Halifax JD107 damaged by flak, returned to Leeming airfield.
On the night of 13th / 14th May 1943 the crew of this 408 Squadron aircraft was undertaking an operational flight to bomb Bochum when they were attacked, but not damaged, by a Junkers Ju-88. The pilot took evasive action and they managed to shake off their attacker. Before they left mainland Europe they were hit by flak which damaged the hydraulics. The pilot made the return to base of Leeming and landed at 05.26hrs.
Pilot - F/Lt Alexander Campbell Mair RCAF (C/1635).
Navigator - F/O Wilfred Ronald Eli North MiD RAFVR (114391).
Bomb Aimer - P/O Angus Ward Douglas RAFVR (131827).
Air Gunner - Sgt William George Philpot RAFVR (1399343).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Theodore Herbert Skebo RCAF (Can 4190A).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - P/O Sidney Arthur Henry Glasspool RAFVR (133082).
Air Gunner - Sgt Geoffrey Fielding RAFVR (162606?)
Alexander Mair was born in Scotland but was living in Brandford, Ontario when he enlisted into the RCAF in January 1940. He rose quickly through the ranks and by November 1943 he was in the rank of Wing Commander (probably Acting) and was Commanding Officer of 408 Squadron. W/Co Mair was killed flying Lancaster DS723 on 27th November 1943, he was twenty eight years old and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. He was awarded the DFC for service with 408 Squadron after his death, Gazetted on 24th December 1943 and the citation reads.."This officer has participated in very many sorties involving attacks on a wide variety of important and well defended targets in Germany. Throughout his tour he has displayed great skill and determination, pressing home his attacks with vigour, often in the face of heavy opposition. On several occasions his aircraft has been damaged by enemy action but despite this, Wing Commander Mair has completed his mission successfully. He is a highly efficient flight commander whose gallant leadership and personal example have inspired all."
Ronald North had flown a first Tour much earlier in the war, beginning on 7th September 1940 and ending on 17th May 1941, flying in Wellingtons. He received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 19th December 1941 and was Mentioned in Despatches on 2nd June 1943 (but was probably recommended for earlier service and possibly instructing after his first tour). The battle damage incident on 13th May 1943 was the first trip with 408 Squadron of his second tour. He was awarded the DFC for service with 408 Squadron, Gazetted on 14th September 1943. He was also killed flying in 408 Squadron Lancaster DS723 on 27th November 1943, he was twenty seven years old and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Angus Douglas had received a commission on 30th October 1942 and rose to F/O on 30th April 1943. He too was killed when 408 Squadron Lancaster DS723 failed to return from Ops on 27th November 1943. He was twenty six years old and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Fielding and Glasspool were also killed in the missing Lancaster DS723 on 27th November 1943.
Theodore Skebo was born in Winnipeg in 1916 and had joined the RCAF way back in 1936. He had probably served in the ground trades earlier in his RCAF career but switched to become a flight engineer for air crew when the need for flight engineers to fly in the larger bombers came about. He was awarded the DFM for service with 408 Squadron, Gazetted on 19th October 1943. He may have lost two brothers in RCAF service in 1944.
William Philpot received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 6th July 1943 and rose to F/O six months later. He was killed flying with 408 Squadron on 23rd May 1944 when Lancaster LL723 crashed in Germany. He was twenty two years old and is buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.