209355 Sergent-Chef. Christian Bernard Darribehaude Free French Air Force 346 (French) Squadron from:Bordeaux, France My father Christian Darribehaude was stationed at Elvington in Yorkshire with 346 (French) Squadron, and flying as a wireless operator in Capitaine Brion's crew. They were twice diverted to Carnaby, at two days' interval.
On December 24th 1944, while bombing Mulheim airfield, their Halifax III (MZ737) was hit by flak and diverted to Carnaby on return. The duration of the flight was 5h25. On December 26th 1944, after an operational trip to bomb German troop concentrations at Saint-Vith (Belgian Ardennes region) as part of the Battle of the Bulge, their Halifax III (PN365) was again hit by flak and they had to land at Carnaby, using FIDO, after nightfall. The flight lasted 4h55. He and his crew survived the war. After his tour, he was posted to Lossiemouth as an instructor.
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