大象传媒

On the 5th August 1944 having completed training at 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit,RCAF,Topcliffe,where I had been assigned a crew. We were posted to 433 Squadron Skipton on Swale.Having just reported to Squadron Offices we proceeded towards our Nissen huts situated in a field about
half a mile away next to the river Swale. Almost immediately
as we approached the village, a Halifax returning from a bombing mission damaged and on three engines, crashed at our feet about 50 yards away. The pilot had been given red flare warning him to go around again ,whilst doing so a second engine failed hence the crash.
The Pilot and Flight Engineer were killed also a small boy in
the village. The rest of the crew were seriously injured
After a Squadron Reunion in Toronto in October 1982 a committee
meticlous planned , with generous contributions, a dedication and plaque honouring the Squadrons who served at Skipton on Swale, recording the crash incident. On the 19th May 1984 the ceremony
took place many veterans attended. The plaque was placed on the
spot where the Halifax had come to rest having struck an elm tree.
During the ceremony the last flying Lancaster flew over the site.
The elm tree is no longer there but in its place stands a maple tree
brought over from Canada.
Probably one of many similar incidents ,however I felt it was worth placing on record.

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