Halifax NP721 at East Moor airfield.
On 6th August 1944 this Halifax was being used so that two members of aircrew who had just arrived at 432 Squadron could undertake a basic circuits and landings flying exercise combined with a local flying exercise. The "instructor" for the purpose of this exercise was the Flight Commander and he made the initial take off from East Moor and demonstrated the circuit, an approach to land and then an overshoot. The aircraft did not have dual controls so the pilots swapped seats and the new pilot then took over control, after a short time local flying he was instructed to join the circuit and made an approach to land at East Moor. His instructor asked him to make an overshoot as they got lower and this was done satisfactorily. The aircraft made another circuit with the new pilot at the controls and approach to land was made, the aircraft touched down half-way down the runway at 16.31hrs and the brakes were applied, this slowed the aircraft but on the last 200 yards of runway the brakes did not seem to have effect. Either side of the runway they were heading down was having was having construction work done so the pilots could not attempt to swing off the runway or ground loop the aircraft and had to keep going straight ahead. The aircraft ran off the end of the runway, through the boundary fence and into the ditch at the Strensall Lane end of the airfield. The aircraft suffered extensive damage though in time it was repaired and flew again. It was later recommended that one dual control Halifax MkIII or MkVII be kept on site at East Moor "for the purpose of checking out pilots of both squadrons (432 and 415) and that the ditch, roadway and fence at far end of runway 17 be levelled". The ditch wiped out a number of Halifax undercarriages two days later possibly before this recommendation was made and the work was carried out. Today at East Moor there is still no ditch at the end of where the runway once was.
Pilot - P/O Aurele Louis Potter RCAF (J/87033).
(Instructor) Pilot - F/O Robert Alastair Jack RCAF (J/12339).
Flight Engineer - P/O Clifford George Haining RAFVR (176771).
Second Flight Engineer - Sgt Rex Ormond John Searle RAF (615463).
This photograph is believed to show the damage to Halifax NP721 after it's final crash at East Moor.
Aurele Potter was born in 1924 in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. He was living there and working as a bank clerk when he enlisted, he was formerly a member of the Royal Canadian Artillery. He enlisted in Moncton on 29th May 1942 and received a commission in June 1944. Hugh Halliday's RCAF research has found that he was recommended for the DFC for service with 432 Squadron on 16th February 1945 when he had flown thirty three operational flights between 7th August 1944 to 14th February 1945. The DFC was granted and notification was printed in the London Gazette on 25th May 1945. Although there was no proper citation the recommendation draws on specific incident in December 1944 in Halifax NP774, it reads.. "At 11.55hrs on the 24th December 1944, the above mentioned took off on a daylight sortie. Shortly after leaving Base, trouble was experienced with the port inner engine. The engine cut out altogether over the Channel, but was successfully feathered. The pilot pressed on, but due to adverse winds, it was impossible to keep up with the stream. Height could not be maintained, and the aircraft dropped to 11,000 feet. The pilot approached to within fifteen miles of the target (Dusseldorf) but the whole stream had by now passed over. Believing it was suicide to attack Dusseldorf, Flying Officer Potter veered to port, identified a town as Krefeld and bombed the Marshaling yards and railway lines. For his display of sustained courage and unusual initiative, his coolness and devotion to duty resulting in the success of this operational flight, Flying Officer Potter is most strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Non-Immediate)."
Robert Jack was born in Vancouver in 1922 and was living in Powell River, British Columbia when he enlisted in Calgary on 31st July 1941. He was recommended for the DFC on 9th September 1944 when he had flown twenty nine operational flights between 18th April and 31st August 1944. The DFC was granted and notification was printed in the London Gazette on 8th December 1944 but there was no proper citation. The recommendation was much more detailed as sourced by Hugh Halliday and reads.. "Flight Lieutenant Jack is a capable and confident captain, whose determination to complete his sorties successfully has been a feature of his tour. In his capacity of Flight Commander he has maintained an exceptionally high standard in every branch of activity. His twenty-nine sorties have all been successful and include a wide variety of targets. For his splendid qualities of leadership, loyalty and an inspiring example to those in his flight, this officer is recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."
Clifford Haining received his commission on 19th May 1944 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) and was promoted to F/O (war subs) on 19th November 1944. He remained in the RAF until 1st January 1969 when he resigned his commission.
Halifax NP721 was built to contract 1688/C4/C by Handley Page at Radlett and was delivered to 426 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse on 25th July 1944 but this must have been a mistake as 426 Squadron were only was operating Halifax B.III's at the time. The aircraft was immediately transferred to 432 Squadron at East Moor, arriving on 30th July 1944, although the Form AM78 took some time to catch up as this first mentions 432 Squadron on 22nd August 1944. The aircraft suffered damage recorded as Cat.A(c)/FA on 6th August 1944 (detailed above). It was repaired on site and the repair was completed on 22nd August 1944. This being the date the AM78 states it was taken on charge by 432 Squadron. It was again damaged, this time suffering flak damage on 14th October 1944 during a day-light attack on Duisburg, it sustained flak damage to the port wing, holing two fuel tanks and an oil tank. It returned safely to East Moor and was repaired on site with repair being completed by 31st October 1944. It was destroyed not long after with Cat.E/Burnt damage recorded on 5th December 1944 when swung out of control on take off for Ops to Soest and crashed, caught fire and later exploded. It was struck off charge on 17th December 1944 once the paperwork was completed.
