Lancaster DS607 at East Moor airfield.
On 5th June 1943 this 1679 Conversion Flight was flown on a training flight. On landing at 12.30hrs the aircraft struck an obstruction on the airfield. Minor Cat.A/FA damage was the damage assessment. The pilot acting as the instructor was inexperienced in instructing and the second pilot had little experience flying Lancasters who was using the flight for gaining experience.
Pilot - F/Lt Alan Frederick Avant DFC RCAF (J/10503).
Pilot - Sgt Frederick John Stuart RAFVR (658038).
"One night in October 1943, this airman piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Leipzig. Before the target was reached the aircraft was intercepted by a fighter which attacked with great persistence. Much damage was sustained before Flight Sergeant Stuart succeeded in flying clear. Shortly afterwards, another fighter made a series of attacks, but with superb skill, Flight Sergeant Stuart evaded them. His aircraft was badly crippled. The cockpits, turrets, hydraulic gear and other essential equipment were damaged. The petrol tanks had been pierced, and one of the gunners wounded. Undaunted, this valiant pilot went on to bomb his target, and afterwards flew the crippled bomber to base where he effected a masterly landing. In the face of heavy odds, this airman set an example of courage, resolution and devotion to duty beyond praise."
The recommendation for his CGM dated 23rd October 1943 gives more details: "During the attack on Leipzig on the night of the 20th October 1943, Flight Sergeant Stuart was captain of a Lancaster aircraft which was twice engaged by enemy night fighters. The first attack came from a Messerschmitt 109 while en route to the target. The attack was pressed home and direct hits from cannon and machine guns raked the bomber causing serious damage and wounding the mid-upper air gunner. After a total of four attacks the Messerschmitt 109 was forced to break off the engagement due to the pilot's skilful evasive action. Flight Sergeant Stuart was no sooner on his course when a Junkers 88 attacked. The pilot again evaded three attacks, his superb airmanship enabling him to outmanoeuvre the enemy fighter with his crippled bomber. Despite severe damage, including shattered cockpits and turrets, holed petrol tanks, damaged hydraulics and navigational instruments destroyed, and a gunner wounded, the pilot decided to complete his mission and again set course for the target. After successfully bombing the primary objective, Flight Sergeant Stuart guided his crippled bomber back to base and made a masterly landing. This display of offensive spirit, gallantry and superb airmanship in face of heavy odds undoubtedly saved the aircraft and the crew." I credit Hugh Halliday's superb RCAF awards research with much of the information shown. The commisioned P/O Stuart was flying Lancaster LL630 on 20th / 21st December 1943 when it was shot down over Germany by a night-fighter. He is buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.
Frederick Stuart was born in 1916 in the Newcastle area and was working as a clerk when he joined the British Army. He later transferred from Royal Artillery to the RAF in 1941.On the night of 20th / 21st October 1943 he was flying in Lancaster DS686 undertaking an operational flight to bomb Leipzig when the aircraft was badly damaged by enemy action. The Mid Upper Gunner, Sgt Francis McGovern RAF (2208882)(later DFC) was injured in the attack but George Andrew returned fire. The crew were able to bring the damaged aircraft home and Sgt McGovern was admitted to hospital where spent four months recovering. As it would turn out his injuries actually saved his life. For their actions on this night Frederick Stuart was awarded the CGM (Gazetted on 19th November 1943) and F/O Roderick Dunphy was awarded the DFC (Gazetted on 8th May 1945). The citation for Frederick Stuart's award of the CGM reads..
Lancaster DS607 was built by Armstrong Whitworth to contract 239/41 and was taken on charge as new by 61 Squadron on 21st November 1942. The aircraft was transferred to 115 Squadron on 16th March 1943 and suffered Cat.Ac/FA damage in a mishap on 7th April 1943. The aircraft was repaired on site and returned to 115 Squadron on 23rd April 1943. On paper the aircraft was transferred to 1679 Conversion Flight on 12th June 1943 but appears to have been with the unit earlier because on 5th June 1943 it was slightly damaged at East Moor which saw a Cat.A/FA damage assessment. The date of 12th June 1943 may have been when it was returned to 1679 Conversion Flight charge after repair. On 19th July 1943 it was slightly damaged on landing at East Moor resulting in a further Cat.A/FA damage assessment. Again it was repaired on site. On 7th September 1943 it sustained some form of mishap that recorded a Cat.Ac/FA damage assessment. It was returned to 1679 Conversion Flight on 18th September 1943. Any transfer to 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit is not recorded on the aircraft's AM Form 78 and I have not spotted the arrival of the aircraft being mentioned in the 1666 H.C.U. orb. As a result of a crash at Topcliffe on 7th April 1944 Cat.B/FA damage was the initial damage assessment but this was soon upgraded to Re.Cat.E and it was struck off charge on 18th April 1944.