Halifax NR156 damaged by flak, landed at East Moor airfield.
On 17th September 1944 this 415 Squadron aircraft was on an operational flight to bomb German troop positions in the Boulogne area. The aircraft took off from East Moor at 10.49hrs. The crew released the bomb load at 12.42hrs from 2,000 feet and it sustained minor flak damage to the port rudder and wing during the course of the flight. The pilot was able to make a return to Yorkshire and land safely at East Moor at 14.48hrs. The aircraft was repaired. Information that this aircraft sustained damage on this flight was found in the flight engineer's logbook. The 415 Squadron ORB does not list any damage to this aircraft so it must have been minor.
Pilot - F/O John Everett McAllister RCAF (J/13316).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Charles Harry Genever-Watling RAFVR (1649029).
Navigator - F/O Charles John Prawdzik RCAF (J/37535).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt J G/C Rhodes RCAF (R/196609).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Elgin Alonzo Moynes RCAF (R/179601).
Air Gunner - Sgt G H Smith RCAF (R/219176).
Air Gunner - P/O A E Smith RCAF (J/41351).
Air Gunner - F/Sgt J J Conroy RCAF (R/187944).
I thank the flight engineer's son Mr Michael Genever-Watling for contacting me in November 2013 and for updating and correcting a number of points which appeared on this webpage. He kindly supplied this photograph of his father's crew at East Moor. I would welcome any names for those shown here. I also credit Hugh Halliday with the RCAF awards research shown on this webpage.
Many of the above named crew were involved in a more serious incident on 12th October 1944 flying in Halifax NP935, they were undertaking a daylight operational flight to Wanna Eickel when the aircraft was hit by flak seriously injuring the navigator F/O Prawdzik in the leg. F/Lt McAllister landed at Woodbridge airfield in an attempt to save the life of his navigator but a tyre burst on landing and the aircraft was further damaged slightly injuring the rear gunner, F/O A Smith. Sadly F/O Prawdzik had to have his leg amputated and then died of his injuries soon after landing. Two DFC's were awarded for actions given on this raid and the details are given below.
Charles Prawdzik (shown above) was born on 23rd August 1921, and was the son of Jacob and Anna Prawdzik, of Polonia, Manitoba, Canada. He enlisted 28th July 1942 in Winnipeg. He died as a result of his injuries sustained on 12th October 1944 and was buried at Brookwood Cemetery. He was twenty three years old.
John McAllister was born in Milltown, New Brunswick in 1921 and attended the University of New Brunswick. He enlisted into the RCAF in Moncton in September 1941 and received a commission the following year. F/O McAllister and crew commenced operational flying with 415 Squadron on 12th August 1944. The flak incident detailed at the top of this page took place on McAllister's fourth operational flight. Towards the end of September 1944 he was promoted to F/Lt and was awarded the DFC on 19th December 1944 for his actions previously described. Promoted to S/Ldr in February 1945 he went on to complete a thirty one operations Tour with the last being on 14th March 1945. His DFC was not presented until March 1949. The Citation for his DFC reads.. "In October 1944, this officer was the pilot of an aircraft detailed to attack Wanne Eickel. Whilst many miles from the target area the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. A large hole was torn in the nose of the aircraft, the navigator was wounded and had to be taken to a rest position for attention. Nevertheless, Flight Lieutenant McAllister went on to the target and executed a successful attack. He afterwards flew the damaged aircraft back to an airfield in this country and effected a safe landing in difficult circumstances. Flight Lieutenant McAllister displayed high qualities of leadership, skill and resolution throughout."
Elgin Moynes was born in 1922 in Oshawa, Ontario. He enlisted in Toronto in July 1942 and was living in Kitchener, Ontario at the time where he was employed as an electrical apprentice. He receieved a commissioned in 1944 and later awarded the DFC, effective from 5th April 1945 and presented at Buckingham Palace on 13th July 1945. The Citation for this award reads.. "As air bomber this officer has participated in many operational sorties including attacks against Kiel, Dortmund and Karlsruhe. At all times he has shown outstanding skill, determination and devotion to duty. In October 1944 his aircraft was detailed to attack Wanne Eickel in daylight. Twenty minutes before reaching the target heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered and the navigator was severely wounded. Pilot Officer Moynes rendered first aid to the wounded navigator and after returning to his own position he successfully bombed the target. He the assumed the navigator's duties and navigated the aircraft to the nearest home base. Pilot Officer Moynes' coolness and courage under perilous circumstances combined with his outstanding gallantry have been worthy of the highest praise."