Halifax DT626 damaged by flak, returned to Elvington airfield.

On the night of 25th / 26th February 1943 the crew of this 77 Squadron aircraft undertook an operational flight to bomb and took off from Elvington at 19.00hrs. They arrived over the target area early and had to circle the area for twenty minutes to wait for the P.F.F. marking flares to be dropped, the aircraft sustained flak damage to the fuel tanks. The crew returned to Yorkshire and landed safely at Elvington at 03.55hrs.

Pilot - F/Lt Frederick Clifford Bertram RAF (43195).

Flight Engineer - Sgt Kenneth Ambler RAFVR (1104327).

Navigator - Sgt Cecil Wallace Warne RAFVR (1090550).

Bomb Aimer - Sgt Charles Henry Herbert RAFVR (1220683).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt John Peter Hughes Brownlee RAFVR (1289968).

Air Gunner - Sgt William Charles Bostock RAFVR (1376911).

Air Gunner - Sgt Jack Douglas Olding RAFVR (913181).

Halifax DT626 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was received by 12 MU on 20th November 1942. The aircraft was taken on charge by 77 Squadron at Elvington on 20th December 1942. As a result of the battle damage on 26th February 1943 minor Cat.Ac/FB damage resulted with a repair on site being effected. The aircraft was returned to 77 Squadron charge on 13th March 1943 but was then transferred to 51 Squadron at Snaith on 22nd March 1943. It was then transferred to 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit on 8th April 1943. On 4th January 1944 it dived into the ground near Pentre Foelas, Denbighshire and was destroyed. Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 31st January 1944.
On the night of 30th April / 1st May 1943 this crew were flying 77 Squadron Halifax JB846 on Ops to Essen and failed to return. All are buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.

Frederick Douglas received a commission on 1st April 1940 to the rank of P/O on probation. He rose to F/O on 1st April 1941 and to F/Lt on 1st April 1942.

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