On the night of 29th / 30th May 1943 this 426 Squadron aircraft took off from Dishforth airfield at 22.26hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Wuppertal. The crew released their
bomb load over the PFF target markers from 14,500ft at 01.06hrs but the aircraft was hit by flak four minutes later which damaged the hydraulics and rear turret.
Despite the damage the crew were able to make a safe return to Yorkshire and land safely at base of Dishforth at 04.29hrs.
Pilot - F/Lt David Thomas French RCAF (C/1617).
Navigator - P/O James Anthony De Rosenroll RCAF (J/14804).
Bomb Aimer - P/O John Paul Greco RCAF (J/20863).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - P/O Alfred John Miles RCAF (J/20853).
Air Gunner - Sgt Dennis Day Salmon RCAF (R/54483).
David French was born in Calgary in March 1915 and enlisted into the RCAF in January 1940. He begun his operational flying with 426 Squadron in May 1943, in June 1943
he transferred to 429 Squadron and in October 1943 was posted to 428 Squadron and became their Commanding Officer. He was awarded the DFC on 19th May 1944. He survived
the War and remained in the RCAF after returning to Canada. He was killed in a flying accident in July 1950 flying with 405 Squadron.
James De Rosenroll was born in Edmonton, Saskatchewan in 1922 and enlisted into the RCAF in Regina in September 1941. He initially served with 426 Squadron
in the UK but appears to have transferred to 428 Squadron before the end of his Tour. He was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 5th August 1944.
John Greco was born in Toronto in 1917 and enlisted into the RCAF in North Bay in July 1941. He too initially served with 426 Squadron
in the UK but appears to have transferred to 428 Squadron before the end of his Tour. He too was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 5th August 1944.
Alfred Miles was born in North Sydney in 1922 and enlisted into the RCAF in Halifax, Nova Scotia in August 1941. He too initially served with 426 Squadron
in the UK but appears to have transferred to 428 Squadron before the end of his Tour. He too was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 5th August 1944.
Dennis Salmon was born in Davenport, England in 1921 but was living in Astoria, Long Island, New York when he enlisted for RCAF service in Ottawa
in September 1940. He too initially served with 426 Squadron in the UK but appears to have transferred to 428 Squadron before the end of his Tour.
He was awarded the DFM, Gazetted on 5th August 1944.
Wellington HZ469 was built to contract B.92439/40 by Vickers Armstrongs Ltd. at Squires Gate and was taken on charge as new by 426 Squadron at Dishforth on 9th April 1943. On 30th May 1943 it sustained minor battle damage that saw a Cat.A/FB assessment and a repair on site. On 6th July 1943 the aircraft was transferred to 432 Squadron at Skipton on Swale. On 5th August 1943 it was transferred to 82 O.T.U. at Ossington and on an unknown date it was transferred to 27 O.T.U. at Lichfield. On 24th December 1943 the aircraft was slightly damaged in a flying accident that saw a Cat.Ac/FA assessment and a repair made by a team from Vickers. Once repaired it was returned to 27 O.T.U. charge on 29th April 1944. Later in 1944 it passed back to 82 O.T.U. at Ossington but on 6th November 1944 it was flown to 8 M.U. at Little Rissington to be stored. It lasted until 25th June 1946 when it struck off charge.
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