Halifax Heavy Bomber WWII
Wikipedia Halifax BomberOn 1943-10-08, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, an Engineering Officer with 427 Sqn at Skipton-on-Swale, wrote in his diary:
"Well we were on tonight for a change after a two week stand-down [due to poor weather]. I thought I'd make an effort to make a good showing on my first real op on my own. The boys co-operated fine and we got a record 16 kites up each with 1882 gals of petrol, 6500 lbs of bombs, 1-2000 lb., 5 cans of 4-30 lb. incendiaries & 8 cans of 90- 4lb. as well as 14 bundles of "window" incendiaries, the metallic strips they shower down when over target to throw out & jam the jerry radio-location beams. It looked pretty good at take-off & although we had 2 go u/s [unserviceable] just before take-off we managed to shift the crews around to stand-by kites & so we got them all away.
I was feeling pretty good about this but soon things began to happen. First the weather closed in & it turned very cold with a sheet-like rain. Then one after another we got the news that seven aircraft were coming back on early returns never having reached the target. This was awful for my first "do" but it seemed that 3 of the seven were due to very bad icing conditions, 2 were due to maintenance faults for which I had to take the blame. One was due to the pilot getting lost and getting too low down over the Ruhr where he got badly shot up with flak while the seventh never got back at all. He crashed down near Eastmoor somewhere & burned up. All crew were killed so I don't suppose we'll ever find out what happened. With Squadron Leader Ganderton I drove around & met each pilot and flight engineer as they got out of their kites, found out their story & made out my report to the station engineering officer. I was nearly 11:00 o'clock when they all got back & since the weather was duff I was getting a little apprehensive about how many of the rest would get back.
At 12:00 o'clock I went down to flying control to watch as the rest of the kites came in. It was very exciting hearing them talk them in one by one by radio and watching them land. We had two near accidents, one when he was swung & ground looped just after landing & the other when a few hung-up incendiaries fell out of a kite on the runway and went up with a terrific roar & bright flames. However, no one was hurt & we kept counting them one by one as they got down safely until there was only 4 more of ours to come in. We waited and waited but they didn't come & we finally had to give them up for lost. About 1:00am I went up to interrogation to find out from each pilot & flight engineer how the kite had functioned & what damage had been sustained. Finally after about an hour I went to the operations room to see if they had any word of our missing aircraft (& they hadn't). I finally got back to the Mess at 3:30am, had fried potatoes and sausages & went to bed.
Sat Oct 23, 1943: "Things were pretty grim here this morning with everyone worried about our big losses. 4 of ours & 2 from 429 making 6 out of 28 aircraft. Also my six early returns didn't make me feel any too happy. Fortunately we were stood down tonight. The target was Kassel last night & 42 were lost altogether. Mostly due to icing I imagine. Our K-Kitty which had several flak holes in it wasn't too bad although it needed and engine change. . . ."
Halifax (Total: 6,178, Canadian: 130, Group 130)
Handley Page Halifax
The Handley Page Halifax is a British Royal Air Force (RAF) four-engined heavy bomber of the Second World War. It was developed by Handley Page to the same specification as the contemporary twin-engine Avro Manchester.
The Halifax has its origins in the twin-engine HP56 proposal of the late 1930s, produced in response to the British Air Ministry's Specification P.13/36 for a capable medium bomber for "world-wide use." The HP56 was ordered as a backup to the Avro 679, both aircraft being designed to use the underperforming Rolls-Royce Vulture engine. The Handley Page design was altered at the Ministry to a four-engine arrangement powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine; the rival Avro 679 was produced as the twin-engine Avro Manchester which, while regarded as unsuccessful mainly due to the Vulture engine, was a direct predecessor of the famed Avro Lancaster. Both the Lancaster and the Halifax would emerge as capable four-engined strategic bombers, thousands of which would be built and operated by the RAF and several other services during the War.
On 25 October 1939, the Halifax performed its maiden flight, and it entered service with the RAF on 13 November 1940. It quickly became a major component of Bomber Command, performing routine strategic bombing missions against the Axis Powers, many of them at night. Arthur Harris, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Bomber Command, described the Halifax as inferior to the rival Lancaster (in part due to its smaller payload) though this opinion was not shared by many of the crews that flew it, particularly for the MkIII variant. Nevertheless, production of the Halifax continued until April 1945. During their service with Bomber Command, Halifaxes flew a total of 82,773 operations and dropped 224,207 tons of bombs, while 1,833 aircraft were lost. The Halifax was also flown in large numbers by other Allied and Commonwealth nations, such as the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Free French Air Force and Polish forces. Wikipedia
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK114
s/n DK114
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 114
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Struck off charge 30.4.46Units 1661 Heavy conversion Unit/1662HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK115
s/n DK115
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 115
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 1664
On 1943-08-08, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, a Technical Officer with 1664 HCU at Croft, wrote in his diary:
"Sunday seems to be our unlucky day since we flew hard all day & then tonight had our fourth big prang C for Charles DK115. For some reason I haven't been able to find out yet the port u/c folded up just after he had made his landing & he came down on one wing right in the centre of the runway about 5:30 tonight. We had night flying on & scheduled for 11:00pm so it was up to me to get it lifted and cleared in time. Bill Tait & I ordered midnight suppers & set to work with lifting bags and jacks & finally got a bogey under her & towed her away to dispersal by 10:45 just in time because the aircraft were beginning to warm up in preparation for take-off. It damaged the port outer mainplane, aileron and flap, ruined the undercarriage, the port tail rudder & bashed the bottom of the port outer engine. Also two port props. This makes another Cat AC for the contractors to work on & a total of three ganged up in the hanger at the present time."
Groundlooped on landing at Dishforth and undercarriage collapsed 29.10.44 1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK116
s/n DK116
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 116
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Engine fire at 12,000 feet, some crew abandonned before aircraft crashed into high ground on Caplestone Fell, Kielder, Northumberland 15.10.441660Heavy conversion Unit/1667HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK117
s/n DK117
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 117
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Pilot lost control, crashed and burnt between Leasingham and Cranwell, Lincs 11.3.431660 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK118
s/n DK118
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 118
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 1662
Converted to 4127M following landing accident at Wickenby 16.4.431662 Heavy conversion Unit/4 School of Technical Training
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK119
s/n DK119
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 119
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 138 ;161
Failed to Return, Special Operations Executive operations, Mistral, 23.7.43Units 138/161
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK120
s/n DK120
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 120
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Struck off charge 1.11.451662 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK121
s/n DK121
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 121
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Struck off charge 20.2.45Units 295/298/196/644
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK122
s/n DK122
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 122
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 295
Crashed at Damerham, Hants, after releasing glider, 19.5.43Unit 295
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK123
s/n DK123
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 123
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Failed to Return, Distre 20.2.43Unit 295
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK124
s/n DK124
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 124
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Struck off Charge 28.9.44Unit 295
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK125
s/n DK125
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 125
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Struck Halifax EB195 (which had burst tire) on take-off from Rufforth, crashed and burnt 22.8.431663 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK126
s/n DK126
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 126
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Struck off Charge 1.11.451660 Heavy Conversion Unit/1656HCU/1667HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK127
s/n DK127
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 127
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 1659; 1656
On 1943-04-15, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, a Technical Officer with 1659 HCU at Topcliffe, wrote in his diary:
"Went for my first ride in a Halifax today. DK127, G one of our new Mk V kites with Merlin XXII engines & with only 5 hours of flying time. It sure is a smooth kite. Squadron Leader Langton was the pilot, I was flight engineer & did the starting operation of fuel cocks & temperature adjustments. Two pilots â€" Clark and Ross were the mid-upper and rear gunners although neither had ever operated a turret or fired a gun before. What a crew,; it certainly would have been funny if we had met up with a Jerry FW190 or something since I imagine our goose would have been cooked."
