Halifax MZ849 at Carnaby airfield.
On 18th November 1944 this 78 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to bomb Munster and the crew took off from Breighton at 12.57hrs. The crew released their bomb load at 15.09hrs from 17,000 feet. On their return to Yorkshire the crew realised that there was a problem with the hydraulics so diverted to land at the emergency landing strip at Carnaby. At 18.10hrs the aircraft made an approach to land at Carnaby. Carnaby airfield had the F.I.D.O. lighting system turned on at the time and the crew were not experienced in landing with the assistance it gave. Unfortunately while the crew managed to lower the undercarriage they undershot the landing and tore off the undercarriage. The aircraft received enough damage that would see it be written off as a result.
The squadron records give the serial number as being Halifax MZ799 but this is clearly an error. MZ849's AM Form 78 agrees with it receiving the damage on this date while MZ799 was with 78 Squadron it sustained no serious damage between September 1944 and being lost on Ops in February 1945.
Pilot - F/O Clifton Leonard Wenzel RCAF (J/22331).
Navigator - F/O Thomas Young RCAF (J/27197).
Air Bomber - Sgt Reginald Edward Greenslade RAFVR (1398142).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Francis Sonoski RCAF (R/203245).
Flight Engineer - Sgt R L Dimmer RAFVR (1609602).
Air Gunner - Sgt J McManus RAFVR (1799367).
Air Gunner - Sgt Henry Thomas Bell RAFVR (1566112).