No photograph on record yet.

Harold Herbert Ladbrook

Flying Officer

Fate: Unknown

Biography

Flying Officer Harold Herbert Ladbrook was the navigator/radar operator who flew with Flight Lieutenant Martin Cybulski in No. 410 (Cougar) Squadron RCAF. On the night of 26/27 September 1943 the pair attacked a Dornier Do 217 over the Netherlands at close range; the enemy aircraft blew up directly ahead, setting their Mosquito ablaze and tearing away much of its fabric, yet they brought it home to Coleby Grange. For this action Ladbrook was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Photographs

Flight Lieutenant M Cybulski (left) and Flying Officer H Ladbrook of No. 410 Squadron RCAF, with their damaged Mosquito Mk II at Coleby Grange, 27 September 1943. Their aircraft was severely charred by an exploding Dornier Do 217. CE106 — Flight Lieutenant M Cybulski (left) and Flying Officer H Ladbrook of [No. 410 Squadron](/squadrons/411/) RCAF, with their damaged [Mosquito](/aircraft/9/) Mk II at [Coleby Grange](/airfields/6098/), 27 September 1943. Their aircraft was severely charred by an exploding Dornier Do 217. Flight Lieutenant M Cybulski (left) and Flying Officer H Ladbrook of No 410 Squadron, RCAF, with their severely charred Mosquito II at Coleby Grange, 27 September 1943. On an intruder sortie over the Netherlands the previous night the pair had attacked a Do217, closing to within 100ft before opening fire. The enemy aircraft exploded with such force that the Mosquito was enveloped by burning fuel and badly scored. Debris also damaged the port engine, which had to be shut down (note the feathered propeller).

ⓘ licence & credit
Royal Air Force official photographer / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flight_Lieutenant_M_Cybulski_(left)_and_Flying_Officer_H_Ladbrook_of_No._410_Squadron_RCAF,_with_their_damaged_Mosquito_Mk_II_at_Coleby_Grange,_27_September_1943._Their_aircraft_wasView source & full licence →

Service

Flying Officer, No. 410 Squadron (Cougar)

Awards

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Distinguished Flying Cross — for the action of 26/27 September 1943 against a Do 217.