Halifax MZ375 damaged by flak, landed at Tholthorpe airfield.
During the morning of 9th February 1945 this crew of this 420 Squadron aircraft undertook an operational flight to bomb Wanna-Eickel, the crew took off from Tholthorpe airfield at 03.06hrs. They released their bomb load over the target area at 06.20hrs from 18,000 feet although one bomb hung up and had to be jettisoned later. During the course of the flight the aircraft was slightly damaged by flak in the fuselage near the mid upper turret. They returned to Tholthorpe and landed safely at 09.34hrs. The pilot's name and details are correct, his crew however are guesses based on a very hard to read entry in the squadron records for their posting in to 420 Squadron in December 1944.
Pilot - F/O David Gordon Hill RCAF (J/37137)
Bomb Aimer - F/O A C Elwood RCAF (J/402?53).
Navigator - F/O Harold A Renschler RCAF (J/40434).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt ArXXott RCAF (R/78257).
Flight Engineer - Sgt L Bostick RCAF (R/169685).
Air Gunner - Sgt A C Stephenson RCAF (R/210729).
Air Gunner - Sgt R L Miller RCAR (R/218729).
During the morning of 10th February 1945 Halifax MZ375 was having it's engines run up at Tholthorpe airfield at 10.00hrs when the undercarriage either collapsed or the lever operating it was accidentally operated and it retracted. The damage was deemed enough for a repair not to be carried out and it was written off.
Donald Hill was awarded the DFC for service with 420 Squadron, Gazetted on 8th September 1945. The citation refers to the incident on 9th February 1945 and stated.. "Flight Lieutenant Hill has completed numerous sorties, many of which have penetrated deep into enemy territory. On one occasion in an attack on Wanne Eickel, Flight Lieutenant Hill's aircraft was badly damaged by anti-aircraft fire, but in spite of this he completed his bombing run and successfully attacked the target. He has always displayed great courage and skill."