Lancaster JB142 at Skipton on Swale airfield.
On the night of 26th / 27th November 1943 166 Squadron supplied twenty one Lancasters on an operational flight to bomb Berlin. Lancaster JB142 took off from Kirmington at 16.54hrs and released their bomb load from 21,000 feet over the target. While over the target the aircraft was coned in searchlights and sustained minor flak damage, both mid upper and rear turrets also froze up. The weather was poor on their return to the area of there base so all but either one or two of the returning squadron aircraft were diverted north to land in Yorkshire. The visibility was still poor further north but twelve landed at Skipton on Swale airfield and others landed at Pocklington and Leconfield. Unfortunately the 166 Squadron records do not state where each aircraft landed. Six Lancasters received flak damage during the course of the night and were part of the number landing in Yorkshire. Lancaster JB142 landed at Skipton on Swale airfield at 00.48hrs. The Skipton on Swale station orb gives the number of twelve 166 Squadron aircraft landing there and also one aircraft of 626 Squadron. With so many aircraft landing ground staff were attempting to get all aircraft clear of the runways and perimeter track and the crew of 166 Squadron Lancaster JB142 were stationary awaiting instruction from ground staff when, at 01.05hrs, 166 Squadron Lancaster LM382 taxied into JB142. JB142 came out the worst and sustained Cat.B damage while LM382 only sustained Cat.A damage.
Pilot - F/Sgt Colin Gregory Phelps RAAF (416889).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Edward Peter Hillyard RAFVR (1803216).
Bomb Aimer - F/Sgt William W Mitchell USAAF (10601618).
Navigator - W/O Earl D Nesbitt RCAF.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Roland Winder RAFVR (1081479).
Air Gunner - Sgt William Harold Clarke RAFVR (1685389).
Air Gunner - Sgt Homfrey Reece Gibbon RAFVR (1817726).