April 26/27 1943



    17 Halifaxes from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 74 Wellingtons from 420, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, and 431 Squadrons on an attack at Duisberg. The crews were over the target at between 14,000 and 19,000 feet, releasing 166,000 lbs of high explosives and 119,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, there was some damage but the main weight of the attack missed the target.

    F/O C. Stovel from 408 Squadron returned early, as the oxygen system was u/s.

    F/O C. MacIntosh from 419 Squadron returned early, as the guns were u/s.
    Sgt P. Johnson and crew flying Halifax II JB-859 coded VR-H were attacked by an unidentified twin engine aircraft, there was no claim or damage.

    P/O H. McCoy from 420 Squadron landed at Martlesham Heath on return.
    P/O G. McCullough landed at Coltishall on return.
    Sgt G. Hall and crew, flying Wellington X  HE-771 coded PT-F, was hit by flak, on return they crashed near Leiston.

      Sgt C. Alder RCAF
      Sgt J. Bishop RCAF
      Sgt G. Benford RCAF
      Sgt E. Shaul RCAF
      Sgt L. Annis RCAF
    One crewmember was killed, the remaining 5 were injured.

    F/Sgt E. Newburg RCAF and crew, flying Wellington X  HE-693 coded PT-W, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt F. Duffy RCAF
      Sgt R. Mucklow RCAF
      F/Sgt O. Glascock RCAF
      Sgt K. Cooke RAF
    All were killed after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    W/Cdr L. Crooks from 426 squadron, flying Wellington X  HE-867 coded OW-T, was attacked by an enemy aircraft. The rear turret, intercom, and hydraulics were damaged. The port tail plane was completely striped of fabric, port wing, aileron, engine, and bomb doors were also damaged. The crew struggled back to England where they bailed out near Stonegrove. 

      Sgt J. Thompson RAF
      P/O D. Simpson RAF
      P/O L. Power RAF
      F/Lt F. Marsh RAF
      Sgt G How RAF
    There were slight injuries to 2 crew members.

    Sgt K. Radcliffe from 428 squadron returned early as the radios were u/s.
    F/Sgt E. Hastie returned early was the port engine was u/s. They landed safely on one engine at Cleepthorpe.
    P/O J. Lauro and crew flying Wellington X HE-689 coded NA-X were attacked by an ME-109, there was no claim or damage.
    P/O P. Manning and crew flying Wellington X  LN-481 coded NA-N were attacked by an unidentified enemy aircraft, there was no claim or damage. 
    F/O G. Weeks was hit by flak, there were holes in the wings, fuselage and fuel tanks.
    Sgt J. Ferguson landed at Elsham Wolds on return.
    F/Sgt L. Coutts RCAF and crew, flying Wellington X  HZ-365 coded NA-U, failed to return from this operation.

      F/Sgt J. Smith RCAF
      Sgt P. Snow RAF–POW
      Sgt R. Stockton RAF
      W/O2 W. Hencke RCAF
    4 crew were killed and 1 POW.

    F/Sgt R. Conroy and crew from 429 Squadron flying Wellington X HE-593 coded AL-Z were attacked by an FW-190, there was no claim or damage.
    W/O2 S. Hanan RCAF and crew, flying Wellington X  HE-382 coded AL-Y, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt G. Thompson RAF
      Sgt M. Brown RAF
      W/O2 F. Purchase RCAF
      Sgt E. Litchfield RAF
      F/Sgt F. Lane RCAF
    All were killed.

    S/Ldr J. Cairns RAF–POW  and crew, flying Wellington X  HE-737 coded AL-B, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt K. Rabbit RAF
      F/O R. Larkins RAF
      F/Lt C. Awad RCAF
      F/Sgt R. Lang RAF–POW
      F/O S. Pozer RCAF–POW
    3 crew were killed and 3 POWs after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    Sgt A. Bryant from 431 squadron was fired upon by a Halifax, there was no damage.
    Sgt J. Reynoldson RCAF, flying Wellington X HE-476 coded SE-Z, crash landed at Barnby due to a fuel shortage. 

      Sgt L. Cudmore RCAF
      Sgt G. Crebbin RCAF
      Sgt G. Storey RAF
      Sgt L. Main RCAF
    There were no injuries to the crew.