Halifax NP685 at Linton on Ouse airfield.
On the night of 13th / 14th February 1945 this 426 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight to bomb Bohlen and took off from Linton on Ouse airfield at 18.02hrs. The crew released their bomb load onto the target from 17,000 feet at 22.04hrs. On their return to England this aircraft, as well as many other returning 426 Squadron airfield were diverted to Knettishall owing to fuel shortage where they landed at 02.15hrs. Some eight hours later, having being re-fuelled the crew left Knettishall to return to Linton on Ouse. During the landing at Linton on Ouse airfield at 11.40hrs following the 55 minute transit flight the aircraft touched down with all three mains wheels at once and then bounced slightly with the two main wheels resulting in the tail wheel assembly casting braking. The tail wheel assembly modification that was being made to all Halifaxes to strengthen the assembly had not yet been made to this aircraft. Unfortunately the 426 Squadron records only list the pilot's of their aircraft undertaking operational sorties during this period so the rest of the crew is unconfirmed.
Pilot - P/O Robert Nelson Fuller RCAF (J/27550).