On the night of the 3rd / 4th October 1943 the crew of this 10 Squadron aircraft took off from Melbourne airfield at around 18.00hrs with the crew briefed to bomb Kassel. During the course of the night at around 21.30hrs the aircraft received minor flak damage. Despite the damage to the Halifax the crew made a safe landing back at Melbourne at 01.30hrs.
Pilot - Sgt John Norman Hullah RAFVR (1239019).
Navigator - Sgt G Lomas.
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Peter James Hughes Ferguson RAFVR (1349124).
Wireless Operator - Sgt E Sulley.
Air Gunner - Sgt D H Thomas RAFVR (1653530).
Flight Engineer - Name unknown.
Air Gunner - Sgt Chambers.
Sgt Thomas was made a PoW with 10 Squadron on 20th February 1944 when Halifax LW324 was badly damaged by a night-fighter over Germany, all baled out and landed safely but became PoWs.
F/Sgt Ferguson was killed with 10 Squadron on 15th February 1944 when Halifax JN883 failed to return from Ops to Berlin with the loss of all of his then crew. He is buried in Berlin War Cemetery.
John Hullah received a commission to the rank of P/O on 20th November 1943 and rose to F/O six months later. He was awarded the DFC for service with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 4th August 1944 the citation reads.."One night in June 1944, this officer piloted an aircraft of a bomber force detailed to attack an enemy target. On the outward flight one of the starboard engines became useless. Some height was lost but Flying Officer Hullah continued to the target and executed a successful attack. Soon after crossing the English coast on the homeward flight a second engine became erratic but Flying Officer Hullah reached an airfield to effect a safe landing. This officer displayed determination and devotion to duty typical of that which he has shown throughout his tour." He remained in the RAF, retiring from the Technical Branch on 9th January 1965 (retaining the rank of S/Ldr).
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