Halifax LW595 damaged by "friendly" anti-aircraft fire, landed safely at East Moor airfield.

On the night of 14th/15th March 1944 the crew of this aircraft were undertaking a "Bullseye" training exercise and took off from East Moor at 22.50hrs (on the 14th March). The purpose of the exercise was to give ground defences practice as well as test the crews in a simualted bombing raid over an English city. Having flown a course over London, Southampton, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Liverpool and Hull the IFF equipment on the aircraft had stopped workingu at some point during flight though this was unknown to crew at the time. They were fired on by an Anti-Aircraft unit over Hulland suffered a near miss. On their return to East Moor airfield in the early hours of 15th of March no damage was apparent but on inspection in daylight the near miss had caused an 18" gash in the leading edge of the port fin. The damage was taped and the aircraft was flown to the Y.A.R.D. for repair.

Pilot - F/O John M Barker RCAF (J/24401), of Glenboro, Manitoba, Canada.

Flight Engineer - Sgt H Jarvis.

Navigator - F/Sgt Ewart McC Cooper RCAF, of Varsity View, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Bomb Aimer - F/O H MacDonald.

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/O C Thompson.

Air Gunner - Sgt E S McCallum RCAF, of Woodstock, Ontario, Canada.

Rear Gunner - Sgt John Cosgrove RAF (1572208), of Goran, Glasgow.

John Barker was born in Glenboro in 1920 and enlisted in Winnipeg in June 1940. He was recommended for the DFC for service with 432 Squadron around 30th July 1944 when he had flown thirty two operational flights. The notification was in the London Gazette on 13th October 1944 but there was no proper citation, the recommendation was more detailed, it reads..

"This officer has shown an unconquerable spirit of determination to achieve his objective. On thirty-two trips he has failed to bomb his target twice and this was due to engine trouble. Many of these trips have been over heavily defended targets such as Augsburg, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Karlsruhe and Dusseldorf, and his coolness and unusual initiative have won the respect of his crew and the whole squadron. For his exceptional qualities of leadership, for his coolness in the face of danger, for his spirit of determination and devotion to duty, this officer is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."

In total it is believed that he completed thirty nine operational flights with 432 Squadron with two as second pilot and the rest as captain, mostly in Halifax LW595.

Ewart Cooper enlisted in Winnipeg in December 1941. He was also recommended for the DFC for service with 432 Squadron on 30th July 1944 when he had flown thirty one operational flights between 1st March 1944 and 20th July 1944. It was granted and notification appeared in the London Gazette on 17th October 1944. The recommendation reads..

"An above average and efficient navigator who has completed 31 successful trips and has shown such exceptional navigation ability that he has won the confidence and respect of his crew, and the superior officers. His cheerful disposition, alertness and strong sense of duty in his work have made him stand out among his fellow navigators. For his fine record and intense loyalty, this officer is recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."

John Cosgrove was born in Glasgow in 1924 and enlisted in 1942. He was recommended for the DFM on 26th July 1944 when he had flown thirty two operational flights between 1st March and 20th July 1944. His DFM was granted and was Gazetted on 13th October 1944. The recommendation reads..

"As rear gunner this airman has participated in a large number of sorties and has displayed great keenness and devotion to duty throughout. His constant vigilance has enabled his pilot to avoid combat on many occasions, and successfully complete many missions. He has proven to be a cheerful and willing worker with his fellow men in the gunnery section. For his airmanship and intense loyalty, this Non-Commissioned Officer is strongly recommended for the Distinguished Flying Medal."

Halifax LW595 was built to Contract ACFT/C4/C by E.E.C. Ltd at Salmesbury and delivered directly to 432 Squadron at East Moor in February 1944. Cat.B/FA damage was recorded following this incident detailed above and it was flown to the Y.A.R.D. depot at Clifton/Rawcliffe for repaired in works. The repair was completed and it was returned to 432 Squadron by 9th April 1944. On 1st May 1944 it suffered from an engine fire out-bound on Ops and an early return to base was made after the bombs were jettisoned. It was again repaired and then transferred to 415 Squadron also based at East Moor (coded "6U-Q") in July 1944. It was recorded as Cat.E(m) on 29th July 1944 when at 01.05hrs it crashed at Stotel, South of Bremerhaven. Seven crew sadly being killed and one taken PoW. LW595 completed thirty four operational flights with 432 Squadron but at the end of the first week of July 1944 the aircraft was transferred to 415 Squadron also at East Moor, who at that time were working up towards Ops. It was lost on its first with 415 Squadron to Hamburg.