Halifax DT581 on Hoarside Moor, Hebden Bridge.
On 21st / 22nd January 1943 the crew of this 51 Squadron aircraft were tasked with a mine laying operational flight to lay mines off the Frisian Islands in area known as The Nectarines. On their return to Yorkshire they overshot the Vale of York and their base and ended up flying over The Pennines. The aircraft struck a wall on Hoar Side Moor near Hebden Bridge at 22.25hrs and shot along the ground before coming to a half and catching fire. Sadly two of the crew died as a result of this accident and at least four of the five remaining crew sustained injuries. Nick Wotherspoon's LAIT website has a much more detailed account of this incident at "http://laituk.org/Halifax%20DT581.htm".
Halifax DT581 was built to contract.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury. It was initially taken on charge by 77 Squadron at Elvington on 7th November 1942. This aircraft appears to have been one of their MkIIs that were deemed unsuitable so they were exchanged for MkV variants, prior to finally receiving modified MkIIs a few weeks later. Halifax DT581 was transferred to 51 Squadron at Snaith on 8th November 1942. As a result of the crash near Hebden Bridge on 21st January 1943 Cat.E2/FB Burnt damage was the damage assessment, after which it was struck off charge on 3rd February 1943.
Pilot - P/O Richard Donovan Getliffe RAFVR (137196).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Alexander Campbell RAFVR (1071521).
Navigator - P/O Edward Burt Chatfield RAFVR (136339).
Air Bomber - Sgt Allan Campbell RAFVR (1498151), aged 22, of Ushaw Moor, Durham. Buried Waterhouses Cemetery, Brandon and Byshottles, Durham.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt George Hugh Whyte RAFVR (995669), aged 22, of Bainsford, Falkirk, Stirlingshire. Buried Selby Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Air Gunner - Sgt John James Merritt RAFVR (1252255).
Air Gunner - Sgt Reginald Ernest Smart RAFVR (939687).
Sgt George Whyte survived the crash of Whitley Z9274 on 27th March 1942 in Ilkley Moor and returned to 51 Squadron and converted to flying the Halifax type.
Sgt Alexander Campbell was killed on 4th March 1943 when Halifax W7861 failed to return from Ops to Hamburg with the loss of the whole crew. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Sgt John Merritt was killed on 4th April 1943 when Halifax DT666 crashed on return from Ops to Essen near Carlton, Selby, Yorkshire. He is buried in Beaufort Churchyard, Monmouthshire.
Reginald Smart received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) on 26th June 1943 (149469). He remained in the RAF until 1970.