August 7/8, 1944


    182 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 squadrons were joined by 40 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 squadrons on an attack of German positions around Caen. The crews were over the target at between 8,000 and 10,000 feet, releasing 1,457,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, roads and the strong points were well cratered. 

    F/O H. Minhinnick and crew from 408 Squadron, flying Lancaster II LL-722 coded EQ-N, was attacked by a JU-88, there was no claim or damage. They returned early with an electrical problem. They landed at Castle Donnington.
    F/Lt H. Chekaluck and crew, flying Lancaster II DS-838 coded EQ-A, was attacked 8 times by a unidentified single engine aircraft and a JU-88, there was no claim or damage.
    F/O W. Shields and crew, flying Lancaster II DS-841 coded EQ-Q, was attacked by an ME-109, there was no claim or damage. They landed at Castle Donnington on return.
    F/O H. Jones RCAF and crew, flying Halifax VII NP-713 coded EQ-X, returned without bombing on the master bomber's orders. On landing at East Moor loaded, they ran off the runway and tore off the landing gear, writing off the Halifax.  

      Sgt W. Wilkins RAF
      F/O E. Oldershaw RCAF
      W/O2 J. Brochu RCAF
      F/Sgt D. Howard RCAF
      Sgt R. Sharpe RCAF
      Sgt H. Syer RCAF
    The crew was not injured. 
    W/Cdr H. Ledoux, P/O V. Gilson, P/O G. Harpwood, and P/O T. Barber returned without bombing on the master bomber's orders. They landed at Mepal on return.
    P/O E. Vaughan, W/O2 R. Harlow, and W/O2 W. Cooke landed at Wymeswold on return.
    W/Cdr R. McLernon landed at Oakley on return.
    P/O J. Faulder and P/O C. Reid landed at Castle Donnington on return.

    Only 2 crews bombed from 415 squadron, all others returned on master bomber’s orders. 
    F/Lt H. Barnes RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LW-686 coded 6U-H, over shot the runway at East Moor loaded and wrote off their Halifax, the crew was not injured. 

    F/O B. Walker RCAF and crew from 419 squadron, flying Lancaster X KB-755 coded VR-F, failed to return from this operation. 

      Sgt B. Jones RAF
      P/O J. Durrant RCAF
      F/O P. Merrick RCAF
      W/O1 J. Schryer RCAF
      F/Sgt W. Longmore RCAF
      F/Lt M. Wilson RCAF
    All were killed. 

    All crews from 420 Squadron did not bomb on the master bombers orders.
    P/O E. Johnson, P/O G. Pritchard, F/Sgt J. Tease, P/O J. Ward, F/O K. Kidd, F/O R. Gallen, F/Lt H. Damgaard, P/O J. Sled, F/O C. Bennett, P/O F. Beairsto, P/O A. Caine, P/O W. Campbell, P/O H. Foy, F/O G. Heron, F/O W. English, S/Ldr F. Kruger, F/Lt J. Walker, and F/Lt V. Motherwell landed at Tilstock on return. 
    P/O W. Fenton landed at Wellesbourne Mountford on return.
    W/O2 W. McAdam RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III NA-580 coded PT-K, overshot the landing at Tangmere severely damaging their Halifax. The crew was unhurt. 

    7 crews from 424 squadron did not bomb on the master bomber’s orders. 

    F/O H. Gregson from 425 squadron returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines. 
    All other crews did not bomb on the master bomber’s orders. 

    10 crews from 426 squadron returned without bombing on the master bomber’s orders. 

    All crews from 427 squadron landed away on return due to poor weather at base. 

    P/O K. Hawthorn and crew from 428 Squadron, flying Lancaster X KB-751 coded NA-Q, was attacked by an ME-110, there was no claim but the H2S perspex was shattered.
    F/O J. McGregor and crew, flying Lancaster X KB-758 coded NA-Z, was attacked by an ME-109 and an ME-110, there was no claim but they collected an few cannon holes.
    F/O W. Janney and crew, flying Lancaster X KB-780 coded NA-T, was attacked by a FW-190 and a JU-88. The FW-190 was shot down in flames into the sea.

    P/O J. Barlow and P/O J. Wood from 429 squadron returned without bombing on the master bomber’s orders. All crews landed away due to poor weather at base. 

    P/O J. Gault from 432 Squadron returned early as the rear turret was u/s.
    P/O R. Anthony, P/O J. Patterson, F/O A. Craig, S/Ldr A. Lowe, F/O F. Jeffery, F/Sgt N. Franko, P/O H. Britton, P/O D. Frost, F/O D. Best, F/Sgt R. Campbell, F/O R. Lawrenson, P/O R. Diamond, F/O V. Smith, F/O G. Stunden, F/O V. Johnston, and P/O J. Gallagher returned without bombing on the master bombers orders. They all landed at High Ercall on return.

    F/O P. Holmes, P/O H. Solomos, P/O R. Forbes, and W/O2 W. Parker from 433 Squadron returned without bombing on the master bombers orders. They landed at Colerne on return.
    W/Cdr A. Lewington returned without bombing and landed at Peplow.
    F/O D. McGrath landed at Taten Hill on return.
    P/O H. McVeigh landed at Downham Market on return.
    F/O J. Howes, F/O J. Beveridge, Sgt J. Savard, and F/O W. Pierce landed at Colerne on return.

    F/O K. McGrath from 434 squadron returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines. 
     

    While most crews went to the Caen area, 6 Halifaxes from 433 squadron were ordered on a mining operation to Lorient and St. Nazaire. The crews were over the garden at 15,000 feet, sowing 18@1500 lb mines. 

    F/O W. Novick, F/O G. O’Grady, F/O J. Hartley, F/O T. Kelly, F/O J. Burch, and F/O J. Nixon landed at Colerne on return.