Halifax DT695 at Leeming airfield.
On the evening of 28th / 29th March 1943 this 405 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to bomb St.Nazaire. It took off from Leeming at 19.36hrs, the crew released their bomb load at 22.26hrs from 16,000 feet and landed at leeming at 00.54hrs. Nothing out of the ordinary is mentioned in the squadron records.
There is an AM Form 1180 for a mishap which must have occurred after landing following this operational flight. While taxying on the perimeter track around Leeming airfield and while being directed by a member of ground crew but with the navigation lights unservicable, the port wing tip clipped a concrete pill box. The time on the AM Form 1180 appears to state 12.00hrs but it is unclear so could equally state 02.00hrs which must be the correct time.
Pilot - P/O Martin Sattler RCAF (J/21942).
Navigator - F/O W Thatcher.
Bomb Aimer - F/Sgt Henry Clifford Card RCAF.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Harry Frederick Watson RAFVR (1332375).
Air Gunner - Sgt Ian Gawthorpe McEwan RCAF.
Air Gunner - P/O William Robert Weir Anderson RCAF (J/13558).
Flight Engineer - Sgt David Benjamin James RAF (576764).
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.