On the night of 23rd / 24th August 1943 the crew of this 51 Squadron Halifax were undertaking an operational flight to bomb Berlin and had taken off from Snaith at 20.29hrs.
The aircraft was making the approach on the target area over Berlin when another Halifax flying next to this one was attacked by an enemy night-fighter. The pilot of the other Halifax took evasive action and the enemy aircraft then made an attack on Halifax HR948 from 300 yards damaging the tail plane, rear turret and main plane with the intercom also being knocked out. The rear gunner and the fight engineer were also injured in the attack but both gunners returned fire and the Halifax pilot took evasive action and the attacker was lost. They then continued the run on the target and released their load from 17,500 feet at 23.53hrs before making a safe return to base of Snaith at 04.15hrs. For their actions on this night Sgt's Farr and Kelly were awarded DFM's, Gazetted on 17th September 1943. Their joint citation adds further details and reads..
"One night in August, 1943, Sergeants Farr and Kelly were flight engineer and air gunner respectively of an aircraft detailed for an operation against Berlin. Whilst over the target area the aircraft was engaged by a fighter. A cannon shell shattered the windscreen of the rear turret, smashed the inter-communication system and wounded Sergeant Kelly in the groin. Although in much pain, this gunner resolutely held to his post and succeeded in driving off the attacker. Inspite of extreme cold, owing to the absence of windscreen protection, he remained in his turret until the target had been bombed and the aircraft well clear of the area. Throughout the return flight, Sergeant Farr displayed great fortitude and devotion to duty. Although weak through loss of blood and in great pain caused by multiple injuries received during the encounter, he insisted on fulfilling his duties without assistance until the bomber reached base. These airmen set a fine example of courage and determination."
Pilot - F/O Arthur Robert Burchett RAF (50040).
Navigator - P/O Donald Herbert Denis Tungate RAF (51032).
Bomb Aimer - F/Sgt E S Bryant RAF (1315696).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt J H Bailey RAF (1345405).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Stephen William Farr RAFVR (1249433). Injured.
Air Gunner - Sgt George Dakers Milne RAFVR (950601).
Air Gunner - Sgt George Kelly RAFVR (1056891). Injured.
On the night of 20th / 21st December 1943 (acting) F/Lt Burchett, F/O Tungate, Sgt Bailey and Sgt Milne were flying 51 Squadron Halifax HR948 on Ops to Frankfurt when the aircraft was badly damaged by flak over the target and only some of the crew were able to escape the damaged aircraft. One of the survivors later stated that Burchett had held the burning aircraft steady enabling some of the crew to bale out. Burchett and Milne died and are buried in Durnbach War Cemetery. Tungate and Bailey survived but became PoWs.
Arthur Burchett was granted a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 23rd October 1942 and rose to F/O (War subs) on 23rd April 1943. He was awarded the Air Force Cross after his death, Gazetted on 1st January 1944 for his actions on 30th August 1943 while flying with 51 Squadron. The recommendation for his award adds much detail and reads.."On the night of 30th August 1943, this Officer was Captain of an aircraft which attacked a target at Munchen-Gladbach. On the return flight, while in the neighbourhood of Ossington at about 4000 feet, Flying Officer Burchett’s aircraft was involved in a collision with a Lancaster. Both port propellors were badly damaged, the port fin and rudder knocked off, one propellor of the Lancaster cutting through the top of the fuselage, the flaps rendered unserviceable and the tail turret damaged. The port outer engine was feathered but the port inner engine continued to give some thrust. All three motors were therefore opened up fully and it was found that control could be maintained with full aileron and rudder flying at 180 miles per hour, though losing height. At any less speed the aircraft became uncontrolable. It was decided to make an emergency landing at Ossington and an approach was made at 185 I.A.S. with wheels down but without flap. In spite of the fact that the aircraft swung uncontrollably as soon as the motors were cut out, and that the runway was only 1400 yards long, the aircraft was successfully landed without further damage. In performing this feat Flying Officer Burchett showed superb skill and courage." He was twenty four years old when he was killed on 21st December 1943.
Donald Tungate was granted a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 1st March 1943 and rose to F/O on probation on 1st September 1943 and confirmed in the rank of F/O on 23rd December 1943 (probably when the Air Ministry became aware he was a PoW). He later rose to F/Lt on 1st March 1945. After the war he remained in the RAF at least until 1954.
George Kelly was granted a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 5th August 1944 (184898) and was promoted to F/O (war subs) on 5th February 1945.