Halifax DT637 damaged by flak, returned to Snaith airfield.
At 20.49hrs on 16th April 1943 the crew of this 51 Squadron aircraft took off from Snaith airfield to carry out an opertional flight to bomb Plzen. While over the target area the aircraft was coned by several searchlights, the pilot took evasive action and made a second attack on the target from just 5,000ft at 01.49hrs after again being coned in searchlights. The aircraft was slightly damaged by flak in one of the main undercarriage doors but the crew were able to return to Snaith airfield and land safely at 07.02hrs on 17th April 1943.
Pilot - F/O George William Hope Byres RAFVR (128065).
Flight Engineer - Sgt G H Thompson RAFVR (1291628).
Navigator - F/O Robert Henry Stark RAFVR (120338).
Air Bomber - Sgt Dennis John Emes RAFVR (1294118).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt R T Howell RAFVR (1290307).
Air Gunner - Sgt Clement Stringer RAFVR (1581536).
Air Gunner - Sgt John Arthur Charles Jacobs RAF (649808).
George Byres received a commission to the rank of P/O (emergency) on 20th August 1942 and rose to F/O on 20th February 1943 and later F/Lt on 20th August 1944. Post war he remained in the RAF until at least 1954 when he extended his period of service.
Robert Stark received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) on 25th April 1942 and rose to F/O on probation on 25th October 1942 and F/Lt (war subs) on 25th April 1944.
Sgt John Jacobs' father was Nicholas Charles Jacobs RAF (44289) who received a commission to P/O on probation in July 1940 in the Admin and Special Duties Branch of the RAF, he remained in the RAF until 1950.
On the night of 13th / 14th May 1943 Byres, Stark, Emes, Howell, Striner and Jacobs were flying together in Halifax HR790 on Ops to Bochum when the aircraft was shot down by a night fighter over Holland. Stringer and Jacobs were killed but Byres, Stark, Emes and Howell survived and became PoW's.
Halifax DT637 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was flown to 18 MU at Dumfries on 21st November 1942. It was taken on charge by 77 Squadron at Elvington on 13th December 1942 and was transferred to 158 Squadron at Rufforth on 27th February 1943. The following day 158 Squadron moved to Lissett. On 26th March 1943 the aircraft was transferred to 51 Squadron at Snaith. It sustained battle damage on 17th April 1943 that was assessed as Cat.A/FB damage which saw it repaired on site. On 13th May 1943 while on return from an operational flight to Duisburg the port inner engine failed, it was force landed in a field near Riccall. Cat.E/FB damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 31st May 1943 having clocked up a total of 131 flying hours.