Halifax BB223 damaged by flak, returned to Snaith airfield.
On the evening of 18th February 1943 the crew of this 51 Squadron aircraft were tasked with flying an operational flight to bomb Wilhelmshaven and took off from Snaith at 18.28hrs, they bombed the target area from 18,000 feet in a cloudless sky. While over the target area the aircraft was hit by flak in the port wing. A starboard fuel tank also leaking by the time the aircraft landed at Snaith at 23.04hrs.
Pilot - Sgt John Edward McCrea RAFVR (1385745).
Navigator - F/O Daniel Graham Spencer RAFVR (121737).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Clement Barnett Ings RAFVR (1437113).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt John Edwin Conway Simpson RAFVR (1076981).
Flight Engineer - Sgt James Alderdice RAFVR (1095982).
Air Gunner - Sgt David Latimer Jones RAFVR (1440300).
Air Gunner - Sgt Alec William Davis RAFVR (1231259).
Sgt James Alderdice and Sgt David Jones were awarded the DFM, Gazetted on 1st October 1943 and their joint citation reads.. "In air
operations, these airmen have displayed great courage and fortitude setting an example of the highest order." Nothing more is known of either men.
John McCrea was granted a commission on 11th March 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency). While on the run in France he was promoted on paper to F/O on 11th September 1943. He was awarded the DFC for service with 51 Squadron, Gazetted on 5th November 1943, the citation was similar to Alderdice and Jones' and reads.." In air operations, this officer has displayed courage, skill and fortitude of a high order". He was later promoted to F/Lt on 11th March 1945. Postwar he remained in the RAFVR and would eventually retire on the grounds of medical unfitness for Air Force service on 22nd June 1969.
Halifax BB223 was built to contract B.124357/40 by the London Passenger Transport Board Ltd. at Leavesden. On 5th September 1942 it was taken on charge by 103 Squadron at Elsham Wolds but they then ceased operating the type in November 1942 so it was transferred to 51 Squadron at Snaith on 1st November 1942. As a result of the battle damage sustained on 18th February 1943 Cat.A/FB damage resulted and it was repaired on site. Unfortunately just days later on 2nd March 1943 it failed to return from Ops to Berlin when it crashed in Holland. Cat.E(m) damage was recorded on the paperwork. Sadly all it's then crew were killed. The aircraft was struck off charge on 8th March 1943.
On the night of 16th / 17th April 1943 McCrea, Alderdice, Spencer, Ings, Simpson, Jones and Davis were flying an operational flight to bomb Plzen in Halifax DT690, outbound the aircraft was damaged by a night fighter but bombed an alternative target, on the return flight the aircraft was then badly damaged by flak and the crew abandoned the aircarft over France. Davis, Spencer and Ings were eventually captured and became prisoners of war. McCrea, Alderdice and Jones would evade capture and return to the UK later in 1943.
After his release from captivity Sgt Simpson resumed his RAF career, sadly on 26th September 1949 he was flying with 61 Squadron in Lincoln RF407 on a training flight when the aircraft collided with another Lincoln from the same unit and crashed near Staythorpe, Nottinghamshire. All fourteen men in both aircraft were killed. Sig1 Simpson was twenty eight years old and is buried in Waddington Churchyard, Lincolnshire.
Daniel Spencer received a commission on 16th May 1944 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) and was later promoted to F/O on 16th November 1942 and to F/Lt on 16th May 1944. He remained in the RAFVR until 8th February 1956 when he relinquished his commission.
Clement Ings received a commission on 11th March 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency)(143654) and was promoted to F/O on 11th September 1943 and to F/Lt on 11th March 1945. He remained in the RAFVR (General Duties Branch) until reliquishing his commission on 30th November 1948 on appointment to the reconstituted RAFVR until resigning his commission on 23rd June 1952.