Lancaster III RF253 at Leeming airfield.

On 26th June 1945 this 429 Squadron aircraft and crew were one of six that were detailed to make three trips of bomb disposal flights to dispose of bombs into the North Sea. All completed the first, all released their bomb loads in the second but as Lancaster RF253 was on the approach to land both the starboard engines failed. At 15.37hrs, the pilot managed to get the aircraft onto the runway at Leeming but it then swung off the concrete and toward dispersal points. The pilot raised the undercarriage to stop the aircraft. The same fuel tank had been selected to supply both starboard engines and had been allowed to run dry.

Pilot - F/Lt Leonard Bawtree DFC RCAF (J/35650)

Six further crew - Names unknown.