Halifax NA582 damaged by flak, landed at East Moor airfield.
During the evening of 11th September 1944 this 415 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to bomb a synthetic oil plant at Castrop Rauxel and took off from East Moor airfield at 16.07hrs. The crew released their bomb load onto the target area from 17,000 feet at 18.44hrs and while over the target the aircraft sustained flak damage to the starboard wing, bomb doors, starboard elevator and mid upper turret. Despite the damage the crew returned to East Moor and landed at 21.06hrs.
Pilot - P/O F M Forbes RCAF (J/86509).
Flight Engineer - Sgt A G Swarbrick RAFVR (1729008).
Navigator - P/O James Kay Fernie RCAF (J/35761).
Bomb Aimer - F/Sgt Stanley Earle Morris RCAF (R/184868).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - W/O D A Vitarelli RCAF (R/136141).
Air Gunner - Sgt C Lovie RCAF (R/186485).
Air Gunner - Sgt John Caldwell Johnstone Scarf RCAF (R/200775).
Air Gunner - Sgt Torrance MacDonald Robertson RCAF (R/196012).
During the evening of 2nd November 1944 many of those named above were flying Halifax MZ882 on Ops to Dusseldorf when the aircraft was attacked by a Junker Ju88. Sgt Afford was injured in the back during the attack, the rear turret was badly damaged and the rear of the aircraft was set on fire. The air gunners returned fire and damaged their attacker.
F/O Forbes was able to keep control with the help of two of his crew holding onto the elevator controls and landed at Woodbridge airfield at 21.10hrs with serious damage. Two of the crew were recommended for DFC's and their recommendations given below relate to this incident.
James Fernie was born in Scotland in 1915 but his family moved to Canada when he was young. He enlisted in Toronto in June 1942 and was commissioned in September 1943. He had previous served with 432 Squadron before posting to 415 Squadron. He was recommended for the DFC after he had flown thirty one operational flights on 21st December 1944, notification appeared in the London Gazette on 13th April 1945. The recommendation reads.."This officer has navigated his aircraft to many heavily defended German targets under adverse conditions. Highly skilled and always enthusiastic for operations, he has also been most helpful in ground training. Strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Non-Immediate)."
John Scarf was born in Welland, Ontario in 1923 and lived at Fort Erie and was working as a clerk when he enlisted in Hamilton on 12th November 1942. On arrival in the UK he trained at 3 B&G School, 24 OTU and 1664 HCU before posting to 415 Squadron. He received a commission in September 1944. He was awarded the DFC for service with 415 Squadron, Gazetted on 17th April 1945. The Award was presented in Stamford Centre, Ontario on 7th August 1949. The citation reads.. "Pilot Officer Scarf has completed many operational sorties, the majority of which have been flown against important and heavily defended enemy targets. At all times he has displayed the utmost vigilance and skill which combined with his accurate gunnery and determination have largely contributed to the successes achieved by his crew. In November 1944 his aircraft was detailed for a mission against Dusseldorf. While on the way to the target this officer sighted a Junkers 88 preparing to attack his aircraft. By his accurate fire and excellent directions to his pilot he destroyed the enemy fighter. Pilot Officer Scarf's courage and devotion to duty at all times have been most praiseworthy."
Stanley Morris was born in 1922 in Toronto and was a student theer when he enlisted on 13th August 1942. He was award the DFC, effective of 10th May 1945. The award was presented in Toronto on 30th January 1949. He was Recommended for the award on 22nd December 1944 when he had flown thirty one operational flights and whilst an NCO he was initially recommended for a DFM but was granted the DFC. This recommendation reads.. "Throughout his operational career this officer has shown skill, initiative and determination of a high order. He has participated in many sorties against a wide range of targets. On one occasion in November 1944, during an attack against the heavily defended city of Dusseldorf, his aircraft was severely damaged by enemy fighters. Pilot Officer Morris helped to extinguish fires in the aircraft and in addition he discovered and repaired a fault in the tail of the aircraft which was causing a great loss of control. By his great resourcefulness and skill he was largely instrumental in ensuring the safe return of the aircraft."
Torrance Robertson was awarded the DFM for service with 415 Squadron, Gazetted on 20th February 1945.
Halifax NA582 was built to contract ACFT/891 by Fairey Aviation Ltd at Stockport and was initially taken on charge as new by 420 Squadron at Tholthorpe on 14th July 1944. The date it was taken on charge by 415 Squadron at East Moor is not given on the aircraft's AM Form 78. It sustained flak damage on 5th August 1944 and Cat.A/FB damage would probably have been the damage assessment. A repair on site would have been made with it completed by 7th August 1944. It was again damaged by flak on 11th September 1944, Cat.A/FB would have been the damage assessment that then saw a repair on site at East Moor. On 15th October 1944 the aircraft was returning from Ops to Duisburg and was flying in the circuit of East Moor airfield when it crashed near Stillington. The crash saw the aircraft badly damaged, Cat.E2/FB damage was the damage assessment and the aircraft was struck off charge on 26th October 1944.