Halifax LW615 at East Moor airfield.

There are two known photographs that are said to depict this aircraft after its crash at East Moor in May 1944 but the records which relate to LW614 do not seem to agree with this being its identity. The better one is shown above.

LW615 had flown eighteen operational flights before this accident occured, closer inspection of the known photographs only show the aircraft's Ops tally to be fourteen. It flew its fouteenth operational flight on 24th April 1944 so it would seem too long a period of time for the bomb tally to not have been updated. Police records and airforce records seem to agree that the aircraft ended up in the Goose Wood area of the airfield complex and the photograph shown above is not in this location.

What is known about the incident to LW615 is that on 7th May 1944 it crash-landed at East Moor at 16.00hrs when its experienced crew were flying a familiarization flight. The familiarization flight was probably to benifit the high ranking passenger who was commanding officer of East Moor, rather than the regular aircrew. The aircraft is reported to have bounced on landing, drifted off the runway and its undercarriage collapsed as it ran off the runway area of the airfield collided with an air-raid shelter behind the old airmen's mess building, crossed Strensall Road and halted in Goose Wood. The nose of the aircraft was broken off behind the cockpit. Those on board escaped uninjured. The photograph of the aircraft shown above does show it broken behind the cockpit area but it does show a scar on the grass which must be where the aircraft skidded on its belly before coming to rest. On this photograph there is no "Strensall Road" or any road for that matter, so it cannot depict LW615. The photograph shows a crashed aircraft alot closer runway part of the airfield.

Pilot - S/Ldr Allister D R Lowe RCAF (J/1477), of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Passenger - G/Cpt Herbert H C Rutledge RCAF (C/149).

The following were S/Ldr Lowe's regular crew and were possibly in the aircraft when this mishap occured,

Flight Engineer - Sgt D Darnell

Navigator - F/Sgt Douglas I McLeod RCAF (R/161134), of Hawkstone, Ontario, Canada.

Bomb Aimer - F/O Ralph M Potts RCAF (J/26299), of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt James W Chadwick RAFVR (1397359), of Hove, Sussex.

Air Gunner - Sgt J Sowerby (Possibly John Sowerby RAFVR (1624932/179524))

Air Gunner - Sgt G Purreno.

Allister Lowe was born 1915 in Springhill, Nova Scotia but was living in Calgary when he enlisted there in June 1940. He was posted into 432 Squadron in late-February 1944 after completing his Halifax conversion and commenced Ops on 1st March 1944. This flak incident took place on his fifth operational flight. He was promoted to S/Ldr during the second week of April 1944 and W/C in August of the same year. He completed a tour of thirty three operational flights with 432 Squadron following his final flight on 15/16th September 1944 and was the transferred to 1659 HCU to act as an instructor. He was awarded both the DFC and AFC and laer Mentioned in Despatches. When he was awarded the DFC he was Commanding Officer of 432 Squadron. The recommendation for his DFC was made around 30th July 1944 when he had flown twenty seven operational flights between 25th February 1944 to 25th July 1944 (135 hours flying). Notification appeared in the London Gazette on 13th October 1944. The recommendation reads..

"Squadron Leader Lowe is a capable and confident captain whose determination to complete his sorties successfully has been a feature of his tour. In his capacity of Flight Commander he has maintained an exceptionally high standard in every branch of activity. His 27 sorties have been over a wide variety of targets, including some of the most heavily defended in Germany. For his splendid qualities of leadership, loyalty and an inspiring example to those in his flight, this officer is recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."

He was awarded the AFC for service with 1659 HCU, Gazetted on 7th September 1945, the citation reads..

"In February 1941, Wing Commander Lowe began his instructional duties in Canada at No.8 Service Flying Training School and after a year was posted to Central Flying School as deputy flight commander. He remained at this unit until April 1943 in the capacity of flight commander and examining officer, after which he came to England to commence his operational flying. After completing an exceptionally fine tour of operational duty as squadron commander at No.432 Squadron, Wing Commander Lowe was posted to his present unit in the capacity of chief instructor. His untiring efforts, sound judgement and initiative have been an inspiration to all and have contributed largely to the success of the training programm of his unit."

He was Mentioned in Despatches on 1st January 1946, the recommendation for which states that..

"This officer completed a tour of operations with No.432 Squadron in September 1944, and since that time has ben employed as Chief Instructor at this unit. The undoubted success of the training programme has been due in no small measure to his capable guidance and industrious and far sighted efforts. His keenness and initiative are outstanding and his reliability and excellent personality have secured him universal co-operation. In addition, he has devoted much of his spare time to station activities and has taken an unfailing interest in the morale and welfare of the aircrew personnel."

He was also awarded the Queens's Coronation Medal while commanding 418 (Aux) Squadron in 1953.

