Halifax JB851 damaged by flak, returned to Elvington airfield.

On the night of 27th / 28th March 1943 the crew of this 77 Squadron aircraft took off from Elvington at 19.59hrs to undertake an operational flight bomb Berlin. While flying over the Magdeburg area the aircraft received flak damage but the crew were able to make a safe return to Elvington where they landed at around 03.00hrs. The aircraft was coded "KN-P" which I believe was Halifax JB851 at the time.

Pilot - Sgt James Harrison Rank RAFVR (1005341).

Flight Engineer - Sgt E Stanhope.

Navigator - Sgt Thomas Smith McStay RAFVR (1375108).

Bomb Aimer - Sgt Harry John Evans RAFVR (1551799).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt J S Muir.

Air Gunner - Sgt T G W Chalmers.

Air Gunner - F/Sgt H P MacPherson.

Halifax JB851 was built to contract ACFT/1808/C4 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was awaiting collection on 9th March 1943. The following day it was taken on charge by 77 Squadron at Elvington. As a result of sustaining flak damage on 28th March 1943 Cat.A/FB damage was probably the damage assessment. A repair on site was commenced by 60 M.U. on 9th April 1943 which may have seen the damage assessment upgraded to Cat.Ac. On 7th May 1943 the repair was complete and it was returned to 77 Squadron at Elvington but it was then re-coded "KN-J". On the night of 25th / 26th May 1943 a flak burst directly in front of the aircraft caused a piece of flak to fly through the cockpit front perspex and into the cockpit just above the pilot's seat. Very minor Cat.A/FB damage would have been the damage assessment had one been made before the perspex was repaired or replaced. On 1st September 1943 the aircraft failed to return from Ops to Berlin with seven of the eight crew being killed, the survivor became a PoW. Cat.E(m) damage was recorded on the paperwork and it was struck off charge on 5th September 1943.
Many of those named above were posted to 77 Squadron from 1652 Conversion Unit on 11th November 1942 but I have yet to full identify most of them.

Thomas McStay was still flying with 77 Squadron on 9th April 1943 and was flying Ops to Duisburg in Halifax JB847 when the aircraft crashed in France after being shot down by a night-fighter over France. All but one of his then crew were killed, he is buried in Creil Communal Cemetery, France.

Harry Evans was later posted to 51 Squadron. He was killed on 6th August 1943 when Halifax HR783 crashed just south of York near Crockey Hill and is buried in East Wemyss Cemetery, Fife.

James Rank received a commission on 1st May 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) but this was not notified until a couple of months later so he was awarded the DFM for his actions on this night in May 1943 and the citation for this reads. "One night in May 1943 Sgt Rank was captain of a bomber which was detailed to attack Wuppertal. When nearing the target the aircraft was hit by heavy anti-aircraft fire and damage was sustained which rendered the bomber difficult to control. Shortly afterwards the rear gunner reported the approach of an unidentified aircraft, and in most harassing circumstances Sergeant Rank was compelled to take evasive action. Still pursued, he pressed on to the target and made a successful and determined attack. Photographs showed that his bombs fell on the aiming point. During the attack the pursuing aircraft was evaded and course was set for base where a difficult landing was made with superb skill. Sergeant Rank displayed high courage and great determination to complete his task successfully." He was promoted to F/O on 1st November 1943 and Mentioned in Despatches on 1st January 1945. He was later promoted to F/Lt on 1st May 1945 but reliquished his commission on the grounds of medical unfitness on 8th November 1945.

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