Halifax DG401 damaged in the air, landed at Rufforth airfield.
During the morning of 12th August 1943 this 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was being flown on a training flight when the aircraft entered an uncontrolled spin. In regaining control of the aircraft minor damage to the ailerons and tail occurred but despite the damage the pilot was able to land the aircraft safely at Rufforth airfield. One member of the crew sustained minor injuries when he was thrown off balance whilst standing in the astrodome at the time of the spin, he sustained a head injury.
Pilot - F/O Leslie Isreal RAFVR (134108).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Sydney Hope Brown Hennan RAFVR (1028076). Injured.
Navigator - Sgt Thomas Nicholl RAFVR (1556584).
Air Bomber - Sgt James Thomas McCormick Kean RFAVR (1560520).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt William John Mitchell Templeton RAF (656607).
Air Gunner - Sgt Thomas Walter Brandon RAFVR (1320713).
Air Gunner - Sgt Aidan Aiston RAFVR (1988926).
Flight Engineer - F/Sgt Sidney William Stephen RAFVR (971362).
Aidan Aiston also went to 192 Squadron and was killed on 5th July 1944 when Halifax LW621 failed to return from an operational flight. He is buried at Fort Mahon-Plage Cemetery, France.
Isreal, Nicholl, Kean, Templeton and Brandon were later posted to 192 Squadron. On 18th November 1943 they were in Halifax DK244 when it crashed near Feltwell. Isreal, Nicholl, Templeton and Kean all died. Tommy Brandon sustained injuries and was treated as a Guinea Pig at East Grinstead Hospital.
On 22nd January 1944 Hennan was killed flying with 466 Squadron when Halifax HX312 on Ops to Magdeburg when the aircraft was shot down by a night fighter. He was one of five who was killed while two became PoWs. Those who died are buried at Losser R.C. Churchyard, Overijssel. The excellent "www.bolton-church-institute.org.uk/ww2/hennan-shb.html" webpage has additional information on Sydney Hennan's life and service and while I could copy it I will direct anyone with an interest to the site.