Halifax LW163 damaged in the air, landed at Leeming airfield.
During the evening of 3rd August 1944 this 427 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to bomb a target at Foret de Nieppe (probably V1 sites) and took off from Leeming airfield at 18.18hrs. The crew released their bomb load from 15,000 feet at 20.05hrs but while over the target area this aircraft was struck by three falling 500lb bombs released by a higher flying aircraft. A hole was made through the fuselage behind the mid upper turret and through a wing. Despite the damage the crew flew the aircraft back to Leeming and landed normally at 22.00hrs.
Louis Murphy was highly commended on AM Form 1180 and was recommended for the DFC for his actions on this night. The recommendation stated "On the third of August [1944] the above captain was detailed to carry out a bombing attack on Foret de Nieppe. While over the target, a matter of seconds after his bombs were released, his aircraft was struck by four 500-pound bombs from a friendly aircraft above it. One bomb took away the R.T. aerial and a second bomb passed through the outer section of the port flap; a third bomb passed through the fuselage directly above the hatch and the absence of metal in the fuselage caused some 20 degrees deviation in the D.R. compass. The fourth bomb passed through the port mainplane outboard of No.6 fuel tank. The torn metal from the port wing jammed the ailerons to such an extent that there was practically no aileron control. This captain displayed exceptional skill and coolness in extricating his aircraft from a most perilous situation and was successful in bringing his damaged aircraft bacck to base and landing it without injury to any of the crew. I strongly recommend that Flying Officer Murphy be awarded an immediate Distinguished Flying Cross." The DFC was awarded and notification printed in the London Gazette of 6th October 1944
Pilot - F/O Louis Eric John Murphy RCAF (J/20191).
Navigator - WO J S Niven RCAF (R/116424).
Air Bomber - F/O K K Young RCAF (J/28082).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt John Cheese RAFVR (1322595).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Samuel Ronald Arthur Burn RAFVR (1836521).
Air Gunner - F/Sgt G K Bygrove RCAF (R/195822).
Air Gunner - F/Sgt B E White RCAF (R/187956).