Halifax DT693 at Snaith or Burn airfield (Possibly?).

On the evening of 2nd February 1943 this 51 Squadron aircraft was to undertake an operational flight to bomb Cologne. The crew took off from Burn at 19.04hrs but not long after taking off the crew realised that the altimeter was not functioning correctly. After jettisoning the load of incendiaries over the North Sea they turned around but leaving the larger bombs in the aircraft and made a landing at Marham at 21.19hrs. The following morning, probably after the altimeter had been fixed they made the flight from Marham back to Snaith and with the remaining three 1000 lb bombs still in the aircraft. They made an approach to land at 11.50hrs but the pilot held off landing slightly too long in poor visibility so that the landing was heavy and a tyre burst resulting in the undercarriage leg collapsing.

Halifax DT693 is listed in the 51 Squadron records as being used operationally on the evening of 3rd February 1943 but this must be an error as the damage sustained earlier in the day resulted in Cat.B damage and this was not repaired in less than a day on site.

Pilot - WO Elihu Paul Acree RCAF (R/71437).

? - P/O John Bernard Rees Battle RAFVR (136338).

Bomb Aimer - P/O Jack Eric Ulrich RAFVR (131775).

? - Sgt D W Helps

? - Sgt A G S Corrs

Air Gunner - Sgt J Elwell RAFVR (1070951).

Halifax DT693 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Eletcric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was taken on charge by 51 Squadron at Snaith on 22nd December 1942. As a result of the incident on 3rd February 1943 Cat.B/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired in works by Handley Page. Once servicable it was flown to 48 MU on 18th April 1943 where it was held in store. The aircraft was then taken on charge by 1661 H.C.U. at Winthorpe on 10th November 1943. Soon after on 28th November 1943 it was transferred to 1662 H.C.U. at Blyton. On 22nd January 1944 it crashed near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. Cat.E2/FA damage was recorded and it was written off. The aircraft was struck off charge on 2nd February 1944.

Back to monthly table.