Daily Operations

April 16/17, 1943

27 Halifaxes from 408 and 419 Squadron were ordered on an attack at Pilsen. The crews were over the target at between 7,000 and 14,000 feet, releasing 104,000 lbs of high explosives and 31,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, this attack was a failure as there was no damage to the Skoda armaments factory.

P/O A. Smuck and crew from 408 Squadron flying Halifax II DT-769 coded EQ-J were attacked by a JU-88, there was no claim or damage. They were also hit by flak, the astrodome was blown off.
Sgt B. Milligan landed at West Malling on return due to a fuel shortage.
F/O J. Sergent RCAF and crew, flying Halifax II DT-752 coded EQ-W, failed to return from this operation.

W/O1 J. Guay RCAF and crew, flying Halifax II BB-343 coded EQ-X, failed to return from this operation.

F/Sgt G. Heming RCAF and crew, flying Halifax II JB-854 coded EQ-D, failed to return from this operation.

F/Lt C. Hatle RCAF and crew, flying Halifax II JB-925 coded EQ-R, failed to return from this operation.

F/Sgt M. Gray from 419 Squadron returned early as the rear turret was u/s.
F/O C. MacIntosh landed at Newmarket on return.
F/Sgt A. Bell and F/O W. Boyce landed at Colerne on return.
F/Sgt R. Goddard and crew flying Halifax II JB-862 coded VR-U were attacked twice by a JU-88, there was no claim or damage.

While the Halifaxes went to Pilsen, 100 Wellingtons from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, and 431 Squadrons were ordered on an attack at Mannheim. The crews were over the target at between 12,000 and 16,000 feet, releasing 118,000 lbs of high explosives and 91,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate with severe damage being caused.

Sgt G. Hall from 420 Squadron returned early as their hydraulics were u/s.
P/O B. Campbell and crew flying Wellington X HE-630 coded PT-P were attacked by a DO-17, there was no claim or damage. They landed at Westcott on return.
Sgt J. Mason, F/Sgt R. Taylor, Sgt F. Wingham, P/O J. Morton, Sgt E. Way and Sgt J. Kennedy landed at Westcott on return.
F/Sgt L. Horahan RCAF and crew, flying Wellington X HE-682 coded PT-T, failed to return from this operation.

P/O L. Copenhaver and P/O G. Bain from 424 Squadron returned early as they each had one engine was u/s.
F/Sgt S. Nicolle was hit by flak, there were holes in the wings and fuel tanks. They landed safely at Bassingbourne.
Sgt G. Duffield landed at Bassingbourne on return.
F/Sgt J. Ryan landed at Ford on return.

P/O G. Anderson from 425 Squadron returned early as the instruments were u/s.
P/O R. Lacerte landed at Lindholme on return.
Sgt P. Bujold RCAF–POW and crew, flying Wellington X HE-475 coded KW-E, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt S. Gaunt and crew from 426 Squadron flying Wellington III BK-341 coded OW-N returned early as they were attacked by an unidentified single engine enemy aircraft. There was no damage but they would have been late over the target.
F/Lt J. McNeill was hit by flak, not serious.
F/Lt J. Millward and P/O J. McGavock landed at Thurleigh on return.
S/Ldr F. Parker landed at Twinwood Farm on return.
Sgt L. Thompson RAF and crew, flying Wellington X HE-591 coded OW-R, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt H. Green from 427 Squadron returned early as they were late taking off and could not make up the time.
Sgt B. Chambers RCAF and crew, flying Wellington X HE-745 coded ZL-E, hit a hill due to engine problems while trying to land at Twinwood Farm.

Sgt J. Hamilton was hit by flak, not serious.
F/Sgt S. Tomyn RCAF and crew, flying Wellington X HE-547 coded ZL-D, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt D. Shears from 428 Squadron returned early as the port engine was u/s. They landed safely on one engine at Tempsford.
Sgt K. Fry returned early as one engine was u/s.
W/O1 A. Harrison returned early as the wireless operator was sick.
W/O2 D. Thompson returned early as both engines were running poorly. They landed safely at Dalton.
Sgt C. Whitfield, Sgt L. Williamson, Sgt A. Hatch, S/Ldr F. Bowden, Sgt R. Parkinson and Sgt K. Radcliffe landed at Wing on return.

Sgt R. Ellison from 429 Squadron returned early as the stbd engine was u/s. They landed safely at Colerne on one engine.
F/Sgt G. Kilburn returned early as one engine was u/s.
F/Sgt K. Mills returned early as the rear gunner was unconscious.
Sgt G. De Bussac and crew flying Wellington X HE-572 coded AL-K was fired upon by a Halifax, there was no damage. They landed at Coltishall on return.
Sgt S. Bruce landed at Stradishall on return.
Sgt J. Pendleton was hit by flak, not serious. They landed safely at Colerne.
F/Sgt R. Conroy landed at Manston on return.
F/O B. Rawson overshot the runway and crash-landed. The crew was not injured.
S/Ldr F. Holmes RAF and crew, flying Wellington III BK-162 coded AL-B, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt J. Morton from 431 Squadron returned early, as the compasses and rear turret were u/s.
Sgt P. Davis returned early as the engines were running poorly.
Sgt H. Sutterby RAF–POW and crew, flying Wellington X HE-379 coded SE-H, failed to return from this operation.