Halifax LK868 at Croft airfield.
On the night of 24th / 25th April 1944 this 431 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to Karlsruhe flown by F/Lt J M Hill RCAF (J/7761). Unfortunately the take off time from Croft is not recorded in the 431 Squadron orb (which also mis-identified the aircraft as "LK863"). The operational order for this night stated that 431 Squadron aircraft should be airborne between 21.36hrs and 22.06hrs. The crew released their bomb load onto the target area at 00.46hrs from 20,500 feet. The landing time at Croft is also not given in the 431 Squadron orb but the operational order for this night stated that the expected landing time would be around 04.05hrs. After landing the aircraft would have taxied back towards a dispersal point but in doing this the aircraft appears to have left the concrete and become bogged down on the grass. Later in the morning of 25th April 1944 at 10.40hrs this aircraft was being taxied off soft ground onto a dispersal hard standing by an officer who was the station engineering officer and was not an actual pilot. The aircraft set off with little brake pressure, it made it out of the boggy ground and onto the dispersal but could not be stopped before a collision with Halifax MZ520 occurred. Both aircraft received damage. The aircraft was assessed at having Cat.Ac damage which would normally result in a repair on site but in this case the aircraft's AM Form 78 states that a repair in works factory was carried out. The damage may have been more serious than first thought. The "pilot" was summoned to a court marshall but found not guilty, it was deemed that he had made an error of judgement in being showing "overkeenness to get the job done". He should not have moved the aircraft himself but waited for a qualified pilot. He was later twice Mentioned in Despatches for his work as an Engineering Officer in charge of Daily Servicing Squadron.
"Pilot" - Acting F/Lt Gordon Chester Turner RCAF (C/10033).