On the night of 30th / 31st May 1942 this aircraft was one of a number of 25 O.T.U. aircraft required to fly the first Thousand Bomber raid on Cologne. This aircraft took off from Finningley airfield at 22.48hrs. While over Germany the aircraft received superficial flak damage to the aircraft fabric. The crew were able to fly the aircraft back to base and landed at Finningley at 04.31hrs.
Pilot - F/O Anekstein (Probably F/O Cyril Anekstein RAF 87066).
? - P/O Etchells
? - W/O Lewis
? - Sgt Edwards
? - Sgt Gibson
? - P/O E P Stepham-Smith
Wellington DV494 was built to contract B.124362/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd, at Hawarden, Chester and was awaiting collection in December 1941. It was received by 45 MU on 14th December 1941 and was taken on charge by 25 O.T.U. at Finningley on 27th December 1941. It was slightly damaged by enemy action on the night of 30th / 31st May 1942 on the first Thousand Bomber raid, minor Cat.Ac/FB damage was the damage assessment and was repaired on site at Finningley by a team from Fairfields. As a result of a collision at Finningley on 4th September 1942 Cat.A(c)/FA was the result of the damage assessment and it was repaired on site again by Fairfields. It was returned to 25 O.T.U. on 17th October 1942 but was transferred to 26 O.T.U. at Wing days later on 21st October 1942. It was passd to 14 O.T.U. on 24th February 1943. It was eventually struck off charge on 25th March 1944 but during routine maintenance checks not because of a flying accident.