On the night of 1st / 2nd June 1942 this aircraft was one of 25 O.T.U. that were required to fly the Thousand Bomber raid on Essen. This aircraft took off from Finningley at 22.52hrs but while over Germany the aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters and damaged. The crew managed to fly the aircraft back to Finningley and land at 04.34hrs. All the aircraft's tyres had been deflated by enemy bullets.
Pilot - F/Lt Hannan.
? - Sgt Barrett.
? - P/O Servos.
? - F/Sgt Bourne.
? - Sgt Robitaille.
? - F/Sgt Ethel.
Wellington DV443 was built to contract B.124362/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Hawarden and was awaiting collection in November 1941. It was initially received by 46 MU on 26th November 1941 and was then taken on charge by 25 O.T.U. at Finningley on 14th December 1941. As a result of minor damage on 2nd June 1942 Cat.A(c)/FB damage was the assessment which required a repair on site by a team from Vickers at Weybridge. It was returned to 25 O.T.U. on 4th July 1942. Following minor damage at Finningley on 11th September 1942 Cat.A(c)/FA was the damage assessment and again it was repaired on site by a team from Fairfields this time. The aircraft was returned to 25 O.T.U. on 19th September 1942 but was transferred to 26 O.T.U. at Wing on 20th September 1942. It was then transferred to 11 O.T.U. at Westcott on 16th March 1943. On 16th June 1943 it suffered an engine failure on take off from Oakley, the pilot attempted to return to the airfield but crash landed and the aircraft caught fire. The crew survived. Cat.E2/FA Burnt was the damage assessment and it was written off. The aircraft was struck off charge on 23rd June 1943.
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