Halifax LW686 at East Moor airfield.

On 7th August 1944 this aircraft took off at 21.10hrs for an operational flight to Caen. On arrival over the target area the master bomber opted to scrub the operation and order all aircraft to return to their bases. On return to East Moor Halifax LW686 landed too far along the runway and faster than would probably have been recommended with having it's bomb load intact. It could not stop before the end of the runway on landing at 01.05hrs on the 8th August. It crossed Strensall Lane and the ditch which ran along side which resulted in the undercarriage collapsing. The crew evacuated the aircraft safely. This was the first of three aircraft to do exactly the same thing on this night. This aircraft was not repaired. The aircraft carried the nose art "Hussy" as pictured above.

The scene in daylight at East Moor following three overshoots.

Pilot - F/Lt H E Barnes RCAF.

Flight Engineer - Sgt J Rome,

Navigator - F/O J Moulden,

Bomb Aimer - Sgt Wesley A MacLeod RCAF, later F/O (J/90866).

Wireless Operator/Air Gunner - W/O J Dubois,

Air Gunner - Sgt L Ballantyne,

Air Gunner - Sgt S Bayerle.

F/Lt Barnes flew thirty two operational flights with 415 Squadron between 1st August and 18th November 1944. Two days previously they had escaped serious damage and injury when Halifax LK765 was struck by Flak.
Wesley MacLeod was later commissioned and completed thirty two operational flights, he was awarded the DFC for service with 415 Squadron. I thank Mr James Weatherdon, son-in-law of Wesley MacLeod for his contact and the extra information he was able to provide this account. Wesley was born in Kinross, Prince Edward Island in 1917 where he was working as a teacher until he enlisted in Ottawa in May 1942 and was commission in September 1944. His DFC appeared in the London Gazette on 27th March 1945. Research by Hugh Halliday has found the recommendation for the award and this reads..

"Warrant Officer MacLeod has completed a notable tour during which he has taken part in several attacks on the most heavily defended enemy targets including Kiel, Wanne Eickel, Essen and Cologne. He is a most determined and gallant member of aircraft crew and his successes are an excellent testimony to the accuracy of his bombing. His conduct at all times has been exemplary." The DFC was presented to him on 4th September 1945 and his Tour was carried out between 1st August 1944 and 18th November 1944, flying thirty two operational flights lasting just short of 160 hours flying time.

A wireless operator, P/O Joseph Edward Lawrence Dubois RCAF (J/88326) was lost on 17th December 1944 when Halifax MZ538 of 425 Squadron crashed near Alne, Yorkshire shortly after take off for ops to Duisburg. He is buried in Stonefall Cemetery, Harrogate. Again, he could well be the same man.