Halifax L9509 at Marston Moor airfield.

Possibly on the 12th of February 1942 this aircraft collided with a pile of frozen snow, the collision removed the tail wheel assembly of the Halifax and it sustained slight damage.

Pilot - F/Sgt Peter Bunclark DFM RAFVR (955153), uninjured.

Peter Bunclark completed a Tour with 76 Squadron and was awarded the DFM, Gazetted on 23rd December 1941, at the time of the incident above he was probably acting as an instructor with the Conversion Unit. He would later return to operational flying and rose through the ranks quickly, being commissioned on 3rd March 1942. As Acting S/Ldr he was later posted to 78 Squadron, on 1st June 1943 he was Mentioned in Despatches with hundreds of other air personnel. He was then awarded the DFC for bringing back Halifax JD203 during Ops to Cologne. The aircraft was damaged by flak and he returned to the UK on two engines. The details of this award appeared in the London Gazette, dated 30th July 1943, the citation reads.. "One night in July 1943, this officer piloted an aircraft detailed for an operation against Cologne. Soon after the target had been attacked one of the bomber's engines was struck by shrapnel and put out of action. The propeller was feathered and the homeward flight continued, but, some time later, whilst still over enemy territory, a second engine became useless. Despite this, Squadron Leader Bunclark succeeded in flying the bomber to this country. Other essential equipment was unserviceable and the position became serious. With complete disregard for his own welfare, Squadron Leader Bunclark struggled on to avoid a built-up area and succeeded in crash-landing the damaged bomber in a field. This officer displayed courage and tenacity of a high order."

On 24th August 1943 he was the pilot of Halifax JD310, the aircraft was shot down by a night-fighter over Berlin and crashed. He was still only twenty three years old and is buried in Berlin War Cemetery. On this night 78 Squadron lost five aircraft with thirty five fatalities resulting.