Halifax LL574 damaged in the air, landed at Tholthorpe airfield.
During the early hours of 18th July 1944 this 420 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to bomb a steel works at Caen and took off from Tholthorpe airfield at 03.45hrs. The crew released their bomb load on to the target from 8,000 feet at 05.56hrs. After leaving the target a Lancaster saw seen to come up towards this Halifax from below and although evasive action was attempted a collision occurred. Unfortunately the starboard wing of the Halifax struck the port wing of the Lancaster and removed the outer section of the port wing from the Lancaster outward of the outer engine. The starboard wing of the Halifax was also damaged but the aircraft remained controllable. A short time later the aircraft was also damaged by flak to the mid upper turret and the fuselage. Despite the damage the crew flew back to Tholthorpe and landed at 07.51hrs. The identity of the Lancaster involved is not known.
Pilot - F/O Gordon Lachlan Heron RCAF (J/27687).
Navigator - F/O N C Christie RCAF (J/19335).
Air Bomber - F/O J L Balmer RCAF (J/28969).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt James S Beetham RCAF (R/183519)
Flight Engineer - Sgt H J Ryalls RAFVR (1892034).
Air Gunner - Sgt John Robinson Archibald RCAF (R/223627).
Air Gunner - Sgt C H Fox RCAF (R/197561).
Air Gunner - Sgt G N Oxner (R/252161).