Wellington W5392 damaged by flak, returned to Driffield airfield.
On the night of 29th / 30th September 1941 this aircraft was one of a number of 104 Squadron aircraft undertaking operational flights to various targets. This aircraft took off
from Driffield at 17.15hrs and bombed Kiel, the aircraft was slightly damaged over the target area by flak but the crew were able to make a safe return to Driffield and landed safely at 01.54hrs on 30th September 1941.
Pilot - P/O Philip Robert Goodwin RAFVR (100622).
Second Pilot - Sgt Reginald Keith Anson RAFVR (1154272).
Observer - Sgt Thomas.
Wireless Operator - Sgt Armstrong RAFVR (911092).
Wireless Operator - Sgt Coombs RAFVR (905221).
Air Gunner - Sgt Hall RAFVR (1017136).
Wellington W5392 was built to contract 71441/40 by Vickers Armstrong Ltd and was allotted to 24 MU on 11th December 1940. It was received by De Havilland on 9th January 1941. On 21st May 1941 it passed to 51 MU and on 17th July 1941 it was taken on charge by 104 Squadron at Driffield. It's AM Form 78 does not list any damage being sustained on 30th September 1941 but it does list that a repair was started on site on 2nd October 1944 with it being returned to 104 Squadron on 29th November 1941. On 21st January 1942 it sustained Cat.Ac/FA damage but the squadron records do not mention the incident and I have not found any other information about it yet. It was again repaired on site but by that time part of 104 Squadron had formed 158 Squadron so this aircraft passed to them on 14th February 1942. It's AM 78 states that as a result of battle damage sustained on 12th / 13th April 1942 Cat.Ac/FB was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site within four days. The squadron records do not mention this aircraft being used operationally on 12th / 13th April 1942 but one of their Wellingtons is listed as flak damaged though the scribe has omitted to include the serial number. On 30th May 1942 it failed to return from Ops to Cologne which saw it's then crew killed. Cat.E damage was recorded and it was struck off charge.
Sgt Anson was the captain of Wellington Z8426 on 7th December 1941 when the aircraft failed to return from Ops to Dunkirk. No trace of the aircraft was found and he is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Goodwin, Armstrong, Coombs and Hall were posted to North Africa by the end of 1941. Goodwin later served with 156 Squadron and was made a PoW on 31st March 1944.