23 Lancasters from 408 and 426 squadrons were joined by 114 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, 429, 431, 432, and 433 squadrons on an attack at Dusseldorf. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 22,000 feet, releasing 284,000 lbs of high explosives and 469,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused. F/O D. Snider from 408 squadron returned early as the stbd
inner was
u/s. They landed safely at base.
F/Sgt R. McKay from 420 squadron blew a tire on take off.
They returned
safely to base.
F/O J. Lambert from 424 squadron returned early as they
could not climb.
F/Sgt J. Laird RCAF P/O F. Cammaart RCAF Sgt L. Hanson RAF P/O J. Renning RCAF Sgt F. Morrisey RCAF–POW
F/O B. Wilmot from 425 squadron had the stbd outer u/s
before the target.
The bombed and returned safely to base on 3 engines.
F/O E. Fortin RCAF W/O2 J. Davidson RCAF–POW F/O J. Desrosiers RCAF–POW P/O J. Legault RCAF P/O J. Hurteau RCAF P/O J. Coulombe from 426 squadron was attacked 4 times by enemy aircraft before the target. The stbd fuel tank was damaged. P/O L. Murphy from 427 squadron returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines. F/Lt J. Atkins from 429 squadron was attacked by an enemy
aircraft,
the fin, rudders, elevator and wing were damaged.
P/O A. Achtymichuk RCAF F/O R. Low RCAF–POW M/Sgt A. Kempton USAAF–POW Sgt W. Miller RCAF–POW P/O P. Crosswell RCAF F/O E. Howland USAAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax III LV-963 coded AL-V, failed to return from this operation.
Sgt E. Goss RAF W/O2 H. Findlater RCAF–POW P/O H. Doiron RCAF W/O2 R. Chamberlain RCAF–POW F/Sgt J. Young RCAF P/O W. Adlard RCAF W/O2 J. Gustafson from 431 squadron returned early as the
port inner
was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/O P. MacGregor RCAF P/O N. Lynch RCAF P/O F. Hatchman RCAF P/O R. Lochhead RCAF Sgt A. Howcroft RAF P/O J. Priamo RCAF F/Sgt H. Menzies from 432 squadron was hit by flak, the bomb
doors were
damaged.
F/O W. Canter RCAF–POW and crew, from 433 squadron flying Halifax III HX-291, coded BM-W failed to return from this operation.
F/O A. Morris RCAF–POW P/O H. Boissevain RCAF F/O P. Schnobb RCAF–Evd P/O H. Seedhouse RCAF F/Sgt A. Camenzuli RCAF–POW P/O J. Bourgeault RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LV-840 coded BM-E, failed to return from this operation.
W/O2 W. Dennstedt RCAF–Evd F/O J. Guignion RCAF–POW W/O2 T. Miller RCAF–POW Sgt J. Plante RCAF–POW Sgt J. Laframboise RCAF–POW F/O G. Burns RCAF and crew flying Halifax III LV-990 coded BM-J failed to return from this operation.
Sgt J. Dunford RAF P/O D. MacDougall RCAF Sgt T. Morris RAF–POW P/O A. Holmes RCAF P/O J. Desroches RCAF While most of the group went to Dusseldorf, 40 Halifaxes from 419, 428, and 434 squadrons were ordered to attack the rail yards at Laon. The crews were over the target at between 6,000 and 8,000 feet, releasing 378,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused. F/Lt C. Thomas USAAF–Evd and Crew from 419 squadron, flying Halifax II HX-189 coded VR-J, failed to return from this operation.
F/Sgt P. Lindsay RCAF–Evd P/O J. Neal RCAF–Evd *(See Note Below) W/O1 P. Murphy RCAF–POW Sgt W. Greene RAF–Evd P/O V. Knox RCAF F/O G. Maffre from 434 squadron returned early was the stbd
outer was
u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
*P/O J. Neal has written a book about his time with the RCAF. Coupled with his life in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, is his time as a Caterpillar and as an Evader. Not only do you meet the many friends and family who saw him on his way, but you will meet the people who saw to his safety and his return home. A truly fascinating story of courage, fear, fun, action, and a whole lot of luck. Copies of the book can be obtained from the author, John A.
Neal, c/o
Suite 321, #3 Sunmills Green S.E., Calgary, Alberta T2X 3N9, Canada.
E-Mail
address is nealja@home.com. Cost is $16.75 per copy, plus
shipping & handling. @ $2.50 each. Make cheques payable to
the
author. Description: 6" x 9" hardbound, 72 pages.
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