Halifax LL593 damaged by flak, landed at East Moor airfield.
During the evening of 11th September 1944 this 415 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to bomb a synthetic oil plant at Castrop Rauxel and took off from East Moor airfield at 16.15hrs. The crew released their bomb load onto the target area from 18,000 feet at 18.44hrs and while over the target the aircraft sustained flak damage to the starboard wing, with the starboard outer engine failing over the target. Despite the damage the crew returned to East Moor and landed at 21.12hrs.
Pilot - F/O W J Sherman RCAF (J/16568).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Lambton Forrester Park RAFVR (1591923).
Navigator - F/O Gordon Alexander Aubrey RCAF (J/35746).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt F J Baptiste RCAF (R/91824).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/O W E Quinlan RCAF (J/21608).
Air Gunner - P/O L E McGlashan RCAF (J/39859).
Air Gunner - P/O E A Sears RCAF (J/40088).
Air Gunner - F/Lt Reginald McNamara DFM RCAF (J/18506).
Sgt Baptiste had earlier served with 434 Squadron in 1944.
Lambton Park received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation in November 1944 (188151) and he remained in the RAF until 1951.
Gordon Aubrey was born in Toronto in 1913, when he enlisted there in May 1941 he was serving in the RCASC. He received acommission in 1943 and was recommended for the DFC on 23rd November 1944 when he had flown thirty two operational flights. The award was effective from 5th February 1945 although it was not presented to him however because he was sadly
killed in an aircraft crash, of Oxford DF332 on 29th April 1945 near Cirencester. His award was posted to his family after the War. He is buried in Brookwood Cemetery and was thirty one years old. Hugh Halliday has located the recommendation for the DFC, it reads.. "This officer has participated in numerous operational sorties which have included missions to Hamburg, Kiel, Wane Eickel and Casrop Rauxel. His navigation has always been of a very high standard and he has a fine record of achievement. His determination and confidence while on operations has always been an inspiration to the squadron while his gallantry and devotion to duty has done much to create a high morale among his fellow navigators."
Reginald McNamara was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, England in 1922 but later moved to Canada and enlisted into the RCAF in April 1941 in Winnipeg. He was awarded the DFM for service with 427 Squadron, Gazetted on 19th October 1943. He was later posted to 415 Squadron and became Gunnery Leader. For service with 415 Squadron he was later awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 17th July 1945.
Halifax LL593 was built to contract ACFT/637 by Rootes Securities Ltd at Speke and was received by 48 MU on 31st July 1944. The aircraft was taken on charge by 415 Squadron at East Moor on 3rd August 1944. As a result of flak damage sustained on 27th August 1944 Cat.A/FB damage would have been the damage assessment. A repair on site followed at East Moor with repair complete by 28th August 1944. On 11th September 1944 it suffered an engine failure and flak damage on Ops. Cat.Ac/FB damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site at East Moor and returned to 415 Squadron on 29th September 1944. On 9th October 1944 the aircraft was again damaged by flak with the pilot being forced to land at Manston on return to England. Cat.Ac/FB damag was again the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. The aircraft was returned to 415 Squadron on 1st December 1944. The aircraft was transferred to 1665 Heavy Conversion Unit at Tilstock on 22nd February 1945 who moved to Saltby on 26th March 1945 and then to Marston Moor on 1st August 1945. On 6th March 1946 the aircraft the aircraft was flown to 48 MU and was then struck off charge as 'sold for scrap' on 30th July 1946.