Halifax PN226 damaged in the air, landed at Linton on Ouse airfield.
On 18th April 1945 the crew of this 426 Squadron aircraft undertook an operational flight to bomb a naval base in the Heligoland area. This aircraft took off from Linton on Ouse airfield at 09.52hrs. The aircraft was over the target area at 12.55hrs and was flying at 17,200 feet when a bomber flying next to and on the starboard side of this Halifax exploded. The explosion and wreckage of this other aircraft damaged Halifax PN226. The squadron records only state that the port tyre was blown but the damage must have been more serious. A landing was made at Linton on Ouse airfield at 14.50hrs. The damage was later assessed as being beyond repair. The pilot was awarded the DFC for his actions on this date.
The exploding aircraft was probably Halifax NP776 of 408 Squadron (probably not the other loss on this date that may fit, that of Halifax RG564 of 640 Squadron, because that only took off at 11.44hrs so it was unlikely to be over the target 70 minutes later).
Pilot - P/O Joseph Allan Hudson Whipple RCAF (J/93135).
Flight Engineer - Sgt E H Haughton RCAF (R/256007).
Navigator - F/Sgt Edward William Gaffray RCAF (R/186962).
Bomb Aimer - F/O S T Pyke RCAF (J/39921).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt M M Johnson RCAF (R/218133).
Air Gunner - F/Sgt R J Murray RCAF R/(276378).
Air Gunner - F/Sgt H F West RCAF (R/273816).
Joseph Whipple was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for service with 426 Squadron, Gazetted on 17th July 1945. Hugh Halliday has located the recommendation for this award which mentions the incident in April 1945. "This officer has completed twenty operational missions throughout which he has shown himself to be a determined and resourceful pilot and captain of aircraft. On the 18th April 1945, while attacking the airfield at Heligoland, during the camera run, an aircraft flying close beside his received a direct hit by a heavy flak shell which caused a terrific explosion. Pilot Officer Whipple’s aircraft suffered severe damage as a result of this explosion, the fuselage being shattered in a number of places as well as a considerable amount of flak damage to other parts of the aircraft. Despite the condition of the aircraft he flew safely back to base and with one tyre burst as a result of flak, he executed a successful landing without causing any further damage to the aircraft. Pilot Officer Whipple has at all times displayed commendable keenness for operational flying and has successfully pressed home his attacks on a number of occasions despite heavy opposition and severe damage to his aircraft. The fine offensive spirit displayed by this officer fully merits recognition and I therefore strongly recommend the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."