Nuremberg GermanyTook off from Bourn at 22:14 in Halifax Mk III (Sqn code LK-E Bomber Command) on an operation to Nuremberg Germany.
Very badly shot about by a night fighter and in the confusion three of the crew baled out and were made POWs - Flying Officer G G Crate RAF, Pilot Officer Jack Kay RAF and Sergeant J Leonard Lambert RAF spent the rest of the war as POWs.
Pilot Flying Officer Cyril Joe Barton carried on to the target and dropped his bombs then headed for home. He ran out of fuel over England and crash landed the aircraft near Ryhope Colliery in County Durham. He died in the landing attempt but his remaining three crewmen survived. For his heroism and selfless action he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
The three survivors were found alive in the broken off tail section of the Halifax - Freddy Brice, Harry Wood and Maurice Trowsdale )no rank information found, all were RAF).