On the night of 22nd / 23rd September 1943 the crew of this 10 Squadron aircrfat took off Melbourne airfield at around 18.50hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Hanover. During the flight the Halifax was in combat with a Me110 and was badly damaged. They limped back towards Yorkshire and because of the serious damage they were unable to return to base, they baled out over East Yorkshire and the aircraft crashed near Patrington.
Pilot - F/Lt John George Jenkins DFC RAFVR (130667).
Flight Engineer - Sgt J H Banks.
Navigator - Sgt ohn William Desmond Ryan RAFVR (1387936).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Eric James Saddington RAFVR (1218578).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt James Edward Whatley RAFVR (1330479).
Air Gunner - Sgt Richard Neil Hurst DFM RCAF (R/151677).
Air Gunner - F/Sgt Arthur Leslie Fuller RAAF (420464).
Richard Hurst was awarded the DFM and John Hurst was awarded the DFC for service with 10 Squadron for their actions on 2nd / 3rd August 1943 while flying Ops to Hamburg in Halifax
DT792, the aircraft was badly damaged by a night-fighter and was returned to Melbourne airfield despite serious damage. The awarded were Gazetted days later on 24th August 1943. The citation reads.."Flying Officer Jenkins and Sergeant Hurst were pilot and rear gunner respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Hamburg one night in August 1943. During the operation the bomber was intercepted by a fighter which attacked from close range. Flying Officer Jenkins took the necessary evading action and when the enemy aircraft attacked the second time Sergeant Hurst delivered accurate bursts of fire causing the attacker to spiral slowly down in flames. The bomber sustained extensive damage, both elevators were shot away while the rudders were pierced in many places and much superficial damage sustained. In spite of this Flying Officer Jenkins, displaying superb airmanship, flew the damaged bomber to base. This officer and airman displayed great courage in harassing circumstances."
John Jenkins received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 25th September 1942 and rose to F/O on 25th April 1943. He was later promoted to F/Lt on 25th August 1944. After the War he remained in the RAF for many years retiring as S/Ldr on 17th May 1970.
Eric Saddington was also awarded the DFM for service with 10 Squadron but not for his actions in August 1943, notification of the award was printed in the London Gazette on 23rd May 1944.
James Whatley later received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation (169679) on 12th December 1943. He was awarded the DFC for service with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 2nd June 1944. He later received promotion to F/O on 12th June 1944 and to F/Lt on 12th December 1945 and remained in the RAF until 1950 when he resigned his commission.
John Ryan later received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation (157327) on 26th August 1943. He too was awarded the DFC for service with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 2nd June 1944. He was later promoted to F/O on 26th February 1944 and to F/Lt on 26th August 1945.
Les Fuller was born on 3rd September 1920 and was also awarded the DFC for service with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 2nd June 1944.
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