Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire.

Halifax NA582 damaged by flak, returned to East Moor airfield.

On 5th August 1944 a number of 432 and 415 Squadron aircraft were tasked with attacking rocket launch sites at St.Leu D'Esserant. A number of these aircraft sustained minor flak damage. This aircraft returned safely to East Moor having been damaged by flak.

Pilot - F/O C Gue.

Flight Engineer - F/Sgt A Simpson.

Navigator - F/O Selby J Sinclair RCAF (J28912), of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Bomb Aimer - F/O A Horie.

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - W/O A McQueen.

Air Gunner - F/Sgt J Scott.

Air Gunner - F/Sgt P Bell.

P/O Gue and his crew commenced Halifax ops with 415 Squadron on 28th July 1944. This flak incident took place on his fifth, he completed twenty nine operational flights with 415 Squadron on Halifaxes but may have served with the Squadron prior them joining Bomber Command and conversion to the Halifax type.

Selby Sinclair was born in Toronto in 1912 but was living in Montreal when he enlisted there in July 1942. He was recommended for the DFC on 21st December 1944 when he had completed thirty three operational flights and the notification of his award appeared in the London Gazette on 17th April 1945. He was not presented with the DFC until 25th November 1949 in Montreal. There was no citation as such but the recomendation stated that..

"As navigator he has completed a tour involving many heavily defended German targets. Highly skilled, he has directed his aircraft to the target and avoided trouble. Always calm and courageous on operations, he has also been most co-operative in assisting ground training. A good leader and a fine officer. Strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Non-Immediate)." awarded the DFC on 5th April 1945 for service with 415 Squadron.

Halifax NA582 was built to contract ACFT/891 by Fairey Aviation Ltd at Stockport and was awaiting collection on 19th July 1944. It was issued to 420 Squadron at Tholthorpe but it may never have arrived there as it was on charge with 415 Squadron at East Moor by 28th July 1944. It suffered Cat.A/FB damage in the incident above with repairs carried out on site and with it completed by 7th August 1944. It was again damaged by flak in September 1944 and again repaired. It was destroyed, with Cat.E2/FB damage recorded, on 15th October 1944 when returning from Ops to Duisburg and in the circuit of East Moor, it crashed near Stillington, Yorkshire. The crew escaping injury. NA582 commenced Ops with 415 Squadron on 28th July 1944, this flak incident took place on it's fifth. It was lost on it's thirty thirrd.