At 14.25hrs, on 28th December 1944 this 347 Squadron aircraft was being loaded with bombs prior to an operational flight that was to be flown by its crew to Monchengladbach that evening. During the loading process one of the bombs fell from a bomb rack as it was being winched into position inside the Halifax's bomb bay. Unfortunately the bomb exploded and in the course of the next five minutes a further four bombs exploded. In total thirteen members of ground crew died as a result of the accident while five others required hospital treatment for their injuries. For their role in the aftermath of the explosions three of the injured were later commended for their actions. This was the worst ground accident throughout Bomber Command in 1944. All of the Free French fatalities were initially interred in Stonefall Cemetery, Harrogate but their bodies have since been returned to France.
? - Cpl Jean-Baptist Andreu FFAF (C142), aged 20. Burial location unknown.
? - Cpl Gabriel Adrien Hubert Consentino FFAF (C14406), aged 21. Burial location unknown.
? - Cpl Fermand Gimenez FFAF (C16121), aged 24. Burial location unknown.
? - Cpl Seraphin Antonio Gomez FFAF (C407), aged 20. Burial location unknown.
? - Cpl Georges Jeannelle FFAF (C11512), aged 20. Burial location unknown.
? - Cpl Lucien Honore Baptiste Staleng FFAF (C8272), aged 23. Burial location unknown.
? - Pte Paul R D Antonio FFAF (C1103), aged 20. Burial location unknown.
? - Pte Rene Maupetit FFAF (R2402), aged 24. Burial location unknown.
? - Cpl Donald Ashley Clarke RAFVR (983710), aged 26, of Stamford. Buried Stamford Cemetery, Lincolnshire.
? - Cpl Albert Cowin RAFVR (1074033), aged 29, of Liverpool, Buried Anfield Cemetery, Liverpool.
? - Cpl Regniald Charles Martin RAF (627635), aged 24, of Plymouth. Buried Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth. Died 29th December 1944.
? - LAC Gilbert Miles RAFVR (1665792), aged 23, of Filton, Bristol. Buried Filton Churchyard, Gloucestershire.
? - AC1 Royston Clifford Barrow RAFVR (1669770), aged 22, of Verwood. Buried Verwood Churchyard, Dorset.
Chef - Sgc P G/C Imbert FFAF. Injured. Commended for his actions.
Medical orderly - Cpl R E C/Gullier FFAF. Injured. Commended for his actions.
? - Cpl G G Naveau FFAF. Injured.
Fire Tender driver - AC1 J Azema FFAF. Injured. Commended for his actions.
? - AC2 J Combeaud FFAF. Injured.
Part of the scene at Elvington the following day.