Halifax MZ660 damaged by flak, returned to East Moor airfield.
On 5th August 1944 a number of 415 Squadron aircraft were tasked with attacking rocket launch sites at
St. Leu D'Esserant. A number of aircraft sustained minor flak damage on this raid and were able to make a
return to base where the damage was assessed and repair carried out. This aircraft was one of these
which safely returned to East Moor having been damaged. The aircraft is believed to have been fitted with
a under-turret.
Pilot - P/O Graeme T McKean RCAF (J/86029), of Bingham, Ontario, Canada.
Flight Engineer - Sgt H Gage
Navigator - F/O J Wakelin
Bomb Aimer - F/Sgt G Moffat
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt O Higgins
Mid Upper Gunner - Sgt J Morris
Rear Gunner - Sgt H Lee
Mid Under Gunner - Sgt W McPhee
"As pilot and captain, Pilot Officer McKean has completed a large number of sorties against dangerous and difficult targets.
He has invariably displayed a high degree of skill, courage and resolution, qualities which have on more than one occasion enabled
him to complete his mission in the face of heavy odds. He is an ideal leader whose example at all times has been an inspiration
to other squadron personnel."
The flak incident detailed above took place on his fourth Halifax Op. and his last being on 26th September 1944 but he
must have operated with 415 Squadron prior to conversion to Halifaxes in October 1944 as when he was recommended
for the DFC he had completed some thirty five operational flights, only twenty four of these were in Bomber Command.
Graeme Mckean was born in Collingwood, Ontario in 1922 and worked as a miner before enlisting in Toronto in December 1941.
He was commissioned in April 1944 and commenced Halifax Ops with 415 Squadron on 28th July 1944. He was awarded the DFC for
service with 415 Squadron on 6th January 1945, the recommendation for this, from mid-October 1944 when he had flown thirty
five operational flights reads..
Halifax MZ660 was built to contract ACFT/2553 by E.E.C. Ltd at Salmesbury and was awaiting collection on 11th May 1944. It
was delivered to 432 Squadron at East Moor in mid-May 1944 as a replacement for LK807 "QO-J" which was lost on Ops to Montzen
on the night of 27/28th April 1944. MZ660 commenced Ops with 432 Squadron on 22nd May 1944 and completed twenty two before
being transferred to 415 Squadron, also at East Moor on 15th July 1944. It commenced Ops with 415 Squadron on 28th July 1944.
This flak incident took place on it's fifth 415 Squadron operational flight. It went on to complete twenty seven
operational flights with 415 Squadron before transfer to 1666 HCU at Wombleton in October 1944. On an unspecified date
it was transferred to 1664 HCU at Dishforth where it ended it's flying days when the unit disbanded on 6th April 1945.
It's last flight was into MU storage at Clifton in April 1945 and it remained there until being struck off charge
as scrap on 25th September 1946 and was sadly cut up there.