Lancaster DS792 damaged in the air, returned to East Moor airfield.
On the evening of 29th December 1943 the crew of this 432 Squadron aircraft were tasked with flying an operational flight to bomb Berlin. The aircraft took off from East Moor at 17.15hrs. The crew released their bomb load onto the target area from 21,000 feet at 20.15hrs. Four minutes later the pilot was forced to take evasive action to avoid colliding with two other Allied aircraft which had themselves collided in front of this aircraft. Flak also damaged the aircraft's mid upper turret and shot away the aerial. Lancaster DS792 returned safely to East Moor and landed at 23.57hrs. The main part of this crew were also involved in a flak incident in January 1944.
Pilot - Sgt William Charles Alfred Pay RAFVR (1321761).
Flight Engineer - Sgt S Carr RAFVR (1005825).
Navigator - Sgt John Robert Baker RAFVR (1214078).
Bomb Aimer - F/Sgt Patrick Michael McClintock RCAF (R/152438).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt John Richard Gerald Bell RAFVR (1312745).
Air Gunner - Sgt A King RAFVR (1673542).
Air Gunner - Sgt John McCrae Houston RAFVR (1823044).
Earlier in the year on 19th August 1943 Sgt William Pay was the pilot of Wellington LN395 was attempting to land at Skipton on Swale but overshot, the starboard engine failed to pick up and he was left with little option but to force land the aircraft close to the airfield. The aircraft was badly damaged and written off but the crew escaped injury. After completing twenty four operational flights with 432 Squadron; six on Wellingtons and eighteen on Lancasters, P/O Pay and most of his crew were posted out in March 1944. William Pay received his commission on 31st January 1944 (171335) to P/O on probation (emergency). He was awarded the DFC for service with 432 Squadron, Gazetted on 21st April 1944, the citation reads.. "This officer is a skilful and courageous pilot, whose keenness and determination have been inspiring. He has completed a very large number of sorties, most of which have been against heavily defended targets such as Berlin, Hanover, Frankfurt and Stuttgart. His achievements have been noteworthy." He rose to F/O (war subs) on 31st July 1944 and survived the War.
John Houston received a commission on 2nd April 1944 to P/O on probation (emergency). He was awarded the DFC for service with 432 Squadron Gazetted on 1st August 1944, the citation reads.. "As rear gunner this officer has completed a large number of sorties, including nine attacks on Berlin. He is a confident and determined member of aircraft crew whose skill and co-operation have contributed materially to the successes obtained. He has set a very fine example." Hugh Halliday has located the recommendation for his DFC which adds extra detail, this reads.. "This officer has made thirty four trips as rear gunner, twenty over Germany, including Berlin (nine trips), Nuremburg, Augsburg, Dusseldorf, Karlsruhe, Essen, Schweinfurt, Leipzig, Frankfurt, Stettin, Magdeburg and Brunswick. His cooperation coolness, and devotion to duty contributed in a large measure to the success of these operations. His cheerful confidence and steadiness under all circumstances contributed immensely toward the safety of the aircraft, and resulted in a high standard of morale in his crew. On his last trips to complete the first tour on an operation against Sterkrade Holten in the Ruhr Valley, and aircraft in which he was detailed as rear gunner was attacked by a Junkers 88. This officer by his skilful direction of the evasive tactics and accurate shooting, permitted his aircraft to come out unscathed with the enemy aircraft disappearing in a damaged condition. For his keenness, devotion to duty and high standard of technical ability this officer is strongly recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross." He rose to F/O (war subs) on 2nd October 1944 and F/Lt (war subs) on 28th March 1946, he probably left the forces in the shake-up in 1946-47.
John Bell received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) (175279) on 4th April 1944, rising to F/O on 4th October 1944.
Patrick McClintock was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada on 27th November 1920 and was the son of George and Alice (nee Gairn) McClintock. After leaving school he started work for the National Steel Car company in Hamilton. He enlisted for RCAF service in Hamilton on 7th February 194 and after training in Canada he was awarded his Air Observer's badge on 6th November 1942. On arrival in the UK he trained at 6 AOS and 22 OTU before to 432 Squadron on 25th August 1943. He later received a commission on 31st January 1944. On 30th November 1944 he was admitted to RAF Rauceby Hospital with anaemia and died on 10th December 1944. His obituary in the Canadian newspaper archive states a completely different set of events to his death; stating the aircraft in which he was flying in ditched in the English Channel and he spent five days adrift before was rescue and that he was on his third tour of operations. He is buried in Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery and was twenty four years old.
Lancaster DS792 was built to contract AC/239 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd at Baginton and was taken on charge as new by 432 Squadron at East Moor on 7th November 1943. On 29th December 1943 the aircraft was being flown on it's fifth operational flight with 432 Squadron when battle damage occurred. The damage was assessed as Cat.A/FB and was swiftly repaired on site. The aircraft then suffered damage on 3rd January 1944 when, on it's seventh operational flight, and on return from Ops to Berlin it was attacked by a night-fighter. It was remarkable that the then crew were able bring the aircraft back to England. The attacking Me110 caused serious damage to the hydraulics and with the radio u/s, instruments shattered and the bomb doors hanging open and for it to loose a wheel it went into an out-of-control dive. The gunners returned fire and shot down the attacking Me110. Just able to re-gain control the pilot (P/O J A McIntosh RCAF (J/19308)) had to put his feet on the dash of the cockpit to pull the control column back. The aircraft crash landed at the Woodbridge strip but one undercarriage collapsed on landing and the aircraft ground looped. After assessment it was found that both starboard nacelles were blown off, two large holes in the starboard wing were found, the dinghy had broken free and was hanging out, the rear turret, tail, elevators, mid upper turret and fuselage were all badly shot up and every propeller blade was found to have at least one bullet hole in it. Despite this list Cat.B/FB damage was the damage assessment so it was sent for a repair in works by Armstrong Whitworth. The aircraft went on to be repaired but passing into store with 46 MU on 5th July 1944. It lasted until being struck off charge on 15th January 1947 when it was scrapped.