Halifax JB862 damaged by flak, landed at East Moor airfield.
On the night of 28th / 29th April 1943 the crew of this aircraft were one of a number of 419 Squadron and other No.6 Group crews tasked with mine laying in waters off Germany. This aircraft was hit by flak in the wings which damaged the hydraulics. The crew made a safe return to England but landed at East Moor airfield.
Pilot - P/O William Gerald Elliott RCAF (J/14866), of Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
Navigator - P/O Elmer Earl Kennedy RCAF (J/14521), wife of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Bomb Aimer - P/O Hugh Morland Metcalfe RCAF (J/21737), of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Gordon Sandfield RAFVR (1062023),
Flight Engineer - Sgt George Douglas Menzies RCAF (R/89099), of Orillia, Ontario, Canada.
Air Gunner - Sgt John William McIntosh RCAF (R/127620), of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Air Gunner - Sgt John Alexander Farrel RCAF (R/152210), of Brantford, Ontario, Canada.
Just days after this flak incident this crew were together in the air again on the night of 4th / 5th May 1943 flying Halifax DT794 undertaking an operational flight to bomb Dortmund. The aircraft crashed near the target area with the loss of the whole crew. They are all now buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Halifax JB862 was built to contract ACFT/1808/C4 by English Electric Co. Ltd. at Samlesbury and was taken on charge by 419 Squadron at Middleton St. George on 14th March 1943. As a result of the battle damage sustained on 29th April 1943 Cat.A/FB damage was the damage assessment. The aircraft was repaired on site, either at East Moor or at Middleton St. George if the hydraulics were patched up to make it servicable to ferry it back. On 24th May 1943 it failed to return from Ops to Dortmund that saw Cat.E(m) damage recorded on the paperwork. The aircraft was struck off charge on 28th May 1943 having logged just over 77 hours total flying time from new.