Halifax DK151 damaged by enemy aircraft, (possibly) returned to Holme on Spalding Moor airfield.

On the night of 28th / 29th June 1943 the crew of this 76 Squadron aircraft took off from Holme on Spalding Moor at 23.12hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Cologne. The Halifax was damaged by an enemy aircraft before reaching the target area injuring one of the crew, the Halifaxes gunners returned fire and claimed the aircraft as damaged. Because of the injury to the navigator the crew abandoned the flight to Cologne and returned to England, landing after 03.00hrs. I have not yet found out where the landing was made, possibly back at base of Holme on Spalding Moor, or possibly much further down in the south of England so he could get treatment in hospital.

Pilot - Sgt Walter Philling Ward RAFVR (1335502).

Air Bomber - P/O Peter Carling RAFVR (137554).

Navigator - Sgt John Cameron McDougall RAFVR (657880). Injured.

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt George Reginald Elks RAFVR (1218856).

Air Gunner - F/O Edward Hyett RAFVR (135115).

Flight Engineer - Sgt John Edward Hipwell Morton RAFVR (947789).

Air Gunner - Sgt John Edward Cameron RCAF (R/149565).

While Sgt McDougall was recovering from his injuries his place in this crew was taken by another navigator, all were killed on 27th / 28th August 1943 in Halifax DK269 on Ops to Nuremburg and are buried in Durnbach War Cemetery.

John McDougall later received a commission on 24th November 1943. On 2nd December 1943 he was flying in 35 Squadron Halifax HX167 on Ops to Berlin when all of his then crew apart from his pilot became PoWs. His then pilot was killed.

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