Lancaster PD198 damaged in the air, landed at Carnaby airfield.
On 12th January 1945 this No.9 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flighto to bomb submarine pens at Bergen. It took off from Bardney airfield at 08.46hrs and carried one massive tallboy bomb. They
released the bomb from 17,600 feet at 13.01hrs. The aircraft was attacked and damaged by four FW.190 enemy fighters and bomb turrets were rendered unservicable. The rear gunner was wounded by cannon fire and
while the crew flew back across the North Sea they
opted to land at Carnaby because of damage to the hydraulics. They landed at Carnaby at 16.04hrs and the rear gunner was treated for the injuries to his right leg. The No.9 Squadron records do not state that
any of their aircraft landed anywhere other than their base of Bardney, the Lancaster landing at Carnaby is mentioned in the Carnaby station record book but it does not identify it. The IBCC have a copy of
the pilot's flying log book and this confirms the aircraft landed at Carnaby on the return to England.
The rear gunner was awarded the DFC for service with 9 Squadron, Gazetted on 24th April 1945, the citation mentions this incident and stated..
"This officer has participated in very many sorties against strongly defended enemy targets. In January, 1945, he was rear gunner in an aircraft detailed to attack the submarine pens at Bergen. Soon after
leaving the target area the aircraft was engaged by 4 fighters. In the first attack, Flight Lieutenant Gabriel's gun turret was rendered unserviceable. A little later he was wounded in the leg and also
injured above the eye. Nevertheless, this officer, in conjunction with the mid-upper gunner, whose turret had also been put out of action, gave clear and concise evading directions to the pilot who
manoeuvred with much skill. In all, 15 attacks were suffered but the enemy was prevented from pressing these attacks home. Not until the engagement was terminated did Flight Lieutenant Gabriel inform
his captain of his injuries. He displayed exceptional coolness and devotion to duty throughout."
Pilot - F/O Raymond John Harris RAFVR (174625).
Flight Engineer - Sgt M Mellors RAFVR (2211839).
Navigator - F/Sgt F W Young RAFVR (1398426).
Bomb Aimer - P/O Harold Frederick Charles Parsons RAFVR (184161).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/O William Robert Brownlie RAFVR (152104).
Air Gunner - P/O Albert John Williams RAFVR (184072).
Air Gunner - F/Lt William Thomas George Gabriel RAFVR (69432). Wounded.