Halifax MZ378 damaged in the air, landed at Carnaby airfield.
On the night of 16th / 17th January 1945 this 420 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to bomb Magdeburg and took off from Tholthorpe airfield at 18.43hrs. The crew released their bomb load over the target area from 18,500 feet at 21.46hrs. At 21.54hrs and while flying at 17,000 feet this aircraft collided 426 Squadron Halifax NP811. MZ378 was struck from below by NP811 which was taking evasive action. MZ378 suffered a bent starboard outer propeller and a damaged cowling, it lost it's H2S blister and half of the starboard rudder. It also sustained damage to oil coolers, the lower entrance door and damage to the lower fuselage. Despite this damage the pilot remained in control. On the return flight the artifical horizon instrument failed. Both damaged Halifaxes managed to fly back to Carnaby and MZ378 landed at 01.55hrs. Sadly the 420 Squadron orb scribe only listed the pilot's by name on operational sorties during the this period. For his actions on this night the pilot was awarded the DFC.
Pilot - F/O Robert Benjamin Field RCAF (J/21583).