Halifax HR785 damaged on Ops, landed at Lissett airfield.
On the night of 20th / 21st April 1943 the crew of this 158 Squadron aircraft undertake an operational flight to bomb Stettin. The aircraft took off from Lissett airfield at 21.31hrs. The crew bombed the target but on the return flight the aircraft was struck by a burst of flak off the Danish Coast. Damage to the starboard wing leading edge resulted. The crew managed to make a safe landing at Lissett at 05.54hrs.
Pilot - P/O Richard David Roberts RAFVR DFM (143094).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Walter Gilbert Dent RCAF (R/89376).
Navigator - P/O Arthur Reginald Schofield RAFVR (141827).
Bomb Aimer - F/Sgt William Edward Ernest Bethell Priddin RCAF (R/74230).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt Henry Falls-Hand RAFVR (1304703).
Air Gunner - Sgt Edward James Culley RAFVR (1031824).
Air Gunner - Sgt Maurice Albert Gibson RAFVR (1585098).
Richard Roberts had earlier served with 104 Squadron and was part of the group that formed 158 Squadron in February 1942. He was awarded an immediate DFM for service with 158 Squadron (Gazetted on 2nd April 1943) for his actions on the night of 8th / 9th March 1943. The citation states that "One night in March 1943, this airman captained an aircraft detailed to attack Nuremberg. Whilst some distance from the target, on the outward flight, one of the port engines failed. Despite this, Flight Sergeant Roberts continued his mission. Considerable height had been lost by the time the target was reached but, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, this captain pressed home a vigorous attack. After the bombs were released the bomb doors jammed. The aircraft began to lose height but, some 15 minutes later. Flight Sergeant Roberts succeeded in getting the doors closed. Displaying superb airmanship he eventually flew the aircraft safely to base with three engines. This airman displayed great skill and determination throughout." He had already been granted a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 19th February 1943 so I do not know why he was awarded a DFM and not a DFC.
On 28th April 1943 P/O Roberts DFM, P/O Schofield, F/Sgt Priddin and Sgt's Dent, Culley and Gibson were killed when Halifax HR733 failed to return from a mine laying operational flight over the Silverthorne area. The aircraft was lost without trace and all are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Henry Falls-Hand was born in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffordshire in 1915. He had already completed his first Tour by October 1942. He received a commission on 6th May 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) and was awarded the DFC for service with 158 Squadron, Gazetted on 14th September 1943. He survived the War and remained in the RAF at least until 1947 and then set up a greengrocery buisness in Manchester before moving to Southport. He died in December 2009. His obituary on the internet states that he completed forty operational flights and refers to him surviving two bad crashes. He was injured only once when he fell off the back of a lorry returning him to base when he broke his arm.
Halifax HR785 was built to contract ACFT/1688/42 by Handley Page Ltd. and it was taken on charge as new by 158 Squadron at Lissett on 31st March 1943. As a result of the damage sustained on 21st April 1943 Cat.Ac/FB damage was the damage assessment. A repair on site commenced on 26th April 1943 and it was returned to 158 Squadron on 15th May 1943. On 22nd June 1943 it crashed in Lincoln on return from Ops to Krefeld and all seven of it's crew were killed. Cat.E2/FB Burnt damage was the damage assessment. It was struck off charge on 6th July 1943.