Diary of A Ross Dawson, courtesy CWM
Force landed at Wrexham after failure of both port engines 30.3.44
1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1656 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK128
s/n DK128
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 128
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Undercarriage collapsed after landing at Rufforth 11.12.43Unit 76/ 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit/1663 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK129
s/n DK129
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 129
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 1659
Swung out of control on approach to Topcliffe, crashed 3 miles southwest of Northallerton 12.2.441659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK130
s/n DK130
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 130
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Shot down into sea on flight to Sale, 16.6.43Unit 295
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK131
s/n DK131
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 131
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 295
Missing on Ferry flight Gibralter to England 19.7.43Unit 295
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK132
s/n DK132
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 132
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Port inside engine and starboard outside engine failed after take-off from rufforth, crashlanded at Colton, Yorks, 8.9.441663 Heavy conversion Unit/76/1663 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK133
s/n DK133
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 133
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 1660; 1667
Crashed at Cowie, Lincs, and burnt after take-off 6.9.441660 Heavy conversion Unit/1667 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-September-06 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Beverly Gordon Kitchen 2021-08-12 1944-September-06 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer John Russell Pound 2021-08-12 1944-September-06 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Mark Edward Vandekinder 2021-07-13 1944-September-06 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Kenneth Allan Watson 2021-07-10 1944-September-06 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William Francis Woolgar 2021-07-06 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK134
s/n DK134
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 134
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 76
Failed to Return, Dortmund, 5.5.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK135
s/n DK135
B
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 135
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF at Leeming, UK, coded ZL*B. Failed to return from attack on Wuppertal on 24/25 June 1943. Crashed in the area of the Rozenburg polder, 16 kilometres west-south-west of Rotterdam, discovered in August 1967. 5 crew were killed and 2 POW.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William George Arthur 2024-11-03 1943-June-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Frederick Charles Ashby 2024-11-03 1943-June-25 PoW RAF Sergeant Lawrence Arthur Bone 2024-11-14 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Max Shvemar 2025-01-27 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Lou Warren Somers 2025-01-27 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Jonathan Harvey Walton 2025-01-27 1943-June-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Vernon Moore White 2025-01-27 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK136
s/n DK136
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 136
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Groundlooped on landing at Home-On-Spalding Moor and undercarriage collapsed. Ex ops, Nurnberg 11.8.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK137
s/n DK137
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 137
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Failed to Return, Koln, 28.6.43 Shot down north of Liege, BelgiumUnit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK138
s/n DK138
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 138
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Crashed at Stawanden, Cheshire, following engine fire on approach, 6.5.44Unit 76/1663 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK139
s/n DK139
P
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 139
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*P. Named "Pampas", for the wind that blows from the south of Argentina because pilot was originally from Buenos Aires. Failed to return from attack on Mulheim on 22/23 June 1943. Came down near Rheinhausen, on the west bank of the Rhine, 4 kilometres south-west of Duisburg. All 7 crew, including pilot Pilot Officer G.A. Cadmus, CP Beairsto, s.T. booth, a.D. Deane, A.J. Manning, and M.M. Meyer were killed.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Carl Phillips Beairsto 2025-05-08
1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Austen Cadmus 2025-05-08 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer Anthony David Deane 2025-05-08 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Melvin Maier Meyer 2025-05-08 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Thomas Vicary 2025-05-08 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK140
s/n DK140
Z
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 140
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*Z. Bombed Wuppertal on 29 May 1943. Groundlooped on landing at Leeming and undercarriage collapsed 16.6.43last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK141
s/n DK141
C
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 141
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*C. Failed to return from attack on Mulheim on 22/23 June 1943, shot down by a night fighter. Came down at Kaathoven (Noord Brabant), near Berlicum, Holland at 02:20 local time. 6 crew were killed and one POW.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Pierce James Axel Dennis 2025-05-16 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Douglas Hamilton 2025-05-16 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 John Joseph Reansbury 2025-05-16 1943-June-23 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Arnold Spencer 2024-10-13
1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon Louis Tyrone 2025-05-16 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK142
s/n DK142
C
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 142
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*C. Failed to return from attack on Aachen on 13/14 July 1943. Came down near Dreumel in Holland, on land belonging to Mr Oostveen, on Marsdijk road at Bunnik, province Utrecht at 01:23 local time. Six crew were POWs, one evaded capture.last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Aachen Germany 1943-07-13 to 1943-07-14
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
427 Lion Squadron (Ferte Manus Certe) RAF Leeming. Halifax V aircraft DK 142 ZL-C, on a raid against targets in Aachen, Germany was attacked by multiple night fighters. The bomber was abandoned and crashed on the banks of the river Waal northwest of Dreumel, Gelderland, Netherlands
The entire crew survived
Warrant Officer Class 2 WH Green (RCAF), Sergeant JH Brown (RCAF), Sergeant SW Bryant (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 JF Hutchings (RCAF), Sergeant RT Hayes (RCAF) and Warrant Officer Class 2 ME Sobkowicz (RCAF) were all taken as Prisoners of War
Warrant Officer Class 2 JRR Poudrier (RCAF) survived and evaded until betrayed by a Belgian criminal, to be arrested became a Prisoner of War
1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Sergeant John Harold Brown 2024-11-21 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Stanley William Bryant 2024-11-23 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Walter Herbert Green 2025-03-15 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Sergeant Robert Thomas Hayes 2025-03-15 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 John Frederick Hutchings 2025-03-15 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Joseph Richard Roland Poudrier 2025-03-15 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Michael Edward Sobkowicz 2025-03-15 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK143
s/n DK143
W
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 143
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427;1664
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*W. Control lost after take-off from Dishforth, dived into ground and burnt 1.5 miles northwest of Skelton, Yorks, 23.9.44Unit 427/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-September-23 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Claudien Paul Joseph Dessertine 2024-10-16 1944-September-23 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Alphonse Clement Duhamel 2025-06-09 1944-September-23 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Edgar Albert Robitaille 2025-06-09 1944-September-23 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Philorome Ambroise Vigneault 2025-06-09 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK144
s/n DK144
U
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 144
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*U. Dispatched for attack on Gelsenkirchen, took off at 23:45 local on 25 June 1943. Swung and crashed on takeoff, (undercarriage collapsed) due to lack of brake pressure. The crew were not injured.last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK145
s/n DK145
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 145
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Struck off charge 7.10.46Unit Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK146
s/n DK146
