Halifax MZ603 at East Moor airfield.
On the night of 27th / 28th May 1944 the crew of this 432 Squadron aircraft undertook an operational flight to bomb a target at Bourg-Leopold and took off from East Moor at 23.56hrs. The crew released their load over the target area at 02.10hrs from 8,000 feet and made for home. This aircraft overshot on landing on runway 17 at East Moor at 03.52hrs. It ended up with the starboard wheel in the ditch at the Strensall Road end of the airfield. Halifax MZ603 is believed to be shown in the photograph shown above and carried the nose art "Eddie's Nightmare".
Pilot - F/O Walter Raymond Lekis USAAF (10601569).
Flight Engineer - Sgt R Collins RAF (1895418).
Navigator - F/Sgt P G Beaupre RCAF (R/170748).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt R Ellis RCAF (R/170655).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt W Ede RCAF (R/173772).
Mid Upper Gunner - Sgt F Jones RCAF (R/197274).
Rear Gunner - Sgt J MacDougall RCAF (R/191964).
Air Gunner - Sgt J Shanks RCAF (R/205384).
Halifax MZ603 was built to contract ACFT/2553 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was delivered directly to 426 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 24th April 1944. The following day the aircraft was transferred to 432 Squadron at East Moor on 25th April 1944 but any record of the aircraft being with 432 Squadron is omitted from it's AM Form 78. As a result of minor damage sustained at East Moor on 22nd May 1944 Cat.A/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site with repair completed by 27th May 1944. The photograph shown above possibly shows this aircraft being recovered from the ditch. It was damaged again at East Moor on 28th May 1944 when it overshot on return from Ops, again Cat.A/FA damage would have been the damage assessment and it was again repaired on site. It transferred to 415 Squadron at East Moor around July 1944 but again this transfer is not on the aircraft's AM Form 78. On 5th September 1944 the tail wheel assembly broke on landing at East Moor and Cat.Ac/FA damage was the damage assessment. Again a repair on site was carried out on site and it was returned to 415 Squadron. The aircraft failed to return from Ops to Dusseldorf on 2nd November 1944 with Cat.Em damage being recorded on the paperwork, the aircraft was then struck off charge on 15th November 1944.
Walter Lekis was an American national who had enlisted into the RCAF. Little is known about him prior to joining 432 Squadron. He was recommended for the DFC on 10th August 1944 when he had flown 29.5 operational flights between 29th March and 9th August 1944. The award was approved as an honourary DFC on 24th November 1944 but no notification was published in the London Gazette. Hugh Halliday's research into RCAF awards has located both the citation and recommendation, the latter reads.."During a most successful tour of operational duty, this officer has proved himself to be a most valuable member of his squadron. He is an outstanding operational captain and has invariably made the utmost efforts to complete his duties. His cheerful confidence and willing cooperation has always been apparent in whatever task he is assigned to. For his inspiring example, his fine record of achievement and devotion to duty, this officer is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross." The citation was briefer, it reads.."Flight Officer Lekis is a reliable and efficient pilot and captain of aircraft who has rendered very valuable service. He has participated in many sorties against varied targets and has invariably pressed home his attacks despite strong enemy opposition. Flight Officer Lekis' cheerful confidence and devotion to duty have set an excellent example." I believe that he completed thirty one operational flights with 432 Squadron. By searching the internet he may well been from Lithuanuan extraction.
The full names of those named above are not 100% confirmed. It is possible that "Sgt P Beaupre" was Paul Beaupre RCAF (later F/O J/89338), he died in 1998 aged 78 in Ontario, Canada.