Halifax MZ716 damaged in the air, returned to Croft airfield.
On the night of 16th / 17th June 1944 the crew of this 434 Squadron aircraft undertook an operational flight to bomb a target at Sterkrade and took off from Croft airfield at 23.00hrs. They released their bomb load onto target markers from 20,000 feet at 01.24hrs hrs. The aircraft sustained damage due to flak and also by enemy aircraft. Flak damaged the fuselage, port wing, port wing flaps, and port engines. The port inner engine, port wing and main port tyre, and then fuselage, fuel tanks and controls were then damaged by bullets and cannon shells. Despite the damage the crew returned to Croft and landed at 03.58hrs. Various other referenced found in the records of the aircrew suggest the damage resulted on landing at Croft but I can find no evidence of this.
The AM Form 78 for this aircraft does not give a date of 17th June 1944 for any damage which suggests the damage was only deemed to be Cat.A (that would not normally be logged on the AM Form 78).
Pilot - P/O Robert Borden McCullough RCAF (J/19784).
Navigator - P/O Thomas Peter Wilson RCAF (J/87132).
Bomb Aimer - F/O Raymond Henry James RCAF (J/22093).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - W/O H O Sutton RCAF (R/121042).
Air Gunner - Sgt Henry Oliver Stevenson RCAF (R/198121).
Air Gunner - Sgt Robert Harold Davis RCAF (R/197416).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Robert Payne RAFVR (1605513).
Many of this crew were later awarded DFC's. Robert Payne was awarded it, Gazetted on 19th January 1945. The citation refers to the incident detailed above, it suggests a crash landing was made on landing but the unit records do not give this information, it reads "Pilot Officer Payne has completed a tour of operations which has included sorties against targets in France and Germany. He has also completed many mine-laying missions. On one occasion, during an attack on Sterkrade, his aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter and severe damage was sustained. Two engines were rendered unserviceable and, on return to base, a crash landing was necessary. In the course of the return flight, Pilot Officer Payne displayed a high order of skill, determination and devotion to duty under very harassing circumstances. His coolness and courage have always been a source of confidence to his crew." Credit to Hugh Halliday.