Halifax MZ788 damaged by flak, returned to Breighton airfield.

I have located a damage returns file listing aircraft of No.4 Group that were damaged during February 1945, although it does not state the identity of the aircraft involved it gives the squadron, pilot's name, date and a basic description of how the damage occurred. By cross-checking with the squadron records some of the incidents can be linked to specific aircraft. Some others are not listed in squadron records, probably because the damage was only minor and the scribe of the ORB was not listing this minor damage by this stage in the war. There are around twenty such incidents during February 1945 that I have not yet 100% identified the aircraft involved, this webpage relates to one such incident. As and when I locate further information it will be updated.

The damage return states that this 78 Squadron aircraft received minor Cat.Ac damage as a result of enemy action on the night of 2nd / 3rd February 1945. The squadron records do not mention the damage specifically to this aircraft but do state that two aircraft were damaged by heavy flak. I would link the two references to refer to this one incident involving Halifax MZ788. Halifax MZ788 took off from Breighton at 20.23hrs and the crew released the bomb load over the target of Wanna-Eickel at 23.25hrs from 19,000 feet. The crew landed safely at Breighton on 02.14hrs.

Pilot - P/O Arthur Ernest Venables RAFVR (184365).

Navigator - F/O Guy Wilberforce Venables RAFVR (154931).

Bomb Aimer - F/O Jack Fearnley RCAF (J/23940).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Eric Frank Dean RAFVR (1892311).

Flight Engineer - Sgt F Faulder RAFVR (1873456).

Air Gunner - Sgt F Nelson RAFVR (). 159669

Air Gunner - Sgt Jack Giavirini RAFVR (1827806).