February 2/3 1945
       
    109 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 425, 426, 427, 429, and 432 squadrons were ordered on an attack at Wanne-Eickel. The crews were over the target between 17,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 675,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and bombing missed the oil refinery. There was, however some damage to a coal mine.

    F/O J. Baird RCAF and crew, flying Halifax VIII serial NP-757 coded EQ-B, from 408 squadron had the stbd outer go u/s outbound at 17,000 feet. They could not maintain height so the engine was restarted. The engine had to be shut down again and this time it could not be feathered and caught fire. The crew bailed out safely and the Halifax crashed at North Whitham airfield with a full bomb load.

      Sgt P. O’Connell RAF
      F/O J. Black RCAF
      F/O E. Kapanauik RCAF
      W/O2 W. Hudson RCAF
      F/Sgt R. Hughes RCAF
      F/Sgt W. Baty RCAF


    W/O1 A. McDiarmid from 415 squadron was hit by flak, there were holes throughout the fuselage.
    W/O1 J. McKenzie was hit by flak, there were holes in the port wing and mid-upper turret. The mid-upper gunner was also injured. They were also attacked 5 times by enemy aircraft. An FW-190, an ME-210, two JU-88's, and an unidentified twin engine fighter made passes. There was no claim or damage from these attacks. The crew was able to safely landed at Woodbridge on return.

    P/O J. Menary from 420 squadron landed at Manston on return.

    F/O J. Desbeins from 425 squadron returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    F/O G. Perrier returned early as the intercom was u/s.
    P/O M. Anderson returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at Ford on 3 engines.
    F/O J. MacHale was hit by flak, not serious. They landed at Mildenhall on return.

    F/O D.Weicker from 426 squadron returned early as the rear turret was u/s.
    P/O J. Whipple returned early as the navigation aids were u/s.
    F/O J. Talocka RCAF and crew, flying Halifax VII serial NP-819 coded OW-B, was hit by flak, the stbd aileron was damaged and there were holes in the wings and fuselage. On return they orbited Manston twice as the lights were not on. On the last orbit they hit the slipstream of another returning aircraft. Their Halifax went into a steep bank, the controls locked over and they crashed from 500 feet. W/O2 S. McAllister, the wireless operator, was able to bail out before they crashed to the ground. Sadly the rest of the crew were killed in the crash.

      Sgt G. Needham RAF
      F/O J. Styles RCAF
      F/O S. Arlotte RCAF
      W/O2 S. McAllister RCAF
      F/Sgt J. Chisamore RCAF
      F/Sgt A. Bradley RCAF


    F/Lt A. Lock from 427 squadron swung on takeoff. The Halifax was slightly damaged and the crew were unhurt.
    F/O R. Wall returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.

    F/Lt K. Powell from 429 squadron was hit by flak, not serious.

    P/O R. Proud from 432 squadron was hit by flak, there were holes in the stbd wing and fuselage.
    F/Lt G. Thomson RCAF and crew, flying Halifax VII serial NP-704 coded QO-L, failed to return from this operation.

      P/O R. Silver RCAF
      F/O H. Bloch RCAF
      F/O J. Robinson RCAF
      W/O2 A. Jones RCAF
      Sgt R. Vallier RCAF
      P/O W. Haryett RCAF
    All were killed.
     

    While the Halifaxes from 6 group attacked Wanne-Eickel, 65 Lancasters from 419, 424, 428, 431, 433, and 434 squadrons were ordered on an attack at Weisbaden. The crews were over the target at between 12,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 368,000 lbs of incendiaries and 248,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing took place through heavy cloud with serious damage being done.

    F/Lt J. Barlow from 419 squadron was attacked by a JU-88, there was no claim or damage.
    P/O B. Martin RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster X KB-750 coded VR-N, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt J. McAfee RAF
      F/O R. Hogdson RCAF
      F/O J. McDonald RCAF
      F/Sgt P. English RCAF
      F/Sgt R. Nisbet RCAF
      F/Sgt W. McTaggart RCAF–POW
    6 crew were killed and 1 POW after being shot down by flak on the homeward flight.

    F/O J. Fache from 424 squadron returned early due to severe icing. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.

    F/Lt V Gaskin RCAF and crew from 428 Squadron, flying Lancaster KB-725 coded NA-L, had the port outer go u/s after takeoff, the both inner engines were running poorly. The flaps were u/s and they overshot the base on a landing attempt. The crew was ordered to the crash positions. They crash-landed at Sandy Tees. The 2 gunners were killed and Flt engineer was seriously injured. The rest of the crew were ok.

      P/O R. Playter RCAF
      P/O J. Keating RCAF


    F/Lt D. Berry RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster X KB-792 coded NA-I, failed to return from this operation.

      P/O J. Harris RAF
      F/Lt C. Ordin RCAF
      P/O F. Hogan RCAF
      F/O C. Walford RCAF
      P/O K. Hammond RCAF
      P/O C. Roche RCAF–POW
    6 crew were killed and 1 POW after exploding over the target area.

    F/Lt S. Sorenson from 431 squadron returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.