Halifax NA517 at East Moor airfield.
The scene at East Moor following three overshoots on 8th August 1944.
During the early hours of 8th Auugust 1944 this aircraft was returning to base following
a scrubbed operational flight to Caen having taken off from East Moor the previous evening.
On their return to East Moor at 01.06hrs (and literally one minute after LW686 had crashed
through the boundary fence) this aircraft returned with the full bomb load, it also overshot
the runway and ran through into the overshoot area. The Strensall Road ditch took out both
of this aircraft's main undercarriage legs and it came to rest on its belly. The crew were
escaped without injury.
Pilot - P/O R W (or P) Gingrich RCAF.
Flight Engineer - Sgt E Tait RAF
Navigator - F/O G Vaughan RCAF.
Bomb Aimer - F/O Dickinson Gosling RCAF (J/28247), of Therien, Alberta, Canada.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/O J Winch RCAF
Mid Upper Gunner - Sgt H Boyce RCAF
Rear Gunner - Sgt M Hosier RCAF
P/O Gingrich completed twenty two operational flights with 415 Squadron between 28th July and 1st November 1944.
"This air bomber has successfully completed a tour of operations. His work in the air has been most effective. Anxious to fly at
any time under any conditions, he has also rendered valuable service to his section on the ground. Courageous, experienced and a fine
leader. Strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Non-Immediate)."
Dickinson Gosling was born in Neston, Alberta in 1917 and lived in Therien, Alberta prior to enlisting. He had previously
worked in a garage. he had initially served in the Royal Canadian Artillery but enlisted into the RCAF in Edmonton on 5th June 1942.
He was later Commissioned in 1943. He was awarded the DFC with 415 Sqdn, effective from 5th April 1945 though there was no
citation but the recommendation from 23rd December 1944 when he had flown thirty operational flights reads..
NA517 was built to contract ACFT/891 by Fairey Aviation Ltd at Stockport and delivered to 431 Squadron at Croft in May 1944. It was
transferred to 432 Squadron at East Moor on 13th June 1944 as a replacement for LW616 "QO-R". It transferred to 415 Squadron
at East Moor on 15th July 1944 and damaged was assessed at Cat.B/FB in the incident detailed above. The aircraft was dismantled on
site and removed to the Y.A.R.D. in late August 1944. On completion of repairs it was held in MU storage and later issued to 190 Squadron
at Great Dunmow in May 1945 for general transport duties. This Unit disbanded on 28th December 1945 and it was flown back to Clifton
for long term storage. It was later struck off charge and sold for scrap on 14th March 1947. NA517 completed nine operatioanl flights
with 432 Squadron between 15th June and 1st July 1944 before being replaced by Halifax NP694 and placed in storage at East Moor
awaiting transfer to 415 Squadron. It had completed five Ops up to 8th August 1944 when it sustained the damage as a result of
the landing accident.