Halifax MZ603 at East Moor airfield.

The Halifax overshot on landing after Ops on 29th May 1944 and ended up in the ditch at the Strensall Road end of the airfield in the early hours of the morning. The undercarriage sustained some damage, it probably collapsed as was common with contact with this ditch.

Pilot - F/O Walter R Lekis USAAF (T-223109)(441124?), of USA.

Navigator - Sgt P G Beaupre RCAF, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Bomb Aimer - Sgt R Ellis

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt W Ede

Mid Upper Gunner - Sgt F Jones

Rear Gunner - Sgt J MacDougall

Flight Engineer - Sgt R Collins

Walter Lekis was an American national who had enlisted into the RCAF. Little is known about him prior to joining 432 Squadron. He was recommended for the DFC on 10th August 1944 when he had flown 29.5 operational flights between 29th March and 9th August 1944. The award was approved as an honourary DFC on 24th November 1944 but no notification was published in the London Gazette. Hugh Halliday's research into RCAF awards has located both the citation and recommendation, the latter reads..

"During a most successful tour of operational duty, this officer has proved himself to be a most valuable member of his squadron. He is an outstanding operational captain and has invariably made the utmost efforts to complete his duties. His cheerful confidence and willing cooperation has always been apparent in whatever task he is assigned to. For his inspiring example, his fine record of achievement and devotion to duty, this officer is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."

The citation was briefer, it reads.."Flight Officer Lekis is a reliable and efficient pilot and captain of aircraft who has rendered very valuable service. He has participated in many sorties against varied targets and has invariably pressed home his attacks despite strong enemy opposition. Flight Officer Lekis' cheerful confidence and devotion to duty have set an excellent example." I believe that he completed thirty one operational flights with 432 Squadron. He may well been from Lithuanuan extraction.

The full names of those named above are not 100% confirmed. It is possible that "Sgt P Beaupre" was Paul G Beaupre RCAF (later F/O J/89338), he died in 1998 aged 78 in Ontario, Canada.
Halifax MZ603 was built to contract ACFT/2553 by E.E.C. Ltd at Salmesbury and delivered directly to 432 Squadron at East Moor on 25th April 1944. It suffered Cat.A/FA damage at East Moor but was repaired on site with repair completed by 27th May 1944. It was damaged again (detailed above), Cat.A/FB damage being recorded on 28th May 1944, again repaired on site in two days. It transferred to 415 Squadron at East Moor in July 1944 and suffered Cat.A/FA damage on 5th September 1944 when its tail wheel broke off on landing at East Moor. It was lost and recorded as Cat.E(m) on 2nd November 1944 when it failed to return from Dusseldorf with six being killed and two being made PoW. MZ603 was damaged (above) on it's fourth operational flight but went on to complete twenty seven with 432 Squadron before transfer to 415 Squadron and was on it's twenty fifth with 415 Squadron when it was lost (a real veteran.)