Halifax LL576 damaged by flak, landed at Riccall airfield.
On 5th August 1944 415 Squadron aircraft were tasked with attacking rocket launch sites at St.Leu D'Esserant during the day. This aircraft took off from East Moor at 11.00hrs. The crew released their bomb load onto the target area at 13.15hrs from 16,200 feet and during the course of the flight was slightly damaged by flak. The crew were able to land safely at Riccall airfield at 15.20hrs, although damage was not serious it took some weeks to repair.
Pilot - F/O J A Meagher RCAF (J/26400).
Flight Engineer - Sgt A Wood RAFVR (1288353).
Navigator - F/O D Belkin RCAF (J/36402).
Bomb Aimer - F/O D M Porter RCAF (J/25113).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - W/O J M Kelly RCAF (R/111828).
Air Gunner - F/O W G Timmormans RCAF (J/22869).
Air Gunner - Sgt E A Lording RCAF (R/216266).
Halifax LL576 was built to contract No.ACFT/637 by Rootes Securities Ltd at Speke and was delivered to 415 Squadron at East Moor on 14th July 1944. The aircraft commenced being used on operational sorties on 28th July 1944. It was slightly damaged by flak on 5th August 1944 resulting in a landed at Riccall airfield. Following a repair on site for Cat.A/FB damage it was returned to 415 Squadron use. On 8th August 1944 it sustained minor damage to a wing when a jack struck it when being towed. The aircraft's Cat.Ac damage was repaired and it was returned to 415 Squadron use.
It was again damaged by flak on 11th September 1944 and was again repaired on site. Once servicable it continued to be used by 415 Squadron, flying its last operational flight on 27th November 1944. The aircraft was transferred to 1664 Heavy Conversion Unit at Dishforth on 30th November 1944. On 28th January 1945 it flew into high ground on the Yorkshire Dales near Pateley Bridge killing some of its then crew. The damage saw a Cat.E2/FA damage assessment be recorded and the aircraft was written off.