Halifax DT578 at Riccall airfield.
At 02.40hrs on 16th May 1943 this 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was being prepared for take off from Riccall airfield when the starboard inner propeller and reduction gear broke off the engine. The aircraft received damage when pieces of the blades entered the Halifax's fuselage. The blades on the starboard outer engine were also all broken when other parts struck them. No injuries are believed to have resulted from this incident.
Pilot (pupil) - Sgt William John Murray RAFVR (657378).
Pilot (instructor) - Acting S/Ldr Peter Dobson DFC AFC RAFVR (64284).
Halifax DT578 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was taken on charge by 78 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 30th October 1942. The aircraft was then transferred to 77 Squadron at Elvington on 21st December 1942 and then to 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit at Riccall on 19th March 1943. On 16th May 1943 it lost a propeller blade that shattered and damaged the fuselage on the ground at Riccall. Cat.Ac/FA damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site. The aircraft was returned to 1658 H.C.U. on 15th July 1943. The aircraft was destroyed on 23rd November 1943 with fatal results when it crashed into Great Whernside, near Kettlewell. Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 30th November 1943 having clocked up some 382 flying hours from new.
William Murray completed his training at 1658 and was posted to 51 Squadron. He was killed on 24th July 1943 when Halifax HR940 was shot down by a night-fighter over Southern Denmark. He is buried in Aabenraa Cemetery, Denmark.
Peter Dobson was granted a commission in the RAFVR as P/O on probation on 24th April 1941 (with seniority of 9th April 1941) and flew a Tour with 102 Squadron. He was awarded the DFC for service with 102 Squadron, Gazetted on 18th July 1941. He was promoted to F/O on 24th April 1942 and then to F/Lt on 10th October 1942. He received Mentions in Despatches on 2nd June 1943 and then again on 14th January 1944 and was then awarded the Air Force Cross in The King's Birthday Honours List of June 1944. He was promoted to S/Ldr on 8th December 1944 and awarded the DSO for service with and being commanding officer of 158 Squadron, Gazetted on 1st May 1945, the citation reads.. "As squadron commander, this officer has consistently displayed leadership, gallantry and determination of a high order. He has completed many sorties against a wide variety of targets. On one occasion, when approaching an enemy target, his aircraft was engaged by heavy and accurate fire from enemy ground defences and he sustained a wound in the left leg. In spite of this, he held the aircraft straight and level on its course and pressed home a good attack. Not until the enemy coast had been crossed en route for home did Wing Commander Dobson draw attention to his injury. Although in great pain and suffering from the loss of blood, he remained at the controls and flew the aircraft back to base. He displayed unbeatable determination and devotion to duty in the face of much physical distress." He was appointed to a permanent commission in the RAF as S/Ldr on 1st September 1945 and was promoted to W/Co on 1st July 1949 (with seniority of 1st July 1947). He retired from the RAF on 1st March 1970.