Halifax BB238 damaged by flak, landed at Linton on Ouse airfield.
On the night of 3rd / 4th April 1943 this 76 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to bomb the Krupps factory at Essen. The crew took off from Linton on Ouse airfield at 19.24hrs and were over the target area at 22.15hrs at 19,000 feet. The aircraft was held in searchlights for ten minutes and during this time it sustained flak damage including the starboard outer engine being rendered unservicable. Despite the damage the crew flew the aircraft back to base and landed at Linton on Ouse at 00.48hrs.
Pilot - Sgt Harold Clifford Hoover RCAF.
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Eldon Kenneth Bergey RCAF (R/107194).
Navigator - Sgt G N Howden.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt John Mossop RAFVR (954264).
Air Gunner - Sgt Clifford Hill.
Flight Engineer - Sgt G Lloyd.
Air Gunner - F/Sgt Patrick Charles Howard Tripp RCAF.
Halifax BB238 was built to contract B.124357/40 by the L.P.T.B Ltd, at Leavesden and was taken on charge by 76 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 22nd September 1942. On 26th September 1942 it sustained Cat.Ac/FA damage at Linton on Ouse when the tail wheel struck a waterpipe and broke off. The aircraft was returned to 76 Squadron after a repair on site on 31st October 1942. On 4th April 1943 Cat.Ac/FB damage resulted following this flak damage. A repair on site commenced on 6th April 1943 and it was returned to 76 Squadron on 2nd May 1943. On 24th August 1943 the aircraft failed to return from Ops to Berlin. Cat.E(m) damage was recorded and it was struck off charge on 27th August 1943 having clocked up 290 flying hours in total.
Patrick Tripp was awarded the DFC for service with 76 Squadron. He later served with 166 Squadron.