Wellington damaged by a night-fighter / returning to East Moor airfield.

On the 7th of October 1943 this aircraft was one of ten 432 Sqdn Wellington's tasked with minelaying in the Rosemary Fields, an area off Brest, France. At around 00.25 hrs on 8th October this aircraft attacked by an ME110 night-fighter which inflicted damage to the flaps, hydraulics and fuel tanks. Prior to the attack the rear gunner had shot down another Me110. The Wellington was able to return to East Moor but the damage was declared as Cat. B/FB. For his actions the rear gunner was awarded the DFM.

The aircraft was built to contract 92439/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd at Blackpool and delivered to 432 Sqdn at East Moor during the last week of September 1943. Following damage sustained in the above incident (Cat. B/FB) the aircraft was repaired in works. On completion of repair it was issued to 300 Sqdn at Ingham in early 1944 before being transferred to 16 OTU at Upper Heyford in April 1944. It remained on charge with them until the unit disbanded on 1st January 1945. The aircraft was then transferred to 12 OTU at Chipping Warden and remained with them until the unit disbanded on 22nd June 1945 from their it was flown to MU store and Struck off Charge as scrap on 12th May 1947. The aircraft completed two Ops with 432 Sqdn. The crew were back on Ops the following night in another aircraft.

Pilot - Sgt Peter Dennis RCAF. Of Fort William, Ontario, Canada.

Nav - Sgt J Atkins (or G Atkins).

B/A - P/O J O'Gorman.

WOp/AG - Sgt P Woolfenden.

Rear Gunner - Sgt Joseph H L Quesnel RCAF. Born Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada. Living in Reading Berks, UK.

For their actions on Ops on 26th November 1943 F/Sgt Dennis and Sgt Quesnel were each awarded DFM's when Lancaster LL632 was attacked by a night-fighter on Ops to Berlin. F/Sgt Dennis brought the badly damaged aircraft home safely and Sgt Quensal directed his pilot as to the whereabouts of the night-fighter after his turret was rendered u/s. Dennis was born in 1923 and worked as a clerk until he enlisted in Winnipeg on 13th November 1941. He was awarded his Wings on 18th December 1942. Quesnel was born in 1922 in Canada but later came to the UK and worked in Reading as a lathe operator. He returned home and enlisted in Toronto on 27th October 1941 and finished his basic training in Canada in January 1942. he survived the War and received his DFM by post in 1950!

Dennis' citation reads... ""Flight Sergeant Dennis has completed numerous sorties and has displayed great skill, determination and devotion to duty. One night in November 1943 he piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Berlin. Whilst over the target area his aircraft was attacked on three occasions by enemy fighters. Nevertheless, he skilfully evaded the enemy aircraft and successfully attacked the target, afterwards flying his badly damaged aircraft to base. His effort was highly commendable.

Quesnel's citation reads.... ""As rear gunner Sergeant Quesnel has taken part in several sorties and has proved himself to be a cool and reliable member of aircraft crew. During a sortie one night in December 1943, his aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters. In the engagement Sergeant Quesnel fought with great resolution and destroyed one of the attackers. On another occasion in November 1943, his aircraft was attacked three times by enemy fighters. His turret was rendered unserviceable but he coolly directed his pilot's combat manoeuvres and the attacker was evaded. This airman has set a very fine example.

P/O Dennis and his crew completed 21 Ops with 432 Sqdn before being posted out in mid March 1944.