Halifax HR794 B/GR.Mk.II - Operational - 1944-11-20 to 1944-11-20
Squadron: 1656 (OT) HCU (RAF)
Start Date: 1944-11-20
Completion Date: 1944-11-20
Mission: Operational
Operation: unspecified
Target City:
Target Specific:
Base: RAF Lindholme
Take Off Time: 21:05:00
Squadron Code:
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: England
Crash Specifics: just beyond the West end of the runway at RAF Lindholme
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: piloterror
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim:
War Diary Unavailable
6 Group Unavailable

1656 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU) RAF Lindholme. Halifax B Mk II aircraft HR 794 took-off from Lindholme airfield on a night cross-country training exercise but struggled to climb as the bomb doors had not been closed causing drag and the Halifax crashed just beyond the West end of the runway at Lindholme. The resulting fire destroyed the aircraft but, miraculously, the entire crew managed to get free of the bomber with various injuries

Flying Officer Gerald Lee Halsall (RCAF), Flying Officer R S Mattinson (RCAF), Sergeant GJ Birtwhistle (RCAF), Sergeant R L Morgan (RAFVR), Flight Sergeant F N Drummond (RAFVR) and Sergeant J Conolly (RAFVR) all survived with injuries

Two other 1656 HCU aircraft on training exercise flights crashed in similar fashion within minutes of Halifax HR 794. They were Halifax BB 254 and Halifax W 7875. Between these three aircraft eleven aircrew were killed and the others suffered various injuries, a sad unfortunate night for 1656 HCU

Unvetted Source Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire

Unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

General RAF Commands