On the night of 29th / 30th May 1943 the crew of this 102 Squadron aircraft took off from Pocklington airfield at 22.52hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Wuppertal. During the course of the night the aircraft received a flak damage hole in the rear fuselage, just behind teh rear turret. The Halifax also appears to have been attacked by an enemy aircraft but the squadron records do not list any details other than the air gunners claimed one enemy aircraft as being shot down. Despite the damage the crew were able to bring the aircraft safely back to base and landed at Pocklington airfield at 04.14hrs. The pilot was later awarded the DFM, partly for his actions on this night.
Pilot - Sgt Tom Sayer RAFVR (591744).
Navigator - Sgt Hugh Bilbrough RAFVR (158424?).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Brendon J Reele.
Air Gunner - Sgt Leslie T Jones.
Air Gunner - Sgt Joseph Muldoon RAFVR (1575367).
Flight Engineer - Sgt James Kidd.
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Leonard Hancock.
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 latter is not recorded in the squadron records and must relate to damage sustained the previous night. 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.
Tom Sayer was born in the small village of Thoralby, in Wensleydale but later moved up the valley to Hawes. For service with 102 Squadron he was awarded the DFM, Gazetted on 7th December 1943. The citation states.. "The majority of the sorties undertaken by this airman as captain of aircraft have been directed against strongly defended objectives in Germany. In May 1943 while on a sortie against Wuppertal, his skilful handling of his aircraft enabled his gunner to shoot down an attacking enemy fighter. On another occasion his aircraft was damaed in combat with a fighter before reaching the target. Despite this F/Sgt Sayer continued this flight and bombed the objective". Following service with 102 Squadron he served as an instructor and received a commission in January 1944.
Joseph Muldoon was also awarded the DFM for service with 102 Squadron, also Gazetted on 7th December 1943.
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