Halifax DT695 damaged by flak, returned to Leeming airfield.
On the evening of 22nd March 1943 this 405 Squadron aircraft being flown on an operational flight to bomb St.Nazaire when it was damaged by flak in the port wing and bomb doors. The crew were able to bring the aircraft back to Leeming and land safely just before midnight. The aircraft carried the squadron code "LQ-P" which I believe was Halifax DT695.
Pilot - P/O Nathaniel Denver Daggett RCAF (J/15987).
Navigator - F/Sgt L W Rogers RCAF (R/74425).
Navigator (Bomb Aimer?) - F/Sgt Frederick John Nickerson RCAF (R/84873).
Wireless Operator - P/O G W Hallam.
Air Gunner - Sgt Edmund Bruce Carleton RCAF (R/97038).
Air Gunner - Sgt Lucien Irving Thomas RCAF (R/88221).
Flight Engineer - Sgt K Laing.
Second Pilot - P/O Martin Sattler RCAF (J/21942).
Halifax DT695 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was awaiting collection on 21st December 1942. It was then taken on charge the following day by 405 Squadron at Beaulieu who moved to Leeming on 14th March 1943. As a result of battle damage sustained on 22nd March 1943 Cat.A/FB damage resulted and it was repaired on site. Following landing at Leeming from Ops on 29th March 1943 it struck a pill box while taxying that slightly damaged the port wing tip. A repair on site commencing on 2nd April 1943. On 18th April 1943 it was returned to 405 Squadron at Leeming in time for the unit move the same day to Gransden Lodge. On 8th May 1943 the aircraft was transferred to 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit at Marston Moor. It then passed to 1663 H.C.U. at Rufforth on 8th March 1944. On 19th April 1944 it was transferred to 1658 H.C.U. at Riccall. On 26th August 1944 it's Form AM78 records unspecified Cat.B damage which must have been located during some form of major assessment or inspection. After a further assessment on 31st August 1944 it was Re-Cat.E and was struck off charge having flown just over 769 hours total.
Frederick Nickerson later served as an instructor at 22 OTU but was later posted to 431 Squadron. He killed on 7th January 1945 flying in Lancaster KB821 and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Edmund Carleton was soon posted to and was awarded the DFM for service with 427 Squadron, Gazetted on 14th September 1943. He was killed flying with 419 Squadron on 15th March 1945 when Lancaster KB870 was shot down by a night-fighter and crashed in Holland. He is buried in Nederweert War Cemetery, Holland.
Lucien Thomas was awarded the DFM for service with 405 Squadron, Gazetted on 20th April 1943. His citation refers to the events of 12th March 1943 when all of the above were flying together and were attacked by a Junkers Ju88 receiving damage. On return to the UK they landed at Martlesham. The citation reads.."This airman, who has taken part in twenty-four operational missions, is an air gunner of high merit. On several occasions, when his aircraft has been attacked by enemy fighters, his accurate shooting has driven them off. In September 1942 he shot down one of three Junkers 88 which attempted to attack his aircraft. One night in March 1943, during an operation against Duisburg, his aircraft was intercepted by an enemy fighter which attempted to attack from close range. Coolly and skilfully, Sergeant Thomas delivered telling bursts of fire causing the attacker to break away with his engine on fire. By his great skill this airman has contributed materially to the safe return of his aircraft on several occasions."
F/Sgt Rogers was serving with 427 Squadron in May 1943.