Halifax MZ484 at Snaith airfield.
On the night of 2nd / 3rd December 1944 this 51 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to bomb Hagen and took off from Snaith at 17.59hrs. The crew released their bomb load onto the target area from 20,000 feet at 21.05hrs and turned for home. On their return towards Snaith the hydraulic accumulator burst inside the aircraft, unfortunately the mid upper gunner was sat near it in the rest position and received serious head injuries. As the flaps needed the hydraulic system to work they would then not extend to assist the crew with slowing the aircraft on landing. The pilot flew two overshoots and circuits of the airfield before landing safely and without incident at 00.37hrs at Snaith.
Pilot - F/Sgt Maurice Roberts RAFVR (1095576).
Navigator - Sgt H J Brown
Air Bomber - F/Sgt S E Stone RCAF
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt R G W Swan
Flight Engineer - Sgt W G Reynolds
Air Gunner - Sgt Derrick George Melia RAFVR (1693351). Injured.
Air Gunner - Sgt W A Smith