Q
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 146
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427;1664
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*Q, named "QuAppelle". Climbed to 400 feet after taking off from dishforth and then dived into the ground2 miles north of North/South runway and burnt 24.2.44Units 427/1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK147
s/n DK147
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 147
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 76
Failed to Return, Essen, 28.5.43Units Linton-On-Ouse,/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK148
s/n DK148
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 148
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Crash landed at Holme-On-Spalding moor on return from ops Essen, 26.7.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK149
s/n DK149
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 149
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Collied with Hurricane HV684 during fighter affiliation trainingexercise and crashed and burnt 2 miles northeast of Pocklington 8.11.44Units Linton-On-Ouse/76/1663 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK150
s/n DK150
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 150
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 76
Failed to Return, Koln, 28.6.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK151
s/n DK151
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 151
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Overshot Rufforth during landing in poor visibility and undercarriage ripped off 23.12.43Unit 76/1663 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK165
s/n DK165
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 165
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 76
Failed to Return, Plzen 17.4.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK166
s/n DK166
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 166
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 76
Failed to Return Wuppertal, 24.6.43Units Linton-On-Ouse/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK167
s/n DK167
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 167
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Belly-landed after ops at Holme-On-spalding Moor 24..11.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK168
s/n DK168
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 168
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Struck off Charge 22.11.44Unit 76/1663 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK169
s/n DK169
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 169
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 76
Failed to Return, Dortmund 24.5.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK170
s/n DK170
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 170
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 76
Failed to Return Dusseldorf, 12.6.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK171
s/n DK171
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 171
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Failed to Return, Essen 1.5.43 Crashed at Estern, GermanyUnit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK172
s/n DK172
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 172
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Failed to Return, Dortmund, 24.5.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK173
s/n DK173
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 173
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Struck off charge 1.11.45Unit 76/1663 Heavy Conversion Unit/1667HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK174
s/n DK174
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 174
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Crash landed at Hartford bridge on return from ops, Koln, 4.7.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK175
s/n DK175
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 175
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Groundlooped on take-off from Holme-On-Spalding moor, undercarriage collapsed and burnt 12.7.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK176
s/n DK176
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 176
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Crashlanded at holme-On-Spalding Moor on return from ops, Gelsenkirchen 10.7.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK177
s/n DK177
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 177
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Failed to Return, Bochum, 13.6.43, crashed 6km north of Neinburg, GermanyUnit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK178
s/n DK178
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 178
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Belly landed at rufforth after undercarriage failed to lower 18.7.44Unit 76/1663 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK179
s/n DK179
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 179
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Engines caught fire on landing at Rufforth, crashed into field next to airfield and burnt. 4.3.44Unit 76/1663 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK180
s/n DK180
R
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 180
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*R. Failed to return from attack on Gelsenkirchen (Halifax File indicates it was Wuppertal) on 25/26 June 1943, shot down by a night fighter. 1 crew member was killed and 6 POW.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-26 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert James Frost 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gerald Alban Gagnon 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 PoW RCAF Sergeant John Richard Hooley 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Angus Anthony McKinnon 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Clarence Ray Munson 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Charles Richard Page 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 PoW RAF Sergeant Kenneth Albert Shannon 2021-06-10 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK181
s/n DK181
Z
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 181
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*Z from 30 April 1943. Spent lengthy time in repairs after arriving at Squadron. Dispatched for attack on Leipzig 3/4 December 1943, returning early after starboard inner engine failed and would not feather. Shortly before reaching the UK coast the port outer engine failed. All crew but pilot bailed out near Woodbridge, Suffolk, pilot then crash landed in a field near Woodbridge airport. Only one crew member injured. Had only 51:40 logged time when written off.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-December-04 Survived RCAF Flying Officer Ralph Alexander Carson 2021-10-05 1943-December-04 Survived RAFVR Flying Officer William Arthur Cozens 2021-10-05 1943-December-04 Survived RAFVR Sergeant C Hopper 2021-10-05 1943-December-04 Survived RAFVR Sergeant John McGowan 2022-05-23 1943-December-04 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Ross Bell Nairn 2022-05-25 1943-December-04 Survived RAFVR Sergeant William Leslie Stockford 2021-10-05 1943-December-04 Survived RAFVR Sergeant H Whittaker 2021-10-05 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK182
s/n DK182
E
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 182
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Delivered new to No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF on 6 May 1943, coded ZL*E. Crashed at 21:15 local time near Newton Kyme, near York, after returning early from attack on Kassel on 22 October 1943. All 7 crew were killed. Had 148:35 logged time when struck off.last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1943-10-21 to 1943-10-22
427 (B) BG (RCAF) Skipton on Swale
Battle of the Ruhr
1943-October-23 Accident Crash Crashed on return from attack on Kassel, near Newton Kyme. All were killed. 2019-08-20
1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Kenneth Alfred Brown 2024-11-21 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Desmond Owen Collen 2024-03-20 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Edward John Dutton 2024-10-31 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Irvine McCullagh 2025-03-15 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Peter John Moore 2025-03-15 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Henry Procter 2025-03-15 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Warrant Officer Douglas Harold Welch 2025-03-15 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK183
s/n DK183
S
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 183
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*S. Failed to return from attack on Bochum on 12/13 June 1943, shot down by a night fighter. Crashed in the sea off Texel. 3 crew were POWs and 4 were killed. Sgt. J. Imms died in captivity within hours of being captured.last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Bochum Germany 1943-06-12 to 1943-06-13
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
Shot down by a night fighter and crashed at Prins Hendrikpolder, Den Hoorn, Texel island, Noord-Holland.
Killed includes Dixon: Pilot Officer George William Rupert Dalton RCAF J/17164 KIA Sergeant James Imms RAF 640842 KIA Bergen General Cemetery, Netherlands Pilot Officer Bernard Laird Tedford RCAF J/17609 KIA Den Burg Cemetery, Texel, Holland, Plot K. Row 3. Grave 52. Pilot Officer Alexander Mathias Fellner RCAF J/16714 POW Stalag 9C, POW# 1726. Pilot Officer Gerrard Smith Huston RCAF J/17316 POW Stalag Luft L3 Sagan & Belaria, POW# 1699. Pilot Officer William Angus Thurston RCAF J/17163 POW Stalag Luft L3, Sagan & Belaria, POW# 1509.
