Halifax PN447 (probably sustained battle damage) landed at Melbourne airfield.
On 18th April 1945 the crew of this 10 Squadron aircraft undertook an operational flight to bomb a target in the Heligoland area. The aircraft took off from Melbourne airfield at 11.17hrs and released their bomb load at 13,25hrs from 14,000 feet. The aircraft landed safely back at Melbourne airfield at 15.24hrs but the aircraft appears to have sustained some form of battle damage during the course of the flight. The damage was assessed and it was deemed beyond repair.
Pilot - Acting F/Lt Charles Philip Smith RAFVR (153042).
Flight Engineer - Sgt K Burrill.
Navigator - F/O G Lucas.
Bomb Aimer - F/O H Jeffs.
Wireless Operator - Sgt J Davis.
Air Gunner - Sgt M Potton.
Air Gunner - Sgt J Bransby.
This crew were posted in to 10 Squadron together on 12th December 1944 and appear to have remained until Summer 1945. Acting F/Lt Smith was awarded the DFC for service with them, Gazetted in November 1945.