Halifax LV948 at Lissett airfield.
On the night of 12th / 13th May 1944 this 158 Squadron aircraft was to have been flown on an operational flight to bomb Hasselt but, at 22.07hrs, as the aircraft picked up speed on the ground at Lissett airfield and as the tail wheel lifted off the ground the aircraft began to swing off the runway. The swing developed and became uncontrollable. The pilot was unable to stop the aircraft before it struck a hedge and the aircraft came to rest with the port undercarriage leg torn off. Damage resulted to the fuselage, undercarriage, engines and wings and after assessment the aircraft was deemed beyond repair.
Pilot - WO Ernest Eric Collins RAFVR (1381444).
Navigator - F/Sgt Donald Wilfred Edwin May RAFVR (1577156).
Air Bomber - F/Sgt William David Davies RAFVR (1032068).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt Robert Bruce Stirling RAAF (417427).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Donald Richard Metcalfe RAFVR (1590891).
Air Gunner - F/Sgt Alexander Monty RCAF (R/147007).
Air Gunner - Sgt Peter James Powell RAFVR (1808763).