Halifax NP721 at East Moor airfield.
On 5th December 1944 this 432 Squadron aircraft was in the process of taking off for an operational flight to bomb Soest when the port outer engine cut out as it picked up speed on the runway at East Moor at 18.06hrs, a swing developed and the undercarriage collapsed. Upon coming to a halt near the northern intersection of the runways the damaged aircraft then caught fire. With the full bomb load being in the aircraft the crew ran clear, the Station tannoy instructed everyone on the airfield to clear the area and soon afterwards a massive explosion occurred scattering bits of the aircraft over a very wide area.
Pilot - P/O Frank Dennis Baxter RCAF (J/27670).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Archibald Cecil Hogg RAFVR (1799650).
Navigator - F/O Edgar Ronald Hancox RCAF (J/38752).
Bomb Aimer - W/O George Howell Barnett RCAF (R/119875).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt G E Armstrong RCAF (R/197436).
Air Gunner -Sgt Alvin John Hunter RCAF (R/258996).
Air Gunner - Sgt H W MacDonald RCAF (R/78494).
This photograph was taken at East Moor airfield around the same time as the incident in December 1944 and knowing what else occurred there this photograph probably shows part of the wrecked Halifax NP721 being removed from the middle of the airfield. I thank Mrs Mary Ann Bourassa for this photograph.
On 22nd February 1945 the crew named above were flying in Halifax RG476 on Ops to Werms, but by now had received a new navigator and bomb aimer and were flying with a different rear gunner. Sadly four of the crew died after the aircraft was shot down, three were taken prisoner. Sgt Hogg and F/O Hunter died, while F/O Baxter and F/O Armstrong became PoW's. F/O Hunter and P/O Hogg are buried in Durnbach War Cemetery.
Frank Baxter was liberated and back in the UK by 10th May 1945. He gave an account of his shooting down on 14th May 1945 sourced by Hugh Halliday, it reads.."Two minutes after leaving target I saw tracer going past port main plane from starboard down; corkscrewed starboard. Attacked again from same quarter. No hits on our aircraft. Rear gunner reported twin engine fighter astern and he called “port go”. We were raked by fighter in starboard down position in first part of corkscrew. Controls were shot away and aircraft was on fire in numerous parts of the fuselage. Immediately gave order to jump. I saw Flight Engineer going down steps towards front escape hatch. I jettisoned top hatch and stood on pilot’s seat. Slip stream pinned me but aircraft must have rolled over as I fell close. Chute opened OK and I landed in some trees in small valley. Heard aircraft exploding ammunition going off. Aircraft was about a mile east of where I landed. Heard rifle fire in valley so took off towards west. Came to a river and was captured by member of Volkstrum while trying to find a place to cross. Following morning I met WOP and Rear Gunner in small village. Pilot seat pack, rest of crew chest. Mid-Upper put his chute on the floor of aircraft and could have lost it in evasive action. Bale out order not acknowledged on intercom." He was repatriated to Canada on 4th July 1945 and released from the RCAF on 21st September 1945.
Halifax NP721 was built to contract 1688/C4/C by Handley Page at Radlett and was delivered to 426 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse on 25th July 1944 but this must have been a mistake as 426 Squadron were only was operating Halifax B.III's at the time. The aircraft was immediately transferred to 432 Squadron at East Moor, arriving on 30th July 1944, although the Form AM78 took some time to catch up as this first mentions 432 Squadron on 22nd August 1944. The aircraft suffered damage recorded as Cat.A(c)/FA on 6th August 1944. It was repaired on site and the repair was completed on 22nd August 1944. This being the date the AM78 states it was taken on charge by 432 Squadron. It was again damaged, this time suffering flak damage on 14th October 1944 during a day-light attack on Duisburg, it sustained flak damage to the port wing, holing two fuel tanks and an oil tank. It returned safely to East Moor and was repaired on site with repair being completed by 31st October 1944. It was destroyed not long after with Cat.E/Burnt damage recorded on 5th December 1944 when swung out of control on take off for Ops to Soest and crashed, caught fire and later exploded. It was struck off charge on 17th December 1944 once the paperwork was completed.
Frank Baxter was born in June 1915 in Winnipeg and was working there as a salesman when he enlisted in Calgary on 15th June 1942. He receieved his commission on 25th June 1943 and arrived the UK in July 1943. He was recommended for the DFC for service with 432 Squadron on 15th January 1945 when he had flown fifteen operational flights between 25th September to 29th December 1944. The London Gazette would later publish confirmation of his award on 6th April 1945, and the reference to the incident in the DFC citation refers to the events on 29th / 30th December 1944 flying Halifax NP812. The citation reads.. "One night in December 1944, Flying Officer Baxter was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Troisdorf. On the return flight the aircraft was hit by anti-aircralt fire and two engines were rendered unserviceable. In spite of this, and although deprived of the full services of his navigator who was severely wounded, Flying Officer Baxter was determined, if at all possible, to bring his damaged aircraft to base. That he succeeded in so doing is a splendid, tribute to his outstanding skill and courage. This officer set a magnificent example of devotion to duty." The recommendation was more detailed, that reads.. "On the night of 29th December 1944, this officer was captain of aircraft detailed to attack Trois-Dorf. On the return journey, in the vicinity of Liege, his aircraft was heavily hit by flak and two engines rendered unserviceable. The navigator was severely injured and the bomb aimer, misinterpreting orders, baled out. Flying Officer Baxter, faced with wounded crew members and with the aircraft almost beyond control, made the courageous decision to carry on, with complete disregard to personal safety in an attempt to return to base. The return trip was hazardous and weather conditions were most unfavourable for landing even an aircraft that was completely serviceable. By skilful airmanship under the most trying conditions, Flying Officer Baxter succeeded in making a remarkable two-engined landing at Woodbridge." Sadly the bomb aimer, George Barnett, died of his injuries after landing and is buried at Jemeppe-sur-sambre Communal Cemetery, Belgium where his is the only wargrave.
Edgar Hancox was born in London, Ontario in 1923 and was living there when he enlisted in October 1942 and received his commission in 1943. He sustained serious leg injuries in the incident on 29th December 1944 but was able to remain at his post and dispite his serious injuries, loosing alot of blood and periods of unconciousness navigated the aircraft to Woodbridge airfield. He was awarded the DFC on 9th March 1945. The citation reads.. "This officer was the navigator in an aircraft detailed to attack Troisdorf one night in December 1944. After leaving the target the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and sustained serious damage. Flying Officer Hancox was badly wounded in the leg. A tourniquet had to be applied to one of his wounds and before this was done Flying Officer Hancox had lost much blood. In spite of this and although in extreme pain he navigated the very badly damaged aircraft to an airfield in this country. Flying Officer Hancox displayed the highest standard of courage and fortitude. Though sorely distressed his skilful navigation contributed in good measure to the safe return of the aircraft."
Archibald Hogg received his commission on 19th February 1945 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency).
Alvin Hunter was born on 28th December 1925 in Minnedosa, Manitoba, Canada and was the son of David Bolton and Annie May Hunter (nee McMillan). After attending school in Minnedosa he begun working in Winnipeg in 1942. His father died when he was young and when he enlisted for RCAF service on 29th June 1943 in Winnipeg he was living with his mother there. After basic training as an air gunner in Canada he was awarded his Air Gunner's badge on 14th January 1944. He left Canada for the UK and arrived on 2nd April 1944, later training at 24 OTU and 1664 HCU. He was posted to 432 Squadron on 19th August 1944. He received a commission to the rank of P/O on 20th February 1945, this was probably a back dated commission to just before he was posted as missing presumed killed.