April 14/15, 1943




    30 Halifaxes from 405, 408, and 419 Squadrons were joined by 91 Wellingtons from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, and 431 Squadrons on an attack at Stuttgart. The crews were over the target at between 12,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 42,000 lbs of high explosives and 236,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the weather was clear and much damage was caused to the industrial area, including a large rail repair shop.

    P/O R. Symes from 405 Squadron returned early as the oxygen system was u/s.
    P/O M. Sattler landed at West Malling on return.
    This was the last operation that 405 Squadron would fly with 6 Group. They would now move to Gransden Lodge and take up duties flying as Pathfinders with 8 Group.

    S/Ldr W. Newson from 408 Squadron returned early as the rear turret was u/s.
    P/O A. Smuck returned early as their Halifax would not climb due to severe icing.
    P/O L. Usher RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax II BB-311 coded EQ-L, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt R. Dressler RCAF–POW
      P/O G. Parkinson RCAF–POW
      Sgt I. MacDonald RCAF–POW
      Sgt J. Courtney RAF
      Sgt W. Reed RCAF–POW
      P/O R. Jay RCAF–POW
    6 crew were POWs and one killed after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    P/O I. Mackenzie RAAF and crew, flying Halifax II JB-909 coded EQ-G, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt W. Canter RCAF–Evd
      Sgt L. McKenzie RCAF–POW
      F/O A. Playfair RAF–POW
      Sgt T. Coupland RAF–POW
      P/O C. O’Connell RAAF–POW
      P/O W. McIlroy RAF–POW
      F/Sgt J. Murray RCAF–POW
    1 crew member evaded capture, 6 were POWs and 1 killed after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    F/O C. Vaillancourt from 419 Squadron returned early, as Sgt K. Hart RAF, the wireless operator, was sick.
    F/Sgt R. Goddard returned early as some instruments were u/s.
    Sgt A. Green and crew flying Halifax II DT-629 coded VR-V were attacked twice by an ME-109 and JU-88, there were no claims or damages.

    Sgt L. Horahan from 420 Squadron returned early as one engines was u/s.  They landed safely on one engine at Oulton.
    Sgt C. Tucker, F/Sgt R. Taylor, Sgt E. Way, F/Sgt W. Horborenko, F/O R. Gourlie, Sgt J. Mason, Sgt J. Kennedy and Sgt F. Wingham landed at Oulton on return.
    W/O2 P. Cozens RCAF and crew, flying Wellington X HE-550 coded PT-C, failed to return from this operation.

      W/O2 W. Blight RCAF
      F/Sgt S. Giffin RCAF
      F/Sgt J. Paplowski RCAF
      F/Sgt L. Dutton RCAF
    All were killed after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    S/Ldr F. Taylor RCAF–Evd and crew, flying Wellington X HE-863 coded PT-G, failed to return from this operation.

      F/O G. Crowther RCAF–Evd
      F/O S. Brown RCAF
      Sgt H. McKinnon RAF–POW
      P/O J. Simpson RCAF
    2 crew were killed, 2 evaded capture, and 1 was a POW after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    Sgt G. Duffield, F/Sgt S. Nicolle, P/O L. Copenhaver and F/O C. Hess from 424 Squadron landed at Feltwell on return.
    P/O J. Lauro and crew flying Wellington X HE-864 coded QB-W were attacked four times by JU-88's, there was no claim or damage. They landed at Feltwell on return.
    Sgt R. White landed at Marham on return.
    F/Sgt J. Ryan landed at Lakenheath on return due to a fuel shortage.
    Sgt A. Harrison RCAF–POW and crew, flying Wellington X HZ-273 coded QB-G, failed to return from this operation.

      F/Sgt F. Rath RCAF–POW
      Sgt J. Malkin RAF–POW
      Sgt E. McQuarrie RCAF–POW
      Sgt A. Cockaday RCAF–POW
    All were POWs.

    W/Cdr J. St. Pierre and P/O R. Lacerte from 425 Squadron returned early as their rear turrets were u/s.
    F/O T. Doucette RCAF and crew, flying Wellington III X-3763 coded KW-L, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt A. Jones RAF
      F/O J. Desroches RCAF
      Sgt D. Vollans RAF
      F/O G. Ledoux RCAF
      W/O2 P. Trudeau RCAF
    All were killed.

    Sgt R. Dingman RCAF–POW and crew, flying Wellington X HE-733 coded KW-S, failed to return from this operation.

      P/O H. Garland RCAF–POW
      P/O T. Irwin RCAF–POW
      Sgt C. Griffin RAF–POW
      Sgt E. Guyatt RAF–POW
    All were POWs.

    F/Sgt H. Patch from 426 Squadron returned early as the port engine and rear turret were u/s. They landed safely at base on one engine.
    F/Sgt S. Pennington was hit by flak, not serious.
    F/Lt J. McNeill, P/O J. McGavock, Sgt L. Thompson, P/O A. Collins, Sgt P. Stuart, F/O L. Merrifield, P/O D. Shuttleworth, P/O G. McMenemy, Sgt J. Wright and F/Lt J. Millward landed at  Swanton Morley on return.

    Sgt H. Green and crew from 427 Squadron flying Wellington X HE-547 coded ZL-D were attacked by a JU-88, there was no damage and some strikes were seen.
    Sgt J. Hamilton and crew flying Wellington X HE-906 coded ZL-H were attacked by an ME-110, there was no claim or damage.

    Sgt R. Whitfield and Sgt A. Hatch from 428 Squadron returned early as their intercoms were u/s.
    Sgt K. Fry was hit by flak, there were holes in the port wing and fuel tank.
    S/Ldr W. Suggitt was hit by flak, there were holes in the fuselage.
    Sgt V. Sylvester landed at  West Malling on return.
    Sgt K. Radcliffe, W/O1 A. Harrison and Sgt W. Pep
    W/O2 W. Harris RCAF and crew, flying Wellington X HE-176 coded NA-F, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt R. Sutton RCAF–POW
      P/O D. Ferry RCAF–POW
      Sgt J. Warren RCAF–POW
      F/Sgt T. White RCAF–POW 
    4 crew were POWs and 1 killed.

    S/Ldr F. Holmes from 429 Squadron returned early as the port engine was u/s. They landed safely at base on one engine.
    Sgt A. Jameson returned early due to severe icing.
    Sgt G. De Bussac, F/Sgt R. Conroy, Sgt S. Hanan, Sgt J. Lancaster, Sgt S. Bruce and F/Sgt K. Mills landed at Coltishall on return.

    Sgt J. Parker from 431 Squadron returned early as they were unable to maintain height due to severe icing.
    Sgt J. Morton and crew flying Wellington X HE-201 coded SE-T were attacked by 2 ME-110's, the first was seen to blow up in mid air after many strikes, the second had the starboard engine and wing catch fire and also went down. There was slight damage to their port wing.
    Sgt B. Jackson was hit by flak, there were holes in the fuselage and stbd wing.
    Sgt J. Avery RAF–Int and crew, flying Wellington X HE-374 coded SE-X, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt W. Shields RAF–Int
      Sgt W. Boddy RAF–Int
      Sgt J. Cash RAF–Int
      Sgt R. McEwan RAF–Int
    All were interned in Switzerland after being shot up by flak and a JU-88.

    Sgt L. Denby RAF and crew, flying Wellington X HZ0357 coded SE-S, failed to return from this operation.

      P/O A. McDonald RNZAF–POW
      Sgt W. Hunter RAF
      Sgt J. Adam RAF
      Sgt J. O’Hagan RAF
    4 crew were killed and 1 POW after being shot down by a Nightfighter.