Lancaster LL632 damaged by a night-fighter, returned to East Moor airfield.
On the night of 26th / 27th November 1943 this 432 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to bomb Berlin. The aircraft took off from East Moor at 17.12hrs and the crew released the bomb load onto the target area at 21.23hrs from 21,000 feet. Whilst over the target the aircraft was attacked by a night-fighter which inflicted severe damage, rendering the rear turret out of action. The crew avoided further combat and returned safely to East Moor, landing at 01.35hrs. The main bulk of this crew (minus flight engineer and mid upper gunner) were involved in a flying battle with Me110s in October 1943 in a Wellington and the rear gunner shot down one of their attackers though their Wellington was also hit. 432 Squadron then converted to flying Lancasters and they were joined by a second air gunner and a flight engineer.
Pilot - Sgt Peter Woodrow Dennis RCAF (R/140664).
Navigator - Sgt Gordon Morris Atkins RCAF (R/157069).
Bomb Aimer - P/O John Francis O'Gorman RCAF (J/26089).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Peter Billie Woolfenden RAFVR (1318244).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Walter Harris Kent RAFVR (1403194).
Air Gunner - Sgt W Riding RAFVR (2216021).
Air Gunner - Sgt Joseph Herve Leon Quesnel RCAF (R/136383).
Peter Dennis was born in 1923 and worked as a clerk until he enlisted into the RCAF in Winnipeg on 13th November 1941. He was awarded his Wings on 18th December 1942. In total P/O Dennis and his crew completed twenty one operational flights with 432 Squadron before some were posted out in mid-March 1944. The citation for his DFM reads.."Flight Sergeant Dennis has completed numerous sorties and has displayed great skill, determination and devotion to duty. One night in November 1943 he piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Berlin. Whilst over the target area his aircraft was attacked on three occasions by enemy fighters. Nevertheless, he skilfully evaded the enemy aircraft and successfully attacked the target, afterwards flying his badly damaged aircraft to base. His effort was highly commendable." He died in January 2019.
Joseph Quesnel was born in 1922 in Canada but later came to the UK and worked in Reading, Berkshire as a lathe operator. He returned home and enlisted in Toronto on 27th October 1941 and finished his basic training in Canada in January 1942. He survived the War and received his DFM by post in 1950. The operational flight detailed above was F/Sgt Dennis's fifth with 432 Squadron and his second on Lancasters. Joseph Quesnel's DFM citation reads.. "As rear gunner Sergeant Quesnel has taken part in several sorties and has proved himself to be a cool and reliable member of aircraft crew. During a sortie one night in December 1943, his aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters. In the engagement Sergeant Quesnel fought with great resolution and destroyed one of the attackers. On another occasion in November 1943, his aircraft was attacked three times by enemy fighters. His turret was rendered unserviceable but he coolly directed his pilot's combat manoeuvres and the attacker was evaded. This airman has set a very fine example."
Gordon Atkins pictured above. He grew up in La Riviere and was a school teacher prior to enlisting into the RCAF. The 26th November 1943 flight was his seventh operational flight. He received a commission in February 1944 (J/19652). He died in December 2000 aged 79.
For their actions on this night F/Sgt Dennis and Sgt Quesnel were each awarded DFM's. The pilot received his for bringing the crippled aircraft back and the rear gunner for directing his pilot as to the whereabouts of the night-fighter after his turret was rendered unservicable.
Peter Woolfenden received a commission to P/O on probation (emergency) on 2nd April 1944 (173999). His flying came to an abrupt end on the night of 28th/29th June 1944 when Halifax MZ591 was shot down over France and he became a PoW. He rose to F/O (war subs) on 2nd October 1944.
F/O John O'Gorman received a DFC for service with 432 Squadron, Gazetted on 12th December 1944. He was recommended for the DFC in September 1944 and had flown 32.5 operational flights at the time from 2nd September 1943 to 4th August 1944. Hugh Halliday's research has found this recommendation which reads.. "This officer has completed a long operational tour most successfully. His trips include Berlin (eight), Hanover, Frankfurt (twice), Stettin, Brunswick, Magdeburg, Stuttgart (twice). His co-operation, coolness and devotion to duty contributed in a large measure to the success of these operations. Flying Officer O'Gorman's cheerful confidence, reflected in the high standard of morale in his crew, has inspired the whole unit. For his splendid record and high degree of technical ability, this officer is recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross." He was born in 1918 in Perth, Ontario, he enlisted in Ottawa in May 1942 and was commissioned in 1943. Having survived the War he was presented with his DFC in 1949.
Walter Kent received a commission on 11th February 1944 to the rank of P/O on probation (172207). On 19th April 1944 P/O Kent was lost when Halifax LW643 of 432 Squadron failed to return from Ops to Noisy-le-Sec. It crashed near Clichy and he is buried along with five members of his then crew in Clichy Northern Cemetery, just north of Paris.
Lancaster LL632 was build to contract ACFT/239 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd at Baginton and was taken on charge by 432 Squadron at East Moor on 7th November 1943. On 27th November 1943 the aircraft suffered Cat.Ac/FB damage due to enemy action. It was repaired on site and returned to 432 Squadron on 8th January 1944. The aircraft was then transferred to 408 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse on 9th February 1944. It was lost on Ops on 20th February 1944 when it failed to return from Leipzig, it subsequently crashed near Stendal, Germany, with two of the then crew being killed and five becoming PoW's. Cat.Em damage was recorded on the AM Form 78 and the aircraft was struck off charge on 13th March 1944.