Halifax W1157 at East Moor airfield.
At 11.55hrs on 5th October 1942 this 158 Squadron aircraft took off from East Moor airfield so the aircraft could be tested prior to night operations. Thirty five minutes later the aircraft was landing at East moor in a cross wind when the pilot made a heavy landing and broke off the tail wheel.
Pilot - Sgt Gordon Shotton Hughes RAFVR (1292129).
Gordon Hughes had received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) on 18th October 1942. P/O Hughes was lost when Halifax W7862 failed to return from Ops to Genova on 23rd October 1942. The aircraft is believed to have crashed in the English Channel. he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Halifax W1157 was built to contract B982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was delivered directly to 158 Squadron at East Moor on 7th June 1942. It suffered Cat.Ac/FA damage as a result of an accident at East Moor on 5th October 1942. The damage was repaired on site and it was returned to 158 Squadron on 24th November 1942. On 11th December 1942 the aircraft was slightly damaged while taxying at Rufforth resulting in Cat.A/FA damage. A repair on site was made and it was returned to 158 Squadron. The aircraft was transferred to 77 Squadron at Elvington on 11th April 1943. On 13th May 1943 the aircraft sustained battle damage, the crew returned to land at East Moor. Cat.A/FB damage must have been the damage assessment. The aircraft was soon repaired on site. It was lost (Cat.E(m) damage recorded) on 22nd June 1943 on Ops to Krefeld. No trace was ever found of the seven aircrew. The aircraft was struck off charge on 30th June 1943.