Lancaster DS717 damaged by friendly fire, returned to Linton on Ouse airfield.

On the night of 6th / 7th September 1943 the crew of this 426 Squadron aircraft took off from Linton on Ouse airfield at around 19.50 for an operational flight to bomb Munich. While flying over the area to the south of Nancy the aircraft was fired upon by the rear gunner of a Halifax who must have mistaken the Lancaster outline in the sky for that of one of the larger Luftwaffe aircraft. The Lancaster received damage to the tail and elevator sections and because of the damage the crew aborted the rest of the flight towards Germany and made for home. The crew managed to make a safe return to Linton on Ouse landing probably landing after midnight.

Pilot - Sgt James Brown RAFVR (657953).

Navigator - F/Sgt Victor Southwell RAFVR (6580009).

Wireless Operator? - Sgt Bertram Vine RAFVR (1382623).

Bomb Aimer - Sgt William Nelson McInnis RCAF.

Air Gunner - Sgt Thompson?

Air Gunner - Sgt William Stanley Burton RAFVR (657061).

Flight Engineer - Sgt Samuel Davidson RCAF.

James Brown received a commission on 14th September 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (159067) and rose to F/O six months later. He was awarded the DFC for service with 426 Squadron, Gazetted on 23rd May 1944.

William McInnes was also awarded a DFC for service with 426 Squadron, Gazetted on 6th June 1944.

Samuel Davidson was also awarded a DFC for service with 426 Squadron, Gazetted on 23rd May 1944.

Bertram Vine received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 29th November 1943 and rose to F/O six months later. He too was awarded the DFC for service with 426 Squadron, Gazetted on 30th June 1944 for a tour which began on 29th May 1943. He remained in the RAF at least until May 1947.

William Burton had originally enlisted into the RAF for ground duties, serving as a signaller until re-mustering as aircrew in 1941. After training as an air gunner and later received a commission on 19th December 1943. He was awarded the DFC for service with 426 Squadron, Gazetted on 19th September 1944. Following his tour with 426 Squadron he instructed at 1666 HCU at Wombleton.

Victor Southwell received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 15th September 1943 and rose to F/O six months later. He too was awarded the DFC for service with 426 Squadron, Gazetted on 2nd June 1944 for a tour which began on the same date as Bertram Vine. Post war he continues his service until 1950 when he reliquished his commission on appointment to a commission in the Territorial Army. He later transferred back the RAFVR (Provost Branch) and finally reliquished his commission in the RAF on 22nd September 1968.

I credit Hugh Halliday's RCAF awards research for some of the information shown on this page.

Back to monthly table.