Halifax DT645 damaged by flak, returned to Elvington airfield.

On the night of 7th / 8th February 1943 the crew of this 77 Squadron aircraft were undertaking an operational flight to Lorient, having taken off at 19.17hrs the aircraft was damaged by flak over the target area. Two of the crew baled out believing the aircraft was uncontrollable but the rest of the crew were able to bring the aircraft safely back to Elvington where they landed at 00.35hrs. Damage was found to have occurred to the main spar.

Pilot - Sgt James Harrison Rank RAFVR (1005341).

Flight Engineer - Sgt E Stanhope.

Navigator - Sgt Thomas Smith McStay RAFVR (1375108).

Bomb Aimer - Sgt Harry John Evans RAFVR (1551799).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt J S Muir.

Air Gunner - Sgt T G W Chalmers.

Air Gunner - F/Sgt H P McPherson.

Halifax DT645 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was received by 45 MU on 27th November 1942. It was taken on charge by 77 Squadron at Elvington on 20th December 1942. As a result of battle damage sustained on 8th February 1943 Cat.Ac/FB damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site on Elvington. The aircraft returned to 77 Squadron charge on 24th February 1943 but was then transferred to 51 Squadron at Snaith. If it sustained battle damage on Ops on 5th March 1943 Cat.A/FB damage was the damage assessment and a repair on site would have been made. The problem is that the AM Form 78 states that the transfer between 77 Squadron and 51 Squadron took place on 8th March 1943; 3 days after it was damaged in use by them. A repair on site at Snaith was carried out and it was returned to 51 Squadron use by the end of March 1943. It was lost on 13th May 1943 when it failed to return from Duisburg. The crew of seven were killed. Cat.E(m) damage was recorded on the paperwork and it was struck off charge on 17th March 1943.
Many of those named above were posted to 77 Squadron from 1652 Conversion Unit on 11th November 1942.

Thomas McStay was still flying with 77 Squadron on 9th April 1943 and was flying Ops to Duisburg in Halifax JB847 when the aircraft crashed in France after being shot down by a night-fighter over France. All but one of his then crew were killed, he is buried in Creil Communal Cemetery, France.

Harry Evans was later posted to 51 Squadron. He was killed on 6th August 1943 when Halifax HR783 crashed just south of York near Crockey Hill and is buried in East Wemyss Cemetery, Fife.

James Rank received a commission on 1st May 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) but this was not notified until a couple of months later so he was awarded the DFM for his actions on this night in May 1943 and the citation for this reads. "One night in May 1943 Sgt Rank was captain of a bomber which was detailed to attack Wuppertal. When nearing the target the aircraft was hit by heavy anti-aircraft fire and damage was sustained which rendered the bomber difficult to control. Shortly afterwards the rear gunner reported the approach of an unidentified aircraft, and in most harassing circumstances Sergeant Rank was compelled to take evasive action. Still pursued, he pressed on to the target and made a successful and determined attack. Photographs showed that his bombs fell on the aiming point. During the attack the pursuing aircraft was evaded and course was set for base where a difficult landing was made with superb skill. Sergeant Rank displayed high courage and great determination to complete his task successfully." He was promoted to F/O on 1st November 1943 and Mentioned in Despatches on 1st January 1945. He was later promoted to F/Lt on 1st May 1945 but reliquished his commission on the grounds of medical unfitness on 8th November 1945.

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