Halifax HR947 damaged by flak, returned to Snaith airfield.

On the evening of 19th November 1943 the crew of this 51 Squadron aircraft took off from Snaith airfield at 16.41hrs for an operational flight to bomb Leverkusen. They bombed the target area at 19.23hrs from 19,000 feet but due to thick cloud over the target area they could not see where they bombs landed, the aircraft was slightly damaged by flak but the crew were able to fly the aircraft back to base of Snaith airfield and land safely at 22.55hrs.

Pilot - P/O William George Bruce RAFVR (159087).

Navigator - P/O John Duncan White RAFVR (128361).

Bomb Aimer - Sgt Frederick Raymond Slann RAFVR (1575639).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt John F N Hepburn RAFVR (1344904).

Flight Engineer - Sgt Samuel Craig Tait RAFVR (1160996).

Air Gunner - Sgt Edward T Richardson RAFVR (1351387).

Air Gunner - Sgt Kenneth S Batten RAFVR (1632158).

On the night of 21st / 22nd January 1944 this crew were flying 51 Squadron Halifax LV779 when it was attacked by a night fighter on Ops to Madgeburg, the aircraft was badly damaged and was successfully abandoned by all the crew who became PoWs.

William Bruce received a commision to the rank of P/O on probation on 11th October 1943.

John White received a commision to the rank of P/O on probation on 15th June 1943.

Back to monthly table.