1943-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George William Rupert Dalton 2024-11-13 1943-June-13 KIA RCAF Sergeant Albert Dixon 2024-11-13 1943-June-13 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Alexander Mathias Fellner 2024-11-13 1943-June-13 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Gerrard Smith Huston 2024-11-13 1943-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Bernard Laird Tedford 2024-08-27 1943-June-13 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Angus Thurston 2024-11-13 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK184
s/n DK184
G
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 184
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*G. Failed to return from attack on Berlin on 23/24 August 1943. 6 crew were killed and 1 POW.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William George Rex Baum 2025-04-24 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ward Bray 2025-04-24 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Richard Chester Day 2025-04-24 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flt Sergeant Everett Elmer Stuart McCulloch 2025-04-24 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flt Sergeant Frederick George Painter 2025-04-24 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK185
s/n DK185
S
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 185
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 431;1427;1664
Served with No. 431 Squadron, RCAF, coded SE*S. With No. 1664 Heavy Conversion Unit when it crashed-flew into high ground- on 31 January 1944, south of Ilkley, Yorkshire, off courseUnits 431/1427/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit.
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-31 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class William George King 2021-08-12 1944-January-31 KIFA RCAF Sergeant George Martin 2022-01-21 1944-January-31 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald George McLeod 2021-08-17 1944-January-31 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Albert Lorne Mullen 2021-08-16 1944-January-31 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Robert Henry Rahn 2021-08-11 1944-January-31 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Lewis Riggs 2021-08-08 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK186
s/n DK186
L
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 186
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427;1664;1667
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "ZL*L". First named "Londons Revenge". Some time about 24 May 1943 name "Lana Turner" was added. Permission to use the name was granted by MGM Studios, and the crew of this aircraft won the name in a draw held at the Squadrons base of Leeming. Bombed Bochum on 12 June 1943. Completed at least 20 missions. Groundlooped while taxiing at Sandtoft, ran into a ditch and undercarriage collapsed 22.4.44Units 427/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit/1667 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK187
s/n DK187
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 187
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Failed to Return, Hamburg, shot down by night-fighter 25.7.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK188
s/n DK188
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 188
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Crash landed at Shipdham after being attcked by night-fighter over Hamburg 29.7.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK189
s/n DK189
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 189
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427;427
Write off as a result of battle damage either directly or indirectly. 29.7.43Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK190
s/n DK190
F
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 190
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*F. Failed to return from attack on Gelsenkirchen on 25/26 June 1943, shot down by a night fighter. Came down at 01:13 local time near Gorssel, on the east bank of the Ijssel, in Holland. All 7 crew were killed.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harold Garfield Froude 2022-08-25 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Francis Joseph Higgins DFM 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Fergus John Hunter 2021-06-06 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Kashmar 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Theodore Matynia 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Robert Randolf Stickney 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer Archibald Kay Young 2021-08-21 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK191
s/n DK191
K
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 191
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*K. Failed to return from attack on Mulheim on 22/23 June 1943. Came down at 01:30 local time at Wichmond, 7 kilometres south-south-east of Zutphen, Holland. All 7 crew were killed.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Byron Mcgie Gracie 2021-08-07 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harry Pliley Heximer 2021-08-10 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Norman Frederick Notley 2021-08-17 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Armand Alphonse Pariseau 2021-08-18 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Norman Duncan Reid AFC 2021-08-10 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK192
s/n DK192
V
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 192
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427;1663
Flew into Garrowby Hill, Yorks, in cloud, and burnt while on training 7.2.44Unit427/1663 Heavy conversion Unit 1427 flt ??
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1943-06-11 to 1943-06-12
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
427 Lion Squadron (Ferte Manus Certe) RAF Leeming. Halifax BV aircraft DK 192 ZL-V returned to RAF Oulton with battle damage after an operation to Dusseldorf, Germany. While on a taxiway the Halifax was in a collision with 431 Squadron Wellington HF 543 SE-P that had also returned to RAF Oulton with battle damage. There were no casualties from either aircraft but the Wellington was written off. The Halifax was repaired and sent to HCU 1663 but later lost 1944-02-07 along with the entire RAF crew while on a training flight
Flight Lieutenant IP Colquhoun (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 JR Dobie (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant WE Beswick (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 1 SW Bryant (RCAF), FS JPC LaPointe (RCAF), Sergeant G Millard (RCAF) and FS LC Patrick (RCAF) all survived safe
1943-June-12 Survived RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Edward Beswick 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 Survived RCAF Warrant Officer Class I Stanley William Bryant 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 Survived RCAF Flight Lieutenant Ian Lorne Colquhoun 2024-03-23 1943-June-12 Survived RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Robert Dobie 2024-10-22 1943-June-12 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant Jean-Paul Claude LaPointe 2023-11-29 1943-June-12 Survived RCAF Sergeant G Millard 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant Leslie Cayless Patrick 2022-10-21 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK193
s/n DK193
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 193
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Tire burst on take-off at Holme-On-Spalding Moor, for ops and burnt 31.8.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK194
s/n DK194
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 194
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Overshot Rufforth out of control; crashed at Ryther, Yorks,18.6.44Unit 76/ 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK195
s/n DK195
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 195
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Attacked by night-fighter while on ops,Moenchen-Gladbach 31.8.43 declared damaged beyond repair on return.Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK196
s/n DK196
Z
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 196
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 428
Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded NA*Z. Turned back from attack on Munich, crash landed near les Vertus, France night of 6/7 September 1943. Engine problems. 6 POWs and 1 killed.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-07 PoW RCAF Sergeant Edward Norman Bongard 2024-11-14 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Mcintosh Brown 2024-11-22 1943-September-07 PoW RCAF Sergeant Thomas Joseph Cousineau 2025-01-27 1943-September-07 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Peter Frederick Elko 2025-01-27 1943-September-07 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant James Absalom Pickup 2025-01-27 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK197
s/n DK197
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 197
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Struck off charge 14.12.44Units 295/298/644
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK198
s/n DK198
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 198
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Wheels up landing at Tarrant Rushton 16.3.44Units 295/298/644
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK199
s/n DK199
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 199
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Struck off Charge 21.1.44Unit 295/298
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK200
s/n DK200
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 200
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Failed to Return, Duessledorf, crashed at Scherlebeck, Germany 12.6.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK201
s/n DK201
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 201
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 76
Failed to Return, Kassel, crashed near Detmold, Germany 4.10.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK202
s/n DK202
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 202
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 76
Failed to Return, Remscheid crashed near Leverkusen 31.7.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK203
s/n DK203
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 203
