August 12/13, 1944



    36 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 424, 425, 426, 432, and 433 Squadrons were joined by 12 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 Squadrons on an attack of enemy troop positions at Falaise. The crews were over the target at between 7,000 and 8,000 feet, releasing 392,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, this attack was effective.

    F/O T. Barber from 408 Squadron returned early as they could not retract the under carriage.

    F/O H. Foy from 420 Squadron returned early as both outer engines were u/s. They landed safely at Ford on 2 engines.

    W/O2 W. Tynan from 428 Squadron did not bomb as the load hung up.
    F/O R. Dench and crew, flying Lancaster X KB-764 coded NA-B, was attacked by a JU-88, there were cannon holes in the fuselage, rudder and the rear turret was u/s. There was no claim.

    F/O F. Jeffery from 432 Squadron returned early as they were unable to retract the under carriage.
     
     

    While some crews attacked Falaise, 48 Halifaxes from 415, 424, 427, 429, 431, 432, and 434 Squadrons were joined by 21 Lancasters from 419 and 428 Squadrons on an attack at Brunswick. The crews were over the target at between 19,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 379,000 lbs of high explosives and 120,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, this attack was not marked by pathfinders and was scattered.

    S/Ldr B. Wilmot and crew from 415 Squadron, flying Halifax VII NP-720 coded QO-A, borrowed from 432 Squadron was attacked by an ME-110 and a JU-88, there were holes in the wings and fuselage. The ME-110 was also claimed damaged.

    F/O J. Errington from 419 Squadron returned early with an electrical problem. All the engines were cutting in and out.

    F/O W. Palidwar from 424 Squadron returned early as the port inner caught fire. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    F/O J. Dundas was hit by flak, not serious.
    F/O J. Keys and crew, flying Halifax III MZ-802 coded QB-G, was attacked by an ME-210, an ME-109 and an unidentified enemy aircraft.. The ME-210 and ME-109 were shot down and claimed destroyed.
    F/O G. Campbell RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax III LV-951 coded QB-A, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt E. Harvey RCAF–POW
      F/O W. Barrett RCAF–POW
      F/O W. Cram RCAF–POW
      Sgt L. Maki RCAF–POW
      Sgt W. Harris RAF
      Sgt R. Austin RCAF–POW
    6 crew were POWs and 1 killed after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    F/Lt L. Van Kleeck and crew from 427 Squadron, flying Halifax III MZ-355 coded ZL-W, was attacked by an ME-210 and an ME-109, the ME-210 was claimed destroyed.
    F/O R. Penrose and crew, flying Halifax III LW-130 coded ZL-L, was attacked by an unidentified enemy aircraft and an ME-210, the ME-210 was set on fire and crashed to the ground, it was claimed destroyed.
    P/O A. MacLennen and crew, flying Halifax III MZ-755 coded ZL-R, was attacked by a JU-88, there was no claim but there starboard inner propellor was damaged. 
    F/Lt P. Cronyn RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LV-821 coded ZL-N, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt S. Corran RAF
      F/O J. Murray RCAF
      F/O J. Bilbie RCAF
      F/O R. Burns RCAF
      P/O A. Dickinson RCAF
      P/O H. Davey RCAF
    All were killed.

    F/O L. Plunkett from 428 Squadron returned early as F/Sgt D. Sinclair, the rear gunner, was sick.
    F/O A. Carter and crew, flying Lancaster X KB-739 coded NA-W, was attacked by a JU-88 and hit by flak. Damage was not serious and there was no claim.
    F/O J. McGregor RCAF–POW and crew, flying Lancaster X KB-758 coded NA-Z, failed to return from this operation.

      P/O W. Hardwick RAF
      F/O C. Greer RCAF–POW
      F/O J. Spaggett RCAF
      P/O H. Murphy RCAF
      F/Sgt P. Crowley RCAF
      F/Sgt M. Sawry RCAF
    5 crew were killed and 2 POWs after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    F/Lt A. Childs from 429 Squadron returned early as they were too late getting away.
    F/O M. Sloski and crew, flying Halifax III MZ-357 coded AL-N, was attacked by an ME-410, it was claimed probably destroyed.
    F/O D. Depew RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III MZ-825 coded AL-E, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt E. Newton RAF
      F/O K. Brayne RCAF
      F/O S. Vasiloff RCAF
      P/O C. Dempster RCAF
      P/O V. Compton RCAF
      P/O J. Walker RAF
    All were killed after being shot down by flak.

    F/O D. Best and crew from 432 Squadron, flying Halifax III NP-703 coded QO-H, was attacked by an ME-110, they were hit in the nose. The ME-110 was also claimed damaged.

    F/Lt B. Imrie and crew from 434 Squadron, flying Halifax III MZ-852 coded WL-P, was attacked by a unidentified twin engine enemy aircraft, it was claimed destroyed.
    F/O D. McIntyre RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax III LW-175 coded WL-Q, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt R. Giblett RAF–POW
      F/O E. Jolley RCAF
      F/O F. Wilson RCAF–POW
      F/O R. Chalk RCAF–POW
      Sgt I. Wall RCAF–POW
      Sgt K. Lowe RCAF–POW
    6 crew were POWs and 1 was killed after being shot down by a Nightfighter.
     
     

    40 Halifaxes from 427, 429, 431, and 434 Squadrons were ordered on attacks of 2 V-1 sites at La Breteque and La Neuville. The crews were over the targets at between 9,000 and 10,000 feet, releasing 316,000 lbs of high explosives. 

    F/Lt W. Scott from 427 Squadron returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.

    F/O L. Dimarco and crew from 429 Squadron, flying Halifax III MZ-865 coded AL-V, was attacked by an FW-190, there was no claim or damage.

    F/O D. Borland from 431 Squadron did not bomb as the load hung up.
     
     

    While the above attacks were taking place, 4 Halifaxes from 424 and 433 Squadrons were ordered on a mining operation to Brest. The crews were over the garden at 13,000 feet, sowing 16@1500 lb mines.

    All crews returned safely to base.