Wellington HF599 damaged by flak, landed at Skipton on Swale airfield.

In the early hours of 31st August 1943 the crew of this 432 Squadron Wellington were undertaking an operational flight to bomb Munchen Gladbach and took off from Skipton on Swale at 00.06hrs. The aircraft was slightly damaged by flak over Germany and part of the damage included a burst port main tyre. On their return to Skipton on Swale at 04.50hrs the aircraft ground looped and was further damaged. This aircraft blocked the runway and prevented other returning aircraft from landing there so the six aircraft still in the air were diverted to land at Topcliffe.

Pilot - Sgt Bernard A Sorge RCAF (R/103774).

Navigator - F/Sgt W H R Gardiner RCAF.

Bomb Aimer - Sgt George William Hodges RAFVR (1387641).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Matthew Ivan Cruickshank RCAF.

Air Gunner - F/Sgt Charles Henry Brown RAFVR (1035971).

Second Pilot - Sgt Albert Edward Slegg RCAF (R/135879).

The first five named above had flown together with 424 Squadron earlier in 1943 before posting to 432 Squadron in May 1943 when the main part of 424 Squadron were posted for operations in North Africa. They left 423 Squadron before the end of the year and after this I have not yet traced any unit with which the Canadians served. The RAF members both served with Path Finding squadrons.

Bernard Sorge was born in 1920 and married in Scotland during WW2. He and his bride returned to Pincher Creek after the war where he died in 1998.

Matthew Cruickshank died in April 1994 in Cornwall, Ontario. He was eighty years old.

George Hodges received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 22nd September 1943. While in the rank of Acting F/Lt he was awarded the DFC for service with 156 Squadron, Gazetted on 8th December 1944.

Charles Brown also received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 22nd September 1943. While in the rank of F/O he was awarded the DFC for service with 635 Squadron, Gazetted on 22nd May 1945. He remained in the RAF Volunteer Reserve until at least 1971.

F/Sgt Albert Slegg was killed on 2nd December 1943 flying 432 Squadron Lancaster LL618 which failed to return from Ops to Berlin. He is buried in Berlin War Cemetery.

Back to monthly table.