Lancaster LM382 at Skipton on Swale airfield.
On the night of 26th / 27th November 1943 166 Squadron supplied twenty one Lancasters on an operational flight to bomb Berlin. The weather was poor on their return to the area of there base so all but either one or two of the returning squadron aircraft were diverted north to land in Yorkshire. The visibility over Yorkshire was still bad though twelve landed at Skipton on Swale airfield and others landed at Pocklington and Leconfield. Unfortunately the 166 Squadron records do not state where each aircraft landed. Six Lancasters received flak damage during the course of the night and were part of the number landing in Yorkshire. Lancaster LM382 took off from Kirmington at 16.56hrs and released their bomb load from 21,000 feet. Because of the weather on the return flight they landed at Skipton on Swale airfield at 00.58hrs. The Skipton on Swale station orb gives the number of twelve 166 Squadron aircraft landing there and also one of 626 Squadron. With so many aircraft landing ground staff were attempting to get all aircraft clear of the runways and perimeter track and the crew of 166 Squadron Lancaster JB142 were stationary awaiting instruction from ground staff when, at 01.05hrs, 166 Squadron Lancaster LM382 taxied into JB142. JB142 came out the worst and sustained Cat.B damage while LM382 only sustained Cat.A damage.
Pilot - Acting W/O James Henry Catlin RAFVR (1320338).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Barry Colin Wright RAFVR (1627924).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt John Cuthbert Barber RAFVR (1434102).
Navigator - Sgt Anthony William Pragnell (1533889).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Thomas Paul Hall RAFVR (1226285).
Air Gunner - Sgt Thomas Powers RAFVR (1583375).
Air Gunner - Sgt William Birch RAFVR (2206989).
All of the above apart from Sgt Barber were again flying in Lancaster LM382 on Ops to Leipzig on 20th February 1944. Their aircraft was attacked a number of times by enemy aircraft and received damage across it. Many of the crew also sustained injuries and a tricky but successful landing was made at Manston though the damage was so severe that it was not repaired. Barry Wright was awarded the CGM for his actions whilst Pragnell was awarded the DFC and the others named above were each awarded a DFM.