qualities of leadership and coolness, he has inspired a high standard of morale in both his crew and squadron under a calm and quiet manner. His unconquerable spirit of determination and success in achieving his objective under any circumstances warrant a strong recommendation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."

Robert Plommer was born in Princetown, British Columbia but was living in Vancouver when he enlisted in September 1941. He too was recommended for the DFC for service with 432 Squadron on the same date as a his captain on 18th JUne 1944 when he had flown twenty seven operational flights between 20th January and 14th June 1944. He was granted the DFC, and notification appeared in the London Gazette on 19th September 1944 but there was no citation as such. The recommendation adds further detail to the award of the DFC, it reads..

"This officer has shown a high degree of skill as a navigator on his total of 27 trips over enemy territory without failing to complete a mission successfully. The majority of these trips have been over heavily defended targets in Germany, including Berlin (five times), Frankfurt, Essen, Dusseldorf, Stettin, Stuttgart, Schweinfurt, Magdeburg and Brunswick. His co-operation, coolness and devotion to duty contributed in a large measure to the success of these operations. His cheerful confidence, reflected in the high standard of morale in his crew, has inspired the whole unit. For his devotion to duty and high degree of navigational ability, this officer is strongly recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross."

Clifford Balsdon was born in Medicine Hat in 1914 and was living in Calgary when he enlisted in April 1942. He too was recommended for the DFC for service with 432 Squadron 18th June 1944 when he too had flown twenty seven operational flights between 14th January and 14th June 1944. Notification was in the London Gazette on 15th September 1944 but there was no citation as such, the recommendation however has much more details, it reads..

"his officer has shown a high degree of skill as an Air Bomber on his total of 27 trips over enemy territory without failing to complete a mission successfully. The majority of these trips have been over heavily defended targets in Germany, including Berlin (five times), Frankfurt, Essen, Dusseldorf, Stettin, Stuttgart, Schweinfurt, Magdeburg and Brunswick. His co-operation, coolness and devotion to duty contributed in a large measure to the success of these operations. His cheerful confidence, reflected in the high standard of morale in his crew, has inspired the whole unit. For his devotion to duty and high degree ] of technical ability, this officer is strongly recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross."