Halifax HX343 at Melbourne airfield.

On 8th August 1944 this 10 Squadron aircraft was to have been flown on an operational flight to bomb a target at St.Philibert-Ferme. As the aircraft picked up speed on the runway at Melbourne at 18.07hrs for take off the elevator controls jammed and the aircraft would not leave the ground. Left with no option but to abandon the take off the pilot cut the power to the engines and attempted to stop it on the airfield. Unfortunately the aircraft was travelling too fast, it ran through the boundary hedge, struck a tree stump in the hedge, ground looped and came to rest with the port undercarriage collapsed. It was found that the elevator controls had been assembled incorrectly after a recent overhaul.

Pilot - F/Sgt Ronald George Thorne RAAF (A24376).

Navigator - Sgt Frederick James Bunnell RAFVR (1604970).

Air Bomber - F/Sgt James Henry Simson RAAF (424095).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt R S Marks.

Air Gunner - Sgt W McDonagh.

Flight Engineer - Sgt H McHugh.

Air Gunner - Sgt K C Davis.