Halifax W7920 damaged in air, returned to Pocklington airfield.
On the evening of the 19th February 1943 the crew of this 102 Squadron aircraft were one of ten undertaking an operational flight to bomb Wilhelmshaven, this aircraft took off from Pocklington airfield at 18.14hrs. Outbound a large section of the port inner engine cowling came loose and bent back. The crew opted to jettison the bomb load and returned to base, landing at Pocklington at 20.40hrs. On inspection cracking of the port wing trailing edge was also found damaged, though believed to have been through general wear and tear.
Pilot - Sgt Michael Gerrard Gibbons RAFVR (1500187).
Navigator / Bomb Aimer - Sgt Louis John Langham RAFVR (1337179).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - P/O Leonard James Dowdall RAFVR (126836).
Air Gunner - Sgt Dennis Stanley Richings RAFVR (1183680).
Air Gunner - Sgt John William Hunt RAF (615956).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Thomas Edward Russell RAFVR (1266850).
Second Pilot - Sgt John Leslie Wilson RAFVR (658464).
In mid-January many of the above were flying together on an mine laying operational flight when their Halifax appears to have received minor damage, they returned safely to base. Just days after this damage, on 26th February 1943 all of the above were flying Halifax HR669 on Ops to Cologne when the aircraft crashed in the target area. All were killed. The bodies of all but Sgt Wilson were found and identified and are buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery. Sgt Wilson is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Further details surrounding their loss are to be found on the superb "102ceylonsquadron.co.uk" website.
Halifax W7920 was built contract B.73328/40 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett. It was taken on charge as new by 102 Squadron at Pocklington on 8th November 1942. As a result of the damage sustained on 26th November 1942 Cat.Ac/FB damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site. It was returned to 102 Squadron on 30th December 1942. On 19th February 1943 while on an operational flight to bomb Wilhelmshaven the port inner engine cowling came lose and bent back causing minor damage, the pilot was able to land safely. Cat.Ac/FB damage was the damage assessment, it was repaired on site and was servicable by the end of the month. On 27th March 1943 it sustained flak damage, Cat.A/FB resulted and it was repaired on site at Pocklington. On 21st April 1943 it sustained battle damage on an operational flight to Stettin, Cat.A/FB damage was again the damage assessment and it was repaired on site at Pocklington. On 28th May 1943 it sustained flak damage while on an operational flight to bomb Essen, Cat.A/FB damage was again the damage assessment and it was repaired at Pocklington. On 2nd July 1943 it sustained Cat.Ac/FA damage on the ground at Pocklington when a propeller broke off while the engines were being run up. The aircraft was again repaired on site and was returned to 102 Squadron on 5th August 1943. On 23rd September 1943 the aircraft was transferred to 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit at Riccall. Unfortunately on 5th October 1943 it crashed on landing at Riccall. Cat.E/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 16th October 1943.