| Accession Number | P02730.010 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England, Essex, Langham |
| Date made | 29 June 1944 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
View of the damaged port side wing root and the 20mm gun ports of a 455 Squadron, RAAF, ...
Description
View of the damaged port side wing root and the 20mm gun ports of a 455 Squadron, RAAF, Beaufighter (call sign UB-J, LZ 402) after sustaining hits from flak during an attack on German shipping in the North Sea off the coast of Holland. The Beaufighter was crewed by 411750, pilot, Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) (later Flight Lieutenant) Jack Geoffrey 'Flak Jack' Cox, of Dungog, NSW and 415797, navigator, Sergeant (Sgt) (later Flying Officer), Allan William Ibbotson, of Victoria Park, WA. During the action Flt Sgt Cox was wounded in the shoulder by shrapnel and Sgt Ibbotson was trapped, unable to open his canopy. Flt Sgt Cox flew the badly damaged Beaufighter back to base at Langham, Scotland where he decided on a belly landing. The aircraft overshot the runway and came to rest in a cabbage patch. For this and other actions, Flt Sgt Cox was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was gazetted on 19 July 1945. For a full view of this damaged Beaufighter, see UK1544.