Wellington HE398 collided with Wellington HZ256 in the air, returned to Leconfield airfield.
On the night of 5th / 6th March 1943 the crew of this 196 Squadron aircraft undertook an operational flight to bomb Essen. They took off from Leconfield at 19.01hrs. This aircraft collided in the air with Wellington HZ256 of 466 Squadron some thirty miles from the enemy coast while flying at 1000 feet. The crew made a safe landing at 00.25hrs at Leconfield. The pilot was later awarded the DFC for his actions on this night, his citation mentions that he continued to drop the bombs on the target after the collision where as the 196 Squadron orb is very specific in stating that collision happened shortly after they had already released their bomb load. Wellington HE398 and Wellington HZ256 landed safely at Leconfield.
Pilot - F/O James Anthony Hope RAFVR (111768).
Navigator - F/O George Augustus Shotan Williams RAFVR (118639).
Bomb Aimer - F/Sgt Edgar Roy Cerely M.M. RAFVR (904655).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Owen Fitzpatrick RAFVR (943481).
Air Gunner - F/Sgt Charles Alexander Davidson RAF (639600).
"Flying Officer Hope was captain and pilot of an aircraft which was detailed to attack Essen one night in March 1943. While the target was still a distance of 200 miles away the aircraft was involved in a collision and severely damaged, making any evasive action which might become necessary well nigh impossible. It was also found impracticable to climb much beyond 14,000 feet. Despite the serious handicaps Flying Officer Hope, with grim determination, proceeded on his mission which he successfully accomplished. This incident is typical of the fine fighting spirit, courage and devotion to duty which have characterised, all this officer's operational flying." He was promoted to F/Lt (War subs) on 29th October 1943 and survived the War. On 17th August 1948 he was appointed to a permanent commission of F/Lt in the RAF Education Branch having previously gained a BSc. He was promoted to S/Ldr on 17th September 1952 and W/Co on 1st July 1960. He was granted an OBE for his work in the 1966 The Queen's Birthday Honours List, Gazetted on 11th June 1966. He was then promoted to Group Captain on 1st July 1966.
Owen Fitzpatrick and Charles Davidson were awarded the DFM for service with 196 Squadron.
Wellington HE398 was built to contract B.124362/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Hawarden. It was received by 23 MU on 16th November 1942 and was taken on charge as new soon after by 196 Squadron at Leconfield on 7th December 1942. As a result of the damage on 6th March 1943 minor Cat.A(c)/FB was the damage assessment, the damage was repaired on site at Leconfield by a team from Vickers at Weybridge and was returned to 196 Squadron use on 10th April 1943. It failed to return from an operational flight to bomb Duisburg on 13th May 1943 which saw it's then crew of five being killed. Cat.E(m) damage was recorded on the paperwork and it was struck off charge on 1st June 1943.
James Hope received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) on 20th October 1941, he rose to F/O on probation (war subs) on 1st October 1942. For his actions on the night of 5th / 6th March 1943 he was awarded an immediate DFC, Gazetted on 30th March 1943, the citation reads..
Edgar Cerely was awarded the Military Medal, Gazetted on 18th December 1942 while serving with 39 Squadron in 1941 and 1942. The recommendation for his award, held in the UK National Archives under file reference "WO373/62/82" states that "on the 2nd November 1941, this airman was a member of the crew of a Beaufort aircraft.. which forced landed on Crete during an operational sea reconnaissance. The crew destroyed their aircraft and after spending one night in the hills were taken to a village by a Cretan and given civilian clothes. On the 4th November, they joined nineteen other escapers who were awaiting the arrival of some friendly Greeks with a boat they had secured. After a week in hiding they managed to reach the boat and sailed, but the engine failed and they were forced back to Crete where the Greeks endeavoured to repair it. The crew remaining at the village of Elos trying to cure their septic wounds. They were planning an escape early in January when a guide appeared with a secret letter telling them he would take the crew and others off the island in a fortnight. They walked for ten days through heavy rain and snow storms, and after waiting three weeks, with very little food, were forced to disperse again as the Germans had discovered their hiding place. Many of the party were subsequently captured but Sgt Cerely escaped with a Scotsman. The latter took Sgt Cerely to a point where a small rowing boat hidden. Here both were joined by two more British and a Greek, and after obtaiing provisions the four set sail for Turkey. After two days a storm arose and they were blown back to Crete. They started to repair the boat but two days later they were betrayed by a pro-German Greek and taken to Heraklion. at dusk Sgt cerely made a break for freedom, however, and escaped down a mountain side. He lived in the hills for six weeks with a friendly shepherd and then decided to walk west to attempt another escape. He met his companions again and after organising another attempt to escape they learned of an evacuation plan which would enable them to reach Egypt. After walking back across the Island they left on 22nd May, arriving at Bardia four days later. This airman more than pulled his weight in this party and was always cheerful and hard working and showed initiative and courage throughout. He has now returned to the United Kingdom."
George Williams was also awarded the DFC for service with 196 Squadron.