On night of 28th / 29th August 1942 four 76 Squadron crews were to have undertaken operations to attack Saarbrucken. Halifax BB196 suffered a problem with the port outer engine outbound and the furthest they reached was to The Wash, where they jettisoned their bomb load and turned around. Because of poor weather (thick fog) further north at their base of Middleton St. George all of the 76 Squadron crews were diverted to land further south; three at Pocklington and one at Breighton. This aircraft was flown by P/O Campbell and landed sucessfully at 23.30hrs. While the crew were flown back to Middleton St.George in one of the other Halifaxes the following day Halifax BB196 remained there until the engine fault was repaired. On the afternoon of 31st August 1942 the weather had improved and the port engine was deemed servicable so another 76 Squadron pilot (and possibly part of his crew) was tasked with flying in back to base. It took off from Pocklington at 14.20hrs but soon after taking off the port outer engine then failed and the aircraft would not then climb higher than 300 feet above the ground. The pilot crash landed the aircraft at Catfoss airfield with smoke coming from the failed engine but as the landing was hurried it was made down wind and the aircraft overran the runway. The undercarriage collapsed and the aircraft also struck Blenheim Z7302 which had landed there previously and was parked. It was then stated that the engine should have been changed at Pocklington prior to taking off.
Pilot - Sgt Alastair Ian Taylor Moir RAFVR (181170).
Halifax BB196 was built to contract B.124357/40 by The London Passenger Transport Board at Leavesden and was received by 12 MU on 5th May 1942 at Kirkbride. It was taken on charge by 76 Squadron on 28th July 1942 who were based at Middleton St.George. As a result of the accident on 31st August 1942 the damage was deemed enough to write it off and Cat.E/FA damage was recorded on the paperwork. The aircraft was struck off charge on the same date.
Alastair Moir received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) on 1st November 1942. He was awarded the DFC for service with 76 Squadron, Gazetted on 14th May 1943 having been promoted to F/O (war subs) on 1st May 1943. The citation for his DFC reads.."As a captain of aircraft this officer has flown on a large number of operational sorties. He took part in a low-level attack on Flensburg through the heaviest and most intense enemy opposition. He has also participated in attacks on Berlin, Duisberg. Bremen and Dusseldorf. Having completed a Tour with 76 Squadron he was posted to 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit at Marston Moor. While flying as an instructor on 25th May 1943 he was involved in a flying accident in Yorkshire in which he sadly lost his life. Halifax L9571 clipped Tockwith vicarage roof and crashed nearby. He was twenty three years old and is buried in Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery.
Alastair Moir's father was Dr. John Hay Moir DSO MC & Bar, who's parents lived in Aberdeen though he was living in Derbyshire when his son died. John Moir had served in the WW1 with the R.A.M.C. He was awarded the Military Cross, Gazetted 14th November 1916, the citation reads.. "Although wounded he tended the wounded under very heavy fire, displaying great courage and determination and refusing to be relieved until all the wounded had been evactuated". He was later awarded the Bar to the Military Cross, Gazetted on 26th July 1918, the citation reads.. "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During a withdrawal he repeatedly went out into the open, under heavy fire, to attend to the wounded. Throughout the withdrawal seven officers of the battalion were wounded. That only one was left in the hands of the enemy was largely due to the magnificent courage which he displayed." He was later Mentioned in Despatches twice and later awarded the DSO, Gazetted on 2nd April 1919, as Temporary Captain R.A.M.C., attached to 17th Btn Royal Fussiliers. No citation for his DSO has been located.