On 9th / 10th August 1943 this 102 Squadron aircraft was to be used to attack Mannheim and took off from Pocklington at 22.55hrs. Prior to reaching the target area the aircraft was attacjed by a fighter and received damage. The crew opted to bomb Trier instead of Mannheim and made for home. Despite the damage to the Halifax a safe landing was made at Pocklington at 05.51hrs.
Pilot - Sgt Walter Hughes RAFVR
Navigator - Sgt William Waterson Cottle RAFVR
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Roy Alfred Dabnor RAFVR
Air Gunner - Sgt Roland Barnsley Bainbridge RAFVR (1148681).
Air Gunner - Sgt David Willington RCAF (R/138346).
Flight Engineer - Sgt John Boxall RAFVR (1110637).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Frederick Thomas Dunn RAFVR (1319229).
All of the above were killed in a crash at Barmby Moor on 22nd November 1943 on Ops to Berlin flying Halifax LW333.
Halifax W7927 was built to contract B.73328/40 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett. It was taken on charge by 102 Squadron at Pocklington on 18th November 1942 and was first used operationally by them on 6th December 1942. It sustained battle damage on 7th March 1943 (Cat.Ac/FB), 30th May 1943 (Cat.A/FB) and 10th August 1943 (Cat.Ac/FB) with it being repaired on site each time. The aircraft was transferred to 466 Squadron 6th October 1943 when they began conversion from Wellingtons to Halifax MkII. In January 1944 the aircraft was deemed in need of a repair on site by Handley Page. It was returned to 466 Squadron use on completion but shortly after on 12th March 1944 it was transferred to 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit at Riccall. On 10th April 1944 it suffered an engine failure and crashed on landing at Fairwood Common which saw the aircraft badly damaged. It was not repaired and was written off with Cat.E/FA damage recorded. The aircraft was struck off charge on 28th April 1944.
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