Lancaster W4320 damaged by flak, returned to Breighton airfield.
On 11th January 1943 the crew of this 460 Squadron aircraft were undertaking Ops to bomb Essen and left Breighton at 16.39hrs. The aircraft was over the target at 19.38hrs and the crew released their bombs but did not see them exploded because of thick cloud. The aircraft was struck by flak in both wings and the bomb doors and the front turret was knocked out of action. The damage to the wings also damaged the undercarriage on at least one side and the tyre punctured. The aircraft landed at Breighton at 21,25hrs and is believed to have landed safely despite the damage to the undercarriage, though it is possible that if the damaged undercarriage legs collapsed then further damage must have resulted.
Pilot - Sgt Charles Robert Gordon Grant DFM RAAF (402571), of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Navigator - F/O Ian Frank Tamagno DFC RAAF (400893), of Elwood, Victoria, Australia.
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Alexander William MacRea RAAF (401312).
Flight Engineer - Sgt E Dickson RAF.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt William McCartney Mitchell RAAF (403062).
Air Gunner - "Sgt A P Gerven" RAAF.
Rear Gunner - Sgt Horace Everard Arnold Knox RAAF (405223), of Gladesville, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Lancaster W4320 was built to contract B.69274/40 by A.V.Roe & Co. Ltd. at Chadderton and was awaiting collection in October 1942. On paper it was issued to 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit on 21st October 1942 but this may not have happened in reality because the following day it was taken on charge by 460 Squadron at Breighton. It was flown on their first operational flight with Lancasters on 22nd November 1942 but returned to base early because of problems with the starboard outer engine. It sustained minor Cat.A(C)/FB damage as a result of the flak damage on 11th January 1943. The aircraft's AM78 movment card states that it sustained Cat.Ac/FB damage on 5th March 1943 but how this came about is not yet known. A repair on site was carried out and it was returned to 460 Squadron. On 14th May 1943 it moved with the squadron to Binbrook. It was lost on Ops to Wuppertal on 25th June 1943 with the crew of seven becoming PoWs, Cat.E(m) damage was recorded in the records.
Alexander MacRae was awarded the DFM for service with 460 Squadron, Gazetted on 14th May 1943.
William Mitchell later served at 1662CU after his time with 460 Squadron and was posted to 156 Squadron on 21st August 1943. He later served with 100 Squadron and was awarded the DFC for service with them, Gazetted on 19th September 1944.
Charles Grant was born on 7th April 1911 in Sydney and enlisted there on 16th September 1940. After initial training he was posted to 27 OTU on 21st October 1941 on arrival in the UK and later to 460 Squadron on 9th May 1942. He received his commission to P/O on 17th July 1942, and rose to F/O on 17th January 1943. He completed his Tour with 460 Squadron around the same time and was posted to 1656 CU on 21st January 1943. For service with 460 Squadron he was awarded the DFM, Gazetted on 20th November 1942, the citation reads.."Sgt Grant has taken part in night operations over enemy territory, displaying consistent skill and determination. This airman's quiet courage and exceptional leadership have been an inspiration to his squadron." Having spent time at 1656 CU he was posted to 1655 MTU on 16th August 1843 to train to fly Mosquitos and was posted to 109 Squadron PFF on completion of this. He begun his second Tour with 109 Squadron on 20th October 1943 and completed it on 19th July 1944. On 7th January 1944 he was involved in a serious accident, as pilot of Mosquito DZ435 tasked with Ops to Hamborn, on return to Marham the aircraft struck a tree and crashed at Narborough. Both he and his navigator were injured but they later returned to operational flying with the squadron. He was promoted to F/Lt on 17th July 1944 and awarded the DFC for service with 109 Squadron, Gazetted on 15th September 1944. The citation reads.. "F/Lt Grant has completed a great number of sorties against heavily defended targets in North West Germany. He is a most skilfull and determined pilot who has always pressed home his attacks regardless of heavy enemy opposition." In total he flew ninety operational flights in Wellingtons, Lancasters and Mosquitos. He returned to Australia before the end of the War in Europe and left the RAAF on his own request in April 1945.
Ian Tamagno was born on 22nd December 1944 in Melbourne and enlisted on 10th November 1940 in Melbourne, he was a school teacher at the time. On arrival in the UK he was posted to 27 OTU in October 1941 and to 460 Squadron on 9th May 1942. He completed his Tour with 460 Squadron and was briefly posted to 1656 CU to instruct on 21st January 1943 but four days later he was posted to 109 Squadron PFF flying Mosquitos on 26th January 1943. He later went to 105 Squadron on 3rd February 1943 again flying Mosquitos and flew a second Tour. This was his last operational unit as he was posted to Bomber Command HQ in March 1944 and RAAF HQ in November 1944. He returned to Australia and was de-mobbed in September 1945. He had received his commission on 18th August 1941 to the rank of P/O and was promoted to F/O on 18th February 1942 and F/Lt later on 18th August 1943. He also rose to Acting S/Ldr on 4th November 1943. His wife Mary served in the WRAAF as a cyphur assistant in Australia. Ian Tamagno died in September 1981 in Frankston, Victoria. For service with 460 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 6th November 1942, the citation reads.. "This officer's skill as a navigator has contributed largely to many successes achieved. Displaying great determination in face of enemy opposition (he has) has on several occasions successfully photographed (the) target area. By his fearlessness (he) has inspired (his) crew with confidence and determination thus creating a fine record of achievment." For service with 105 Squadron he was awarded the Bar to the DFC, Gazetted 15th June 1944, this citation reads.. "Squadron Leader Tamagno has completed two tours of operational duty and throughout his operational career has maintained a high standard of skill and reliability coupled with great courage and devotion to duty."