Halifax MZ640 at Snaith airfield.
On the night of 20th / 21st July 1944 this 640 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to bomb a target at Ardouval / Foret d'Eawy and took off from Leconfield airfield at 22.31hrs. This aircraft appears not to have released their bomb load, the time over the target is not stated in the squadron records and on the subsequent mishap on landing the AM Form 1180 states that the bomb load was still on board. Owing to poor weather nearer the coast this crew were diverted inland to land at Snaith where the weather was slightly better. At 02.37hrs the aircraft landed at Snaith in poor visibility and drizzle, unfortunately the crew could not stop the aircraft on the available runway and the aircraft overshot, coming to rest having received minor damage. 640 Squadron Halifax LW446 also overshot on landing at Snaith eight minutes earlier.
Pilot - WO John Southwick Lee RCAF (R/152892).
Navigator - F/Sgt A R Chandler.
Air Bomber - F/Sgt A M Johnson.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt J W Johnson.
Flight Engineer - Sgt John Frederick Houldcroft RAFVR (1819846).
Air Gunner - Sgt D W Cummings.
Air Gunner - Sgt Edwin Womble RAFVR (1869216).