Wellington MS485 damaged by flak, returned to Skipton on Swale airfield.
On the night of 29th / 30th May 1943 the crew of this 432 Squadron aircraft were undertaking an operational flight to bomb Wuppertal when the aircraft sustained damage by a flak burst at 01.14hrs. The flak stripped the fabric, dented part of the aircraft and a propeller was damaged. The crew managed to bring the aircraft back to base of Skipton on Swale where they landed at 03.29hrs.
Pilot - Sgt Douglas Charles Baker RCAF (R/107959).
Navigator - Sgt Carl Norman Hurl RCAF (R/102768).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt George Welland Thompson RCAF (R/146160).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt John Black RAFVR (1331729).
Air Gunner - Sgt Jack Taylor RAFVR (1239660).
This crew had initially served with 427 Squadron but were posted to 432 Squadron on formation. All were killed on 9th October 1943 when Wellington LN451 crashed on Ops to Hanover. All are buried in Hanover War Cemetery. This was the last Bomber Command operational squadron Wellington loss on operations.
Wellington MS485 was built to contract B.92439/40 by Vickers Armstrong Ltd. at Squires Gate and was taken on charge as new by 424 Squadron at Topcliffe on 3rd March 1943. 424 Squadron moved to Leeming on 19th April 1943 but it was then transferred to 432 Squadron at Skipton on Swale on 2nd May 1943. As a result of battle damage sustained on 30th May 1943 Cat.A/FB damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired or was being still repaired on site when, on 14th June 1943 it caught fire on the ground at Skipton on Swale. Cat.E2 damage was the damage assessment and the aircraft was struck off charge on 21st June 1943 having clocked up a total of 92 flying hours from new.