Halifax MZ920 damaged by flak, returned to Croft airfield.
During the day of 11th September 1944 the crew of this 434 Squadron aircraft were tasked with bombing an oil refinery at Castrop Rauxel and they took off from Croft at 16.16hrs. Just before 19.00hrs the aircraft was over the target area and released their bombs from 19,000 feet, while in the target area the aircraft was engaged by a flak battery and a piece of flak entered the aircraft, struck and killed the rear gunner instantly. The pilot made a landing at Croft at 21.06hrs.
Rear Gunner - F/O Michael John Laderoute MiD RCAF (J/18906), aged 22, of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Buried Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery, Yorkshire (E/D/18).
Pilot - F/O George Herbert Alexander Halcro RCAF (J/16599).
Navigator - F/O Tom Graham RAF (168638).
Bomb Aimer - F/O L H Fleming RCAF (J/16139).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/O Robert Charles Berry DFC RCAF (J/16128).
Mid Upper Gunner - F/O Ernest V Fulton RCAF (J/15787).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Douglas Ronald White RAFVR (1604994).
Michael Laderoute was born on 26th February 1922 at Montreal, Quebec, Canada and was the son of Michael and Jane Isabel (nee Reddington) Laderoute. Unfortunately his father died in 1929. He was still at high school when he enlisted for RCAF service on 1st July 1940 in Montreal. After training in Canada he was awarded his air gunner's flying badge on 15th February 1941. He left for service in the UK in April 1941 and following training at No.2 Radio School (Wireless Operator training) and 12 OTU he was posted to 99 Squadron on 26th August 1941. In October 1941 he was posted to 15 OTU in preparation to be posted to the Middle East. He served in the Middle East from October 1941 until October 1942 with 109 Squadron and then 162 Squadron. For service in the Middle East he received a Mention in Despatches on 11th June 1942. Returning to the UK he served at 22 OTU (as an instructor) until November 1943 receiving a commission on 26th October 1943. In November 1943 he was allowed to return to Canada on compassionate grounds because of family matters. While in Canada he served at 34 OTU until April 1944. He then returned to the UK in June 1944 and after training at 1659 H.C.U. he was posted to 434 Squadron on 19th August 1944. While qualified as a wireless operator / air gunner he served as an air gunner at 434 Squadron.
Robert Berry was also awarded the DFC for service with 408 Squadron, Gazetted on 15th June 1943. He was repatriated to Canada in early 1945 and left the RCAF in March 1945.
George Halcro served with 408 Squadron earlier in the war. He was later awarded the DFC for service with 434 Squadron, Gazetted on 10th May 1945.