Halifax W7764 Ditching

Halifax W7764 Ditching

Notes taken from a book 'Nobody Unprepared The History of 78 Squadron' by Vernon Holland. John was the bomb aimer on the Halifax.

Two handwritten sheets

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MGoldbyJL139407-200810-030001,
MGoldbyJL139407-200810-030002

No 78 Squadron Halifax II
W[deleted] W [/deleted] 7764EY
11th December 1942
CREW
Pilot Pilot Officer K.T. WATSON
Flight Engineer Sgt C.P. BAILEY
Navigator Sgt G.E. COLEMAN
Bomb aimer Sgt J.L. GOLDBY
Wireless Operator Sgt L. McKINNON
Mid upper Gunner Sgt T.R. GALBRAITH
Rear Gunner Sgt W. BAMFORD

On this occasion, flying as second pilot was Sgt R.G HEAD RCAF

Details taken from:-
Nobody Unprepared
The History of No 78 Squadron by Vernon Holland

Aircraft caught fire on take-off.

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Unable to control the fire the pilot headed for the coast and ditched in the North Sea a few miles off Filey. The dinghy deployed, the whole crew boarded it and was rescued.

Take off would have been at about 1630 p. ditched at 1700., still daylight in those days