6 Bomber Group March 10, 1943
11 Wellingtons from 426, 429, and 431 Squadrons were ordered on a sea search. All returned to base, unsuccessful. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
Halifax II aircraft W 1241 banking on landing approach, went out of control and crashed on the south-east corner of the aerodrome at Leeming, bursting into flames. Flying Officer AB Shives (RCAF), Flying Officer WG McLaughlin (RCAF), FS L Taylor (RCAF), FS APM Aitken (RCAF), FS AW Leckie (RCAF)(USA), Sergeant RS Greengrass (RCAF), Sergeant GE Clarke (RCAF), and Sergeant JH McGinn (RCAF) were killed.
On 1943-03-10, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, an Engineering Officer with 1659 HCU at Leeming, wrote in his diary:
Warning: The following material contains graphic content that may not be suitable for all readers
"Well up until today everything has been quite rosy but this afternoon I witnessed one of the most appalling sights I ever hope to see & I'm sure I will never forget it as long as I live. About 2:30 pm there was a scurry out in the hanger & suddenly the sergeant dashed in with news of a bad crash which had just taken place just off the end of runway #4. . . . . We, of course have to investigate all crashes . . . I remember questioning one of the eye-witnesses who told of seeing the aircraft spin in from about 300 feet after stalling on a turn, making two complete spirals before hitting with a terrific crash & bursting out into flames. It was one of my ships in B flight Q for Queenie. The whole thing was a seething mass of flames, all four engines were buried in the ground, the wings had folded back & the fuselage had a broken back. . . . Rescue workers were busy burrowing around & finding bodies . . . It affected me a lot being my first experience with sudden death but I remember calming myself and trying to investigate the position of various control & trimtabs etc. instead of letting my eyes wander to the rescue work. . . .". The following day he wrote: ". .I know one thing, I won't be so curious next time & will take care not to arrive on the scene too soon after a crash."
Diary of A Ross Dawson, courtesy CWM