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Failed to Return, Kassel, crashed in Waddenzee, Holland, 4.10.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK204
s/n DK204
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 204
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Groundlooped on landing at Pocklington, tire burst and undercarriage collapsed 9.8.44Unit 76/1663 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK205
s/n DK205
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 205
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Damaged in minor accident and later declared unrepairable 20.11.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK206
s/n DK206
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 206
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Hit mud of R.Deben at Langham Harvest, near Woodbridge while trying to fly down to the cloud base after ops. 17.12.43Unit161
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK207
s/n DK207
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 207
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 76
Failed to return, Moenchen-Gladbach, crashed at Grathem, Holland 3.8.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK223
s/n DK223
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 223
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 76
Failed to Return, Mannheim 6.9.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial Dk224
s/n Dk224
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
Dk 224
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 76
Failed to Return, Mulheim 23.6.43 crashed near Zuilen, HollandUnit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK225
s/n DK225
J
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 225
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*J. Failed to return from attack on Mulheim on 22/23 June 1943, shot down by a night fighter. Came down at West Mijzen, Holland. 6 crew killed, one PoW.last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK226
s/n DK226
Y
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 226
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427;1664
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*Y. Named "Yehudi". Struck off Charge 1.11.45Units 427/1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK227
s/n DK227
V
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 227
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*V. Took part in attack of the experimental rocket site at Peenemunde August 17/18, 1943. Slightly damaged in port rudder, wing and tire in 4 attacks by a Bf109. Crew claimed the night fighter as shot down. The Halifax File claims that the aircraft groundlooped on landing at Leeming and the undercarriage collapsed 8.8.43last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK228
s/n DK228
D
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 228
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 428
Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded NA*D. Failed to return from attack on Aachen on 13/14 July 1943, shot down by Hptm Wilhelm Herget of 1./NJG4, near Mesnil-St-Blaise, Belgium. All 7 crew were killed.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-July-14 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Archibald Douglas Dawson 2024-10-05 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Richard Goodfellow 2024-10-05 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ernest Drever Robertson 2024-10-05 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Walter Ferg Stewart 2024-10-05 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harold Bramley Ward 2024-10-05 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant William George Weeks 2024-10-05 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Sergeant Stephen Zayets 2024-10-05 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK229
s/n DK229
W
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 229
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 428
Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded NA*W. ailed to return from attack on Gelsenkirchen on 9/10 July 1943, crashed near Cologne after suffering two engine failures and possibly being damaged by flak. 5 crew were POWs, 1 evaded, and 1 killed.last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK230
s/n DK230
V
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 230
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 428
Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded NA*V. Failed to return from attack of the experimental rocket site at Peenemunde on 17/18 August 1943. All 7 crew were killed.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lloyd Marshall Banks 2024-11-07 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Gordon William Neil Fanson 2024-11-07 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Alan Leighton 2024-11-07 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Alfred Lewis 2024-11-07 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Grigor McCallum 2024-11-07 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald John McNeill 2024-11-07 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Hugh Orr 2024-11-07 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK231
s/n DK231
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 231
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 76
Failed to Return, Frankfurt, crashed near Weisloch, Germany 26.11.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK232
s/n DK232
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 232
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
tire burst on take-off from Tempsford, groundlooped and undercarriage collapsed 5.11.43Unit 161
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK233
s/n DK233
X
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 233
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 428
Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded NA*X. While returning from attack on Berlin 31 August / 1 September 1943, hit by flak and set on fire. The fire spread to the wing, entered the fuselage which caused the aircraft to explode. The wreckage came down near Oberhaching. 3 crew were killed and 4 were POW.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Sergeant Robert William Briggs-Jude 2024-11-18 1943-September-01 PoW RAF Sergeant Hugh Charfles Burdoff 2024-11-23 1943-September-01 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Richard Simon Dutka MiD 2024-10-31 1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Douglas Alexander Este 2025-03-25 1943-September-01 PoW RAF Sergeant Claude Haddon 2025-03-25 1943-September-01 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Malcolm MacAulay 2025-03-25 1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Sergeant Sidney Elmer Towle 2025-03-25 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK234
s/n DK234
Z
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 234
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*Z. Failed to return from attack on Kassel on 22/23 October 1943. Came down near Dusseldorf. All 7 crew were killed.last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1943-10-21 to 1943-10-22
427 (B) BG (RCAF) Skipton on Swale
Battle of the Ruhr
On 1943-10-08, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, an Engineering Officer with 427 Sqn at Skipton-on-Swale, wrote in his diary:
"Well we were on tonight for a change after a two week stand-down [due to poor weather]. I thought I'd make an effort to make a good showing on my first real op on my own. The boys co-operated fine and we got a record 16 kites up each with 1882 gals of petrol, 6500 lbs of bombs, 1-2000 lb., 5 cans of 4-30 lb. incendiaries & 8 cans of 90- 4lb. as well as 14 bundles of "window" incendiaries, the metallic strips they shower down when over target to throw out & jam the jerry radio-location beams. It looked pretty good at take-off & although we had 2 go u/s [unserviceable] just before take-off we managed to shift the crews around to stand-by kites & so we got them all away.
I was feeling pretty good about this but soon things began to happen. First the weather closed in & it turned very cold with a sheet-like rain. Then one after another we got the news that seven aircraft were coming back on early returns never having reached the target. This was awful for my first "Ëœdo' but it seemed that 3 of the seven were due to very bad icing conditions, 2 were due to maintenance faults for which I had to take the blame. One was due to the pilot getting lost and getting too low down over the Ruhr where he got badly shot up with flak while the seventh never got back at all. He crashed down near Eastmoor somewhere & burned up. All crew were killed so I don't suppose we'll ever find out what happened. With Squadron Leader Ganderton I drove around & met each pilot and flight engineer as they got out of their kites, found out their story & made out my report to the station engineering officer. I was nearly 11:00 o'clock when they all got back & since the weather was duff I was getting a little apprehensive about how many of the rest would get back.
At 12:00 o'clock I went down to flying control to watch as the rest of the kites came in. It was very exciting hearing them talk them in one by one by radio and watching them land. We had two near accidents, one when he was swung & ground looped just after landing & the other when a few hung-up incendiaries fell out of a kite on the runway and went up with a terrific roar & bright flames. However, no one was hurt & we kept counting them one by one as they got down safely until there was only 4 more of ours to come in â€" we waited and waited but they didn't come & we finally had to give them up for lost. About 1:00am I went up to interrogation to find out from each pilot & flight engineer how the kite had functioned & what damage had been sustained. Finally after about an hour I went to the operations room to see if they had any word of our missing aircraft (& they hadn't). I finally got back to the Mess at 3:30am, had fried potatoes and sausages & went to bed.
Sat Oct 23, 1943: "Things were pretty grim here this morning with everyone worried about our big losses. 4 of ours & 2 from 429 making 6 out of 28 aircraft. Also my six early returns didn't make me feel any too happy. Fortunately we were stood down tonight. The target was Kassel last night & 42 were lost altogether. Mostly due to icing I imagine. Our K-Kitty which had several flak holes in it wasn't too bad although it needed and engine change. . . ."
