Halifax LW322 at Pocklington airfield.
On the night of 17th / 18th April 1944 this 102 Squadron aircraft was one of twelve that were detailed to be flown on mine laying operational sorties. Two aircraft got airborne from Pocklington airfield. The third to take off was Halifax LW322, at 20.35hrs in a crosswind the port outer engine caught fire as the aircraft picked up speed. Having more power on the starboard side the aircraft began to swing and it left the runway. The pilot lost control and eventually the aircraft's port undercarriage collapsed. The runway was then blocked and prevented any other 102 Squadron aircraft was getting into the air. This trip was to have been the pilot's final flight of his operational tour before serving as an instructor with 27 OTU.
Pilot - F/Lt Peter Bowen Jackson DFM RAAF (409836).
Navigator - F/Sgt Lawrence Pierce Wisely RAFVR (1389785).
Air Bomber - F/O Kenneth Wakeham RAFVR (132811).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt Thomas Henry Bolitho RAFVR (1316028).
Flight Engineer - Sgt D M Hamilton.
Air Gunner - Sgt J White.
Air Gunner - Sgt R D Moore.