Halifax 28 miles off Scarborough.
On the 16th of August 1944 the crew of this aircraft left Croft at 21.55hrs for Ops to Kiel. They were damaged by flak which holed fuel
tanks leaving the crew no option but to ditch the aircraft some way from the Yorkshire coast soon after 02.03hrs. All got out of the aircraft and were later
picked up by an ASR launch at 17.35hrs.
The pilot was awarded a DFC for his actions on this raid. The citation reads
""One night in August 1944, Flying Officer Wagman was detailed to attack Kiel and on reaching enemy territory
his aircraft was engaged by anti-aircraft fire which penetrated the petrol tanks and caused a serious loss of
fuel. Nevertheless, Flying Officer Wagman successfully completed his mission but was forced to bring his
aircraft down on to the sea forty miles from the English coast. This he achieved with great skill despite
the failure of his landing light and adverse weather. In hazardous circumstances this officer displayed
great skill, courage and devotion to duty.""
Pilot - F/O John Wagman RCAF (J35150), ok. Of Regina. Sask, Canada.
Sgt V Cameron
Sgt W J Odegaard RCAF
Sgt H R A McMillan RCAF
Sgt Henry K Kaufman RCAF, of Cottam, Ontario, Canada. Minor injuries.
F/Sgt D J Burke RCAF
F/Sgt J S Archibald RCAF
Sgt Kaufman is visited by his pilot in his hospital bed. (Photo via Alan Soderstrom.). John Wagman RCAF enlisted in his home
town of Regina on 26th June 1941, after training at 2 ITS, 12 EFTS, and 5SFTS he sailed for the UK. His award of the DFC
became effective from the 13th October 1944 but was not presented until 23rd April 1949.