Lancaster DS771 damaged by flak, returned to Linton on Ouse airfield and further damaged in collision.

On the night of 20th / 21st October 1943 the crew of this 426 Squadron aircraft took off from Linton on Ouse airfield at 17.38hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Leipzig. At 20.40hrs while flying at 21,700 feet and inbound to the target area the Lancaster was hit and damaged by flak, because of the damage the crew opted to jettison the bomb load two minutes later and make an early return to base. They landed at 00.15hrs at Linton on Ouse. After landing safely the aircraft appears to have been left on the edge of the perimeter track. Later that night 408 Squadron Lancaster DS726 landed back at Linton on Ouse following the operational order to Leipzig and as it was being taxied around the perimeter track it's starboard wing struck Lancaster DS771 damaging both aircraft. The pilot of DS771 is listed in 426 Squadron records as being in the rank of F/Sgt in October 1943 but had received a commission some two months earlier.

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Pilot - P/O ("F/Sgt") Lewis Percival Archibald RCAF (R/120954 / J/18858).

Navigator - F/Sgt Joseph Leonidas Roger Rolland Lachance RCAF (R/96858).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt Norman Byng Morrison RCAF (R/119657).

Bomb Aimer - F/O W Hamilton.

Flight Engineer - Sgt Raymond Atkin RAFVR (1815273).

Air Gunner - Sgt Harold James Hurley RCAF (R/180536).

Air Gunner - F/Sgt Jack Dunbar Newcombe RCAF (R/58803).

On the night of 16th / 17th December 1943 all of the above apart from F/O Hamiton were flying 426 Squadron Lancaster DS846 on Ops to Berlin when the aircraft was attacked and badly damaged by a night-fighter. All of those named above were sadly killed and are buried at Hannover War Cemetery.

Lewis Archibald was born on 14th August 1922 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada and was the son of William Alexander and Jessie Anna (nee Sutherland) Archibald. He enlisted for RCAF service on 2nd September 1941 in Regina and trained as a pilot, receiving his pilot's wings on 15th September 1942. On arrival in the UK later in the year he trained at 6 (P)AFU and 23 OTU before posting to 426 Squadron on 14th May 1943. 426 Squadron later converted to flying Lancasters and he trained at 1679 HCU returning to 426 Squadron with this complete and he was granted a commission on 28th August 1943. His brother John Robinson Archibald RCAF (R/223627) served with 420 Squadron during WW2 but prior to serving with 420 Squadron was involved in a minor flying accident at Wombleton with 1666 H.C.U. in Halifax DT551 on 17th May 1944.

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