Halifax MZ603 at East Moor airfield.

On 5th September 1944 this aircraft was returning to base of East Moor having landed at Shepherd's Grove having landed there following Ops to bomb Volkel airfield in Holland on the night of 3rd/4th Septembers. On landing at East Moor the tail struck the ground which fractured the tail wheel mounting. The aircraft bounced but was brought under control without sustaining further damage. Cat.A(c)/FA damage was recorded and it was repaired. The probable crew were involved in this landing accident at East Moor were:

Pilot - F/O Harry Knobovitch RCAF (J/28738), of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada.

Flight Engineer - F/Sgt Samuel Kirkpatrick RAFVR (186683).

Navigator - F/O Anthony B Orchard RCAF (J/37160), of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Bomb Aimer - F/O Bruce B Anderson RCAF (J/35534), of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Wireless Operator/Air Gunner - Sgt James R Harper RCAF, of South Burnaby, Vancouver, British Columbia. Canada.

Air Gunner - Sgt Charles A R Seeley RCAF, of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada.

Air Gunner - Sgt Victor L Valde RCAF, of South Transcona, Manitoba, Canada.

F/O Knobovitch and his crew commenced ops on Halifaxes with 415 Squadron on 1st August 1944. On 2nd November 1944 F/O Knobovitch was lost when Halifax MZ603 was shotdown on Ops to Dusseldorf. It was his twenty sixth operational flight, six of the eight crew were killed while two survived and were taken PoW. Those killed are buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, they were F/O Knobovitch, F/O Orchard, F/O Anderson, P/O Harper (J/95270), P/O Valde (J/90964). F/Sgt Kirkpatrick and F/Sgt Seeley were taken POW.

Harry Knobovitch was born on 13th January 1913 in Pinsk, Poland. He enlisted in Montreal in June 1942. As stated he died on 2nd November 1944 and was twenty one years old. He was awarded the DFC after his death and notification appeared in the London Gazette on 19th December 1944, the citation his DFC reads..

"This officer participated in many sorties and has set a fine example of skill and devotion to duty. One night in October 1944, he piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Duisburg. Long before the target was reached one engine failed completely. Undeterred Flying Officer Knobovitch continued his mission and a good bombing attack was made. When crossing the coast of France on the return flight, the wireless apparatus caught fire. The aircraft quickly became filled with smoke. Displaying great coolness Flying Officer Knobovitch directed the efforts of two crew members in extinguishing the flames. This done, he cleared the smoke out of the aircraft by turning on the heater of the defective engine. He afterwards flew the damaged aircraft to base and effected a safe landing in difficult circumstances. This officer displayed great skill and determination and provided a most inspiring captain.”

Prior to enlisting Victor Valde had worked for "The Red and White Store" and Western Steel Products. Valde Avenue in his home town was named after him in his honour.
MZ603 completed twenty seven operational flights with 432 Squadron and carried the nose art "Eddie's Nightmare", it retained the name after transfer to 415 Squadron. It was lost on it's twenty fifth operational flight 415 Squadron. It had been built to contract ACFT/2553 by E.E.C. Ltd at Salmesbury and delivered to 432 Squadron at East Moor on 25th April 1944. It suffered Cat.A/FA on 22nd May 1944 and was repaired on site, completed by 27th May. It suffered Cat.A/FB damage on 28th May 1944 and was again repaired on site, completed by 31st May 1944. It transferred to 415 Squadron at East Moor on 15th July 1944 and suffered this incident on 5th September 1944 and was again repaired on site, with the repair completed by 25th September 1944. It was finally lost as Cat.E(m) when it failed to return from Ops to Dusseldorf on 2nd November 1944.