Halifax Bomber LL459
2.3 miles away
East Riding of Yorkshire
Balkholme Halifax Mid-Air Collision Memorial
Balkholme (1), East Riding of Yorkshire
Good Record
The Memorial
It is maintained by Balkholme Parish Meeting.
Type
Mid-Air Collision Memorial
Inscription
Dedication Plaque: on the Night of 21 July 1944 Twenty Six Halifax Bombers of No. 578 Squadron Royal Air Force Took Off from Burn to Attack the German Synthetic Oil Refinery at Bottrop in the Rhine Valley of Germany. Six Aircraft Were Lost During the Raid Two of Which, on Their Return, Collided in MID Air and Fell to Earth Near This Place. There Were No Survivors. The Crew Members Were: [crew Names Inscribed on Memorial] May They Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory This Was the Most Disasterous Single Operation Mounted by This Squadron Resulting in the Loss of Six Aircraft, the Death of 36 Precious Airmen with Four Others Being Taken as Prisoners of War. A Further Two Airmen Managed to Evade Capture by the Enemy Explanatory Plaque: the 578 Squadron Burn Association Wishes to Place on Record, Appreciation, Respect and Thanks to the People of This Area of Yorkshire for Their Splendid Cooperation in Providing This Site and Contributing the Practical and Financial Assistance to Enable This Memorial to Be Completed in So Short a Time 6 May 2006
LocationApproximate Location
Balkholme (1), East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire
what3words: ///snowy.trailer.reliving
What Happened
Flying as part of a 578 Squadron raid on the oil refinery at Bottrop, Germany, Halifax III LK834 departed RAF Burn at 22.56hrs on the night of 20 July 1944. The crew successfully delivered their bomb load and turned for home. Returning to Yorkshire in the early hours, low cloud severely reduced visibility, and LK834 collided with Halifax MZ696, also of 578 Squadron, over the Howden area. The two aircraft became locked together and crashed near Gate House Farm, Balkholme, at 03.15hrs on 21 July. Flight Lieutenant Maurice Charles Day and eleven of his crew were killed. Among those lost was Sergeant Derrick Arthur Roland Parham, rear gunner, aged 19.
Community Connection
The 578 Squadron Burn Association wishes to place on record, appreciation, respect and thanks to the people of this area of Yorkshire for their splendid cooperation in providing this site and contributing the practical and financial assistance to enable this memorial to be completed in so short a time. 6 May 2006. This memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by these airmen and the impact of war on their community.
Remembrance
Do you know of any commemorative events or annual services held at this memorial? We would love to hear from local communities who remember.
Share remembrance informationAircraft & Operation Details
Crew (15 members)
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Balkholme Parish Meeting
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Goole & Howden Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Balkholme Parish Meetingparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
Yorkshire AircraftRetrieved 2026-03-23
Halifax LK834 (coded LK-E) of 578 Squadron collided mid-air with Halifax MZ696 (coded LK-K) at 2,000 feet while returning from a raid on synthetic oil refineries at Bottrop on 21 July 1944. Both aircraft crashed near Gate House Farm, Balkholme at 03:15 hours, killing all fourteen crew.
What you'll find: Detailed account of mid-air collision and subsequent crash near Balkholme, including aircraft codes, squadron information, date, time, and fatality count.
Collision at 2,000 feet during return from BottropLK834 coded LK-ECrashed near Gate House Farm14 total killed across both aircraft578 Squadron lost 6 aircraft that night
578 Squadron AssociationRetrieved 2026-03-23
The 578 Squadron website documents the Balkholme mid-air collision and the memorial erected to commemorate the crews of both Halifax bombers lost that night.
What you'll find: Detailed account of the Balkholme mid-air collision involving two Halifax bombers, alongside the memorial's establishment and significance.
26 Halifaxes from 578 Sqn attacked Bottrop that nightSix aircraft lost during the raid
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
The IWM records the memorial to the 578 Squadron airmen of the Balkholme mid-air collision, describing the distinctive memorial featuring a sculpture of two colliding Halifax bombers atop a curved steel pipe with squadron badge and crew names.
What you'll find: Detailed Register Entry: Memorial to 578 Squadron Airmen, featuring a sculpture of colliding Halifax bombers and crew names.
IWM memorial reference 99079Memorial features sculpture of two colliding HalifaxesCurved black-enamelled steel pipe design
Yorkshire AircraftRetrieved 2026-03-23
Halifax MZ696 (coded LK-K) of 578 Squadron collided with Halifax LK834 at 2,000 feet while returning from Bottrop on 21 July 1944. Both crashed at Balkholme with all crew killed. MZ696 was piloted by Flt Lt Maurice Charles Day.
What you'll find: Detailed account of tragic collision and subsequent memorial at Balkholme, including aircraft codes and squadron information.
MZ696 coded LK-KPiloted by Flt Lt DayMid-air collision during return from Bottrop raidAll 7 crew killed
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
The IWM lists the joint memorial for both Halifax crews lost in the Balkholme collision, with MZ696's crew names inscribed alongside those of LK834.
What you'll find: Detailed register listing of Halifax crews lost in Balkholme collision, including names and memorial specifics.
Joint memorial covers both aircraft crewsIWM memorial reference 99079
578 Squadron AssociationRetrieved 2026-03-23
578 Squadron records document MZ696 as one of six aircraft lost from the squadron during the Bottrop raid of 20/21 July 1944, representing one of the heaviest single-night losses for the unit.
What you'll find: Detailed account of the Bottrop raid loss, including aircraft identification (MZ696), crew members, and squadron history.
One of six 578 Sqn aircraft lost that nightHeaviest single-night loss for the squadron
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Yorkshire Aircraft (retrieved 2026-03-23)
578 Squadron Association (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Yorkshire Aircraft (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
578 Squadron Association (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (website)
Geograph (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
Do you have additional information, photographs, or corrections for this record? We welcome contributions from researchers, families, and local communities.
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This record for Balkholme Halifax Mid-Air Collision Memorial is partially complete. We’re looking for additional details such as crew information, photographs, narrative history, or source references.
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