I can claim to have flown operationally in NR230, on four occasiond in Mar 45, to Dorsten,Gladbeck,Munster and Hamburg. We also flew earlier in another PT-H serial #NR-144. Somewhere between Mar 1st and 22nd,Mar 45 the number changed. Was it shot down or damaged?Good to see queries about a squadron in which I flew. Pilot by the way was F/L Bob Flynn, returning on second tour.All the best to everyone for 2005. Ian D ,not to be confused with any other Ian.

Hello Ian (good name by the way!)
It is an honour to welcome you here to our Halifax forum.
We are always delighted to have first hand information from former Halifax crew. Speaking for myself, but with the thoughts of many on this forum, you have our respect, gratitude and affection for having served as a member of Bomber Command.
Best wishes as always
Ian F
57 RESCUE

Hello Ian D and a warm welcome.

I echo the remarks made by Ian in the post above and would add my thanks to you for all you gave to permit us our liberty.

I have a little information with regard to Halifax III NR144 PT-H which you mention.  According to a book I have "RAF Bomber Command Losses 1945 by W R Chorley", this aircraft was lost on the night of 5/6th March 1945 on an op to Chemitz along with 3 other a/c from 420 Sqdn.

Fortunately the crew from NR144 PT-H all survived although two were injured.

The details are: Took off 1623 Tholthorpe.  bombed AP from 16,000 feet at 2145.  Homebound, ran low on petrol and the crew decided to head for Juvincourt.  At approx 0130 the Halifax emerged from cloud and while flying through thin patches of mist, clipped a pole standing on high ground.  Seconds later the bomber crash-landed on soft earth some 8 km N of its intended destination.  F/Sgt Nicol RCAF sustained a bruised right leg and F/Sgt McCLellan RCAF emerged from his turret with a cut forehead; the rest escaped with a bad shaking.

The crew onboard that night were as follows:

P/O J H Menary RCAF
Sgt J H Johnston RCAF
S/Sgt A A Rich RCAF
F/Sgt R A Nicol RCAF - injured
F/Sgt R M Stirling RCAF
F/Sgt D H Goodwin RCAF
F/Sgt D McClellan RCAF - injured

The other a/c lost from the Squadron that night were NA184 PT-W, NA190 PT-U and NP959 PT-N.

Kind Regards

Linzee
(Grandchild of F/Sgt W B Archibald 35 Sqdn KIA 31/3/42, target Tirpitz)

Sorry to all who provided answers, I must have been in a fog for the lasr few weeks,, actually with the cessation of the site i gave up searching and onlt today rediscovered 57 rescue. Will try to remain current from now on.However much thanks,for the info and sorry I didn't know the chaps .TTFN, Ian D

Ian did you know Sgt. Norman Binnie who was with 420 squadron. Did you also know Normy Cooper?

Chris

Hi Ian,

Amazingly enough, here's your kite!

(sorry for the link - image wouldn't load up from my browser)

http://www.rcaf.com/6group/420HalifaxPT-H.html


Here's the info we have on this kite:-

SERIAL No: NR144
MANUFACTURER: English Electric Co Ltd, Preston
CONTRACT No: ACFT/2553/C4/C
REQUISITION No: HA15/E11/43
ORDER QTY & TYPE: Batch NR113 to NR156 delivered between 26/09/44 & 15/10/44
DELIVERY DETAILS: 200 B Mk III's

1st UNIT: 434 Sqn - 426 Sqn - 420 Sqn
SQUADRON: 420 Sqn
UNIT CODES: PT-H
BASE: Tholthorpe

DATE: 06/3/45
TARGET: Chemitz
TIME UP: 16:23hrs

DETAILS:
Left base without incident. bombed Aiming Point at 21:45hrs from height of 16,000 ft.
During the homeward leg, a/c ran low on fuel. Crew decided to head for Juvincourt, the a/c had
descended out of cloud and it was whilst flying through several thin patches of mist that at approx 0130
hrs, the a/c clipped a tall pole which was sited on high ground. Moments later the a/c slewed onto some
soft ground approx 8 km N of its intended destination.
F/Sgt Nicol RCAF sustained brusing to his right leg whilst F/Sgt McCLellan RCAF climbed out from his
turret with a cut to his forehead, the rest of the crew escaping with a bad shaking.

CREW:
P/O J. H. Menary RCAF ok
Sgt J. H. Johnston RCAF ok
S/Sgt A. A. Rich RCAF ok
F/Sgt R. A. Nicol RCAF inj
F/Sgt R. M. Stirling RCAF ok
F/Sgt D. H. Goodwin RCAF ok
F/Sgt D. McClellan RCAF inj

N.B: .
Other a/c lost from 420 Sqn that night: NA184 PT-W, NA190 PT-U and NP959 PT-N.

PHOTOGRAPHS:
Nearest comparison: NR144 (This aircraft)

Hope this helps
Best wishes
Ian F
57 R

(Apologies to Linzee for the duplication - it's easier for me to cut & paste fromthe d/base)

Hi Ian,

Great to see a veteran that was aircrew on Halifaxes in here. I just wanted to let you know that there is a book out by Russell McKay titled One of the Many which highlights his service with 420 squadron. It is available from the RCAF Museum in Trenton, Ontario, just in case you are interested.

I also want to express my gratitude for your service, we Canadians are especially proud of all the airmen that served in our squadrons in Bomber Command.

Cheers!

Matt

PS-please visit the forum again!

Hello Matt, how much are the books?

Chris

Rodusek,

The books are $19 Canadian, taxes included.

Ian,
My father who passed away 3 years ago now aged 94 was a flight engineer with 420 sqdn and I now have the priveledge of having his log book.
Dad flew in NR 144 as shown in his log book. I will try to attach the page to this message.
Most of his missions were in PT=R Rodger of which I have some photos. Should you be interested you can contact me at my email address.
Dad was the only Englishman in a Canadian crew. I have nothing but respect for what you and all your colleages endured in those times.

Kind regards

Keith Gibson