Wellington DF671 damaged by flak, landed at Topcliffe airfield.
On the night of 16th / 17th February 1943 the crew of this 424 Squadron aircraft were tasked with bombing Lorient and took off from Topcliffe at 18.12hrs. The aircraft sustained slight flak damage to the cockpit but the crew were able to landed safely at Topcliffe at around 01.00hrs. The page in the Squadron ORB is very difficult to read. Sgt Sorge began operational flying with 424 Squadron earlier in the month.
Pilot - Sgt Bernard A Sorge RCAF (R/103774).
Navigator - F/Sgt W H R Gardiner RCAF.
Bomb Aimer - Sgt George William Hodges RAFVR (1387641).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Matthew Ivan Cruickshanks RCAF.
Air Gunner - Sgt Charles Henry Brown RAFVR (1035971).
Air Gunner - Sgt V P Roberts ?
Bernard Sorge was born in 1920, he married in Scotland during WW2. He and his bride returned to Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada after the war where he died in 1998.
The first five named above were posted to 432 Squadron later in 1943.
Wellington DF671 was built to contract B.92439/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Squires Gate. It was received by 23 MU on 9th August 1942 and after a short period of storage it was taken on charge by 424 Squadron on 20th December 1942 two months after they formed. As a result of this minor battle damage sustained on 17th February 1943 and then on 1st March 1943 Cat.A/FB damage would have been the damage assessment each time with a repair on site following. Only the 1st March 1943 incident is listed on it's AM Form 78. It was returned to 424 Squadron on 22nd April 1943. The aircraft was left behind in Yorkshire when 424 Squadron moved over seas in May 1943 and it next appears being taken on charge by 18 O.T.U. at Finningley on 5th June 1943. Unfortunately it crashed near Finningley on 28th June 1943. After this Cat.E/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was written off.