On the night of 1st / 2nd March 1943 the crew of this 77 Squadron aircraft was undertaking an operational flight to lay mines off Samso Island. They took off from Elvington airfield at 19.03hrs but because of thick cloud the crew were unable to locate the dropping position. After the aircraft had been damaged by flak they jettisoned the mine live and made for home making a safe landing at 01.10hrs at Elvington airfield. This crew appear to have been posted their seperate ways in the days that followed this incident, most appear to have been posted to instruct back down the Bomber Command ladder.
Pilot - Acting F/Lt David Roy Fisher DFM RAFVR (125430).
Flight Engineer - Sgt J W Holmes.
Navigator - Sgt John Robert Randall RAFVR (1126662).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt E Walton.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - P/O Sydney Herbert John Barnden RAFVR (124636).
Air Gunner - Sgt William Dewi Rees RAFVR (1264790).
Air Gunner - F/O Bryan McLane Melville-Smith RAFVR (128387).
John Randall received a commission in March 1943 but the notification was not printed in the London Gazette until later in the year. He was later awarded the DFC for service with 102 Squadron in September 1945.
William Rees was granted a commission to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) on 28th April 1943 (146276) and rose to F/O on 28th October 1943. He was awarded the DFC for service with 77 Squadron, Gazetted on 6th June 1944. He was promoted to F/Lt on 28th April 1945. Postwar he transferred to the RAF, dropped to F/O under the terms of his commission but then rose to F/Lt in 1947 and then to S/Ldr on 1st January 1957, he retired from the RAF on 7th March 1962.
David Fisher was awarded the DFM on 15th May 1942 for earlier service with 77 Squadron flying Whitleys, the citation states "One night in April 1942, this airman captained an aircraft which attacked Rostock. On the outward journey, shortly after crossing the North Sea, his aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter. Although his aircraft was severely damaged, Sergeant Fisher succeeded in evading the attacker and, displaying great courage and resolution, flew the remaining 140 miles to his target which he both bombed and photographed. He finally flew the damaged aircraft back to base and made a safe landing. Throughout, this airman showed great determination and skilful airmanship." He possibly received a commission on 8th May 1942 and then received a promotion to F/O on probation (war subs) on 23rd November 1942. He was later awarded the DFC for further service with 77 Squadron, Gazetted on 11th June 1943. With a first Tour complete he was posted to 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit but was later to begin a second tour with 102 Squadron. He was later promoted to the rank of F/Lt (war subs) on 8th May 1944. Acting S/Ldr Fisher was killed on 17th June 1944 while flying with 102 Squadron in Halifax MZ301 and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Bryan Melville-Smith later served with 75 Squadron
Halifax DT643 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was received by 12 MU on 26th November 1942. It was taken on charge by 77 Squadron at Elvington on 20th December 1942. As a result of battle damage sustained 2nd March 1943 Cat.Ac/FB damage was the damage assessment which saw it repaired on site and returned to 77 Squadron on 26th March 1943. It received Cat.Ac/FA damage on 1st May 1943 when the tail wheel broke on landing. A further repair on site was carried out and it was returned to 77 Squadron on 23rd June 1943. On 10th July 1943 it again received battle damage that saw a Cat.A/FB damage assessment and a repair was made. The aircraft was transferred to 1654 Heavy Conversion Unit at Swinderby on 9th September 1943 but was then quickly transferred to 1661 H.C.U. at Winthorpe on 30th September 1943. In October 1943 1661 H.C.U. ceased operating the type so this aircraft moved to 1662 H.C.U. at Blyton on 2nd December 1943. On 14th January 1944 it was slightly damaged in a flying accident that saw Cat.Ac/FA damage be the assessment. A repair on site was made and it was returned to 1662 H.C.U. on 5th April 1944. On 2nd September 1944 the aircraft crashed near Caenby Corner, Lincolnshire. The damage was assessed as being Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage and the aircraft was written off. It was struck off charge on 11th September 1944.
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