1943-October-23 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Kassel. All were killed. 2019-08-20
1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Hamilton Balloch 2024-12-07 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Edward Fairfield 2024-12-07 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Harold Samuel McCartney 2024-12-07 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Sydney Aubrey Minter 2024-12-07 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Alexander Mitchell 2024-12-07 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Edward Pedder 2024-12-07
1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ivor Schilansky 2024-12-07 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK235
s/n DK235
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 235
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 428;1659
Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "J". Damaged by flak during raid in Nurnburg on 10/11 August 1943. Bombed Hannover on 22 September 1943. Bounced on landing at Topcliffe, groundlooped, undercarriage collapsed and aircraft caught fire 10.6.44Units 428/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK236
s/n DK236
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 236
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 76;431;44MU
Struck off Charge 10.12.46Units 76/431/44 Maintenance Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK237
s/n DK237
L
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 237
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 428
Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded NA*L. Failed to return from attack on Magdeburg on 21/22 January 1944, shot down by a night fighter. 1 killed & 6 POW.last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Harvey Lionel Allen 2023-11-09 1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Sergeant Norman Edward Gregor 2023-10-31 1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Sergeant Andrew Hayward Murdoch 2023-11-09 1944-January-21 PoW RAF Sergeant Iorwerth Presce Roberts 2021-06-22 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Sergeant Sydney James Smith 2024-05-03 1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant R Ernest Terry 2023-10-31 1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Oscar Pearson Yarnold 2023-11-09 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK238
s/n DK238
I
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 238
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 428;426
Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded NA*I. Failed to return from attack of the experimental rocket site at Peenemunde on 17/18 August 1943. Crashed near Barth-Velgast. 2 crew were killed and 5 POW. 426 SQN ???last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Winston Woolley Blackmore 2024-11-12 1943-August-18 PoW RAFVR Sergeant George F Hodgson 2025-01-23 1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Noel Franklin Oliver 2025-01-23 1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Jean Paul Raymond Richard 2025-01-23 1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Reginald George Seaborn 2025-01-23 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Frederick Stanley Williams 2025-01-23 1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer William Stephen Ernest Wood 2025-01-23 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK239
s/n DK239
Q
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 239
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 428
Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded NA*Q. Failed to return from attack on Hamburg on 29/30 July 1943, shot down by a night fighter. Exploded in flight near Luneburg. 7 crew were killed and one POW.last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK240
s/n DK240
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 240
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 76
Failed To Return, Milano, crashed near Bernay, France 13.8.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK241
s/n DK241
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 241
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Overshot at Holme-On-Splading Moor after ops and crashed 24.8.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK242
s/n DK242
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 242
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Groundlooped at Leeming and undercarriage collapsed 29.7.43Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK243
s/n DK243
F
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 243
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*F. Failed to return from attack of the experimental rocket site at Peenemunde on 17/18 August 1943, shot down by a night fighter. Came down at Wusterhusen, 3 kilometres south of Lubmin. 5 crew were killed and 2 POW.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Joseph Desmond Brady 2024-11-17 1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert (Bob) William Charman 2025-02-20 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Sergeant James Leonard Fletcher 2025-02-20 1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Revell Tuzo Johnson 2025-02-20 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Sergeant Orville Malcolm McIntyre 2025-02-20 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Ifor Wyn Pugh 2025-02-20 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 John Louis Troman 2025-02-20 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK244
s/n DK244
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 244
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
overshot Feltwell, hit tree, crashed and burnt Returning early from ops Ludwigshaven, 18.11.43Unit 192
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK245
s/n DK245
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 245
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Hit tree on take-off from Holme-On-Spalding moor for ops 29.1.44Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK246
s/n DK246
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 246
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 192;431;1664
Struck off Charge 1.11.46Units 192/431/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK247
s/n DK247
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 247
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 76
Failed To Return, Kassel, 4.10.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK248
s/n DK248
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 248
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 434;1664
Served with No. 434 Squadron, RCAF, coded *K. Struck off charge 1.11.45Units 434/1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK249
s/n DK249
K
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 249
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 428
Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded NA*K. Damaged by flak during raid in Hamburg on 2/3 August 1943, received Category AC damage. Failed to return from attack on Berlin on 31 August / 1 September 1943. Crashed near Holzdorf. All were killed.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-01 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Robert Cecil Bradley 2024-11-17 1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Stanley Feakes 2024-04-13 1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Thomas Kendall Green 2024-04-13 1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Bruce Robert Harrison 2024-04-21 1943-September-01 KIA RAFVR Warrant Officer John Reginald Prockter 2024-05-01 1943-September-01 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Arthur Riddle Soulsby 2024-05-03 1943-September-01 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Williams 2024-05-03 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK250
s/n DK250
W
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 250
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 434
Served with No. 434 Squadron, RCAF, coded WL*W. Failed to return from attack on Frankfurt on 4/5 October 1943. All 7 crew (3 RCAF and 4 RAF) were killed.last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK251
s/n DK251
F
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 251
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 434
Served with No. 434 Squadron, RCAF, coded WL*F. Failed to return from attack on Munich on 6/7 September 1943. All 7 crew (6 RCAF and 1 RAF) were killed.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Sergeant Harry Lawrence Douglas 2024-10-28 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alan Benjamin Jackson 2024-05-29 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James McDonald 2024-06-17 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Chester Frank Phillips 2024-06-22 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Aubrey David Steadman 2024-10-28 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Harold Tovey 2024-07-10 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK252
s/n DK252
O
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 252
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 428
Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded NA*O. Bombed Hannover on 22 September 1943. During attack on Hannover on 27 / 28 September 1943, returned to base due to icing and the port outboard being u/s. After crossing the coast the starboard inner also failed. The crew bailed out safely and then Pilot Officer Kogan crash landed, wheels up at Ludford Magna. No injuries reported.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-28 Survived RCAF Sergeant G M Custeau 2021-06-09 1943-September-28 Survived RAF Sergeant Leslie Frederick Edmonds 2021-06-09 1943-September-28 Survived RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Desmond Jackman DFC 2021-06-09 1943-September-28 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Magnus Jonas Johnson DFC 2021-06-09 1943-September-28 Survived RAF Sergeant Ernest Charles Henry Knowles DFM 2021-06-10 1943-September-28 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Maxwell Kogan DFC 2021-06-09 1943-September-28 Survived RCAF Sergeant J Silverman 2021-06-09 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK253
