Halifax LV878 at Melbourne airfield.
On the night of 2nd / 3rd June 1944 this 10 Squadron aircraft flew an operational flight to lay mines against German shipping. The squadron records state that the crew listed below flew "Halifax HX327 ZA-O" but this, I believe, is incorrect. "ZA-O" on the night previously was Halifax LV878. Halifax HX327 was "ZA-N" two days later. The subsequent AM Form 1180 for Halifax LV878 and also this aircraft's AM Form 78 agrees with LV878 sustaining damage on 3rd June 1944. The aircraft took off from Melbourne at 23.17hrs and the crew released their mines at 00.52hrs from 12,000 feet and made for home, landing at Melbourne at 02.25hrs. On landing the crew began to taxi around the airfield with ground crew guidance the aircraft's starboard wheel dropped into a drainage pit which caused the starboard undercarriage leg to collapse. The presence of the pit no-one knew about. This was soon filled in and the airfield was inspected for further similar hazards.
Pilot - P/O Frank Alan Pearson RAFVR (173775).
Navigator - F/O T Beaman.
Air Bomber - Sgt A Grozier.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt J Shirt.
Air Gunner - Sgt A Charles.
Flight Engineer - Sgt B Morgan.
Air Gunner - F/Sgt H Pasquill.