Halifax MZ632 damaged by flak, landed at East Moor airfield.
During the night of the 15th / 16th September 1944 the crew of this 415 Squadron aircraft were tasked with bombing Kiel and took off from East Moor at 21.44hrs. While inbound to the target it was hit by flak and damaged over Flensburg. The crew bombed Flensburg an alternative target at 18,000 feet at 01.09hrs because the starboard outer engine and wing were damaged. They returned safely to East Moor and landed at 03.48hrs.
Pilot - P/O O E Lindquist RCAF (J/86341).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Cyril Edward Gilbey RAFVR (1868960).
Navigator - F/Sgt Edward Patrick Joseph Mahoney RCAF (R/179620).
Bomb Aimer - F/O James Joseph McQuade RCAF (J/21720).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner- WO A H R Lemieux RCAF (R/117440).
Air Gunner - Sgt James Richard Main RCAF (R/264224).
Air Gunner - Sgt A Henuset RCAF (R/192402).
Air Gunner - Sgt H L O'Connor RCAF (R/274623).
Edward Mahony was born in Toronto in 1914 and enlisted there in July 1942. He was recommended for the DFC for service with 415 Squadron on 18th January 1945 when he had flown thirty two operational flights (164 hours flying) between 24th July 1944 and 24th December 1944. The DFC was granted and notification appeared in the London Gazette on 10th May 1945 and there was no citation as such, the recommendation adds further details, it reads.. "Throughout his tour this navigator has been consistently accurate in his work. He has navigated his aircraft to the targets and kept it out of trouble on every occasion. Highly skilled himself, Pilot Officer Mahoney has given unsparingly of his time to assist in the training of other members of his section. Both in the air and on the ground his services have been most valuable."
James Richard Main was born in Toronto in 1922 and enlisted there in June 1942 and at that time had already spent a year in the Canadian Army. He was awarded the DFM for service with 415 Squadron, Gazetted on 24th October 1944, the citation reads.. "This airman has participated in many sorties as air gunner and has at all times displayed constant alertness and accuracy. On one occasion during an attack on Bremen his aircraft was attacked by three enemy fighters. By his skill and accurate shooting one of the enemy aircraft was compelled to break away with smoke trailing from the engine. The coolness and fine fighting spirit displayed by Sergeant Main have contributed greatly to the safety of his aircraft and crew and to the successful completion of many missions." I credit Hugh Halliday's RCAF awards research.
James McQuade was born on 30th January 1920 and enlisted into the RCAF in July 1941. After training at 22 OTU and 1659 HCU he had served with 428 Squadron. In August 1943 he was interned in Sweden for a time before returning to the UK in March 1944.
Halifax MZ632 was built to contract ACFT/2553 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was delivered as new to 432 Squadron at East Moor on 1st May 1944. As aa result of flak damage sustained on 4th July 1944 Cat.A/FB damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site, it was servicable the following day. The aircraft transferred to 415 Squadron also at East Moor in late-July 1944 but the transfer is not on the aircraft's AM Form 78. On 16th September 1945 it again sustained flak damage that saw a Cat.A/FB damage assessment and a repair on site. The aircraft was later transferred to 1665 Heavy Conversion Unit at Tilstock on 22nd February 1945. It then crashed on landing at Tilstock on 17th March 1945. Cat.E2/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 22nd March 1945. Halifax MZ632 carried the nose art "Willie the Wolf" replacing Halifax NP707.