Halifax DT736 damaged by flak, returned to Elvington airfield.

On the evening of 4th February 1943 the crew of this 77 Squadron aircraft were undertaking an operational flight to Lorient and they took off from Elvington at 17.41hrs. The aircraft sustained flak damage to the starboard wing, also because of either other damage to the fuselage or a technical problem three containers of incendiary bombs hung-up in the aircraft. The crew were able to bring the aircraft back to base and landed safely at Elvington at 23.27hrs. The aircraft was damaged again by flak a couple of weeks later.

Pilot - S/Ldr Robert John Sage AFC RAF (39342).

Flight Engineer - Sgt Bernard James Ivatt Walker RAFVR (950785).

Navigator - F/Lt Brian Desmond Barker RAFVR (129452).

Bomb Aimer - Sgt Maurice Crabtree RAFVR (1184738?).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - P/O Dennis Walter Bateman RAFVR (139205).

Air Gunner - Sgt Dennis Loader Morris RAFVR (1476160).

Air Gunner - P/O Kenneth Alexander Adam RAFVR (124637).

On the night of 9th / 10th March 1943 this crew were flying together in Halifax DT734 on Ops to Munich when the aircraft was shot down by a night-fighter and crashed in Belgium. F/O Adam was killed and is buried in Chievres Communal Cemetery, Belgium. Sage, Bateman and Morris eventually became PoWs while Sgt's Crabtree, Barker and Walker evaded capture.

Robert Sage joined the RAF in 1936 and after training was posted to 76 Squadron on 7th August 1937. He was awarded the AFC on 11th June 1942, possibly for service involving being a flying instructor. He had a long career in the RAF, he was awarded the OBE on 1st January 1962 and retired from the RAF as W/Co in December the same year. He was later made Life President of the Yorkshire Air Museum until his death in May 1994.

Dennis Bateman received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 18th December 1942. He was awarded the DFC for service with 77 Squadron on 13th July 1943, while a PoW but presumably a recommendation being submitted earlier in the year.

Brian Barker was awarded the DFC for service with 77 Squadron, Gazetted on 17th August 1943. He was later Mentioned in Despatches in 1945.

Bernard Walker was awarded the DFM for service with 77 Squadron, Gazetted on 6th July 1943, the citation for which reads.. "In air operations, Sergeant Walker displayed courage, skill and fortitude in keeping with the highest traditions of the Royal Air Force." He was granted a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 28th November 1943.

Halifax DT736 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury. On 13th January 1943 it was taken on charge by 77 Squadron at Elvington. It sustained flak damage on 4th February 1943 (Cat.A/FB damage), 18th February 1943 (Cat.Ac/FB damage), 29th March 1943 (Cat.A/FB damage) and 29th June 1943 (Cat.A/FB damage) with repairs on site carried out each time at Elvington for minor damage. It was also very slightly damaged on 21st March 1943 while on a low level training flight after striking a tree between Croft and Topcliffe that saw a Cat.A/FA damage assessment and a repair on site was also made. The aircraft was transferred to 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit at Marston Moor on 4th August 1943. On 29th March 1944 it broke up in the air over Ayrshire while being flown on a training flight, sadly all on board were killed. Cat.E2/FA damage was recorded on the paperwork and the aircraft was written off. The aircraft was struck off charge on 15th April 1944.

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