Halifax HR837 at Lindholme airfield.
At 02.10hrs on 12th July 1944 Halifax JD307 of 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was fully crewed and stationary at Lindholme airfield with the crew awaiting the order to take off when Halifax HR837 taxied into it from behind. The pilot of HR837 behind had mistaken torch signals meant for the pilot of JD307 to have been for him so continued and did not see JD307 ahead.
Pilot - P/O Kenneth Arthur Moore RAFVR (176550).
Halifax HR837 was built to contract ACFT/1688/42 by Handley Page Ltd, at Radlett and was flown to 8 M.U. at Little Rissington on 9th May 1943. The aircraft was taken on charge by 158 Squadron at Lissett on 20th May 1943. As a result of sustaining battle damage on 28th May 1943 Cat.A/FB damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site. On 29th June 1943 it sustained freak damage on Ops to Cologne when a 1,000 lb bomb passed through the fuselage near the mid upper turret, despite the damage the crew flew the damaged aircraft back to the UK. Cat.B/FB damage was the damage assessment and a repair on site was carried out by Handley Page Ltd; it was fitted with a replacement rear fuselage section. The aircraft was returned to 158 Squadron charge on 17th January 1944. On 12th April 1944 it was transferred to 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit at Lindholme. On 12th July 1944 it sustained Cat.Ac/FA damage at Lindholme in a collision with Halifax JD307, a repair on site was carried out and it was returned to 1656 H.C.U. on 1st August 1944. On 1st January 1945 the aircraft was flown to 48 M.U. at Hawarden for disposal and was struck off charge days later on 11th January 1945.