Halifax MZ284 at Skipton on Swale airfield.
On the night of 28th / 29th July 1944 this 433 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to bomb Hamburg and took off from Skipton on Swale airfield at 22.31hrs. In-bound to the target the throttle linkage to one of the engines broke so the engine was shut down but the propeller could not be feathered. To maintain reasonably normal flight the pilot altered the rudder trim to be fully to starboard and continued to the target. Through thick cloud this crew released their bomb load onto target markers at 01.12hrs from 17,200 feet. With difficulty the crew flew back to Skipton on Swale to land but it was running low on fuel so that the engines were in the process of cutting out. as it touched down two engines cut out and as the rudder trim was still set to full on landing so that when the aircraft landed at 04.00hrs a swing to starboard developed. The swing could not be corrected and the aircraft left the runway, ran across the grass and collided with 433 Squadron Halifax LV992 parked on it. LV992 has been used on the same operational order and had landed at 03.41hrs, after which it's crew taxied to the dispersal, shut down the engines and left the aircraft. Damage to both aircraft resulted.
For his actions on this night the pilot was later awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 3rd October 1944. The recommendation for his DFC (as located by historian Hugh Halliday) states.. "This officer has compiled a record of 30 operational sorties over enemy territory, including such heavily defended targets as Berlin, Essen and Hamburg. On the 28th July 1944, this officer was detailed to attack Hamburg. When approximately at the enemy coast, the throttle linkage on the port outer engine came adrift, and the propellor could not be feathered. Pilot Officer Devine, however, by skilful and calculated handling of his aircraft, lost only 2,000 feet in height, and continued to press home his attack on three engines despite intensive flak and fighter opposition, thereby displaying the utmost courage and determination. Pilot Officer Devine has at all times set his mind on the task in hand, fearlessly and with a fine offensive spirit, and has set a magnificent example not only to his crew, but to the squadron in general. I consider that by his splendid record and quiet but dogged determination, this officer in every respect fully merits the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."
Pilot - P/O Francis Joseph Devine RCAF (J/86985).
Navigator - F/Sgt George Frederick Wilkins RCAF (R/175175).
Air Bomber - F/O Ian Craig Grant RCAF (J/28351).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt William James Henry Cowan RCAF (R/175381).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Robert Nutley RAFVR (996397).
Air Gunner - F/Sgt A F Cousineau RCAF (R/194341).
Air Gunner - Sgt R D Saunders RCAF (R/165074).