Halifax NP720 damaged by flak and night-fighters, returned to East Moor airfield.
In the late evening of 12th August 1944 the crew of this aircraft were tasked with flying an operational flight to Brunswick and took off from East Moor at 21.40hrs. While the crew were a 415 Squadron crew they were flying a 432 Squadron aircraft loaned to them for this flight. It was struck by flak and was later attacked by night-fighters and sustained damage to both wings, the fuselage and the H2S dome. The pilot was able to return home to East Moor airfield and land at 03.25hrs but burst a tyre on landing. The runway in use became blocked and other 415 / 432 Squadron crews still in the air were diverted to land at Linton on Ouse. For his actions on this night he was awarded a Bar to the DFC. The gunners of this aircraft may well have returned fire and damaged the attacking enemy aircraft as they later reported one Me110 as damaged, I assume that this refers to the fact they damaged it rather than seeing it flying in a damaged state.
Pilot - Acting S/Ldr Brian Edmund Wilmot DFC RCAF (J/23777).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Norman Martin Malpass RAFVR (1852325).
Navigator - P/O Stanley Bruce McKillop RCAF (J/85711).
Bomb Aimer - F/Lt Andrew Harold Adelbert McBain RCAF (J/23638).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/O Walter Reginald Eaglestone RCAF (J/26854).
Air Gunner - P/O John Nicholson Thompson RAF (54311).
Air Gunner - W/O F E Fry RCAF (R/129752).
After a brief period of non-operational flying he was posted to 415 Squadron on 16th July 1944. On the night of 12th / 13th August 1944 was flying Halifax NP720 on an operational flight to Brunswick. NP720 was actually a 432 Squadron aircraft borrowed by 415 Squadron that night. The aircarft was firstly damaged by flak and then attacked by night-fighters sustaining damage to both wings, the fuselage and the H2S dome. Despite the damage Wilmot was able to bring the aircraft back to East Moor. For his actions on this night S/Ldr Wilmot was awarded the Bar to the DFC (Gazetted on 27th October 1944). The citation for his Bar to the DFC reads.."Since the award of the DFC S/Ldr Wilmot has completed numerous sorties against a variety of targets. On a recent operation against Brunswick, although his aircraft was attacked and damaged by enemy night fighters, S/Ldr Wilmot displayed great skill and determination in pressing home his attack and in bringing his damaged aircraft safety back to base. He has set a worth example." In total he only flew two operational flights with 415 Squadron, there was this one in the 432 Squadron aircraft on 12th August 1944 and then one in a 415 Squadron aircraft on 16th August 1944. He was killed five days later when Halifax MZ633 crashed after a collision with Halifax NA609 in cloud with both aircraft falling between Birkin and West Haddlesey, near Selby, Yorkshire. This accident sadly resulted in all airmen in both crews being killed. He is buried in Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery and was still only twenty one years old when he died.
Halifax NP720 was built to contract 1688/C4/C by Handley Page Ltd at Radlett and was delivered to 432 Squadron at East Moor on 30th July 1944. It sustained Cat.A(c)/FB damage as a result of the flak as detailed above. It was repaired on site with repairs complete by 25th August 1944. It was later transferred to 426 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 30th August 1944 but this Unit disbanded on 24th May 1945 and it was flown to MU storage at Clifton. It was then struck off charge and sold as scrap on 31st April 1947.
Brian Wilmot was born on 29th April 1923 at Fort William, Ontario, Canada and was the son of John Henry Allan and Bertha Alice (nee McCully) Wilmot. The family moved around Canada when he was a child finally settling in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. His father worked for the Hudson's Bay Company. During Summer 1940 he worked for Fairchild Aircraft in Montreal before returning to school. In May 1941 he started work for the Trans-Canada Airlines in Winnipeg with both jobs as a sheet metal worker. He enlisted for RCAF service in Winnipeg on 30th December 1941 for aircrew duties and after training in Canada he was awarded his pilot's flying badge and a commission on 19th February 1943. By Summer 1943 he was in the UK. He trained at 15 (P)AFU, 22 OTU and 1664 HCU before posting to 425 Squadron on 1st February 1944. Having completed a Tour with 425 Squadron he was awarded the DFC (Gazetted on 30th May 1944) which was presented to him by King George VI at Linton on Ouse on 11th August 1944. The citation for his DFC reads.. "This officer has completed many sorties during which he has attacked such well-defended targets as Berlin, Frankfurt and Dusseldorf. One night in April 1944, in a sortie against the last named target, Flying Officer Wilmot displayed the greatest determination in pressing home his attack although one engine failed and some height had been lost before reaching the target. His fine fighting spirit has always been apparent and he has set a most commendable example."
