Halifax NR188 damaged by flak, returned to Melbourne airfield.

On the night of 21st / 22nd February 1945 the crew of this 10 Squadron aircraft undertook an operational flight to bomb Worms, they took off from Melbourne airfield at 16.44hrs and released their bomb load over the target from 17,000 feet at 20.43hrs. Six minutes later the aircraft received flak damage, the fuselage was holed and both turrets rendered unservicable. In addition the belly fuel tank, the port tail plane and the undercarriage were damaged, the H2S blister and the aerial were shot away and a fire started in the aircraft at the rear bulkhead that exploded some ammunition. The flight engineer went to fight the fire and succeeded in putting it out. Despite the damage the crew were able to make the return flight to England and the squadron records do not suggest they landed anywhere other than back at Melbourne at 23.47hrs.

Pilot - F/Lt Laurence George Aggett Bastard RAFVR (142581).

Navigator - Sgt L Tunnicliffe RAFVR (1802784).

Bomb Aimer - F/O Leslie Robert Bolton RNZAF (NZ421444).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/O Raymond Samuel Preston RAFVR (175551)

Air Gunner - Sgt C W Smith RAFVR (3301103?).

Flight Engineer - Sgt William John Henry Wickson RAFVR (3033167?).

Air Gunner - Sgt F C Stevens RAFVR (1591228?).