Halifax DK132 damaged on Ops, returned to Linton on Ouse airfield.
On the night of 20th / 21st April 1943 the crew of this 76 Squadron aircraft undertook an operational flight to bomb a target at Stettin. The aircraft took off from Linton on Ouse at 21.16hrs and released their bomb load over the target area from 15,000 feet at 01.11hrs. The aircraft sustained flak damage just north of the target. Despite the damage the crew landed at Linton on Ouse at 06.00hrs. This was this crew's first operational flight.
Pilot - Sgt Wilfred Eric Elder RNZAF (NZ.416101).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Walter Berry RAFVR (1080826).
Navigator - Sgt Alistair McKenzie Wood RAFVR (1347767).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt G A Howse. (Probably Sgt Gerald Arthur Howse RAFVR (916273)).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt P B Clarke.
Air Gunner - Sgt Arthur Smith RAFVR (1694468).
Air Gunner - Sgt John Heggarty RAFVR (1238295).
Sgt Walter Berry was awarded the DFM for service with 76 Squadron, Gazetted on 16th November 1943 and was later Mentioned in Despatches, Gazetted on 14th January 1944. After serving with 76 Squadron he was posted to 426 Squadron. On 12th / 13th May 1944 he was flying as Flight Engineer in Halifax LK883 when the aircraft was shot down by a night-fighter over Belgium while undertaking Ops to Leuven. Four of the crew died but three including him managed to evade capture while the pilot ended the war a PoW. Walter Berry's story is well documented on "www.evasioncomete.org/fberrywp.html" being helped by the famous Anne Brusselmans. He evaded capture and managed to return home to his native Belfast.
Halifax DK132 was built to contract ACFT/891/SAS C4 by Fairey Aviation Ltd. at Stockport and after assembly was flown to 45 MU at Kinloss on 26th February 1943. The aircraft was taken on charge as new by 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit at Rufforth on 12th April 1943. Four days later it was transferred to 76 Squadron at Linton on Ouse. as a result of battle damage sustained on 21st April 1943 Cat.A/FB damage was the damage assessment which saw it repaired on site at Linton on Ouse. On 25th May 1943 the aircraft was transferred back to 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit at Rufforth. On 8th September 1944 the aircraft suffered two engines failing after taking off from Rufforth so it was force landed near Colton. Cat.E/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 9th September 1944. The aircraft had clocked up a total of 716 hours flying time.
On 21st June 1943 many of the above were flying together in Halifax DK188 on Ops to Krefeld when the aircraft suffered from one of the engines failing outbound. The pilot, Wilfred Elder was later awarded the DFM for his actions on this night. The citation tells the story, Gazetted on 16th July 1943, the citation reads.."This airman was the captain and pilot of an aircraft which was detailed to attack Krefeld one night in June 1943. On the outward flight, one engine of the bomber became unserviceable but, despite this, Flight Sergeant Elder continued to the target and pressed home a determined attack, afterwards flying the aircraft back to base. This airman displayed great skill and tenacity throughout, setting an inspiring example."
On 27th / 28th July 1943 many of the above were again flying together in Halifax DK188 on an operational flight to bomb Hamburg when the aircraft was damaged by night-fighters. John Heggarty was injured and Arthur Smith died after an attack by the enemy aircraft after being struck by cannon fire in the mid upper turret, the flight engineer, Sgt Berry, then went to occupy the turret and returned fire during another attack but was himself wounded. The crew managed to fly back to England and they force landed at Shipdham, Norfolk. The air gunner Sgt Arthur Smith RAFVR (1694468) was buried by his family in Drighlington Cemetery, Leeds (Not Morley as quoted in Bill Chorley's 1943 Bomber Command Losses book and now elsewhere on the internet).
Wilfred Elder was awarded the DFC for further service with 76 Squadron, Gazetted on 16th November 1943.
Alistair Wood received a commission to the rank of P/O on 27th June 1943 and was awarded the DFC for service with 76 Squadron, Gazetted on 16th November 1943. He later rose to F/O on 27th December 1943 and F/Lt on 27th June 1945. He served with 105 Squadron after his time with 76 Squadron and was awarded the Bar to the DFC with them, Gazetted on 6th November 1945.
A Sgt P B Clarke RAFVR (1381938) was Mentioned in Despaches on 14th January 1944 who may be the same person as listed above.