Halifax NP722 damaged by flak, landed at East Moor airfield.
On 12th September 1944 this 432 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to Wanna Eickel and took off from East Moor at 11.42hrs. The crew released their bomb load at 14.02hrs from 18,000 feet but the aircraft was hit by flak over the target and slightly damaged. Despite the damage to the port wing tip the pilot was remain in control and landed at East Moor airfield landing at 16.17hrs.
Pilot - P/O Joseph Arthur Gault RCAF (J/29071).
Flight Engineer - Sgt William Border RAFVR (635121).
Navigator - F/O R Howard RCAF (J/36323).
Bomb Aimer - F/O Kenneth William Underhill RCAF (J/28260).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Arthur Edward Lawson RCAF (R/164656).
Air Gunner - Sgt W Carmen RCAF (R/251579).
Air Gunner - F/Lt G Whyte RCAF (J/17856).
On 18th August 1944 this crew were in the process of taking off from East Moor in Halifax NP690, the aircraft crashed on the runway and caught fire. The crew scrambled clear and the bomb load later blew up destroying the aircraft and creating a large hole in the runway intersections. On 4th / 5th November 1944 this crew were flying Halifax NP708 when it was hit by flak. The flight engineer suffered serious injuries and despite the attentions by two of the crew he sadly died before they could land. The aircraft landed at Woodbridge. P/O William Border RAF (56231) was buried in Tillicoultry Cemetery. He was twenty two years old and left a young wife. The two airmen who tried to save his life were later Mentioned in Dispatches. William Border had only just received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) on 15th October 1944. Arthur Lawson was Mentioned in Despatches whilst with 432 Squadron. His award was effective as 1st January 1946. The recommendation (with Handkamer) was dated 16th November 1944 stated that.. "On 4th November 1944, this officer and airman were members of the crew of an aircraft detailed to attack Essen. While over the target the Flight Engineer received severe injuries from "flak". Flying Officer Handkamer and Warrant Officer Lawson immediately went to the Engineer's aid. Although their efforts to save his life were in vain, due mainly to the fact that he had lost so much blood, they fought unceasingly with all means at their disposal to save his life." Halifax NP708 landed at Woodbridge on return. NP708 went on to complete 78 Ops. The recomendation also stated that "this officer and airman set the highest example of brotherhood and crew loyalty which.. be recognized by the award of Mention in Despatches (Immediate)."
Joseph Gault was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1921, he enlisted on 8th May 1942. He was recommended for the DFC on 28th October 1944 when he had flown twenty six operational flights. His DFC became effective on 15th March 1945 but there is no information to say when it was presented. The recommendation reads.."Throughout his operational career this officer has displayed enthusiasm and keenness for operational flying. He has been an inspiration to the members of his crew and has shown a high degree of airmanship and dogged determination, having completed twenty-six successful sorties. His calm, quiet manner, qualities of leadership and splendid record warrant a strong recommendation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Non-Immediate)." Post-War he returned home to Moose Jaw and to his old job at a packaging plant at the Swift Canadian Company. I credit Hugh Halliday with this research.
Ken Underhill was part of F/O Frederick Jeffrey's crew at 432 Squadron. Frederick Jeffrey was part of the team that recovered Halifax NA337 from a lake in Norway which is now fully restored in Trenton Museum, Canada.
Halifax NP722 was built to contract ACFT/1688/C4/C by Handley Page Ltd at Radlett and was taken on charge by 432 Squadron at East Moor on 26th July 1944. The aircraft's AM Form 78 states that on 6th September 1944 it sustained a Cat.Ac/FB damage assessment, but the squadron records do not list this aircraft flown on Ops on this date nor any damage being sustained (this damage may relate to a different aircraft with the damage recorded on error here). On 12th September 1944 NP722 sustained battle damage that saw a Cat.A/FB damage assessment. A repair on site was swiftly carried out at East Moor. On 16th September 1944 it sustained damage at East Moor that resulted in a Cat.B/FB damage assessment. Again it was repaired on site but by a team from Handley Page with repair completed on 14th October 1944. It was written off with Cat.E/FB damage recorded on 23rd October 1944 when it swung on landing at Manston on return from Ops to Essen and the undercarriage collapsed.