Halifax W7918 damaged by flak, returned to Pocklington airfield.

On the evening of 20th December 1942 this 102 Squadron aircraft took off from Pocklington airfield at 18.00hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Duisburg. The crew released their bombs over the target area from 18,000 feet but during the course of being over Germany the aircraft was hit by a flak burst in the bomb doors. The aircraft appears to have escaped further damage and a safe return to Pocklington was made, landing at 22.37hrs.

Pilot - P/O Ellis Trevor Ware RAFVR (123618).

? - Sgt J R Jones.

? - Sgt M Spence.

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Reginald Hamblin RAFVR (1575323).

? - Sgt G W Dickenson.

? - Sgt G L Grimes (Possibly Flight Engineer - Sgt George Lionel Grimes RAFVR (1119613)).

? - P/O O L Roberts (Possibly P/O Owen Letchworth Roberts RAFVR (124727)).

Halifax W7918 was built to contract B.73328/40 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett. It was taken on charge as new by 102 Squadron at Pocklington on 6th November 1942 and was first used by them operationally on 28th November 1942. As a result of the damage sustained on 7th December 1942 Cat.A/FB damage was the assessment and a repair on site followed. It was slightly damaged again by flak on 20th December 1942, Cat.A/FB damage was again the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. On the night of 27th / 28th January 1943 it was lost on Ops to Dusseldorf that saw three of the then crew killed while the rest became PoW. Cat.E(m) damage was recorded on the aircraft's paperwork and it was struck off charge.

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