25 Lancasters from 408 and 426 squadrons were joined by 40 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, and 433 squadrons on an attack at Stuttgart. The crews were over the target at between 19,000 to 24,000 feet, releasing 100,000 lbs of high explosives and 201,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and the attack was scattered. There was some severe damage to a Bosch factory that made important parts for the German war effort.
F/O E. Franklin from 408 squadron was hit by flak, there were holes in the stbd wing.
F/Sgt. R. McKay from 420 squadron returned early as the oxygen system was u/s.
F/Sgt. H. Kirkby from 424squadron returned early as the oxygen system
was u/s.
W/O2 N. Jones from 425 squadron returned early as the stbd outer was
u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Sgt. W. McDougall, RCAF–POW F/Sgt. E. Powell, RCAF–Evd W/O2 N.Redman, RCAF–POW Sgt. G. Gibson, RCAF–POW Sgt. H. Gammon, RCAF–Evd
F/Sgt. C. Fisher from 427 squadron returned early as the generators
were u/s.
F/O W. Hegy, RCAF P/O R. Moody, RCAF Sgt. G. Jones, RAF Sgt. A. Fitton, RAF Sgt. F. Harris, RAF
P/O D. Brown from 433 squadron returned early as the oxygen system was
u/s.
While some of the crews were going to Stuttgart, 8 Halifaxes from 429 squadron made a tactical diversion over the North Sea in hopes of drawing the Nightfighters away from the true target. It seemed to have worked because few crews engaged enemy aircraft.
All the 429 crews returned safely to base.
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