Lancaster W4311 damaged by enemy aircraft, returned to Holme on Spalding Moor airfield.

On the night of 21st / 22nd December 1942 this 101 Squadron aircraft took off from Sherburn in Elmet airfield at 17.20hrs to carry out an operational flight to bomb Munich. they bombed the target area from 12,000 feet at 21.13hrs although reported the target was obscured by cloud. On the return flight the Lancaster was attacked by an Me110 which damaged the port tailplane, with the trailing edge being shot away. Both rear and mid turrets were damaged, many electrical circuits were damaged and the port main wheel was burst. The mid upper gunner received injuries in the attack. Despite the damage they landed at 01.10hrs at Holme on Spalding Moor.

Pilot - Sgt Peter Thomas Windsor Wiltshire RNZAF (NZ.413165).

Flight Engineer - Sgt John Carr RAAF (10169).

Navigator - F/O Kenneth Stanton Kibble RNZAF (NZ.41336).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt James Sydney Durward RNZAF (NZ.412872).

Bomb Aimer - Sgt Gordon Joseph Smale RAFVR (1377300).

Air Gunner - Sgt Ernest John Chapman RAFVR (1322050).

Air Gunner - Sgt Matthew Irons Sharpley RAFVR (964253).

Whoever was in the mid upper gunner listed above; either Sgt Chapman or Sgt Sharpley, he was deemed fit by 3rd January 1943 when this crew next flew operationally. This crew all died on 21st January 1943 When Lancaster ED443 failed to return from an operational flight. They are buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.
Lancaster W4311 was built to contract B69274/40 by A.V.Roe Ltd and was taken on charge by 101 Squadron at Holme on Spalding Moor on 14th October 1942. As a result of the minor damage sustained on 22nd December 1942 Cat.Ac/FB damage was the assessment that saw it was repaired on site and returned to 101 Squadron on 3rd April 1943. It was lost on 25th June 1943 and was struck off charge five days later.

Back to monthly table.