Lancaster W4325 damaged in the air, landed at Breighton airfield.
On the night of 30th / 31st January 1943 this 460 Squadron aircraft was used to attack Hamburg. The aircraft took off from Breighton airfield at 00.25hrs and released their bombs on the target area at 03.07hrs from 19,500 feet. The aircraft landed at Breighton at 06.16hrs without any noticeable problem. Three hours later an inspection of the aircraft found that the bomb doors were slightly damaged, probably due to the effects of icing on them just prior to opening them to release the load. Minor Cat.Ac damage resulted.
Pilot - F/Sgt Alfred Bertram Boyle RAAF (404713).
Navigator - P/O Ronald Frederick Friend RAAF (411138).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Hugh Jenkin Trafford RAFVR (1279470).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Alexander William MacRae RAAF (401312).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt John Ross Austin RAAF (403682).
Air Gunner - Sgt Charles Thomas Crook RAAF (408800).
Air Gunner - Sgt C P Prentice RAAF.
Lancaster W4325 was delivered as new to 460 Squadron on 21st October 1942 at Breighton airfield. As a result of damage sustained at Breighton on 31st January 1943 Cat.Ac/FA damage was the damage assessment that was logged on the AM Form 78 two days later. It was repaired on site and returned to 460 Squadron on 13th February 1943. The aircraft was then damaged again at Breighton on 13th March 1943 that again saw Cat.Ac/FA damage be the damage assessment. It was repaired on site and returned to 460 Squadron on 27th March 1943. The aircraft failed to return from Ops to Stettin on 20th April 1943 that saw all it's then crew killed. Cat.Em damage was recorded on the paperwork and it was struck off charge on 30th April 1943.