Walter Eaglestone was born on 8th January 1917 at Readlyn, Saskatchewan, Canada and was the son of Walter Arthur and Marianne J (nee Sanderson) Eaglestone. Both his parents were born in England but had emigrated to Canada. As a young man he worked at a variety of jobs, latterly he was worked as a parts storeman for Prairie Airways Ltd, in Regina, prior to enlisting for RCAF service on 28th April 1942 there. He was married to Frances Barkwell in Winnipeg in December 1942. After train as a wireless operator / air gunner he was awarded the air gunner's part to his flying badge on 31st May 1943, with a commission granted on the same date. His wireless operator training was carried out earlier. He was posted to the UK in June 1943 where he trained at 6 (O)AFU, 22 OTU and 1664 HCU before being posted to 425 Squadron on 1st February 1944. He served at 425 Squadron until receiving a posting to 415 Squadron on 16th July 1944. He was also killed on 21st August 1944 in the collision between Halifax NA609 and MZ633. The Eaglestone Lake in Saskatchewan is named in his honour.
John Thompson was later awarded the DFC for service with 415 Squadron, Gazetted on 27th October 1943. Hugh Halliday has located the following account.. "Now on his second tour of operational duty, this officer has taken part in many operational sorties as an air gunner. He has attacked a wide variety of targets and has at all times displayed exceptional skill and fortitude under fire. On a recent sortie, his aircraft was attacked and badly damaged by enemy night fighters. Although suffering from lack of oxygen, the supply of which had been damaged, he resolutely gave his pilot skilful evasive instruction and continued to engage the enemy with the one remaining serviceable gun. His efficiency and determination are highly commendable."
Andrew McBain was born in Gibbard, Alberta on 2nd November 1917 but was living in Camrose when he enlisted in Toronto in November 1941. He received a commission in 1943 flew with 415 Squadron and rose to become 415 Squadron's Bombing Leader. As stated above he was flying in Halifax NA609 on 21st August 1944 and died when the aircraft collided with S/Ldr Willmot's aircraft and both aircraft crashed near Selby, Yorkshire. He had been recommended for the DFC on 15th August 1944 when he had flown twenty eight operational flights between 2nd September 1943 and 3rd August 1944. The DFC was granted and notification appeared in the London Gazette on 14th November 1944 but there was no citation as such, the recommendation gave more details of his tour, it read.. "Flying Officer McBain has proven himself to be a most conscientious and skilful Air Bomber. Over a long period of time his consistently good work has inspired great confidence in his ability. Operating since September 1943, he has bombed such heavily defended German targets as Mannheim, Munich, Modane, Dusseldorf, Stuttgart and Berlin, and at all times has displayed a courage and outstanding ability worthy of high recognition. His quiet confidence has inspired a very high standard of morale in the crew members." He was also killed on 21st August 1944 in the collision between Halifax NA609 and MZ633. His gravestone should show that he was a holder of the Distinguished Flying Cross and it does not.
Stanley McKillop was born in Montreal in 1912 and was living in Toronto when he enlisted in Windsor, Ontario in July 1941. He received the DFC for service with 415 Squadron, notification appeared in the London Gazette on 27th October 1944, though was not presented until 15th April 1948. The citation reads.. "Pilot Officer McKillop has participated in very many sorties as navigator against strongly defended enemy targets. He has at all times displayed a high degree of skill and determination and his ability to guide his pilot to the target without fail has contributed largely to the successes achieved. On one occasion his aircraft was attacked by enemy night fighters. In the ensuing combat the aircraft was damaged and the navigational aids were rendered useless. Nevertheless this officer skilfully guided the aircraft to the target and back to base. The calmness and reliability of this officer in the face of the enemy have been an inspiration to the crews with whom he has flown."
DFM/DFC research credits to Hugh Halliday.