Awarded the Air Observer Badge on January 31, 1942.
Assigned to the 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, Royal Air Force on August 17, 1942.
Had a brother in the Army, Lieutenant Brahm Baittle (R.C.A.M.C. - Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps).
Wellington 3, DF 673AA (also reported as BJ 673) was brought down at 2315 hrs by a German fighter. After their bomber caught fire the crew bailed out at low altitude, killing all 5 members. The bomber crashed in the area of Pereboomsgat, Moerbeke-Waas, Belgium. They were on a large mission to bomb Nuremberg, Germany. Other reports say that they were shot down on the returning flight.
Crew:
Flight Sergeant Sydney Bernard Davis 1165309 (Pilot) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 75 Sqdn.
Flight Sergeant Charles Henry Vickers 1115126 (Pilot) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 75 Sqdn.
Flight Sergeant Horace David Baittle R/79439 (Observer) Royal Canadian Air Force, 75 Sqdn.
Flight Sergeant Lawrence Donald Hiltz R/88319 ( Air Gunner) Royal Canadian Air Force, 75 Sqdn.
Flight Sergeant Daniel Archibald McKay R/73282 (Air Gunner) Royal Canadian Air Force, 75 Sqdn.
