On 31st January 1945 this San Diego, Californian contract-built Convair B24-J Liberator was part of a group of 4030 aircraft taking part in a raid on Brunswick Hallendorf. because of doubtful weather conditions the whole raid was scrapped after the aircraft he taken off and were well on their way to the target area. All aircraft were recalled, but because of bad weather around their bases many were diverted north. This aircraft was recalled fron the mission and told to divert to RAF Leconfield and land. A short time later the aircraft reached Leconfield, the airfield was blanketed in fog. After five unsuccessful attempts to land, the pilot headed north hoping to find Carnaby Airfield, the emergency airstrip and hope for better weather conditions there. However they must have headed off in the wrong direction with the aircraft running very low on fuel. As the aircraft approached the North York Moors two engines cut out, the undercarriage was then lowered ready for a forced landing. The crew were told to brace themselves. At 17.00 hrs, the pilot attempted to land the aircraft in a field near Hutton Buscel but had to pull up to avoid a house, as open land lay beyond this house the pilot sat it down there. On touch down the tail broke off at the belly turret position. The aircraft continued along the ground and then hit a wide tree head on.

The Liberator was totally destroyed in the crash, seven of the nine USAAF crew sadly being killed, two survived with minor injuries. All of the crew are believed to have been taken to Scarborough hospital, former Silpho Brow farmer, Mr Clifford Welburn recalls the men being brought to the hospital that night. He was at the hospital having his appendix removed at the time.

In all 112 B17's and 291 B24's were recalled as nearly 200 P51 fighters acting as escorts and scouting forces. Other than this loss three other aircraft suffered serious damage, a B17 crashed at its base whilst aborting the raid and two B24's, one of which crashed on take off and the other near Tunstall, Cambs after its crew had bailed out.

Pilot - 2nd Lt Clifton F Lambert USAAF, of Lancaster County, New England, USA, initially buried Cambridge Madingley Cemetery. Since returned to a private cemetery in Nebraska, USA.

Co Pilot - F/O Willard W McCord USAAF, of Santa Clara, California, USA. Buried Cambridge Madingley Cemetery. Plot B, row 4, grave 11. His name does not appear on the cemetery database however.

Navigator - 2nd Lt Robert A Peabody USAAF, of ? Initially buried Cambridge Madingley Cemetery. Since returned to a private cemetery in Massachusetts, USA.

Radio Op. - T/Sgt Paul N Hoover USAAF, of ? Initially buried Cambridge Madingley Cemetery. Re-buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California, USA.

Left Waist Gunner - S/Sgt Benny M Chmiel USAAF, of Washington County, PA, initially buried Cambridge Madingley Cemetery. Since returned to a private cemetery in Pennsylvania, USA.

Nose Gunner - S/Sgt Glenn M Whitaker USAAF, of Vernon County, MO. Initially buried Cambridge Madingley Cemetery. Since returned to a private cemetery in Missouri, USA.

Tail Gunner - S/Sgt Fain L Hickerson USAAF, of Payette County, Oregon. Buried Cambridge Madingley Cemetery, Plot B, Row 5, Grave 11.

Flight Eng. - T/Sgt Harry W Storicks USAAF, minor injuries.

Right Waist Gunner - S/Sgt Phillip W Corliss USAAF, minor injuries.