Halifax LW595 damaged in the air, landed at East Moor airfield.
On the night of 14th / 15th March 1944 the crew of this 432 Squadron aircraft were undertaking a "Bullseye" training exercise and took off from East Moor at 22.50hrs. The purpose of the exercise was to give ground defences practice as well as test the crews in a simulated bombing raid over an English city. Having flown a course over London, Southampton, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Liverpool and Hull, the IFF equipment on the aircraft had stopped working at some stage during flight though this was unknown to crew at the time. They were fired on by an anti-aircraft unit over Hull and the crew believed that they suffered a near miss. On their return to East Moor airfield in the early hours of 15th March no damage was apparent but on inspection in daylight the "near-miss" had infact caused a sizable hole in the leading edge of the port fin. This crew flew Halifax LW595 for many of it's operational sorties with 432 Squadron.
Pilot - F/O John Morrell Barker RCAF (J/24401).
Flight Engineer - Sgt H Jarvis (1606652?).
Navigator - F/Sgt Ewart McCallum Cooper RCAF (R/147209).
Bomb Aimer - F/O H MacDonald RCAF (J/26720).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/O C Thompson RCAF (J/26851).
Air Gunner - Sgt G McCallum RCAF (R/190330).
Air Gunner - Sgt John Cosgrove RAFVR (1572208).
John Barker was born in Glenboro in 1920 and enlisted in Winnipeg in June 1940. He was recommended for the DFC for service with 432 Squadron around 30th July 1944 when he had flown thirty two operational flights. The notification was in the London Gazette on 13th October 1944 but there was no proper citation, the recommendation was more detailed as located by Hugh Halliday, it reads.."This officer has shown an unconquerable spirit of determination to achieve his objective. On thirty-two trips he has failed to bomb his target twice and this was due to engine trouble. Many of these trips have been over heavily defended targets such as Augsburg, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Karlsruhe and Dusseldorf, and his coolness and unusual initiative have won the respect of his crew and the whole squadron. For his exceptional qualities of leadership, for his coolness in the face of danger, for his spirit of determination and devotion to duty, this officer is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross." In total it is believed that he completed thirty nine operational flights with 432 Squadron with two as second pilot and the rest as captain, mostly in Halifax LW595.
Ewart Cooper enlisted in Winnipeg in December 1941. He was also recommended for the DFC for service with 432 Squadron on 30th July 1944 when he had flown thirty one operational flights between 1st March 1944 and 20th July 1944. It was granted and notification appeared in the London Gazette on 17th October 1944. The recommendation reads.."An above average and efficient navigator who has completed 31 successful trips and has shown such exceptional navigation ability that he has won the confidence and respect of his crew, and the superior officers. His cheerful disposition, alertness and strong sense of duty in his work have made him stand out among his fellow navigators. For his fine record and intense loyalty, this officer is recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."
John Cosgrove was born in Glasgow in 1924 and enlisted in 1942. He was recommended for the DFM on 26th July 1944 when he had flown thirty two operational flights between 1st March and 20th July 1944. His DFM was granted and was Gazetted on 13th October 1944. The recommendation reads.."As rear gunner this airman has participated in a large number of sorties and has displayed great keenness and devotion to duty throughout. His constant vigilance has enabled his pilot to avoid combat on many occasions, and successfully complete many missions. He has proven to be a cheerful and willing worker with his fellow men in the gunnery section. For his airmanship and intense loyalty, this Non-Commissioned Officer is strongly recommended for the Distinguished Flying Medal."
Halifax LW595 was built to contract ACFT/C4/C by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was delivered directly to 432 Squadron at East Moor on 8th February 1944. The aircraft's AM Form 78 has some gaps in it and I have gone through all the other available records to try and give what I believe is an accurate account of it's service life. The aircraft was damage by friendly fire during a training flight on 15th March 1944 over Hull that must have seen only a Cat.A/FA damage assessment with a repair on site being made. Any higher damage would have seen the assessment recorded on the AM Form 78 and it was not. The aircraft was next used operationally by 432 Squadron on 9th April 1944. It suffered minor damage on 1st May 1944 because of an engine fire and Cat.A/FA damage would have been the damage assessment. Again, this damage is no on the AM Form 78 so cannot have been any higher. The aircraft was repaired on site at East Moor and was next used by 432 Squadron operationally on 7th May 1944. It remained in constant use by 432 Squadron on operations until 6th July 1944. Two days it had been replaced by NP693 as "-Q". What I believe happened then is that with the move was planned to bring 415 Squadron from Bircham Newton in Coastal Command to East Moor and to join Bomber Command, Halifax LW595 was one aircraft allotted to join 415 Squadron when the unit arrived in Yorkshire so it was taken off 432 Squadron charge but was not taken on charge by 415 Squadron until they arrived. The date of the arrival of 415 Squadron is slightly unclear, their own orb states it was 26th July 1944 but the East Moor station orb states that they begun training flights on 18th July 1944. The aircraft received minor damage on 17th July 1944 when the escape hatch fell off and struck a wing. On this flight it was being flown by two 432 Squadron pilots who were both new to 432 Squadron. The 432 Squadron orb stated that on this date that they flew two fighter affiliation exercises and I believe that while LW595 was allocated to 415 Squadron it was being used by 432 Squadron on 17th July 1944. I unfortunately have no proof of this. The AM Form 1180 and the AM Form 78 for this incident both state that it sustained Cat.Ac damage. A repair on site was carried out and it was returned to 415 Squadron on 25th July 1944. The aircraft was recorded as missing (Cat.E(m)), on 29th July 1944 following an operational flight when it crashed in Germany. It completed thirty four operational flights with 432 Squadron but was lost on its first with 415 Squadron.