In their time at Lissett,No 158 Squadron despatched more than 1300 Halifax individual operations in 1943. By 1944 this figure had risen to 2633 Halifaxes despatched.More than 100 Halifaxes failed to return in 1944 alone. In the last few months of the war ,841 Halifaxes were despatched against 12 who failed to return.This squadron's targets were mostly directed against the German industrial targets Total aircrew losses from its formation was 851 aircrew kia and these lie in cemeteries throughout Europe with 78 airmen having no known graves.Over 340 aircrew became POWs and 61 went on to be successful evaders and returned to the UK by various routes. Friday the Thirteenth,LV 907 was a very famous aircraft which completed 128 operations but was soc after the war.Its name lives on with the Yorkshire Air Museum museum piece, LV 907 on display butis a rebuild of the fuselage of HR 792 and the wings of Hastings TG 536.As a new aircraft,LV 907 was delivered from HP and immediately went on to its first operation at the end of March 1944 to Nuremburg,a raid which resulted in disasterous losses for Bomber Command.From this date LV 907, completed 128 operations to the end of the war.One rear gunner who completed a tour on this aircraft relates it was a fine aircraft to handle and surprisingly revealed that he never had to fire his guns in anger throughout the tour. Lissett was a target for Luffewaffe intruder raids and lost one aircraft withou survivors during the widespread intruder raids on Bomber Command airfields on 3 March 1945 when the Halifax was in circuit about to land.Other Halifax gunners having just landed,returned fire as the aircraft, thought to be a Junkers 88, strafed the airfield.Apparently the Station Commander,Group Captain Tom Sawyer in the watch tower at time manned a Bren,firing at the intruder from the watch tower roof. Lissett was favourably placed being a few miles from the North Sea and was one of the Bomber Command's airfields which was nearest to German targets.It was only a few miles from the large Bomber Command emergency landing strip at Carnaby although there are no reports that the squadron ever used it in emergency. In 2005, the squadron unveiled a memorial garden seat in the Park Resorts Caravan Park at Barmston to the crew of Halfax MZ 286 which crashed into Bridlington Bay off Barmston on 18 July 1944 minutes after taking off before daybreak for support operations against Caen,one of three squadron Halifaxes lost on this operation. The squadron is remembered by a memorial erected on 9 Setember 1984 in the grounds of St James of Compostela Church in the village of Lissett. The squadron motto "Strength in Unity", crest and the sketch of a Halifax are inscribed on the memorial plaque. During the past year,23 veterans have passed away but reunions still attract ex wartime squadron members from Australia,the US, Canada and the UK. Last year 30 ex members of the squadron met with 60 associates at Bridlington for the annual reunion which how been locally based to Lissett for nearly 30 years. My uncle F/O Frank Davison was stationed at Lissett and was shot down on the famous raid on Berlin on August 23rd 1943. On this day 158 lost 5 Halifaxes. I know that my uncle was captured and spent some time in Stalag Luft III but I cannot trace his whereabouts after the camp was evacuated I think in January 1945. Just wondered if you knew him.
