Halifax JB911 damaged by flak, returned to Elvington airfield.
On the night of 15th / 16th September 1943 the crew of this 77 Squadron aircraft undertook an operational flight to bomb Montlucon and took from Elvington at 20.40hrs. The crew released their bomb load over the target area bases on where target markers were lit at 23.42hrs. Two minutes after releasing their bomb load a higher flying Stirling released it's bomb load directly above this Halifax. A 30lb incendiary bomb entered the Halifax through the main fuselage door and remained in the fuselage. The flight engineer immediately threw it out. Several other similar sized incendiaries struck the Halifax and bounced off with one passing through the elevator. Despite the damage the crew managed to return to Elvington and they landed safely at 03.19hrs.
Pilot - F/Sgt Andrew William Storrar Galletly RAAF (405857).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Derrick Walter Cobden RAFVR (1436711).
Navigator - Sgt John Eric Hatherly Dean RAFVR (1382397).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Joshua Eric Masson RAFVR (1562921).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt E V Edwards.
Air Gunner - Sgt C G K May.
Air Gunner - Sgt E Sutton.
Halifax JB911 was built to contract ACFT/1808/C4 by English Electric Co. Ltd. at Samlesbury and was taken on charge as new by 77 Squadron at Elvington on 31st March 1943. On 27th April 1943, 28th May 1943, 12th June 1943 and 26th July 1943 it sustained minor damage by flak on Ops. Cat.A/FB was the damage assessment each time with repairs on site made each time. On 16th September 1943 it was hit over the target on Ops by falling incendiaries from a higher flying aircraft, Cat.Ac/FB damage was the damage assessment and on 19th September 1943 a repair on site commenced by a team from Handley Page Ltd. The aircraft was returned to 77 Squadron charge on 7th October 1943. On 18th November 1943 it was flown on an operational flight to Mannheim and the crew landed at Harwell on return. While the squadron records do not state any damage resulted it appears likely because a Cat.Ac/FB damage assessment was made. The damage was repaired on site and on 24th December 1943 it was returned to 77 Squadron charge. It remained with 77 Squadron and moved with them to Full Sutton on 15th May 1944. The aircraft was transferred to 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit at Riccall on 24th June 1944. On 16th November 1944 it was flown to 45 MU at Kinloss for storage and lasted until 1st November 1946 when it was struck off charge and sold for scrap.