Halifax MZ320 damaged by enemy action, returned to Breighton airfield.
On the night of 16th-17th January 1945 the crew of this 78 Squadron aircraft undertook an operational flight to bomb Magdeburg. They took off from Breighton at 18.59hrs and released their bomb load at 21.48hrs from 19,000 feet. During the course of the return flight the aircraft sustained minor damage due to being attacked by an enemy aircraft. Despite this damage the crew were able to return to Breighton airfield and land safely at 01.15hrs. The 78 Squadron records do not list the damage specifically to this aircraft only stating that one aircraft returned with the starboard outer engine not working and it could relate to the damage to MZ320. The pilot and the incident is listed in a No.4 Group damage return form found in the Australian National Archives.
Pilot - P/O Thomas Staniforth Arrand RAFVR (188016).
Navigator - P/O William Francey RAFVR (189941).
Bomb Aimer - P/O Ronald William Edward Casey RAFVR (196900).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt Michael John Atkinson RAAF (424258).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Sidney Arthur Brewster RAFVR (1593347).
Air Gunner - F/Sgt Robert Craig Smith Small RAFVR (196940).
Air Gunner - Sgt Henry Thomas Bell RAFVR (1566112).