Hello averyone Could you support in case of 158th squd. team, please. I'm looking for any additional info about fligt of Halifax JN904 NP-K on 16 September 1943, they took off from Lisset, Yorkshire at 19:33 hours in Handley Page . They were to raid on the railway yards at Modane, France In the early hours of 17 September, the plane crashed into a wood called le Bois due Rivoireau about 10 miles east of Vienne in France. Maybe somebody is in position to answer what was a reason of their crash? Any pictures of staff crew, a spacially sgt Shaw - navigator ? Also I wiil appreciate what additional mission does the crew was involved. Thank you in advance MArek
Hi mare I was interested to read your post regarding 158 squadron My uncle ( Sgt. Eric Le Huray) was the pilot on the Halifax JN904-K and sadley lost his life together with the rest of the crew on the night of 16th Sept. 1943 near the village of St George d'Esperanche in France. I too am trying to find out more information regarding this incident and the crew. I beleive the aircarft bought down when it was hit by flak. My two brothers and i are going to fly down to Lyon for the anniversary of the crash. The village has erected a memorial to the crew in the village and also one at the crash site. We also will visit the cemetery at Lyon where the seven crew are buried. I have contacted 158 squadron and asked them for any infomation they may have and will let you know if they send me anything. If you google Halifax JN904-K there are some photo's of the memorails and I have some copies of photo's taken the day after the crash. I have no photo's of the crew but I am hoping that 158 squadron migth have some. Regards Tim Le Huray
My uncle ( Sgt. Eric Le Huray) was the pilot on the Halifax JN904-K and sadley lost his life together with the rest of the crew on the night of 16th Sept. 1943 near the village of St George d'Esperanche in France. I too am trying to find out more information regarding this incident and the crew. I beleive the aircarft bought down when it was hit by flak. Hello Tim / Mare, the following is taken from 'RAF Bomber Command Losses' Vol.4 - W R. Chorley, hope you find it a help. 16-17 September 1943 158 squadron Halifax II JN904 NP-K Op Modane Took off from Lissett at 1933 hrs. Crashed into wooded area known as le Bois due Rivoireau at St.Georges d' Esperanche 14 km east of Vienne, France. Crew. Sgt. E. Le Huray + Sgt. H. Pennell + Sgt. F G. Shaw + Sgt. T A. Roberts + Sgt. C A. Budd + Sgt. A V M. Barron + Sgt. V G E. Briant +
From "In Brave Company" 8/4/42 Sgt Wisher crashed Luneberg heath 10/4/42 Sgt Amos crashed off Ostend There is a 158 Sqn association and a memorial at RAF Lissett Cheers Lawrence Lawrence
Tim, If you want anything from the 158sqdn ORB (Operations Record Book) for this and any previous ops flown by this crew, let me know. Alan
158 Squadron were reformed of 14 February 1942 at Driffield from UK echelon of No.104 Squadron. From February 1942 until June 1942 they operated the Wellington II. The squadron then converted to the Halifax II On 8-9 April 1942 their target was Hamburg. One aircraft lost On 10-11 April 1942 they carried out a 'Nickel' op, dropping leaflets in the Lille region. One aircraft lost. Peter, There were two separate nickel ops for 158 and a main op to Essen on 10/11th April. One a/c to Lille on nickels, one to Le Havre and 8 to Essen. The aircraft to Lille Wellington X5482 did not return.
Sgt Whitbread and the rest of the crew probably wouldn't have been involved on the Hamburg mission because it's highly unlikely that a crew would be sent out on missions on consecutive nights. And nickling missions were usually individual affair or a very small number of aircraft, not squadron strength. Most of the 158sqdn crews who operated on the 8/9th were out again on 10/11th. I have also seen crews out on more than two consecutive nights throughout many of the ORB's i have.
Peter Thank you for taking the trouble to respond to my posting, I apreciate the information you have provided Tim Le Huray
Hi Alan Thank you for your very kind offer, I would be extremley grateful for any information regarding the crew and op's of Halifax JN904-K and in particular my Uncle (Sgt. Eric Le Huray) I look forward to hearing from you Tim Le Huray
Peter, There were two separate nickel ops for 158 and a main op to Essen on 10/11th April. One a/c to Lille on nickels, one to Le Havre and 8 to Essen. The aircraft to Lille Wellington X5482 did not return. Many thanks Allan. Regards Peter
See Bill Chorley's book " In Brave Company" published by Midland Counties , revised and republished in 1990 it should (may) still be available. Had a look for an interest and they are not cheap. (for me!) £45.00 to £141.00 Phew!
Alan I really appreciate you taking the time to find this information for me I don't suppose you would have on file the name the crew gave thier aircraft? I look forward to hearing from you Regards Tim
Tim, I've got your email copied, best if you delete it from the post in case spammers get hold of it. Alan
Alan Once again many thanks (not sure what PM was!) Tim Private Message, available in profile page by clicking on username. Alan
Tim, Your uncle and his crew were posted into 158 from 1652 CU (Conversion Unit) on 31st Aug 43 and only completed three previous ops before being lost on 16/17th Sept. One of these was a 2nd Dicky trip with F/Sgt D. Nicholls crew for experience. 5th Sept.....Mannheim, 2nd Dicky. 6th Sept.....Munich. 15th Sept....Montlucon. 16th Sept....Modane. Will be in touch by email with files. Alan.
The 158 Squadron has a very active Association with an annual Reunion and a magnificent memorial at the airfield in Lissett The site is 158 Squadron History - this gives details of membership which is only £15. Kevin
