Halifax DT703 damaged by enemy aircraft, returned to Pocklington airfield.
On the night of 23rd / 24th May 1943 the crew of this 102 Squadron aircraft were flying an operational flight to Dortmund and took off from Pocklington airfield at 22.47hrs.
Just after releasing their bomb load the aircraft's starboard outer engine failed, the aircraft was later attacked by a Junkers Ju88 and the cannon fire from it struck and damaged the port wing. The Halifax's rear gunner returned fire and the enemy aircraft was last seen in a steep dive, it was later claimed as destroyed. Despite the damage the Halifax crew were able to make a safe return to England and landed safely at Pocklington at 03.50hrs.
Pilot - Sgt Ronald Aslin Ward RAFVR (1388250).
Navigator - F/O Reginald Edward Charles Allen RAFVR (129579).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt John Martland RAFVR (1028891).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Robert Leslie Hoddle RAFVR (1538261).
Air Gunner - Sgt Peter Smith RAFVR (1460283).
Air Gunner - Sgt John Alistair Stewart RAFVR (1391507).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Philip Hudd Sheerman RAFVR (1334923).
Just days later on 30th May 1943 all of the above were flying in 102 Squadron Halifax W7934 when it failed to return from Ops to Wuppertal. All were killed and are
now buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery.
Halifax DT703 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co. Ltd. at Samlesbury and was taken on charge as new by 158 Squadron at Rufforth on 29th December 1942. On 28th February 1943 the aircraft landed tail first at Lissett on the squadron move there. The aircraft was repaired on site by a team from Handley Page and on 17th March 1943 it rejoined 158 Squadron. On 15th April 1943 this aircraft was transferred to 102 Squadron at Pocklington. As a result of flak damage sustained on 27th April 1943 Cat.A/FB damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. On 5th May 1943 it sustained minor flak damage on Ops to Dortmund that saw Cat.A/FB again be the damage assessment. It was swiftly repaired on site. On 24th May 1943 it was attacked by an enemy aircraft on Ops to Dortmund that saw damage inflicted to the port wing. Cat.Ac/FB damage was the damage assessment. It was again repaired on site and was returned to 102 Squadron charge on 26th June 1943. On 9th September 1943 it was transferred to 1654 Heavy Conversion Unit at Wigsley but on 30th September 1943 it was transferred to 1661 Heavy Conversion Unit at Winthorpe. On 2nd December 1943 it was transferred to 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit at Lindholme. On 17th July 1944 the aircraft's AM Form 78 states that it was in need of a repair on site by 60 MU. This repair may well not have been completed as on 7th September 1944 the damage was listed as Re.Cat.E on the AM Form 78 and it was struck off charge on 11th September 1944. It had flown a total of 482 hours from new.