April 24/25, 1944

    21 Lancasters from 408 and 426 squadrons were joined by 116 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, 429, 431, 432, and 433 Squadrons on an attack at Karlsruhe. The crews were over the target at between 15,000 and 23,000 feet, releasing 248,000 lbs of high explosives and 401,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and bombing was scattered.
    All crews commented on the severe icing to this target.

    F/O S. Frankling from 408 squadron returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    F/Sgt J. McCaffrey landed at Tuddenham on return.

    F/Sgt G. Pritchard from 420 squadron returned early as the stbd outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    P/O G. Wass returned early as the navigation aids and mid upper turret were u/s.
    9 crews landed at Chedburgh, East Moor, Croft and Linton on Ouse on return.
    F/O D. Watterson RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III MZ-503 coded PT-L, failed to return from this operation.

      P/O A. Hansford RAF
      W/O2 E. Webb RCAF
      F/O A. Redmonds RCAF
      F/O W. Murphy RCAF
      Sgt G. Tanner RCAF–POW
      Sgt B. Cassidy RCAF–POW
    5 crew were killed and 2 POWs.

    F/O F. Hamilton from 424 Squadron returned early with a technical problem.
    F/O P. Hamilton returned early as the oxygen system was u/s.
    F/O W. Hugli RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III HX-318 coded QB-O, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt W. Docherty RAF
      F/O G. Coleman RCAF–POW
      F/Sgt H. May RCAF–POW
      Sgt G. Pound RAF
      P/O G. Mayor RCAF
      F/O R. Chapman RCAF
    5 crew were killed and 2 POWs after being hit by flak and blowing up.

    F/O D. Crosbie RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LV-962 coded QB-X, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt C. Phyall RAF–POW
      F/Sgt P. Moloney RCAF
      F/O J. Tinline RCAF
      W/O2 R. Brown RCAF–POW
      P/O Z. Trudeau RCAF
      P/O L. Boudreau RCAF
    5 crew were killed and 2 POWs.

    Sgt V. Lacaille from 425 Squadron was attacked by a JU-88, it was claimed destroyed after the gunner fired 250 rounds.
    P/O C. Jones had the port outer u/s on return. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    F/Sgt J. Irvine had the under carriage fold on landing, the crew was not injured.
    7 crews landed at East Moor, Wombleton, Linton on Ouse and Stradishall on return.
    F/O J. L’Abbe RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax III LW-591 coded KW-T, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt A. Best RAF–Evd
      F/O T. Gravel RCAF–POW
      Sgt W. Whalen RCAF–Evd
      W/O1 H. Dube RCAF
      Sgt J. Michaud RCAF–Evd
      Sgt H. Girard RCAF–POW
    4 crew evaded capture and 3 were POWs. W/O1 H. Dube evaded and was murdered on August 8,1944.

    P/O J. Wells RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax MZ-573 coded KW-G, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt J. Railton RAF–POW
      F/Sgt H. Mooney RCAF–POW
      F/Lt C. Maddin RCAF–POW
      Sgt W. Walker RAF–POW
      P/O S. Hunt RCAF–POW
      Sgt P. Draper RCAF–Evd
      P/O G. Boucher RCAF
    6 crew were POWs, 1 evaded capture and 1 was killed after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    F/O G. Weldon from 427 Squadron returned early as they were late getting away.
    W/O2 D. Foster had the port outer u/s on return over the Channel. The landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    W/O2 A. King landed at Stradishall on return.
    P/O H. Purvis RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax III LV-968 coded ZL-L, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt H. Carpenter RAF–POW
      Sgt M. Beach RCAF–POW
      F/O J. MacLeod RCAF–POW
      F/Sgt W. Crowe RCAF–POW
      Sgt M. Hicks RAF
      P/O W. Draganiuk RCAF
    5 crew were POWs and 2 were killed after the controls iced up and they bailed out.

    F/Lt N. Anderson from 429 squadron was hit by flak, the stbd outer was u/s, mid upper turret and the hydraulics were damaged. The pilot was also wounded in the face. They landed safely at Woodbridge on return.

    F/O G. Philbin from 431 Squadron returned early as W/O B. Clarke RAF, the rear gunner was sick.

    F/Sgt G. Millar from 432 Squadron returned early was the hydraulics were u/s.
    F/Sgt S. Kuleski landed at Swinderby on return.
    F/Lt C. Barrett was hit by flak, the port inner was damaged. They landed safely at Manston due to a fuel shortage.

    F/Lt D. Brown from 433 Squadron was hit by flak, not serious.
    P/O J. James was involved in a collision over the target, the stbd elevator and rudder were damaged.
     
     

    18 Halifaxes from 419, 428 and 434 Squadrons were ordered on a mining operation to St. Malo, Cherbourg and the Frisian Islands. The crews were over the garden at between 10,000 and 12,000 feet, sowing 36@1500 lb mines.

    P/O J. Sinclair from 428 Squadron was hit by flak, there were holes in the stbd wing.
     
     


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