August
31/September 1, 1943
48 Halifaxes from 419, 427,428 and 434
Squadrons
were joined by 11 Lancasters from 426 Squadron on an attack at Berlin.
The crews were over the target at between 17,000 and 23,000 feet,
releasing
88,000 lbs of high explosives and 115,000 lbs of incendiaries.
According
to reports, the target was cloud covered and bombing was scattered.
There
was many night fighters operating, most of the crews falling to their
guns.
F/O J. Westland from 419 Squadron was
attacked
by a JU-88, this was claimed destroyed.
F/O H. Brown had the stbd inner go u/s
over the
target. They returned safely to base on 3 engines.
F/O B. Betcher was attacked by an enemy
aircraft.
There were holes in the port rudder, wing, fuselage and stbd inner
engine.
They landed safely at base.
F/O B. Pringle landed at West Malling on
return.
F/O R. Stewart RCAF
and crew, flying Halifax II JD-464 coded VR-N, failed to return from
this
operation.
Sgt H. Tenny RAF–POW
P/O S. James RCAF–POW
F/Sgt V. Cleveland RCAF
Sgt A. Embley RAF–POW
Sgt L. Northcliffe RCAF–POW
F/Sgt D. Garland RCAF
3 were killed and 4 POWs after they were
shot down
by a Nightfighter.
F/Lt D. Corcoran RCAF–POW and crew,
flying Halifax
II JD-331 coded VR-K, failed to return from this operation.
Sgt D. Sweet RAF
W/O1 A. MacKenzie RCAF–POW
F/Sgt A. Harris RAF
W/O2 H. D’Apering RCAF
Sgt W. Greensides RCAF–POW
F/O D. Larlee RCAF–POW
3 were killed and 4 POWs after they were
shot down
by a Nightfighter.
W/O2 W. Cameron RCAF
and crew flying Halifax II JD-270 coded VR-P failed to return from this
operation.
F/Sgt J. Mullany RAF
F/Sgt G. Birtch RCAF
F/Sgt V. Wintzer RCAF
F/Sgt L. Duggan RAF–POW
F/Sgt B. Scharf RCAF–POW
F/Sgt R. Boos RCAF–POW
4 were killed and 3 POWs after they were
clipped
on the port wing by a single engine fighter and crashed southwest of
Madgeburg.
Sgt C. Griffiths from 426 Squadron
returned early
as the intercom was u/s.
P/O M. Shaw returned early as the
intercom was
u/s.
Sgt J. Coulombe returned early as the
compasses
were not working.
Sgt L. Archibald returned early as one
engine
was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/O L. McCaig returned early as they
could not
climb above 14,000 feet.
Sgt W. Griffin landed at West Malling on
return
due to a fuel shortage.
F/Lt A. Hughes landed at West Malling on
return
due to a fuel shortage.
F/O D. Mckay RCAF
and crew, flying Lancaster II DS-677 coded OW-W, failed to return from
this operation.
Sgt M. Lavoie RAF
F/Sgt A. Knuuttila RCAF
F/Sgt L. McBride RCAF
Sgt S. Harris RAF
Sgt N. Jewel RAF
W/O2 T. Martin RCAF
All were killed.
Sgt D. Welch from 427 Squadron
returned early
as the rear turret was u/s.
Sgt H. Holland returned early as the
oxygen system
was u/s.
P/O G. Vandekerckhove RCAF
and crew, flying Halifax V EB-251 coded ZL-T, failed to return from
this
operation.
F/Sgt C. Gofton RAF
Sgt E. Bartlett RAF
Sgt W. Williamson RCAF–POW
Sgt A. Rothwell RAF–POW
P/O A. Young RAF
F/Sgt J. Albert RCAF
W/O2 J. McLean RCAF
6 were killed and 2 POWs after being shot
down by
a Nightfighter.
P/O L. Williamson from 428 Squadron
returned early
as the overload fuel pump was u/s.
F/Sgt B. Harrison RCAF
and crew, flying Halifax V DK-249 coded NA-K, failed to return from
this
operation.
Sgt R. Williams RAF
W/O J. Prockter RAF
F/Sgt T. Green RCAF
F/Sgt R. Bradley RAF
Sgt W. Soulsby RAF
F/Sgt G. Feakes RCAF
All were killed.
F/Sgt J. Este RCAF
and crew, flying Halifax V DK-233 coded NA-X, failed to return from
this
operation.
Sgt H. Burdoff RAF–POW
Sgt M. MacAuley RCAF–POW
Sgt R. Dutka RCAF–POW
Sgt C. Haddon RAF–POW
Sgt E. Towle RCAF
Sgt R. Briggs-Jude RCAF
3 crew were killed and 4 were POWs after
they were
hit by flak and set on fire.
F/O F. Lord from 434 Squadron landed
at Barford
St. John on return.