Halifax MZ450 damaged near Pocklington, landed at Carnaby airfield.
During the evening of 6th December 1944 this 102 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to bomb Osnabruck and took off from Pocklington 16.22hrs. The crew released their bomb load onto glow over the target area from 20,000 feet at 19.50hrs but owing to thick cloud could not see the target or any target markers. During the flight the altimeter failed. Having no altimeter to gauge his height the pilot misjudged the height of the aircraft on the approach to land at Pocklington and undershot. The aircraft initially collided with an object, believed to have been a tree, which damaged the starboard wing, flaps and also the H2S blister. The pilot managed to ensure the aircraft remained airborne and was ordered to divert to make a landing at Carnaby where a normal landing was made at 23.02hrs.
Pilot - F/Lt Wilfred Harry Russell RAFVR (125732).
Navigator - P/O "C L Forrester" (Probably P/O Christopher John Forrester RAFVR (185403)).
Air Bomber - F/O J D Sharpe.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt B V Smith.
Flight Engineer - P/O Henry Charles Wenborn DFM RAFVR (186580).
Air Gunner - Sgt Ronald Scott Moralee RAFVR (1592620).
Air Gunner - Sgt F McGee.