Crew of Halifax JD468
Halifax JD468 , VR-W took off at 1739 on march 22 1944 on a mine laying operation on the Kiel Bay area "planting their vegatables" at 3,000 feet when they made a climb to 15,000 feet at about 2115 port outer engine caught fire and was extinguised. The aircraft and crew returned to gardening duties on three engines. Then on the return trip to base flying at 10,000 feet the port inner engine caught fire and was put out by the Graviner system. As they were trying to obtain their bearings from "MF" fixes the aircraft dropped to 5,000 feet. The pilot decided to ditch and sent out an SOS at 2356. The Halifax was gently ditched without harm to the crew at just after midnight. With everyone aboard the dinghy they awaited a rescue boat which arrived at 0330. The rescue boat had to use it's gun to sink the still floating Halifax. So it would appear that the forced landing in the water was very well done by the pilot since the aircraft was able to remain afloat for so long.