Halifax DT559 damaged by flak, returned to Pocklington airfield.
On the night of 8th / 9th March 1943 this 158 Squadron aircraft undertook an operational flight to bomb Nuremburg and took off from Lissett airfield at 19.24hrs. At 22.55hrs the port inner engine began to overheat and had to be shut down seven minutes later. The crew continued to the target area and released their bomb load at 23.31hrs from 10,500 feet although the aircraft began to loose height. On their return over Strasbourg the aircraft was damaged by flak while flying at 7,000 feet. Despite the damage to the aircraft and the failed port inner engine the crew brought the aircraft back to Yorkshire and landed safely at Pocklington airfield at 04.55hrs. For his actions on this flight the pilot was awarded the DFM. Looking through the aircraft's previous operational flights, it was dogged with problems with the port inner engine for months prior to this date.
Pilot - F/Sgt Richard David Roberts RAFVR (1176875).
Second Pilot - Sgt John Standring Sugden RAFVR (1218145).
Navigator - P/O Arthur Reginald Schofield RAFVR (141827).
Bomb Aimer - F/Sgt William Edward Ernest Bethell Priddin RCAF (R/74230).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Henry Falls-Hand RAFVR (1304703).
Air Gunner - Sgt Edward James Culley RAFVR (1031824).
Air Gunner - Sgt Maurice Albert Gibson RAFVR (1585098).
Flight Engineer - Sgt William Henry Marshall RAFVR (1004784).
Sgt Gibson, W/O Priddin and Sgt Culley were also with him on 28th April 1943 in Halifax HR773, all are also on the Runnymede Memorial.
Richard Roberts had earlier served with 104 Squadron and was part of the group that formed 158 Squadron in February 1942. He was awarded an immediate DFM for service with 158 Squadron (Gazetted on 2nd April 1943) for his actions on the night of 8th / 9th March 1943. The citation states that "One night in March 1943, this airman captained an aircraft detailed to attack Nuremberg. Whilst some distance from the target, on the outward flight, one of the port engines failed. Despite this, Flight Sergeant Roberts continued his mission. Considerable height had been lost by the time the target was reached but, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, this captain pressed home a vigorous attack. After the bombs were released the bomb doors jammed. The aircraft began to lose height but, some 15 minutes later. Flight Sergeant Roberts succeeded in getting the doors closed. Displaying superb airmanship he eventually flew the aircraft safely to base with three engines. This airman displayed great skill and determination throughout." He had already been granted a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 19th February 1943 so I do not know why he was awarded a DFM and not a DFC. He was sadly killed just days later on 28th April 1943 when Halifax HR773 failed to return from a mine-laying flight. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
William Marshall was soon posted to 138 Squadron after March 1943. On 12th May 1943 he was flying in Halifax BB313 on an SOE flight when the aircraft was badly damaged by flak over France. He managed to bale out before the aircraft crashed. He managed to evade capture and made it back to the UK. He was awarded the DFM for service with 138 Squadron he was awarded the DFM, Gazetted on 2nd November 1943. The citation was brief and was a joint one, with other evaders. It stated "In air operations these officers and airman have displayed skill, courage and fortitude of a high order." He returned to 138 Squadron and was awarded the DFC for further service with them, Gazetted in Summer 1944. He survived the War.
John Sugden received a commission in May 1943 and survived the War.
Henry Falls-Hand was born in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffordshire in 1915. He had already completed his first Tour by October 1942. He received a commission on 6th May 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) and was awarded the DFC for service with 158 Squadron, Gazetted on 14th September 1943. He survived the War and remained in the RAF at least until 1947 and then set up a greengrocery buisness in Manchester before moving to Southport. He died in December 2009. His obituary on the internet states that he completed forty operational flights and refers to him surviving two bad crashes. He was injured only once when he fell off the back of a lorry returning him to base when he broke his arm.
Halifax DT559 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was awaiting collection in mid-October 1942. It was taken on charge by 102 Squadron at Pocklington on 14th October 1942. On 29th October 1942 it was taken on charge by 158 Squadron at Rufforth. Here the aircraft's AM Form 78 is wrong as it states it was destroyed in a crash on 20th November 1942 sustaining Cat.E/FB damage. This is not correct and which aircraft this should be allocated to has not yet been discovered. The aircraft's history continue with during the early hours of 3rd December 1942 it was slightly damaged by flak during an operational flight to bomb Frankfurt with the pilot (F/Lt J M Viney) landing safely at base. Cat.A/FB damage would have been the damage assessment although nothing is recorded on the aircraft's Form AM78. A repair on site at Rufforth was made. It was next used operationally on the night of 6th / 7th December 1942 and was again was slightly damaged by flak. Cat.A/FB damage would have been the damage assessment although nothing is recorded on the aircraft's Form AM78. A repair on site at Rufforth was made. It was next used operationally on 9th December 1942. While bring flown operationally on 11th December 1942 the port inner engine failed and the starboard inner developed a leak, the pilot jettisoned the bomb load and landed at Abingdon. It was next used operationally on 20th December 1942. While being flown operationally on 14th January 1943 it again suffered a failed port inner engine and this time problems with the starboard outer engine, it's pilot landed at Harwell. The aircraft then dropped out of operational use by 158 Squadron for a month, probably while it's engines were worked on. It was next used operationally on 16th February 1943. On 25th February 1943 it suffered trouble with the starboard outer engine while outbound for an operational flight. 158 Squadron moved to Lissett on 28th February 1943. The aircraft was next used operationally on 5th March 1943. As a result of the battle damage sustained on 9th March 1943 Cat.A/FB damage would have been the damage assessment although nothing was written on the Form AM78. It was repaired on site. It was used again operationally between 22nd March 1943 and 10th April 1943 without incident or engine fault. Hurray. After this it was replaced as "-D" by Halifax HR780 and flew no more operational flights with 158 Squadron. On paper the aircraft remained with 158 Squadron at Lissett for many months but whether it actually did in practice is not yet known. It certainly wasn't used operationally by them again. It's Form AM78 is missing various things, including transfer to 466 Squadron at Leconfield in September 1943 when they converted from Wellingtons to Halifaxes. It flew no operational flights with them. On 3rd November 1943 it exploded some five miles off Flamborough Head while it's then crew were undertaking a training exercise. Sadly all on board were killed. Cat.E/FA damage was recorded on the paperwork and it was written off. Was the fatal loss preventable ? Arguably yes given it's recorded engine faults that blighted it's operational career. Had the inexperienced Halifax crew had trouble with the clearly dodgy port inner engine and / or fuel supply and did this result in a mid-air explosion ? No-one will ever know.