Daily Operations

August 12/13, 1943

47 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, and 434 Squadrons were ordered to attack Milan. The crews were over the target at between 17,000 and 21,000 feet, releasing 44,000 lbs of high explosives and 132,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, 4 major industrial complexes and the main railway station were damaged.

W/O2 J. Morrison from 419 Squadron returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Sgt S. Pekin landed at Dalton on return due to a fuel shortage.
F/Lt W. Keddie landed at Stradishall on return due to a fuel shortage.
Sgt J. McIntosh landed at Rufforth on return due to a fuel shortage.
F/Lt A. Quaile landed at Topcliffe on return due to a fuel shortage.
F/O J. Westland landed at Pocklington on return due to a fuel shortage.
Sgt F. Allan landed at Honeybourne on return due to fuel shortage.

F/O D. Arnot from 427 Squadron returned early as the airspeed indicator was u/s.
Sgt N. Fletcher landed at Middle Wallop on return due to a fuel shortage.
F/Sgt B. Buxton landed at Tangmere on return due to a fuel shortage.
Sgt F. Brady landed at Clifton on return due to a fuel shortage.
Sgt G. Wolton landed at Thorney Island on return due to a fuel shortage.
P/O W. Weston landed at Hartford Bridge on return due to a fuel shortage.
F/Sgt R. Countess flew on the Africa after bombing and returned home later.

Sgt W. Blackmore from 428 Squadron returned early as the engines were running poorly. They took evasive action when a 4 engine aircraft came up from behind. The stbd inner cut out and the Halifax went into a spiral dive. Control was recovered and they returned safely to base on 3 engines.
F/Lt A. Reilander landed at Syerston on return.
W/Cdr D. Smith landed at Shipdam on return due to a fuel shortage.
Sgt J. Harkins landed at Topcliffe on return due to a fuel shortage.
Sgt R. Borrowes landed at Leeming on return.
F/Sgt W. Armour landed at Greenham Common on return due to fuel shortages.

Sgt R. Harrison from 434 Squadron returned early as their overload fuel tank was u/s.
F/Lt W. Thomson landed at Ford on return due to a fuel shortage.
P/O S. Dunn landed at Sherburne on return due to a fuel shortage.
P/O G. Perks landed at West Malling on return due to a fuel shortage.
F/Sgt T. Thould landed at Middle Wallop on return.
Sgt H. Green landed at Great Ashford due to fuel shortage.

8 Wellingtons from 432 Squadron were ordered on a mining operation to Brest. The crews were over the garden at between 200 and 2,500 feet, sowing 12@1500 lb mines.

Sgt S. Atkinson returned early as they had engine problems.
Sgt R. Burgess returned early as the stbd engines was u/s. They landed safely at base on one engine.
P/O S. Noble RCAF and crew, flying Wellington X HE-348 coded QO-P, failed to return from this operation.