Halifax LW223 damaged by flak, returned to Breighton airfield / near Bubwith.

On the evening of the 19th November 1943 the crew of this 78 Squadron aircraft took off from Breighton airfield at 16.24hrs for an operational flight to bomb Leverkusen. They bombed the target area from 18,000 feet but the aircraft received flak damage over the target area and while it did not prevent the crew making the return flight to Breighton they landed at 23.23hrs but without brakes. On landing the aircraft overshot the runway on the northern side of the airfield and came to rest on the railway line near Bubwith. Two of the crew were slightly injured. The railway line became blocked for some fourteen hours.

Pilot - F/O Francis Robert Harris RCAF (J/20064). Slightly injured.

Flight Engineer - Sgt Ian Bell RAFVR (1567138).

Navigator - P/O Cyril Alfred Weeks RAFVR (168637).

Bomb Aimer - Sgt W Watt.

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt J Everrett. Injured.

Air Gunner - Sgt Ernest Henry Hamlyn RAFVR (1814077).

Air Gunner - Sgt W Langtree RCAF.

Francis Harris was awarded the DFC for service with 78 Squadron, Gazetted on 9th June 1944 the citation states that "One night in April 1944 this officer piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Montzew. Soon after leaving the target area the aircraft was involved in an encounter with a fighter and sustained much damage. The port-inner engine was damaged, two petrol tanks were pierced and the rear turret was rendered unserviceable. A fire started to the rear of the fuselage but by the prompt action of two members of the crew the flames were extinguished. Nevertheless the fighter was evaded and Flight Lieutenant Harris in the face of much difficulty flew the damaged aircraft to an airfield in this country. His skill, coolness and tenacity set an excellent example." He was also awarded the Bar to the DFC for further service with 78 Squadron, Gazetted on 14th November 1944.

Ian Bell was killed flying with 78 Squadron on the night of 26th February 1944 when Halifax LV794 crashed in Germany on Ops to Augsburg. He is buried at Rheinberg War Cemetery.

Cyril Weeks received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 20th October 1943. He was killed flying with 78 Squadron on the night of 27th March 1944 when Halifax LK749 crashed in Belgium on Ops to Essen. He is buried in Hotton War Cemetery, Belgium.

Ernest Hamlyn was awarded the DFM for service with 78 Squadron, Gazetted on 30th May 1944. The citation reads.. "As an air gunner this airman has taken part in very many sorties and has proved himself to be an efficient and fearless member of aircraft crew. On a recent occasion he was the rear gunner of an aircraft which attacked Montzen. During the operation the aircraft was attacked by a fighter and was struck by the enemy's bullets. Damage was sustained and a fire commenced in the fuselage. After the enemy aircraft had been finally evaded, Sergeant Hamlyn forced his way through the doors of his turret, which had become jammed, and fought the fire successfully. His coolness and promptitude undoubtedly averted serious consequences". By the time his DFM was granted he had already received a commission on 16th April 1944 and then rose to F/O six months later and to F/Lt after two years.

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