Operation: Training

Date: 07th August 1944 (Monday)

Unit: No. 617 Squadron (motto: Après moi le déluge 'After me, the flood')

Type: Mosquito VI

Serial: NT202

Code: AJ-N

Base: RAF Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire

Location: North Sea off Wainfleet, Lincs.

Pilot: F/O. Warren Alvin Duffy DFC J/7073 RCAF Age 21. Killed

Nav: F/O. Philip Ingleby 137140 RAFVR Age 23. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Weather described as 1/10 cumulous cloud, visibility 12miles, wind east 2 mph at take off. 2/10 - 5/10 cloud at 200 ft, wind ENE - NNE 10-15mph over target area.

Taking off at 10:50 hrs. from RAF Woodhall Spa, to carry out a shallow dive bombing exercise. The aircraft was loaded with four 111/2 lb practice bombs. Th first three runs over the target were made normally starting at about 200 ft and levelling out at 50-100 ft.

The fourth run over the Wainfleet bombing range was simerley to previous until the pilot released the bomb just short of the target. At 11.07 hrs. whilst pulling up in a climbing turn to port the starboard engine failed, followed immediately by structural failure of the starboard wing.

Above L-R: F/O. Duffy DFC and F/O. Ingleby (courtesy George Evans)

F/O. Duffy had just completed his operational tour and is buried at Harrogate, his navigator, for this training sortie, rests at Coningsby.

DFC Citation:

'Flying Officer Warren Alvin Duffy (J/7073), RCAF 617 Sqn. Recently, this officer piloted an aircraft detailed to attack an enemy target in Northern France. The operation called for a high degree of resolution and to ensure success, accuracy was essential. In the face of considerable anti-aircraft opposition, Flying Officer Duffy made 3 runs over the target before releasing his bomb which exploded within a foot of the' centre of the objective. He displayed great courage and devotion to duty, setting a very fine example Flying Officer Duffy has completed a large number of sorties and has achieved much success. Gazetted 22nd August 1944'.

F/O. Warren Alvin Duffy DFC. Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery, Yorkshire. Section E. Row A. Grave 1. Born on the 25th August 1922 at Pubnico, Yarmouth, Nova scotia. Worked as a chauffeur for his father who was blind prior to service. Enlisted on the 16th November 1940. Son of the Rev. Leon Levett (died 1968) and Gertrude Lois Duffy (née McLaughlin - died 1993) of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada. A total of 1210 flying hours logged. Grave inscription: 'Dearly Loved And Greatly Missed'.

F/O. Philip Ingleby. Coningsby Cemetery, Lincolnshire. Row 64, Grave 1256. Born on the 07th October 1920 in Cheshire. Son of Bernard and Annie Ingleby of Sale, Cheshire, England.

Researched by Aircrew Remembered volunteer, researcher and specialist genealogist Linda Ibrom for relatives of this crew. With thanks to George Evans for use of photographs. Also to John Jones for additional details.

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