Lancaster DS840 damaged on Ops, landed at Linton on Ouse airfield.
During the night of 20th / 21st January 1944 the crew of this 426 Squadron aircraft took off from Linton on Ouse airfield at 16.50hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Berlin. As the aircraft was over the target area the aircraft was struck from above by falling incendiary bombs released by a higher flying aircraft and two lodged in the starboard outer wing. The wing then caught fire. The crew continued to release their bomb load from 20,000 feet at around 19.48hrs over the target markers on Berlin. The fire in the wing was put out wen the pilot put the aircraft into steep dive down to 16,000 feet. prior to the aircraft being put into the dive the wireless operator was standing next to the flare chute to check it was clear, as the aircraft dived steeply he was flung to the roof of the aircraft and then landed heavily on the floor. Despite the minor damage the crew landed safely at Linton on Ouse airfield at 00.19hrs. Minor Cat.Ac damage resulted.
The pilot was recommended for the DFC on 1st July 1944 following him completing twenty five operational sorties. The recommendation mentions this incident on 20th January 1944 and states "Squadron Leader Patterson, as a captain of aircraft, has completed 25 sorties over enemy territory including the heavily defended targets of Berlin, Magdeburg, Augsburg, Schweinfurt, Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Nuremberg. At all times he has pressed hom his attacks with exceptional fearlessness. Whilst attacking Berlin one night in January several incendiaries from a friendly aircraft penetrated the starboard wing and burned fiercely for three minutes. Despite this, Squadron Leader Patterson successfully dropped his bombs in the target area. On three other occasions his aircraft was attacked by fighters which were successfully evaded. This officer’s dogged determination, skill and devotion to duty has set a splendid example to his squadron. He is therefore strongly recommended for the award of the immediate DFC". His DFC was gazetted on 29th August 1944. I credit Hugh Halliday with locating this recommendation.
Pilot - F/O Bedford Donald Chase Patterson RCAF (J/10296).
Navigator - F/O David Clifford Evans RCAF (J/22233).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - WO1 Paul Frederick Kaiser RAAF (411581). Slightly injured.
Bomb Aimer - F/O F W James USAAF.
Flight Engineer - Sgt H Owen.
Air Gunner - F/O C L Davies.
Air Gunner - Sgt William Francis Bessent RCAF (R/198741).