Halifax NP722 at East Moor airfield.
On the night of 15th/16th of September 1944 the crew on board this aircraft were tasked with Ops to
Kiel when it is believed that the aircraft was struck by flak which damaged the hydraulics. On their
return to base at 04.31 hrs the aircraft landed too quickly and because of this damage the brakes
did not work properly. The aircraft overshot the runway, coming to a halt with it's undercarriage
was damaged after running through the Strensall Lane ditch, though remarkably no major damage resulted.
Cat.A/FB damage was recorded. This incident occured on it's eighteenth operational flight.
Pilot - F/O George A H Barron RCAF (J/36201).
Flight Engineer - Sgt G Allen
Navigator - F/O E Rees
Bomb Aimer - F/O H McGill
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - WO J Scrafton
Air Gunner - F/Sgt A Robinson
Air Gunner - F/Sgt A Wemp
"During a most successful tour of operational duty this officer has proved to be a most valuable member of his
squadron. He has completed thirty-one operational sorties over enemy territory as Captain of aircraft. This officer's
dogged determination, skill and devotion to duty has set a magnificent example and kept the morale of his crew at a
high level. His outstanding ability and strong sense of duty warrant recognition and he his strongly recommended for
the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Non-Immediate)."
It is believed that George Barron is still living (in 2009) as he gave a Canadian website an audio account of his experiences flying.
George Barron was born in 1922 in Brechin, Angus, Scotland but he moved to Canada at a young age.
He lived at either Thamesford or Hespeler, Ontario when he enlisted in Hamilton on 19th August 1942 and received
his commission in 1943. He commenced Ops with 432 Squadron on 12th September 1944 as second Pilot. His first
sortie as Captain was the next day. This incident detailed above took place on his second as Captain. He completed
a Tour on 6th January 1945. F/O Barron was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for service with 432 Squadron,
his award became effective on 5th July 1945 as per London Gazette dated 17th July 1945 but not presented until
24th May 1947. There was no citation other than "in recognition
of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations against the enemy" and he had flown thirty one
sorties (171 hours 15 minutes) between 12th September 1944 and 6th January 1945. The recommendation for the award reads..
Halifax NP722 was built to contract ACFT/1688/C4/C by Handley Page Ltd at Radlett and delivered to 432 Squadron
at East Moor on 30th July 1944 to replace NP701. It commenced Ops on 1st August 1944 and it suffered Cat.A/FB in
the incident detailed above on 16th September 1944. It was then repaired on site with repair completed by 25th
September 1944. It was written off with Cat.E/FB damage recorded on 23rd October 1944 when it swung on landing on return from
Ops to Essen at Manston and the undercarriage collapsed. It had completed thirty operational flights and was replaced by Halifax NP687.