LEST WE FORGET
Air Operations (No. 462 Squadron Halifax aircraft W7848), Mediterranean, 6 February 1943
On the 5/6th February 1943, Halifax W7848 was one of 9 aircraft from the Squadron detailed to attack shipping in the Palermo Harbour, Sicily. An alternative target was the train ferry terminus at Messina. All the aircraft took off from Solluch No 1 Airfield with W7848 taking off at 1735 hours. Four aircraft returned early not having reached the target owing to mechanical troubles or severe icing over the target. Five aircraft reached the target and bombed.
W7848 could not find the target and with petrol short jettisoned the bombs. The Wireless Operator was unable to obtain a QDM (magnetic heading) until 0110 hours when a bearing of 283 degrees from El Adem was obtained. The Captain at once altered course, but the aircraft hit high ground and crashed at 0115 hours 10 miles south of Barce, Libya.
The Navigator died later from injuries. The WAG and Rear Gunner were injured, and the Flight Engineer and Mid Upper Gunner were admitted to hospital suffering shock, but later discharged.
The crew members of W7848 were:
Squadron Leader D A Fordham (RAF) (Pilot)
Flying Officer Ronald Moorhouse (121921) (RAFVR) (Navigator/Bomb Aimer) Died: 6 February 1943
Sergeant E Loomes (RAF) (Flight Engineer)
Pilot Officer R E Parsons (RAF) (Mid Upper Gunner)
Sergeant Rich (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Sergeant Tucker (RAF) (Rear Gunner)
Flying Officer Moorhouse is buried in the Benghazi War Cemetery, Libya.
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records