Halifax W7920 damaged by flak, returned to Pocklington airfield.
On the night of 27th / 28th May 1943 the crew of this 102 Squadron aircraft were tasked with bombing Essen and left Pocklington airfield at 23.18hrs. They bombed the target from 18,000 feet but a 1,000lb bomb hung-up in the bomb bay and was later jettisoned as live as they left the target area. During the course of the night the aircraft suffered a glycol leak in the port outer engine and the aircraft also received flak damage to the fuselage near to the wireless operator's position. Despite the damage the pilot was able to make a safe landing at Pocklington airfield at 04.04hrs and the aircraft was later repaired. In the squadron records it states "Special Recce" next to the details of this flight, I do not yet know what this means.
Pilot - F/O Haywood Sam Hartley RAFVR (109071).
Navigator - Sgt William Henry Hughes RAFVR (1316413).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt J F Thomson.
Air Gunner - Sgt J Myers.
Air Gunner - Sgt Leslie Lazenby RAFVR (623616).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Franklyn Maurice Melbourne Smith RAF (650182).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Henry John Hooper RAFVR (1317978).
William "Harry" Hughes was awarded the DFM for service with 102 Squadron, Gazetted on 7th December 1943 but by then he had already received his commission on 26th August 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (159079). After completing 26 operational flights with 102 Squadron he undertook instructional duties for a time. He was promoted to F/O on 26th February 1944 and later to F/Lt (war subs) on 26th August 1945. He was awarded the DFC for service with 692 Squadron, Gazetted on 25th May 1945. After serving with 692 Squadron he undertook ferrying work to ferry Mosquitos across the Atlantic and later ferrying aircraft between India and Burma. He appears to have left the RAF after the war but was recalled to the active list of the RAFVR on 13th November 1947 and was appointed to the re-constituted RAFVR as F/Lt on 13th May 1948 and finally relinquished his commission on 13th May 1963 as F/Lt. In more recent years he had been very active in reunions and in the newspapers promoting various Bomber Command causes.
Leslie Lazenby was awarded the DFM for service with 102 Squadron, Gazetted on 14th September 1943.
Franklyn Smith was later posted to 10 Squadron and was awarded the DFM, Gazetted on 16th November 1943. He had already received a received a commission by the date his award was Gazetted.
Sam Hartley was awarded the DFC for service with 102 Squadron, Gazetted on 22nd October 1943, the citation reads.."This officer, who has participated in very many sorties, is an extremely efficient and zealous captain. He has invariably pressed home his attacks and, on more than one occasion, his aircraft has been damaged by enemy action. Each time, he has succeeded in flying his damaged bomber to base. His courageous and inspiring example has been worthy of great praise."
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.