January 18, 1945 - The Perils of a Boiling Pot

From the Operations Record Book:  

16 aircraft and crews were briefed at 20.00 hours for operations, but owing to severe weather conditions the operations were cancelled at the last moment.  Rain and wind blowing a North Easterly gale strength prevented any flying training being carried out.  Six aircraft and crews were detailed for night cross country exercises, which was however cancelled at 20.30 hours.  The day was devoted to lectures and ground training.

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Life in a Lancaster crew was certainly perilous, but sharing a Nissen hut was not without its own hazards.  On the evening of January 18, 1945, the crew had a kettle boiling on the coal stove to heat water for shaving. Harris was raking ashes out of the stove when one of his crew fumbled the jug, spilling scalding water onto Harris’ feet and right wrist.  Harris was admitted to 550’s medical ward for treatment.  Though Harris didn’t consider the burns severe, his doctor was concerned about infection.  Harris would not be discharged until two weeks later.

It would be another nine days after this before the crew would again be up in the air.