Halifax NP721 damaged by flak, returned to East Moor airfield.
On 14th October 1944 432 Squadron were instructed supply aircraft for two raids on Duisburg, one during the day and the second overnight. The squadron supplied sixteen aircraft for the first and seventeen for the second. Halifax NP721 took part in the first, it took off at 06.49hrs and was hit by flak causing damage to two of the port petrol tanks and an oil tank. The crew continued to the target and released their bomb load at 08.52hrs from 17,000 feet. The pilot was able to fly the aircraft back to the UK and the aircraft landed at East Moor at 11.48hrs. The aircraft did not take part in the second raid and neither did it's crew.
Pilot - S/Ldr Robert Alastair Jack RCAF (J/12339).
Navigator - P/O Alex Henry Branch RCAF (J/87394).
Bomb Aimer - F/O William Gray RCAF (J/24023).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - P/O J Keogh RCAF (J/96768).
Air Gunner - F/Lt Geoffrey Bruce Whyte DFC RCAF (J/17856).
Air Gunner - W/O Douglas Richard Penny DFM RCAF (R/163541).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Arthur Victor Plummer RAFVR (1803113).
William Gray was awarded the DFC for service with 432 Squadron, Gazetted on 16th January 1945.
Geoffrey Whyte was awarded the DFC for service with 427 Squadron, Gazetted on 14th September 1943.
Alex Branch was awarded the DFC for service with 432 Squadron, Gazetted on 12th December 1944.
Douglas Penny was awarded the DFM for service with 432 Squadron, Gazetted on 26th September 1944. The citation reads.. "As rear gunner this airman has participated in very many sorties, most of which were against targets in Germany. He is a fearless and efficient member of aircraft crew whose devotion to duty has been unfailing. One night in July 1944, when returning from Hamburg, his aircraft was attacked by a Junkers 88. In the ensuing fight his excellent evading directions and good shooting assisted in the destruction of the enemy fighter." He returned home and later served as National President of the Ex-Air Gunners Association from 1990 to 2000.
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."
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. 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.