Halifax MZ682 at Linton on Ouse airfield.
On the night of 31st May / 1st June 1944 this 426 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to bomb a radio installation at Au Fevre and took off from Linton on Ouse airfield at 22.02hrs. The crew were over the target at 00.20hrs and released their bomb load from 8,500 feet. On their return to Linton on Ouse the aircraft landed in rain. The time given in the squadron records was 02.24hrs but the time given on the subsequent AM Form 1180 was 02.43hrs. After landing the pilot could not stop the aircraft on the remaining runway ahead so the aircraft overshot. In trying to avoid running off the airfield he attempted to swing the aircraft but only succeeded in swinging the aircraft into a ditch which removed the port undercarriage leg.
The pilot would attend the Bomber Command Memorial opening ceremony in London in June 2012.
Pilot - F/Sgt Richard Frederick Sellen RCAF (R/166141).
Navigator - F/O P B Richardson RCAF (J/24551).
Air Bomber - Sgt D T Mitchell RCAF (R/155869).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Howard Berlind Ripstein RCAF (R/171423).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Kenneth Harry Readings RAFVR (1317754).
Air Gunner - Sgt E Matson RCAF (R/184344).
Air Gunner - Sgt J D Garrett RCAF (R/206350).
Air Gunner - Sgt Roy Frank Carol RCAF (R/253018).