s/n DK253
M
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 253
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*M. Bombed Leverkrusen on 2 August 1943, returned on three engines. Crashed at Moore Lane, Hammondsworth, Middlesex on return from raid on Dunlop Rubber Factory at Montlucan (170 miles south of Paris) on 15/16 September 1943. Aircraft totally destroyed by high speed impact. All 7 crew killed.last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK254
s/n DK254
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 254
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Struck off Charge following groundloop on landing at Bombay 3.1.44427/301 Ferrry transfer Unit/1 Overseas Aircraft Delivery Unit/1577 Flight
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK255
s/n DK255
B
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 255
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427
Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*B. Failed to return from attack on Munich on 6/7 September 1943. All 7 crew were killed.last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK256
s/n DK256
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 256
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Force landed in Morocco and burnt while on ops. 20.10.44Units Aircraft and Armament Evaluation Establishment/517
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK257
s/n DK257
K
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 257
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 428
Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded NA*K. Failed to return from attack on Aachen on 13/14 July 1943, shot down by a night fighter, crashed near Tilburg, Holland. 2 crew were killed, 1 evaded, and 4 POW.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-July-14 PoW RAF Sergeant Donald Brown 2024-11-21 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Francis Henry Ditchburn 2024-10-21 1943-July-14 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Montague Edwards 2025-03-09 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Boyd Leslie Gillis 2025-03-09 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Ft. Lieutenant Donald Scott Morgan 2025-03-09 1943-July-14 Evader RCAF Sergeant J P O'Leary 2025-03-09 1943-July-14 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas Henry Pritchard 2025-03-09 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK258
s/n DK258
X
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 258
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 434
Served with No. 434 Squadron, RCAF, coded WL*X. Failed to return from attack on Nurnberg on 27/28 August 1943, shot down by a night fighter. 2 crew were killed and 6 POW. Sgt. H. Mallory of Woodstock, NB would be killed in PoW camp on 30 April 1944, when he was struck by a low flying Ju 88.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Milton Ray Ledgett 2024-06-05 1943-August-28 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant John MacReady 2021-04-09 1943-August-28 PoW KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Herbert David Mallory 2024-04-22 1943-August-28 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Kenneth Newton Reid 2021-04-09 1943-August-28 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Thomas Frank Thould 2024-07-10 1943-August-28 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant William Mark VanZant 2021-04-09 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK259
s/n DK259
L
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 259
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 434
Served with No. 434 Squadron, RCAF, coded WL*L. Failed to return from attack on Hannover/Bochum on 27/28 September 1943, shot down by Hptm E. Prinz zur Lippe-Weissenfeld from III/NJG 1. Came down at 21:44 local time near Enschalde. 2 crew killed, 4 PoW. The pilot, 2nd Lt. J. Clary, USAAF evaded.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William George Bellinger 2024-11-11 1943-September-29 Evader USAAF Second Lieutenant J T Clary 2024-02-29 1943-September-29 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer George Victor Hastings 2025-01-13 1943-September-29 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Clarence York Hovey 2025-01-13 1943-September-29 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Ivan Arthur Lewis Lockhart 2025-01-13 1943-September-30 PoW USAAF Sergeant R W Stuart 2025-01-13 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK260
s/n DK260
M
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 260
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 431;434
Served with No. 434 Squadron, RCAF, coded WL*M. Failed to return from attack of the experimental rocket site at Peenemunde on 17/18 August 1943, shot down by a night fighter. Crashed near Wolgast. 4 crew were killed and 3 POW. First combat loss for this squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Peenemunde Germany 1943-08-17 to 1943-08-18
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Tholthorpe
434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Tholthorpe, Halifax BV aircraft DK 260 IP-M was engaged in operations against the V-2 rocket sites at Peenemunde, Germany when it was attacked by a night fighter which was shot down. A second night fighter attack resulted in the Halifax crashing near Wolgast, Germany
Flight Lieutenant IL Colquhoun (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 1 CP Fitzpatrick (RCAF) and FS Lapointe (RCAF) were all killed in action
Sergeant DA Young (RAFVR) was missing, presumed killed in action
Sergeant Young has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial
Sergeant JR Dobie (RCAF), Flying Officer WE Beswick (RCAF) and Sergeant PS Crees (RAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
There were two more 434 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this date. Please see aircraft serials EB 258 IP-T and EB 276 IP-G for additional information
Daily Operations 6bombergroup.ca
Me and Mr. Jones > Vintage Wings of Canada
1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Edward Beswick 2024-10-22 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Ian Lorne Colquhoun 2024-04-04 1943-August-18 PoW RAF Sergeant Peter Sydney Crees 2024-10-22 1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Robert Dobie 2024-10-22 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Charles Phillip Fitzpatrick 2024-10-22 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Jean Paul Claude LaPointe 2024-10-22 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Dennis Alfred Young 2024-10-22 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK261
s/n DK261
V
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 261
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 434;434
Served with No. 434 Squadron, RCAF, coded WL*V. Failed to return from attack on Berlin on 23/24 August 1943, shot down by a night fighter. 3 crew killed, 3 PoW, pilot Squadron Leader R. McLernon evaded. Crashed at W. Mando, Denmark.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-24 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Charles Brooks 2024-11-20 1943-August-24 Evader RCAF Squadron Leader R A McLeron 2025-03-05 1943-August-24 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant James Plenderleith 2025-03-05 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles William Snyder 2025-03-05 1943-August-24 PoW RCAF Sergeant Edward Arthur Walters 2025-03-05 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK262
s/n DK262
R
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 262
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 434;434
Served with No. 434 Squadron, RCAF, coded WL*R. Failed to return from attack on Munich on 6/7 September 1943. All 7 crew were killed.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Roger Moore 2025-05-24 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Leonard Thomas Olmstead 2024-06-22 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Sergeant Philip Murray Shulman 2024-06-28 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Sergeant George Wills Sutherland 2024-07-09 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant David Douglas Witts 2024-07-12 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK263
s/n DK263
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 263
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Cart-wheeled into the river at Kamptee, 26.1.44Unit 1 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit/1 Overseas Aircraft Delivery Unit/1577 Flight/7 FC
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK264
s/n DK264
V
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 264
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 431;431
Served with No. 431 Squadron, RCAF, coded SE*V. Stalled on landing at Tholhorpe, hit runway too hard, undercarriage collapsed 7.11.43last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK265
s/n DK265
C
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 265
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 431
last update: 2025-June-12
Bombing Hannover Germany 1943-10-08 to 1943-10-09
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholthorpe
Battle of Berlin
504 aircraft- 282 Lancasters, 188 Halifaxes, 26 Wellingtons, 8 Mosquitoes. This was the last Bomber Command raid in which Wellingtons took part. 300 (Polish) and 432 (Canadian) Squadrons provided the 26 Wellingtons which operated on this night; they all returned safely. The German controller guessed correctly that Hannover was the target and many night fighters arrived before the attack was over. 27 aircraft- 14 Lancasters and 13 Halifaxes - were lost, 5·4 per cent of the force.
