Halifax W7783 damaged in the air, landed at Pocklington airfield.
On 23rd May 1943 this 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was being flown over the North Sea over the Filey Bay bombing range and was carrying some sea markers when one exploded in the aircraft injuring two of the crew. There is an AM Form 1180 for this incident but it fails to include the pilot's name. I have found a reference somewhere that a landing was made at Pocklington airfield and the injured were taken to York Military Hospital but I cannot now relocate the reference to name the source.
Crew - Names unknown.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Thomas. Injured.
Halifax W7783 was built to contract B.73328/40 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was taken on charge as new by 158 Squadron at East Moor on 31st July 1942 where it was coded "NP-J". 158 Squadron moved to Rufforth on 6th November 1942. On 26th November 1942 it's AM Form 78 states that it sustained unspecified Cat.Ac/FA damage in a flying accident but no AM Form 1180 exists and no mention of what happened is recorded in the squadron records. A repair on site commenced on 4th December 1942 and the aircraft was returned to 158 Squadron charge on 13th January 1943 but it was re-coded "NP-O". On 28th February 1943 158 Squadron moved to Lissett. On 12th April 1943 the aircraft was transferred to 102 Squadron at Pocklington but three days later it was transferred to 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit at Riccall. As a result of minor damage in the air on 23rd May 1943 Cat.A/FA damage was the assessment and the aircraft was repaired on site having landed at Pocklington. On 7th February 1944 a repair on site was carried out by Handley Page Ltd. and it was returned to 1658 H.C.U. charge on 29th February 1944. During a major repair on 25th June 1944 the aircraft was assessed as beyond repair so Cat.E1 damage was recorded on the paperwork and it was struck off charge on 28th June 1944. It had flown a total of 711 hours in the air from new.