Ralph Potts was born in Toronto in 1919 and enlisted there in December 1941. He too was recommendation for the DFC for service with 432 Squadron on 17th September 1944 when he had flown thirty five operational flights between 1st March and 15th September 1944. Notification appeared in the London Gazette on 12th December 1944 but there was no citation as such, the recommendation was more detailed, it reads..

"As Air Bomber, this officer has completed thirty-five and a half successful operational sorties over enemy territory. Throughout, he has displayed the greatest keenness and his example of courage and determination has been of a high order. For his outstanding record of achievement and devotion to duty, this officer is recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."

Douglas McLeod was born in Orillia, Ontario in 1923 and enlisted in Hamilton in April 1942. He was recommended for the DFC for service with 432 Squadron, the notification came through that his DFC was granted and was in the London Gazette on 17th November 1944. Again the citation was limited and the recommendation (dated 13th August 1944 when he had completed thirty one operational flights (139 hours flying), was much more detailed, it reads..

"Warrant Officer McLeod is an above average navigator whose unerring skill has contributed in a large way to the success achieved on many sorties, including attacks on Stuttgart (twice), Frankfurt, Essen (twice) and Nuremburg. His cheerful disposition, alertness and strong sense of duty in his work has been apparent at all times. Warrant Officer McLeod's splendid record and devotion to duty is deserving of the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."

James Chadwick was born in Newcastle in 1921 but was living in Hove when he enlisted. He too was recommended for the DFC in September 1944 and had flown thirty five operational flights, from 25th November 1943 to 15th September 1944. Notification appeared in the London Gazette on 19th January 1945 that his DFC was granted though there was no proper citation for the award. The recommendation was detailed, it reads..

"Pilot Officer Chadwick has completed 35 and one half successful operational sorties. Many of these have been accomplished in the face of heavy opposition and against such targets as Berlin, Stuttgart, Essen and other strongly defended areas. As Wireless Operator (Air) he has displayed great courage and skill and has at all times cooperated in the highest possible degree with other members of his crew. For his splendid record, loyalty and devotion to duty, this officer is recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."

He received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) on 11th July 1944, rising to F/O (war subs) on 11th January 1945.

On the same date James Chadwick received his commission one John Sowerby received his, he may well be the J. Sowerby who was in his crew. If so then he remained in the RAF until 1st March 1952. All the RCAF awards details were researched by Hugh Halliday.
Herbert Rutledge was born in November 1909 in Wawanesa, Manitoba. He joined the RCAF at Camp Borden in June 1928 and was also employed by the Manitoba Government (Department of Northern Development) at the time. He was later on permanently with the RCAF on 15th February 1934 (with effect of 15th February 1933). He remained in Canada until April 1944 when he was posted to East Moor on 12th April and served with No.6 Group and RCAF Overseas Headquarters through the rest of the war. He returned to Canada in 1946 when he commanded Station Trenton and was air attache to Sweden. He rose to the rank of Air Commodore in January 1953 before retiring in 1961. He died in May 1987. While stationed at East Moor he was Mentioned in Despatches (Gazetted on 1st January 1945), the recommendation for this was dated 15th August 1944 and reads..

"Group Captain Rutledge has commanded RCAF Station Eastmoor since his arrival overseas. His personal ability, service experience and devotion to duty combine to make him an excellent operational station commander. By tactful handling and tireless effort he has endeavoured at all times to maintain the highest standards of morale and efficiency in the personnel under his command."

He was also granted the OBE on 1st January 1946 for service to his countries war effort. The citation for which reads..

"This officer, an officer of the Regular Air Force since February 1934, has been assigned such important positions as command of a Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron, Deputy Director of Air Service, Air Force Headquarters, and command of operational and training stations in Bomber Command of the Royal Air Force. In all these assignments he has displayed superior leadership and devotion to duty. Through his fine judgement and confident manner in handling all his duties he has been an inspiration and has set an outstanding example to his juniors, thereby contributing considerably to successful operations. During his present employment as Director of Air Staff duties, Royal Canadian Air Force Overseas Headquarters, this officer in addition to his normal duties, gave most effective direction to planning for Royal Canadian Air Force participation in Phase II operations. His personal contribution to the war effort in all respects has been outstanding and a definite credit to the Royal Canadian Air Force."

Halifax LW615 was built to contract ACFT/1808/C4/C by E.E.C. Ltd. at Salmesbury and delivered directly to 432 Squadron at East Moor on 16th February 1944. It suffered Cat.A/FB damage on 23rd April 1944 and was repaired on site with the repair completed by 25th April 1944. The damage sustained on 7th May 1944 was serious and it was not repaired. LW615 completed eighteen operational flights with 432 Squadron.