Halifax DT787 damaged by flak, returned to Melbourne airfield.

On the night of 28th February / 1st March 1943 this 10 Squadron aircraft left Melbourne airfield at 18.32rs to undertake an operational flight to bomb St.Nazaire. The crew bombed the target area from 12,000 feet at 21.22hrs but while over the target area the aircraft was hit by flak in the bomb bay which ignited some of the incendiary bombs. The bomb load was released and the burning incendiaries fell away from the aircraft. The crew were able to bring the aircraft back to base and land at Melbourne at 00.33hrs. All this crew would later receive awards for service with 10 Squadron.

Pilot - P/O Nelson Alexander Cobb RCAF (J/16276).

Navigator - P/O David Arthur Codd RAFVR (120037).

Bomb Aimer - F/Sgt Walter Palfrey Trask RCAF (R/62971).

Wireless Operator - F/O Ronald Fell RAFVR (111786).

Air Gunner - Sgt Norman Francis Williams DFM RAAF (411624). Later CGM and Bar to DFM.

Flight Engineer - Sgt Roland Hurlston Baldwin RAFVR (1202711).

Air Gunner - Sgt Thomas Richard Desmond Smith RAF (633814).

Halifax DT787 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was taken on charge by 10 Squadron at Melbourne on 2nd February 1943. As a result of battle damage sustained on 1st March 1943, 4th April 1943, 8th April 1943 and then on 1st May 1943 minor Cat.A/FB damage appears to have resulted each time with a repair on site being made each time. On 30th May 1943 the aircraft failed to return from Ops to Wuppertal with its then crew being killed. Cat.E(m) damage was recorded on the paperwork and it was written off. The aircraft was struck off charge on 31st May 1943.

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