Halifax MZ426 damaged in the air, landed at Pocklington? airfield.
On the night of 16th / 17th January 1945 this 102 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to bomb Magdeburg and took off from Pocklington airfield at 18.56hrs. The crew released their bomb load over the target area from 19,000 feet at 21,50hrs. Immediately after releasing the bomb load the pilot noticed an aircraft to his left climbing towards his aircraft. He began to take evasive action but a collision occurred and damage resulted. As to what was damaged is not clear but despite this the crew flew back to England and landed safely at 02.09hrs. Where the aircraft landed is not yet confirmed. The landing time is in line with other 102 Squadron aircraft that made it back to Pocklington so it may well have gone back there. Carnaby airfield had three damaged Halifaxes land there on this night; two were MZ378 and NP811 following their own mid-air collision. MZ426 may also have gone there. The aircraft that collided with Halifax MZ426 was not recorded on the AM Form 1180 that was subsequently created and as yet I have not yet managed to identify it through squadron records, it may have been an aircraft that did not make it home.
Pilot - F/O Arnold Crompton RAFVR (185549).
Navigator - WO J A C Shearon.
Bomb Aimer - P/O George Alan Thursby RAFVR (188133).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - P/O W W S Bond.
Air Gunner - F/O James Cocks RAFVR (175598).
Air Gunner - Sgt R Harvey.
Flight Engineer - Sgt R/A W Robson.