During the early hours of 7th September 1942 this 419 Squadron Wellington took off from Topcliffe at 01.05hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Duisburg. The crew released their bomb load over the target area and the explosions were witnessed by the rear gunner who believed that they struck an oil tank. The crew landed safely at base at 07.25hrs.
In the published history of Wellington BJ778 it is listed as being damaged on this date however the squadron records are very brief and do not list any damage being sustained. The damage is listed on the AM Form 78 for the aircraft.
Pilot - F/Sgt A J G Cameron.
Observer - P/O F L Todd.
Wireless Operator - Sgt D A McTavish.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Eric Raymond Marquand RCAF (R/71416).
Air Gunner - F/Sgt F Hubbard.
Eric Marquand was made a PoW on 3rd February 1943 when 419 Squadron Halifax DT630 failed to return from Ops to Hamburg.
Wellington BJ778 was built to contract 124362/40 by Vickers Armstrongs Ltd at Chester and was issued directly to 419 Squadron at Mildenhall on 1st August 1942. It was used operationally for the first time by 419 Squadron on 5th August 1942 and then again the following day. 419 Squadron moved to Leeming on 12th August 1942. It was then used operationally on 18th August 1942. The aircraft suffered some battle damage on 6th September 1942 while on an operational flight to Duisburg. The squadron records do not list any incident but the aircraft's AM78 lists Cat.A(c)/FB damage being sustained. Repairs commenced on 10th September 1942. 419 Squadron moved to Croft on 30th September 1942 and the aircraft remained at Leeming whilst these repairs were carried out by civilian contractors. It was returned to 419 Squadron at Croft on 3rd October 1942. It was then used operationally by 419 Squadron on 13th October, 15th October, 23rd October and then on 31st October 1942. 419 Squadron began their conversion from Wellingtons to Halifaxes early in November 1942. 427 Squadron formed on 7th November 1942 at Croft and took on charge eighteen 419 Squadron Wellingtons. On 9th November 1942 419 Squadron left Croft for Middleton St.George. Wellington BJ778 was one of these aircraft that were transferred between squadrons at this point. Again the AM Form 78 states that it suffered a minor Cat.A(c)/FA damage on 5th December 1942. The squadron records do not mention any incident but on this date it was an extremely windy and cold day, two aircraft were detailed for mine laying flights but they were later cancelled. The damage was repaired on site by civilian contractors and was returned to 427 Squadron on 9th January 1943. The only operational flight 427 Squadron used the aircraft on was the one when it crashed on the night of 12th February 1943. After this incident Cat.E2/FB(Burnt) damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 20th February 1943.