Halifax MZ660 damaged by flak, returned to East Moor airfield.
During the day of 5th August 1944 the crew of this 415 Squadron aircraft were tasked with attacking V1 rocket launch sites and storage depots at St.Leu D'Esserent in the Oise valley. A cave network was used as the main part of the storage facility and this raid of 5th August was not successful. This aircraft took off from East Moor at 10.50hrs. The crew released their bomb load from 15,500 feet at 13.14hrs and during the course of the flight it sustained minor flak damage. The crew were able to make a return to base, landing at 15.10hrs. Two days later the RAF returned and bombed the entrances to the caves and the resulting explosions which blocked the entrances.
Pilot - P/O Graeme Thomas McKean RCAF (J/86029).
Flight Engineer - Sgt H J Gage RAFVR (1895368).
Navigator - F/O D J Wakelin RCAF (J/2993).
Bomb Aimer - F/Sgt G E Moffat RCAF (R/163700).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt O C Higgins RCAF (R/189571).
Mid Upper Gunner - Sgt J L Tisdelle RCAF (R/207827).
Rear Gunner - Sgt H D Lee RCAF (R/144118).
McKean, Wakelin, Moffat, Higgins, Lee and Gage had all previously served with 432 Squadron. Sgt Tisdelle had previously flown with 424 Squadron in early 1944.
Graeme McKean was born in Collingwood, Ontario in 1922 and worked as a miner before enlisting in Toronto in December 1941. He received his commission in April 1944 and had flown with 432 Squadron before posting to 415 Squadron in July 1944. He was awarded the DFC for service with 415 Squadron, Gazetted on 6th January 1945, the recommendation for this, from mid-October 1944 when he had flown thirty five operational flights reads.. "As pilot and captain, Pilot Officer McKean has completed a large number of sorties against dangerous and difficult targets. He has invariably displayed a high degree of skill, courage and resolution, qualities which have on more than one occasion enabled him to complete his mission in the face of heavy odds. He is an ideal leader whose example at all times has been an inspiration to other squadron personnel."
Halifax MZ660 was built to contract ACFT/2553 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was taken on charge by 432 Squadron at East Moor on 11th May 1944. The transfer to 415 Squadron at East Moor is not recorded on the aircraft's AM Form 78 though was probably around 15th July 1944. It sustained minor flak damage on 5th August 1944 which almost certainly saw a Cat.A/FB damage assessment with a repair on site then being made. The aircraft was later transferred to 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit at Wombleton on 15th November 1944 and then on to 1664 Heavy Conversion Unit on 28th November 1944. This unit disbanded on 6th April 1945 so on 19th April 1945 it was flown to 45 MU. It remained in store until being struck off charge on 25th September 1946 and scrapped.