Halifax LW461 at Carnaby airfield.
On the night of 15th / 16th September 1944 this 51 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to bomb Kiel. The crew took off from Snaith at 22.18hrs, bombed the target area from 20,000 feet at 01.21hrs and flew back to Yorkshire. Why this crew then diverted to land at Carnaby is not yet known but a safe landing was made at 03.30hrs. LW461 was taxied into a dispersal point, the engines shut down and the crew left the aircraft. At 04.43hrs, 158 Squadron Halifax LK876 taxied into the same dispersal point and collided with the tail of LW461. Minor damage resulted to both aircraft. LW461 suffered a damaged port rudder and tail elevators. The crew listed were those who had just flown LW461 but whom had left the aircraft by the time it was damaged.
Pilot - F/O Bruce Irving Hunter RNZAF (NZ.391970).
Navigator - P/O Alexander Caithness Mitchell RNZAF (NZ.425618).
Air Bomber - F/Sgt J H Perfect.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/O Derek Edward Cook RAFVR (160763).
Flight Engineer - Sgt P J West.
Air Gunner - Sgt John Norman Baggs RAF (659027).
Air Gunner - Sgt R Werrett.