Handley Page Halifax LK789
0.2 miles away
Cambridgeshire
Manea Halifax Memorial
Manea, Cambridgeshire
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Manea Parish Council.
Type
Crew memorial
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Manea, Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire
what3words: ///weeps.cheaper.crumples
OS Grid Ref: TL4789
What Happened
Halifax III LK789, coded MP-L, left Holme on Spalding Moor with 76 Squadron on the night of 24 April 1944, tasked with bombing Karlsruhe. Returning across England, the aircraft came down near Manea, Cambridgeshire. Six of the seven crew were killed: Pilot Officer Douglas Robert Dibbins, aged 21, Sergeant Gerard John Head, Sergeant Kenneth Craven Oswald, John R Bathe, James G Davenport, and Norris M Harrison. The sole survivor was rear gunner Flight Sergeant John Anderson.
Community Connection
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Share this memorial's storyRemembrance
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Share remembrance informationAircraft & Operation Details
Aircraft Type
Halifax
Serial Number
LK789
Squadron
76 SquadronStation
Holme on Spalding Moor
Date of Loss
1944-04-25
Crew (14 members)
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Manea Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Manea Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Manea Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
Aircrewremembered.comRetrieved 2026-03-24
Detailed account of Halifax III LK789 (MP-L) of 76 Squadron, piloted by P/O Douglas Dibbins. On the evening of 24 April 1944, the crew's 18th operation, the target was Karlsruhe. On return, the Halifax was intercepted and shot down by Lt Wolfgang Wenning of II./KG51 flying a Me 410, at 1,000 metres altitude, 20km NE of Cambridge. The aircraft crashed at Colony Farm near Welney at 0420 hrs.
What you'll find: Detailed account of Halifax III LK789 (MP-L) from 76 Squadron, including crew details and tragic mission to Karlsruhe on April 24, 1944.
Pilot was P/O Douglas DibbinsShot down by Me 410 intruder (Lt Wolfgang Wenning, II./KG51)Crew's 18th operationTarget was KarlsruheCrashed at Colony Farm near Welney at 0420 hrsRear gunner Flt Sgt John Anderson survived with fractured femur
Imperial War MuseumsRetrieved 2026-03-23
IWM War Memorials Register entry for the RAF Halifax LK789 memorial near Manea, Cambridgeshire.
What you'll find: RAF Halifax memorial at Manea, Cambridgeshire in IWM's comprehensive register.
IWM memorial reference 97988
Bureau of Aircraft Accidents ArchivesRetrieved 2026-03-23
BAAA archive entry confirming six killed in the crash of Halifax III LK789 near Manea. The aircraft was built at the Fairey Engineering factory at Stockport and delivered to 76 Squadron on 22 February 1944.
What you'll find: Tragic aircraft accident details: six fatalities in Halifax III LK789 crash near Manea.
Built at Fairey Engineering, StockportDelivered to 76 Sqn 22 Feb 1944Halifax III variant confirmed
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Aircrewremembered.com (retrieved 2026-03-24)
Imperial War Museums (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph Cambridgeshire (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
With thanks to
Martin Hindry (Manea Village Archive) — Local historian — 2023 write-up, plaque photographs, no copyright restrictions
Last updated 2026-04-09
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