Halifax DT560 damaged by enemy aircraft, returned to Leeming airfield.
On the night of 11th / 12th March 1943 this 405 Squadron aircraft was undertaking an operational flight to bomb Stuttgart when the aircraft was attacked and damaged by an enemy aircraft. The Halifax's rear gunner returned fire and the attacker was driven off but the Halifax had sustained damage to the tail and bomb doors. The crew brought the aircraft back to England and landed at base of Leeming at 01.59hrs.
Pilot - P/O Clifford Campbell Stovel RCAF (J/16835).
Navigator - F/Sgt John Edward Bemister RCAF.
? - F/Sgt W Koroby.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt William Gordon James Richardson RCAF.
? - Sgt W A Dickman.
Rear Gunner - F/Sgt Arthur Cox RAFVR (952028).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Albert Whitteron RCAF (R/66720).
Halifax DT560 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury. On 11th October 1943 it was taken on charge by 405 Squadron as new at Topcliffe. On 25th October 1942 405 Squadron were detached to Beaulieu within Coastal Command and five days later it was slightly damaged to Cat.Ac/FA status. After a repair on site it was returned to 405 Squadron use on 2nd December 1942 at Beaulieu. On 3rd March 1943 405 Squadron moved to Leeming and re-joined Bomber Command. As a result of battle damage sustained on 12th March 1943 Cat.Ac/FB damage was the damage assessment and a repair on site at Leeing began on 18th March 1943. The repair was complete by 19th June 1943 and it was returned to 405 Squadron but by now they had moved to Gransden Lodge. On 12th July 1943 the aircraft transferred to 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit at Dalton. On 27th August 1943 it was transferred to 1659 H.C.U. at Topcliffe. On 27th January 1944 it sustained minor Cat.Ac/FA unspecified damage (more information is needed on this). It was repaired on site and returned to 1659 H.C.U. on 18th February 1944. On 15th March 1944 it sustained minor Cat.Ac/FA damage again (more information needed). It was again repaired on site and returned to 1659 H.C.U. on 11th April 1944. On 28th October 1944 the aircraft was transferred back to 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit at Wombleton. On 22nd December 1944 it was flown to 48 M.U. at Hawarden for storage and was struck off charge on 1st November 1945.
On 8th April 1943 many of those listed above were flying Halifax JB905, the aircraft was damaged by flak on Ops and believing the aircraft was about to crash a number of the crew including Whitteron and Cox left the aircraft but P/O Stovel was able to regain control and return to base. Sgt Whitteron became a PoW. F/Sgt Cox died and is buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany. He was awarded the DFM well after his death, it was not Gazetted until 20th July 1945. The citation mentions the battle damage on 8th / 9th April 1943 and reads.."Flight Sergeant Cox has been engaged in numerous operations against heavily defended targets in Industrial Germany, German occupied territories, Belgium, France, Italy, and has participated in 22 Anti-Submarine Patrols. On the 10th July 1942, the crew of which he was a member, attacked and sank a submarine. On the 11th March 1943, on an attack on Stuttgart, they engaged in combat with enemy aircraft which were driven off. This N.C.O. is a very efficient Rear Gunner who has earned the confidence and respect of his crew during the long period in which he has been engaged in active operations."
Clifford Stovel, Sgt Bemister and Sgt Richardson was soon posted to 408 Squadron. On the night of 27th / 28th July 1943 they was flying together in Halifax DT749 on Ops to Hamburg when the aircraft was shot down by a night-fighter and crashed in Meumunster. F/Lt Stovel was killed and is buried in Hamburg Cemetery. Sgts Bemister and Richardson became a PoW.