Lancaster ED442 near Reedness.
On 6th February 1943 this 50 Squadron aircraft was being flown on a fighter affiliation exercise when, twenty five minutes into the flight at 11.45hrs the Lancaster was taking evasive action when the starboard fin and rudder broke off. Pilot unable to turn the aircraft normally so made a force landing near Moors Farm, Reedness, two miles north of Crowle. He was commended for his actions.
Pilot - Sgt William Goode Pickens RCAF (R/9839).
William Pickens was made a PoW on 13th May 1943 flying Ops to Plzen in Lancaster ED693.
Lancaster ED442 was delivered to 50 Squadron as new on 13th January 1943. As a resul of the forced landing near Reedness on 6th February 1943 Cat.B/FB damage was the damage assessment that saw it taken away by road for a repair by A.V.Roe.. Once repaired it was received by 5 MU on 19th June 1943 and then issued to 207 Squadron on 5th September 1943. The aircraft failed to return from Ops to Hannover that saw all eight of it's then crew killed. Cat.Em damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 30th September 1943.