Hampden AD753 damaged by flak, returned to Lindholme airfield.
On the evening of 4th February 1941 the crew of this aircraft were one of twelve 50 Squadron Hampdens undertaking operational flights to bomb Dusseldorf. This aircraft took from Lindholme at 17.35hrs and sustained flak damage to the starboard wing over Germany but the crew were able to bring the aircraft safely back to base and land at Lindholme at 23.15hrs.
Pilot - P/O David Evan Frank Powell RAF (42880).
Navigator - Sgt Baker.
Wireless Operator - Sgt Raymond Edward Drake RAF (648987).
Air Gunner - Sgt Green.
On the same aircraft as P/O Powell was Sgt Drake who was made a PoW. Raymond Drake remained in the RAF after the War rising at least to the rank of Master Signaller. On 1st June 1953 he was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air. He was possibly born in Bury St.Edmunds in 1920.
David Powell received a commission to the rank of Acting P/O on probation on 23rd October 1939. He was graded as P/O on probation on 20th April 1940 and confirmed as P/O on 14th August 1940. P/O Powell was killed in action on 10th April 1941 when Hampden AD828 failed to return from ops to Dusseldorf. He is buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetery. He was the son of W/Co Frank Powell MBE RAF who served in the RFC in WW1 and continued his service in WW2 gaining his MBE in 1919.
Hampden AD753 was built by English Electric and was allotted to 24 MU on 23rd December 1940. It was received by 24 MU on 2nd January 1941 and was taken on charge by 50 Squadron on 1st February 1941. The incident three days later is not recorded on the aircraft's AM Form 78 so the damage must have been only been very minor. The aircraft remained with 50 Squadron until being lost on Ops on 5th April 1941