Lancaster NG303 at Leeming airfield.

During the evening of 22nd December 1944 the crew of this 166 Squadron aircraft were one of twenty two from the squadron tasked with flying an operational flight to bomb Koblenz. This aircraft took off from Kirmington at 15.20hrs but less than half an hour later the aircraft was having trouble with both generators attached to the starboard and port inner engines. At 15.54hrs the crew abandoned the flight and turned around. At 17.10hrs they attempted to land at Leeming airfield with a full bomb load slightly too fast, the aircraft touched down 800 yards up the runway and with no head wind to assist them slowing down the aircraft was about to run off the airfield so the pilot deliberately swung the aircraft to prevent a collision. The undercarriage collapsed and it skidded to a halt. The crew appear to have escaped injury though did not fly again with 166 Squadron in 1944. The aircraft came to rest badly damaged. I have not learnt why they were diverted to Leeming. This crew were posted to 166 Squadron on 19th October 1944 and all appear to have completed a Tour with them.

Pilot - F/O John Nelson Carson RCAF (J/28723).

Flight Engineer - Sgt Lawrence Conway RAFVR (1595119).

Navigator - F/O Roger Edgar Carswell RCAF (J/39283).

Bomb Aimer - F/Sgt H N Dickey RCAF (R/181978).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt R J Tredger RCAF (R/190536).

Mid Upper Gunner - Sgt V F W Parsons RCAF (R/264726).

Rear Gunner - Sgt G V MacDonald RCAF (R/266238).