Halifax BB336 damaged by flak, landed at Leeming airfield.
On the night of 28th / 29th March 1943 the crew of this 408 Squadron aircraft were undertaking an operational flight to bomb coastal targets at St.Nazaire and took off from Leeming at 19.32hrs. The aircraft was hit by flak and the hydraulics damaged but this did not prevent a safe return to base, landing at Leeming at 02.00hrs.
Pilot - F/O Frank Napoleon Smith Cavanaugh RCAF (J/13482).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Raymond Henry Holtham RAF (578060).
Navigator - P/O Harold Edward Tanner RCAF (J/13421).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Thomas William Harris RAFVR (1432430).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Edwin Arthur Biggs RAFVR (1210605).
Air Gunner - Sgt Granite William Herrington RCAF (R/137373).
Air Gunner - Sgt Walter Anthony Kopacz RCAF (R/137398).
This crew were killed the following night while flying Halifax DT679 on Ops to Berlin. All are now buried in Sage War Cemetery.
Halifax BB336 was built to contract B.124357/40 by the London Passenger Transport Board Ltd, at Leavesden and was awaiting collection on 4th March 1943. It was taken on charge by 408 Squadron at Leeming on 5th March 1943. As a result of battle damage sustained on 29th March 1943 minor Cat.A/FB damage was the damage assessment. It was repaired on site and returned to 408 Squadron. On 5th April 1943 it failed to return from Ops to Kiel. Unfortinately six of the seven man crew were killed. Cat.E(m) damage was recorded on the paperwork and it was struck off charge on 12th April 1943 having clocked up a total of just over 35 hours total flying time.