Halifax HR721 damaged on Ops, landed at Lissett airfield.
On the night of 12th / 13th June 1943 this 158 Squadron undertook an operational fligh to attack Bochum. The crew took off from Lissett airfield at 23.15hrs and released their bomb load onto the target markers at 01.38hrs from 19,500 feet. While over the target the aircraft the aircraft sustained a hole to the port elevator on the tail and also a large indentation on the starboard mainplane. On landing the base of an incendiary bomb was found lodged in the tail plane hinge. The damage was caused by bombs released over the target from a higher flying aircraft. Despite this damage the crew flew the aircraft back to base and landed at Lissett at 04.14hrs.
Pilot - Sgt John Standring Sugden RAFVR (1218145).
Navigator - Sgt William Edward Arthur Parry RAFVR (1149034).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Donald McKay Black RAFVR (659019).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Alfred Hawkins RCAF (R/93279).
Air Gunner - Sgt Robert Braidwood Leighton RAFVR (1023457).
Air Gunner - Sgt John Thomson Ross RCAF (R/123083).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Gordon Herbert Rudrum RAFVR (156049).
Halifax HR721 was built to contract ACFT/1688/42 by Handley Page Ltd. and was delivered to 45 M.U. at Kinloss on 16th February 1943. The aircraft was taken on charge by 158 Squadron at Lissett on 26th March 1943. On 28th May 1943 it was slightly damaged by flak, Cat.A/FB damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site. On 13th June 1943 it was again damaged by flak, Cat.Ac/FB damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site with it returned to 158 Squadron on 30th July 1943. On 11th August 1943 the aircraft ran out of fuel on Ops to Nurnberg and was abandoned in the vicinity of Selsey Bill, unfortunately five of the crew were killed. A rescue launch located two of the crew alive. The aircraft was struck off charge on 23rd August 1943 and had clocked up a total of 96 flying hours from new.