Lancaster LM364 damaged in the air, landed at Lindholme airfield.
On the night of 27th / 28th September 1943 the crew of this 101 Squadron aircraft undertook an operational flight to bomb Hanover. The took off from Ludford Magna airfield at 19.15hrs. At 21.59hrs and five miles before the aircraft reached the target area it was coned in search lights and fired upon by heavy flak and then enemy aircraft. The bomb doors and the underside of the fuselage received damage and a fire started within the aircraft. The flight engineer managed to extinguish the fire and the crew released their bombs over the target before returning to England. Because of enemy activity over their home airfield this saw returning aircraft diverted north towards Yorkshire to land. This aircraft, and also another thirteen 101 Squadron Lancasters, landed at Lindholme (with 2 others finding Snaith and 1 finding Breighton). This aircraft landed safely at 01.25hrs at Lindholme. Prior to reading the Lindholme station record book in August 2019 I was unaware of the aircraft making a landing there. The Lindholme records only give details of an account given by the flight engineer that he believed that a fire in the fuselage caused the first aid compartment to explode and to give off noxious fumes. Lindholme's senior medical officer investigated inside the aircraft and found no evidence for his claim. Lindholme's record book does not mention the heroic actions the crew had given during the night.
For their actions on this night, the pilot and flight engineer were awarded the CGM. Gazetted on 2nd November 1943, the citation reads.. "This warrant officer and airman were pilot and flight engineer respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Hanover one night in September 1943. In the run-up to the target, the bomber was illuminated by the searchlights and subjected to heavy anti-aircraft fire, while immediately afterwards it was attacked by an enemy fighter. The aircraft was repeatedly hit and sustained serious damage. One of its engines was set alight but, with great coolness, Warrant Officer Walker went into a steep dive and thus evaded the fighter, whilst the force of the wind extinguished the flames. Meanwhile, a fire had started amidships. Flight Sergeant Mayer, displaying great gallantry and promptitude, made strenuous efforts to prevent the flames from spreading. He succeeded in getting the outbreak under control before he was overcome by the fumes. He was dragged clear, however, and the fire was afterwards extinguished. The situation was very serious but, undaunted, Warrant Officer Walker went on to release his bombs on the target. Displaying superb airmanship, this gallant and resolute pilot flew his crippled bomber to this country where he effected a safe landing in appalling weather. Throughout the return flight, Flight Sergeant Mayer rendered material assistance, while his examplary conduct in the face of imminent dangers was beyond praise."
Pilot - W/O Arthur Joseph Samuel Walker RAFVR (1380714).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Stanley Mayer RAFVR (1040284).
Navigator - Sgt Geoffrey Gordon Whittle RAFVR (1397166).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Reginald Arthur Hebditch RAFVR (1315458).
Bomb Aimer - F/O Albert William Gadd RAFVR (136884).
Air Gunner - Sgt Robert Stott RAFVR (1066653).
Air Gunner - Sgt Kenneth Norman Hicklin RAFVR (1716019).
Gadd's stated.. "..In spite of these harassing circumstances, Flying Officer Gadd coolly guided his pilot to the target where the bombs were released. He afterwards rendered valuable assistance in extinguishing the fire in the aircraft. This officer has displayed great devotion to duty and his achievements have been highly commendable."
Stott's stated .. the mid upper turret"..was severely damaged by heavy flak and an enemy fighter. Sergeant Stott's turret mechanism was hit by cannon shells and fire broke out all around him in the fuselage. With complete disregard for his own personal danger and although blinded by searchlights, he endeavoured to see the enemy fighter and drove it off. When descending from his turret in order to put out the fires, he discovered that the rear gunner had been overcome by fumes and with great presence of mind, he dragged him forward with the assistance of the Flight Engineer and then went aft and found the Flight Engineer overcome by fumes. Although suffering from lack of oxygen himself, he managed with fine endurance, to drag the engineer forward and pull him around. Throughout this dangerous situation, Sergeant Stott displayed great presence of mind and gave heroic assistance to the other members of the crew so that the fires were eventually extinguished and the aircraft completed its flight without further damage. His cool courage and great endurance are worthy of high praise and he is strongly recommended for an immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal."
Hicklin's stated.. "The aircraft in which he was rear gunner was coned by many searchlights while attacking Hanover and immediately hit by heavy flak and engaged by an enemy night fighter. Sergeant Hicklin's turret was severely damaged and although he was blinded by searchlights and being overcome by fumes, he succeeded in driving off the enemy. After this N.C.O. had recovered from the effect of fumes, he gave excellently valuable assistance to other members of the crew in putting out the fires which had broken out amidships and as a result of their magnificent efforts, the aircraft was saved and brought back safely to this country. The fine example set by this N.C.O. throughout this hazardous situation was an inspiration to the crew and he is recommended for an immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal."
Whittle's stated.. "The aircraft caught fire inside the fuselage and the D.R. compass was wrecked by canon shells and all intercommunications with other members of the crew failed. The situation became critical when one engine caught fire and the trimming cables had been burnt through. All the while, Sergeant Whittle, with magnificent courage, continued to carry out his allotted task with complete disregard for his personal safety which was an inspiring example to all the crew. Sergeant Whittle, with magnificent skill and while working in extremely difficult conditions, navigated his damaged aircraft through thick cloud and heavy rain back to this country.
Hebditch's stated.. "Fire broke out amidships and Sergeant Hebditch gave the Flight Engineer great assistance in getting it under control. With exceptional courage and complete disregard for his personal safety, he went aft to repair the intercommunication gear which had become unserviceable. All emergency oxygen had been used up and Sergeant Hebditch had to move continually between his equipment and various points in the aircraft in spite of considerable exhaustion through lack of oxygen. He stuck to his task, however, with magnificent determination and eventually partially repaired the intercommunication gear so that one or two members of the crew were able to receive messages by R/T and pass them to the Captain. This was especially important as weather conditions were appalling and the Captain was unable to transmit by R/T. When approaching Base, the mid-upper gunner was able to hear other aircraft being diverted and a safe landing was made at another aerodrome. Had this message not been heard, the pilot would have landed at base with disastrous results as the runway was obstructed by a crashed aircraft and littered with German anti-personnel bombs. The magnificent manner in which Sergeant Hebditch succeeded in carrying out a difficult task and his fine devotion to duty were undoubtedly material in saving the crew and the aircraft and he is strongly recommended for an immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal."
Along with the two CGM awards, Albert Gadd was awarded the DFC while Stott, Whittle, Hicklin and Hebditch were awarded the DFM. All their recommendations refer to the events of 27th / 28th September 1943.
Many of those named above received commisions in the weeks that followed. On 26th / 27th November 1943 all of the above apart from Sgt Whittle were flying together in Lancaster DV285 on Ops to Berlin when their aircraft was shot down by a night fighter over Belgium. Mayer, Gadd, Stott and Hicklin were killed and are buried in Heverlee Cemetery. Hebditch and Walker were made POWs.