Halifax DT783 damaged by flak, returned to Melbourne airfield.

On the night of 27th / 28th May 1943 the crew of this 10 Squadron aircraft took off from Melbourne airfield at 23.10hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Essen. The crew bombed the target area at 01.19hrs from 18,000 feet but received three small flak holes in the fuselage. Despite the damage the crew managed to make the return flight to Melbourne and landed there at 03.59hrs. All members of this crew were either awarded the DFC or DFM for service with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 9th November 1943.

Pilot - F/O Derrick William Cox RAFVR (124391).

Navigator - P/O Thomas Eric Tranter RAFVR (133338).

Bomb Aimer - P/O Charles John Burnell RAFVR (131977).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Eric Edwin Wakeford RAFVR (1313405).

Air Gunner - Sgt Duncan Archibald Chisholm RCAF (R/69511).

Flight Engineer - Sgt Lewis Edward Hopkins RAF (522582).

Air Gunner - Sgt Robert John Burton RCAF (R/66602).

Halifax DT783 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was taken on charge as new by 10 Squadron at Melbourne on 2nd February 1943. The aircraft sustained battle damage on 28th May 1943 and on 22nd June 1943 with both seeing Cat.A/FB damage assessments and repairs on site made each time. On 29th June 1943 the aircraft failed to return from Ops to Cologne. Cat.Em damage was recorded on the paperwork and the aircraft was struck off charge 6th July 1943 having clocked up 165 hours total flying time from new.

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