Halifax DT507 damaged on Ops, landed at Leeming airfield.
On the evening of 26th March 1943 the crew of this 405 Squadron aircraft undertook an operational flight to bomb Duisburg and took off from Leeming airfield at 19.24hrs. The crew released their bomb load over the target area from 15,000 feet at 21.38hrs over target markers because thick cloud obscured the target. The aircraft was damaged by flak creating thirteen holes in the wings and also damaged the starboard outer propeller. Despite the damage the crew flew the aircraft back to base and they landed safely at 23.55hrs. The 405 Squadron record book is perhaps the worst ever recorded during the war in Bomber Command. It lists the aircraft as "-M" but does not identify any of their aircraft by serial number. DT507 is believed to have carried this squadron code at the time.
Pilot - P/O Richard Anthony Symes BEM RAFVR (131955).
Navigator - F/O Albert Carnelley Brook RCAF (J/10422).
Bomb Aimer - F/O Cornelius Massey RCAF (J/1113).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt Cecil Ambrose Farnum RCAF.
Air Gunner - Sgt D G Walsh.
Air Gunner - F/Sgt F R O'Neil RCAF (R/7808).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Arthur William Nichols BEM RCAF (R/74646).
Second Pilot - Sgt William Joseph Foley RCAF (R/90930).
Richard Symes and Arthur Nichols were awarded the British Empire Medal while serving with 405 Squadron in Coastal Command, Gazetted on 26th February 1943. The incident occurred on 26th November 1942 and the citation stated that "One night in November 1942, Sergeant Nichols and Sergeant Symes were engineer and pilot, respectively, of an aircraft engaged on anti-submarine patrol duties. On the return journey engine trouble developed and Sergeant Symes was compelled to make an emergency landing. In so doing the aircraft struck a hut and burst into flames. All the crew with the exception of the wireless operator, who was trapped by the legs, managed to extricate themselves. Knowing that the petrol tanks might explode any moment, Sergeants Symes and Nichols re-entered the blazing aircraft and succeeded in extricating the wireless operator. A few seconds later the petrol tanks exploded. The courage and devotion to duty displayed by these Sergeants undoubtedly saved their comrade's life."
Halifax DT507 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was awaiting collection on 11th September 1942. The following day it was taken on charge by 405 Squadron at Beaulieu within Coastal Command. On 3rd March 1943 405 Squadron moved to Leeming within Bomber Command. As a result of battle damage sustained on 12th March 1943 Cat.A/FB damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. On 26th / 27th March 1943 it received Cat.A/FB damage as a result of battle damage on Ops. On 14th April 1943 it received Cat.Ac/FB damage assessment. This appears to have been because the aircraft returned early from Ops the previous night with an unservicable oxygen system to the rear turret and a number of hung-up incendiary bombs. The squadron records do not state any further damage happened. The aircraft was repaired on site and returned to the 405 Squadron on 18th May 1943 but were now based at Gransden Lodge. It was later allocated to and taken on charge by 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit at Topcliffe before the end of July 1943 but the date for this transfer is not known. It was replaced as LQ-M at 405 Squadron by Halifax HR864 on 25th June 1943 so DT507 may have left for 1659 H.C.U. soon after. On 29th July 1943 the undercarriage collapsed on landing at Topcliffe, the damage was initially assessed as Cat.Ac/FA but on 11th August 1943, during the repair, it was re-assessed and Re-Cat.E. It was then struck off charge on that date.