Unidentified Halifax damaged by flak, returned to Leeming airfield.
On the night of 11th / 12th March 1943 this 405 Squadron aircraft being flown on an operational flight to bomb Stuttgart when it was damaged by flak in the starboard wing and tail. The crew were able to bring the aircraft back to Leeming and land safely in the early hours. The aircraft carried the squadron code "LQ-R" but I have yet to learn which specific Halifax carried this code at the time, it was probably one of the "DT..."-series Mk2's that 405 Squadron were using at the time.
Pilot - F/Lt Hanlon Donald Richard Leroy Campbell DFC RAFVR (87059).
Navigator - F/O Albert William Thompson RCAF (J/12987).
Navigator (Bomb Aimer?) - P/O Maurice Henry Joseph Hammill RAF (130409).
Wireless Operator - Sgt Arthur C Ross RAF (938849).
Air Gunner - Sgt L Gray.
Air Gunner - Sgt Lloyd Albert Stinson RCAF (R/116452).
Flight Engineer - Sgt John McLaren Harrison RCAF (R/70275).
Second Pilot - Sgt Bertrand Denis Kirkham RCAF (R/114702).
Hanlon Campbell was awarded the DFC for service with 408 Squadron flying Hampdens, Gazetted on 13th February 1942, the citation for his award reads.. "This officer has shown great courage and persistence in attacking heavily defended targets in enemy territory. In September 1941 he participated in three daylight raids over France. On each occasion his aircraft sustained damage from the enemy's fire, but despite this he carried out his missions successfully. Pilot Officer Campbell has consistently shown a high standard of keenness and devotion to duty." as located by Hugh Halliday.
While training at 22 OTU P/O Hammill survived the crash of Wellington HF751 at Gaydon on 4th January 1943.
Many of the above were soon posted from 405 Squadron to 408 Squadron. On 13th / 14th May 1943 Campbell, Harrison, Thompson, Hammill, Ross and Stinson were flying together in 405 Squadron Halifax JB931 on Ops to Bochum when the aircraft was shot down by a night fighter off the Dutch coast. Campbell, Harrison and Stinson died and are buried in Flushing Northern Cemetery in Holland while Thompson, Hammill and Ross were rescued and became PoWs.
Sgt Kirkham was later posted to 419 Squadron and made a PoW as a result of Halifax DT616 being shot down by an Me110 on Ops to Bochum on 12th June 1943.