Halifax JB852 damaged by enemy aircraft, returned to Elvington airfield.
In the early hours of 27th April 1943 the crew of this 77 Squadron aircraft were undertaking an operational flight to bomb Duisberg and took from Elvington at 00.29hrs. The crew reported intense flak but the aircraft was attacked by an enemy aircraft which damaged the Halifax's fuselage. The rear gunner returned fire and observed hits on the enemy aircraft's starboard engine which then broke off the combat and the Halifax lost sight of it. They were able to make a safe return to base and landed at Elvington at 05.40hrs.
Pilot - Sgt G B Ellis (Possibly Sgt Gwilym Beynon Ellis RAFVR (657095)).
Flight Engineer - Sgt F Brierley (Possibly Fred Brierley RAF (537128)).
Navigator - F/O Max Reginald Ashman RAFVR (120405).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Frederick Roberts Gilbey RAFVR (1436344).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt C A Walsh.
Air Gunner - Sgt W Lewis.
Air Gunner - Sgt Stanley Arthur Richardson RAFVR (1231188).
Stanley Richardson was still flying with 77 Squadron on 22nd October 1943 when he on board Halifax JB856 on Ops to Kassel, he and two other members of his then crew were killed while four became PoW's. He is buried in Hannover War Cemetery.
Frederick Gilbey was awarded the DFM for service with 77 Squadron, Gazetted on 15th October 1943. He received his commission on 18th October 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) (161687) rising to F/O on 18th February 1944 and F/Lt on 18th October 1945. He remained in the RAFVR after the war and relinquished his commission in the RAFVR on 11th January 1955.
Max Ashman was granted his commission as P/O on probation (emergency) on 19th January 1942 and was promoted to F/O on probation on 1st October 1942. He was awarded the DFC for service with 77 Squadron, Gazetted on 15th October 1943. He was later promoted to F/Lt on 19th January 1944 and was awarded the Bar to the DFC for service with 582 Squadron, Gazetted on 16th February 1945, the citation for this reads.."This officer has participated in numerous sorties against heavily defended targets in Germany and enemy-occupied territory. He has proved himself a keen and skilful navigator. His courage and fortitude in the face of all hazards, together with his consistent devotion to duty, merit high praise." He remained in the RAFVR until reliquishing his commission on 27th March 1956.
If the Sgt Brierley listed above was indeed Sgt Fred Brierley then he was later posted to 76 Squadron and died on 27th September 1943 flying Ops to Hannover in Halifax DK266. The aircraft crashed in Germany and he is buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery. He was the son of Booth and Annie Brierley, of Lees, Oldham, Lancashire and was 32 years old.
Similiarly, if Sgt Ellis was indeed Sgt Gwilym Beynon Ellis then he too was posted to 76 Squadron. He received his commission on 13th September 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation. He rose to F/O on 13th March 1944 He was awarded the DFC for service with 76 Squadron, Gazetted on 16th June 1944, the citation reads.."One night in May 1944. Flying Officer Ellis piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Hasselt. On the outward flight the aircraft was engaged by a fighter and sustained damage before the enemy aircraft was driven off. Although one engine was useless and the port mainplane had received damage, Flying Officer Ellis went on to the target which he attacked with. his usual determination. This officer, who is now on his second tour, has displayed exceptional keenness, great skill and courage." Reference to flying his second tour with 76 Squadron lends more weight to him flying his first with 77 Squadron. He was later promoted to F/Lt (war subs) on 13th September 1945.
Halifax JB852 was built to contract ACFT/1808/C4 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was taken on charge by 77 Squadron at Elvington on 10th March 1943.
It sustained flak damage on 4th April 1943 that saw a damage assessment of Cat.A/FB which was repaired on site. The aircraft received further battle damage on 27th April 1943 and again Cat.A/FB damage was the assessment. It was repaired on site and returned to 77 Squadron on 7th May 1943. On 28th May 1943 it received battle damage that saw Cat.A/FB damage be the damage assessment. It was again repaired on site and returned to 77 Squadron. On 12th June 1943 it again received battle damage that saw Cat.A/FB damage be the damage assessment. On 22nd June 1943 it failed to return from an operational flight to bomb Krefeld. Cat.E(m) damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 30th June 1943 having flown a total of 110 hours flying time.