April 4/5, 1945



    90 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 425, 426, and 432 Squadrons were ordered on an attack on the Rhenania oil facilities at Harburg. The crews were over the target at between 16,500 and 19,000 feet, releasing 712,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused.

    P/O A. Brown RCAF–POW and crew from 408 Squadron, flying Halifax VII NP-712 coded EQ-N, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt R. Hind RAF–POW
      F/O W. Burnett RCAF–POW
      P/O T. King RCAF–POW
      F/Sgt J. Bennett RCAF–POW
      P/O F. Trow RCAF–POW
      F/Sgt K. Finn RCAF–POW
    All were POWs after losing the port outer over the target. On the return flight all engines quit and the bomb aimer, wireless operator, and rear gunner bailed out over the sea. The Halifax crashed 20 miles north of Meppen. 

    F/O N. Toderan and crew from 420 Squadron flying Halifax III NR-227 coded PT-V were attacked by an unidentified enemy aircraft, there was no claims or damages.
    P/O E. Trudell and F/O N. Toderan from 420 Squadron were attacked by enemy aircraft, there was no claims or damages.

    F/O J. Violette from 425 Squadron was hit by flak, not serious.

    F/O A. Smith from 432 Squadron returned early as the hydraulics were u/s.
    F/O R. Ritchie and crew flying Halifax VII NP-805 coded QO-J were attacked by an ME-163, it was seen to explode and claimed destroyed.
     

    While the Halifaxes went to Harburg, 93 Lancasters from 419, 424, 427, 428, 429, 431, 433, and 434 Squadrons were ordered to attack the Leuna synthetic oil plant at Merseburg. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 20,500 feet, releasing 568,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and the attack was scattered.

    F/O J. Horner from 419 Squadron landed at Odiham on return.

    F/Lt J. Matheson from 424 Squadron landed at Silverstone on return due to severe icing.
    F/Lt E. Skene had one engine go u/s over the target, they returned safely to base on 3 engines.
    F/O J. Watson RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster I RF-150 coded QB-W, crashed near High Wycombe on return.

      P/O E. Ashdown RCAF
      F/O J. Rochford RCAF
      P/O C. Armstrong RCAF
       P/O S. Thomson RCAF
      P/O S. Robinson RCAF
      P/O C. Howes RCAF
    All were killed after they flew into a hill in bad weather.

    P/O E. Lewis from 428 Squadron did not bomb as no T.I.s were seen.
    F/Lt W. Ross and crew flying Lancaster X KB-882 coded NA-R were attacked by an ME-410, there was no claim or damage.

    F/O J. Martin from 429 Squadron was hit by flak, there were holes in the stbd wing and aileron. They landed at Northholt on return.
    F/O C. Andahl and crew flying Lancaster I PD-209 coded AL-K was hit by flak, not serious. They were also attacked by 2 unidentified twin engine aircraft, there were no claims or damage.

    F/O R. Christenson from 433 Squadron did not bomb as the load hung up over the target.
     
     

    15 Lancasters from 424, 427, 429, and 433 Squadrons were ordered an a mining operation to Oslo. The crews were over the garden at 10,000 feet, sowing 84@1500 lb mines.

    F/Lt J. Storms and S/Ldr C. Collins from 427 Squadron were hit by flak, not serious.

    F/Lt K. Powell from 429 Squadron returned early as their navigation aids were u/s.
     
     


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