February 17, 1945



    110 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 425, 426, 427, 429, and 432 Squadrons were ordered on an attack at Wesel. The crews were over the target at between 14,000 and 17,000 feet, releasing 12,000 lbs of high explosives. Bombing was halted after only a few crews bombed due to cloud over the target.

    No crews from 408 Squadron bombed the target, all returned safely to Winfield and Charterhall due to poor weather at base.

    F/O J. Hechter from 415 Squadron returned safely to Middleton St. George on return, they did not bomb the target.
    W/O1 A. McDiarmid, F/Lt O. Piper, F/Lt J. Northrup, F/Lt J. McQuiston, F/O D. Falconer, S/Ldr W. Brown, F/O S. Mooers, F/O L. Minkler, F/O A. Galley, F/O R. Evans, F/Lt T. Mears, F/Lt W. Goodwin, and F/O D. Stewart returned without bombing to Thornaby due to poor weather at base.

    Only one crew from 420 squadron bombed the target, all crews returned Winfield or East Fortune due to poor weather at base.
    F/O M. Stock RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III NR-126 coded PT-X, crashed on return at Shillmoor in the Cheviot Hills. 

      Sgt B. Crollie RAF
      F/O R. Trout RCAF
      F/O R. Floripe RCAF
      P/O T. O’Kane RCAF
      F/O D. Neil RCAF
      F/Sgt J. Beasom RCAF
    All were killed except the rear gunner.

    All aircraft from 425 Squadron did not bomb. 
    F/Lt R. Hemphill was hit by flak, not serious they landed at East Fortune due to poor weather at base.
    All other crews landed at Middleton St. George or East Fortune on return due to poor weather a base.

    Only F/O A. Davies from 426 Squadron bombed, all crews landed at Charter Hall or Winfield on return due to poor weather at base.

    All crews from 427 Squadron returned safely to Middleton St. George without bombing.

    All crews from 429 Squadron returned safely to Middleton St. George without bombing.

    F/O A. Potter, F/O C. Hemming, F/Lt W. Mennie, P/O R. Proud, P/O J. Kinniburgh, P/O S. Allen, F/O J. Paul, F/O N. Patterson, F/Lt J. Wallace and F/Lt A. Bews from 432 Squadron returned safely to East Fortune without bombing due to poor weather at base.