Lancaster DS727 damaged by flak, returned to Linton on Ouse airfield.
On the night of 22nd / 23rd October 1943 the crew of this 408 Squadron aircraft took off from Linton on Ouse airfield at around 18.00hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Kassel. During the course of the evening the aircraft sustained minor flak damage but the crew were able to make a safe return to base, landing at 00.03hrs.
Pilot - P/O Sven Roy Walfrid Laine RCAF (J/18786).
Navigator - P/O James Graham Broadfoot RCAF (J/18778).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Robert Joseph Bradley RCAF (R/156756).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt David Leonard Wright RAFVR (1453419).
Air Gunner - P/O Alvin Alston Patton RCAF (J/19028).
Air Gunner - Sgt Roy Alderson MacKay RCAF (R/179428).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Alfred Ernest Jones RAF (623452).
All of the above apart from P/O Patton were still flying together with 408 Squadron on the night of 27th / 28th January 1944 when Lancaster DS849 failed to return from Ops to Berlin. All were killed and are now buried in Hannover War Cemetery. Many had received commissions.
Sven Laine was born in Fort William, Ontario, Canada on 26th May 1921 and was the son of Oscar and Amo Maria (nee Monto) Laine. Both his parents were born in Finland. He enlisted for RCAF service on 12th July 1941 and after training in Canada he was awarded his pilot's wings on 23rd Octber 1943. On arrival in the UK he trained at 15 (P)AFU and 22 OTU before posting to 428 Squadron on 26th May 1943 (flying Wellingtons). He then converted to flying Halifaxes at 1659 HCU in June 1943 and with this complete he was posted to 408 Squadron on 21st June 1943. In 408 Squadron records he is listed as being in the rank of Sgt and F/Sgt (R/110906) over the coming months but he had received a commission to the rank of P/O on 23rd May 1943. He was awarded the DFC for service with 408 Squadron after his death, Gazetted on 22nd February 1944.
Alvin Patton had received a commission on 4th October 1943, he was still serving with 408 Squadron when he died on 31st March 1944 when Lancaster LL633 crashed in Germany. Three of the crew including him were killed while five became PoWs. He is buried in Durnbach War Cemetery.