Conditions over Hannover were clear and the Pathfinders were finally able to mark the centre of the city accurately; a most concentrated attack followed with a creepback of only 2 miles, all within the built-up area. This was probably Hannover's worst attack of the war. The local report describes extensive damage in the centre of. the city and in many other parts except the west. The telephone system and electricity supply failed at the beginning of the raid and many water mains were quickly broken. A large area of fire quickly developed in the centre and south-central districts. Acting upon instructions from the Party Headquarters and from district air-raid posts, the population were shepherded to collecting places in open areas between the fires. This action is believed to have saved many lives but 1,200 people were killed and 3,345 were injured, 449 seriously so. A further 6,000-8,000 people received eye injuries because of smoke and heat. 3,932 buildings were completely destroyed and more than 30,000 were damaged in varying degree, but no individual buildings are named. R.A.F. reconnaissance, however, showed that the important Continental rubber factory and the Hanomag machine works were badly hit.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft DK 265 failed to return from a trip over Hanover, Germany. Sergeants W.H.Hamil, H.E. Evans, T.A. Ashcroft (RAF), G. Beeken (RAF), R Mather (RAF), F.W. Stubbings (RAF), and Flying Officer S.H. Walker (RAF) were killed.
There were two 431 Sqdn. aircraft lost on this date. Please see Sergeant F. Rudd for information regarding the other aircraft and crew.
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK266
s/n DK266
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 266
Merlin XX/22
Known Units:
Failed to Return, Hannover, 27.9.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK267
s/n DK267
H
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 267
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 428;428
Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded NA*M, based at Middleton-St.-George. Was coded "NA*H" when lost, based on e-mail from pilots daughter, L. Read. "Crashed at Annelov, Sweden after being set on fire by a night-fighter on a raid to Berlin on 24 August 1943." 4 crew PoW, one killed, and 2 interned in Sweden, including pilot F/Sgt. H. Read.last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1943-08-23 to 1943-08-24
428 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Middleton St George
428 Ghost Squadron, (Usque ad Finem) RAF Middleton St George. Halifax BV aircraft DK 267 NA-H was most likely attacked by a night fighter over Berlin, killing one crew member. Four other crew bail safely from the Halifax and were captured. The Pilot was badly injured but continued to fly his aircraft in the company of his Bomb Aimer, heading north until the Halifax was abandoned near Annelov, Sweden, where the last two crew survived and became Interned Prisoners in Sweden
The Wireless Operator/Air Gunner C E Crampton (RAFVR) was killed action in the fighter attack on the bomber
Warrant Officer 1st Class L S Bates (RCAF), Warrant Officer 1st Class W S Kerr (RCAF), Warrant Officer 2nd Class G W Patterson (RCAF) and Sergeant J Taylor (RAFVR) all safely bailed while still over Germany and all survived to become Prisoners of War
Flight Sergeant H A Read (RCAF) badly wounded and Flying Officer J J McQuade (RCAF) abandoned their damaged aircraft safely over Sweden and became Interned Prisoners
1943-August-24 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Leo Stanislaus Bates 2024-12-31 1943-August-24 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Charles Ernest Crampton 2024-05-12 1943-August-24 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 William Stanley Kerr 2024-12-31 1943-August-24 Interned RCAF Flying Officer James Joseph "Scotty" McQuade 2023-11-08 1943-August-24 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 George Walter Patterson 2024-12-31 1943-August-24 Interned RCAF Flight Sergeant Harry Allen Read 2023-11-08 1943-August-24 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Joseph Taylor 2023-11-08 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK268
s/n DK268
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 268
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 427;1664
Overshot Dishforth, hit tree and cuaght fire 1.5 miles west of airfield 30.3.44Unit 427/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK269
s/n DK269
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 269
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: ;76
Failed to Return Nurnberg, and crashed near Mailach, Germany 28.8.43Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK270
s/n DK270
U
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 270
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 428
Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded NA*U. After attack on Hannover on 27/28 September 1943, overshot the landing at Framlingham, engine failed during go-around, and crashed. 4 crew members were killed.last update: 2025-February-05
Ferry Flight Hanover Germany 1943-09-27 to 1943-09-28
428 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St George
Aircraft had been badly damaged by enemy fire over the target, resulting in the loss of the port outer engine. The pilot was able top nurse the aircraft back to England and was diverted to attempt a landing at the US Air Station, Framlington. On approach to landing, the port inner engine also failed , causing the Halifax to flip, strike some trees and crash
Quote from Steve Wilson, son of pilot Sergeant R Wilson, with his father's account of the night his plane crashed.
The aircraft was hit by accurate flak over the target after being caught in searchlights. As a consequence of this, the port outer engine was badly damaged and ceased to function. The bombs were jettisoned over the target and and the pilot turned the aircraft back for home at Middleton St George.
Whilst crossing the coast (Dutch coast I believe) theHalifax was again hit by flak from a German flak ship which damaged the inner port engine, but did not put it out of action. On regaining the English coast, the crew realised that they were now in serious trouble and the pilot was having problems keeping the aircraft airborne due not only to engine problems but also to damaged flight surfaces.
They broadcast the emergency call sign (blackie blackie for that night) and the US air base at Framlingham responded as the nearest airfield. The pilot headed for this base and all were gratified to seethe landing lights ablaze for them. They began a very difficult descent to the runway, but as fate would have it, the damaged port inner engine chose this moment to stop altogether.
The effect of this was to cause the aircraft to flip over onto its port side, the wing caught the tree tops and the plane crashed into the ground before ever reaching the runway.
There were three survivors - the pilot, the mid upper gunner and the tail gunner. The pilot was badly injured having a smashed pelvis, and other serious injuries and indeed when they found him one of his eyes was hanging down on his cheek.The rear gunner was also very badly injured but I do not know the extent of these. The mid upper gunner escaped without a scratch and went for help, but could not get out of the the heavily ploughed and muddy field that they were in due to barbed wire security fences that surrounded the field. It was nearly an hour before American forces got to them.
The official story simply states that the aircraft over shot the landing on return - this is not the case, they never even got to the runway, and the crash was was caused by battle damage.
1943-September-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Arthur James Wadd Lucas 2022-07-10 1943-September-28 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Duncan Mercer 2022-07-10 1943-September-28 Survived RAF Flying Officer Bruce Wallace Roughton 2022-07-10 1943-September-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Frank Smith 2021-06-10 1943-September-28 Survived RAF Sergeant Edward Page Wainwright 2022-07-10 1943-September-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant George Valentine Whitley 2022-07-10 1943-September-28 Survived RAF Sergeant R Wilson 2022-07-10 Halifax B/Met.Mk.V serial DK271
s/n DK271
Q
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 271
Merlin XX/22
Known Units: 428
Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded NA*Q. Bombed Hannover on 22 September 1943. Failed to return from attack on Mannheim on 23/24 September 1943, shot down by flak and a night fighter, crashed near Geinsheim. 4 crew were killed and 3 POW.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-23 PoW RCAF Sergeant George Rae Annand 2024-11-02 1943-September-23 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Henry Francis Davis 2023-11-03 1943-September-23 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Norman Lloyd Reed 2023-11-02 1943-September-23 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Frank Prescott Sharpe 2023-11-02 1943-September-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Verne Allison Stewart 2023-11-02 1943-September-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Russell Terres Zdan 2023-11-02