Wellington DV938 damaged by enemy action, landed at Finningley airfield.

On the night of 10th / 11th September 1942 this 25 O.T.U. aircraft was one used on an operational flight to bomb Dusseldorf. The crew took off from Finningley at 20.10hrs and released their bomb load over the target area from 9000 feet at 22.42hrs. On the return flight they were attacked by enemy aircraft and also fired upon by ground defences which caused minor damage to the port engine. The aircraft landed safely at 01.56hrs at Finningley.

Pilot - Sgt Cecil Harold Davies RAFVR (1385477).

Navigator - Sgt Jack Arthur Holderness RAFVR (1250340).

Bomb Aimer - Sgt Edward Thomas McHugh RAFVR (1105617).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Henry Campbell Arbic RCAF (R/90583).

Air Gunner - Sgt Jack Murray RAFVR (1502110).

Of those listed above Davies, Holderness and McHugh were posted to 156 Squadron and were killed on 4th April 1943 flying Lancaster W4850 on Ops to Kiel. They are buried in Kiel War Cemetery.

Sgt Arbic was also posted to 156 Squadron and made a PoW on 20th December 1942 when Wellington Z1660 failed to return from Duisburg.

Jack Murray was also posted to 156 Squadron and was killed on 1st / 2nd January 1944 when Lancaster JB476 failed to return from Ops to Berlin. He is buried in Berlin War Cemetery. 156 Squadron lost four aircraft (28 aircrew killed) on this night and five aircraft (32 airmen killed) the following night. High losses even for a Pathfinder squadron.

Wellington DV938 was built to contract B.124362/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Hawarden and was awaiting collection in June 1942. The aircraft was received by 48 MU on 2nd June 1942 and was taken on charge by 25 O.T.U. at Finningley on 8th June 1942. On 11th September 1942 it was slightly damaged at Finningley and Cat.A/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was quickly repaired locally on site. Two days later it was damaged again, this time Cat.Ac/FA damage was the assessment. Repairs on site were made at Finningley by a team from Fairfields and it was returned to 25 O.T.U. on 26th September 1942. The aircraft was transferred to 26 O.T.U. on 30th September 1942. On 2nd September 1943 it was flown to 48 MU and placed in MU storage. On 21st March 1944 it was sent to Fairfields for a repair in works but during this on 20th July 1944 it was assessed as being Re-Cat.E damaged so was struck off charge on 14th August 1944.

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