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.