Halifax MZ403 at Lissett airfield.
On the night of 7th / 8th February 1945 this 158 Squadron undertook an operational flight to bomb a target at Goch and took off from Lissett airfield at 19.03hrs. This aircraft was over Goch between 22.17hrs and 22.25hrs trying to hear the order from the master bomber that he was abandoning the raid. On their return this crew partly jettisoned their bomb load over the North Sea. They landed at 00.46hrs at Lissett in a strong gusty cross wind and the aircraft bounced slightly. Unfortunately this caused the tail oleo to shear off.
Pilot - F/O Herbert Roy Harrison Meredith RCAF (J/91021).
Navigator - P/O Donald Hackett Budreau RCAF (J/88233).
Bomb Aimer - F/Sgt Alpine McLean Murray RCAF (R/176593).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - WO Harold Wendell Harper RCAF (R/125954).
Air Gunner - Sgt George Springham RCAF (R/105693).
Air Gunner - F/Sgt Dalbert Andrew Bower RCAF (R/222291).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Dennis Arthur George Boyden RAFVR (1649517).
Alpine Murray and Herbert Meredith were both awarded the DFC for service with 158 Squadron, both Gazetted on 20th July 1945.
Donald Budreau was awarded the DFC for service with 158 Squadron, Gazetted on 17th July 1945.
Dalbert Bower was awarded the DFM for service with 158 Squadron, Gazetted on 17th July 1945. The citation stated.. "This airman has completed many operational sorties against heavily defended targets in the Ruhr Valley. During an attack on Hemmingstedt in March 1945, the aircraft in which he was flying became involved in a combat with a Junkers 88. Flight Sergeant Bower opened fire at 800 yards range and gave his captain correct combat instructions. The enemy returned fire and the tail plane and fuselage of the aircraft were hit but Flight Sergeant Bower continued to fire and the hostile aircraft finally broke off the encounter. The courage and skill displayed by the gunner during the incident is typical of the fine fighting spirit with which he has completed many operations.
George Springham was awarded the DFC for service with 158 Squadron, Gazetted on 20th July 1945. The recommendation for his award stated that "Flight Sergeant Springham has now completed 32 operational sorties as a mid-upper gunner in Halifax III aircraft of this squadron. Of these sorties, 29 have been to targets in the most heavily defended areas of Germany. He was wounded in the head by flak on one occasion and at other times he has only narrowly missed injury. In spite of these narrow escapes, however, he has at all times displayed outstanding keenness, courage and determination to carry the attack to the enemy regardless of any personal risk. On the Hemmingstedt raid of 7/8th March 1945, he assisted his colleague in the rear turret in a successful combat with a Junkers 188 night fighter. The enemy machine had just made an attack on a nearby Lancaster when it turned and attacked the Halifax. Although the Halifax was hit on several occasions, Flight Sergeant Springham kept his guns firing and hits were distinctly seen on the enemy aircraft which broke off the attack and was lost. Throughout this encounter Flight Sergeant Springham was cool and efficient and his conduct was an inspiration to the others in the crew. It is recommended that this non-commissioned officer's outstanding record of operations, his constant courage under fire and his devotion to duty at all times be recognized by the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."