Lancaster ND326 damaged in the air, landed at Carnaby airfield.
During the afternoon of 25th October 1944 the crew of this 100 Squadron aircraft took off from Grimsby at 13.00hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Essen. They bombed the target area
at 15.47hrs from 17,000 feet onto target indicator flares but just before releasing the bombs, the aircraft was extensively damaged by flak. This wounded the rear gunner. The aircraft received
damage to the bomb bay, starboard side of the fuselage, both wings, the tailplanes and rudders, the hydraulics damaged and the trim controls were rendered useless. The port outer engine was also
damaged and had to be shut down. Despite this damage the crew were able to fly it back across the North Sea and at 17.50hrs they landed at Carnaby. The rear gunner was admitted to base hospital
for treatment to his wounded left foot, left arm and shoulder. Around 200 holes were found in the aircraft.
For his actions on this flight the pilot was awarded a DFC, Gazetted on 11th November 1944. The citation reads.. "In October, 1944, this officer was the pilot and captain of an aircraft
detailed for a sortie. Essen was the target. At the commencement of the bombing run, the aircraft was hit by an anti-aircraft shell. The port engine was put out of action and fragments of
shrapnel penetrated the fuselage in innumerable places. The rear gunner was wounded. Nevertheless, Flying Officer McKenzie promptly feathered the propeller of the unservice able engine,
held to his course and executed a successful attack. He afterwards flew the damaged aircraft to base and landed it safely. This officer has completed many sorties and has set a fine example
of determination and devotion to duty." (Note, he didn't fly it to base).
A Cat.Ac/FB damage assessment was initially made against this aircraft but this was later upgraded to Re-Cat.B and it was sent for a repair in works. It took until April 1945 when this
was complete and it was issued to 463 Squadron.
Pilot - F/O Donald William McKenzie RNZAF (NZ.421518).
Flight Engineer - Sgt R McLelland
Navigator - F/Sgt F R Ford
Air Bomber - F/Sgt William James Denis Allan RNZAF (NZ.429126).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt J E Malvern
Air Gunner - W/O H E Thornley
Air Gunner - F/Sgt C W Anderson RCAF (R/253052). Wounded.