Halifax HX232 damaged in the air, landed at Melbourne airfield.
On the night of 10th / 11th May 1944 this 10 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to attack a railway marshalling yard at Lens. This aircraft took off from Melbourne at 21.40hrs. The crew released their bomb load onto the target area from 8,500 feet at 23.29hrs. At 23.58hrs another Halifax suddenly appeared just below this aircraft which the pilot spotted at the last moment, he managed to avoid a direct collision but the other aircraft passed beneath this and damaged the lower fuselage and the port wing tip. The pilot managed to remain in control and flew back to Melbourne, landing safely at 01.40hrs.
Pilot - Acting F/Lt Douglas Dawson Keltie RAFVR (159053).
Navigator - P/O J Jarrett.
Air Bomber - F/Sgt G C Roe.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt R Flower.
Air Gunner - Sgt F Coleman.
Flight Engineer - P/O R Betteley (probably Richard Betteley RAFVR (169644)).
Air Gunner - Sgt A Simpson.