Wellington BJ754 damaged by enemy action, returned to Snaith airfield.

On the night of 4th / 5th September 1942 this 150 Squadron aircraft took off from Snaith at 23.45hrs to undertake an operational flight to Bremen. During the course of the night the Wellington was attacked by an enemy night-fighter which damaged the hydraulics and seriously injured the rear gunner. On their return to Yorkshire the aircraft crashed landed at 06.05hrs on return to Snaith airfield. The unit ORB states that the rear gunner had been wounded in combat with the enemy and that he then died on 6th September 1942, presumably in Pontefract Hospital as his death was registered in Pontefract.

Pilot - Sgt Hughes.

Observer? - P/O Stead (P/O John Clement Stead RAF (47716)).

Wireless Operator - Sgt James Darcy William Renno RAAF (411381).

? - Sgt Haylett.

Rear Gunner - Sgt Archibald Stanley Funnell RAF (534974), aged 25, of Brighton. Died of injuries 6-9-1942. Buried The Downs Cemetery, Brighton, Sussex.

The 150 Squadron ORB lists the aircraft as being Wellington BJ745 but this aircraft never existed. Wellington BJ754 did, it served with 150 Squadron and sustained Cat.B/FB damage on the same date so must be the aircraft involved. It was built to contract B.124362/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Hawarden, Chester and was awaiting collection in June 1942. It was received by 18 MU on 29th July 1942 and was taken on charge by 150 Squadron at Snaith on 12th August 1942. It sustained Cat.B/FB damage as a result of the incident on 5th September 1942 which saw it taken away for a repair at the Vickers site at Sywell. Repairs took some months to complete. On 11th January 1943 it was flown to 48 MU and was then taken on charge by 26 O.T.U. at Wing on 6th May 1943 where it remained in service until sustaining a Cat.B/FA flying accident on 26th March 1944. Once repaired it again passed to 48 MU before being taken on charge by No.1 A.G.S. at Pembury on 1st October 1944 when the unit started operating Wellington MkIII's. It was transferred to No.3 A.G.S. at Castle Kennedy on 20th March 1945 where it remained until just before the unit disbanded on 21st June 1945. The aircraft was then placed in long term storage with 48 MU pending disposal and was finally struck off charge on 31st July 1947.

James Renno was born on 7th August 1917. He was posted to 150 Squadron on 11th August 1942 and served with them until being posted to 199 Squadron on 14th November 1942. This was a brief posting as he was then posted to 100 Squadron on 10th January 1943. On the night of 13th / 14th May 1943 he was flying in Lancaster ND710 when the aircraft was hit by flak. He sustained serious injuries to his stomach and thigh but remained at his post. The aircraft was also badly damaged and on their return to England it was force landed at Coltishall. For his actions he was awarded the DFM while his then pilot received the DFC. Following recovery from his injuries he was posted back to 100 Squadron but was reported as missing on 3rd August 1943 flying in Lancaster ED705. He had no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

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