6 Group Crest
    January 21/22, 1943

    Fifteen Halifaxes from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 27 Wellingtons from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427 and 429 Squadrons on a mining operation to the Frisian islands. The crews were over the garden at between 400 and 1,000 feet sowing 76@1500 lb mines.

    Five crews from 408 Squadron departed base at between 17:00 and 17:06, they were over the garden at between 18:42 and 19:25, returning to base at between 21:03 and 22:32.

    F/Sgt J. Harty and crew, flying Halifax II  DT-674 coded EQ-A, were hit by flak in the wings, the damage was not serious.

    Sgt E. Sirett and crew, flying Halifax II  HR-656 coded EQ-S, had the port inner quit on the return flight and over base lost the starboard inner due to oil leaks. A good landing was made on 2 engines.

    Ten crews from 419 Squadron departed base at between 16:47 and 16:56, they were over the garden at between 19:00 and 19:25, returning to base at between 21:05 and 22:19.  

    F/Sgt R. Goddard and crew flying Halifax II  DT-629 coded VR-V  returned early at 20:28 as the radio, gee box and front turret were u/s.

    Three crews from 420 Squadron departed base at between 17:08 and 17:10, they were over the garden at between 19:04 and 19:21, returning to base at between 21:51 and 22:24.

    F/Sgt S. Gergly RCAF and crew from 420 Squadron, flying Wellington III  BJ-966 coded PT-R, failed to return. 

      F/O E. Kendel RCAF 2nd Pilot
      F/Sgt R. Welsh RCAF Navigator
      W/O2 C. Hollingshead RCAF Bomb Aimer
      Sgt A. Olson RCAF Wireless Op
      Sgt C. Dunphy RCAF Rear gunner
    They were lost without a trace.

    Six crews from 424 Squadron departed base at between 17:00 and 17:04, they were over the garden at Nectarines II at between 18:45 and 19:28, returning to base at between 21:17 and 22:40.   

    P/O L. Brown and crew flying Wellington III  X-3789 coded QB-N  were attacked twice by enemy fighters and once by a flak ship. The crew evaded and returned safely to base.

    Three crews from 425 Squadron departed base at between 16:55 and 16:56, returning at between 20:57 and 22:12.

    Eight crews from 426 Squadron departed base at between 16:48 and 16:54, they were over the garden at between 18:51 and 19:17, returning at between 21:32 and 23:46. 

    Sgt G. Baker and crew, flying Wellington III  Z-1599 coded OW-M, were hit by flak. There wre many holes in the fuselage and rear turret. Hydraulics were also u/s, but the crew returned safely to base.

    Sgt G. McMenemy and crew, flying Wellington III  BJ-762 coded OW-O, had the starboard undercarriage fold on landing. The aircraft was severely damaged but the crew was unhurt.

    S/Ldr L. Crooks and crew, flying Wellington III  X-3699 coded OW-Q,  landed safely at Topcliffe on return.

    Five crews from 427 Squadron departed base at between 17:10 and 17:04, returning 22:14 and 22:39.

    Sgt G. Vandekerchkove and crew, flying Wellington III  BK-268 coded ZL-C,  returned at 00:07 without dropping their mines, as they could not find the pinpoint.

    F/Lt D. Shead RAF and crew, flying  Wellington III X-3873  coded ZL-R, failed to return.

      P/O G. Hoyt RCAF Naivgator
      P/O M. Patrick RCAF Bomb Aimer
      P/O W. Oram RAF Wireless Op
      Sgt J. Sparling RCAF Rear Gunner
    They were lost without a trace.

    Three crews from 429 Squadron departed base at between 16:55 and 16:58, they were over the garden at 19:53, returning to base at 20:57. 

    Sgt S. Hanan and crew, flying Wellington III  BK-499 coded AL-J,  returned without mining at 21:11 as they were attacked by a flak ship before getting to the mining area and then could not find the pin point.

    F/O I. Johnson RNZAF and crew, flying Wellington III  BK-432 coded AL-S,  failed to return.

      Sgt C. Risingham RAF Navigator
      P/O I. Stirton RAF Bomb Aimer
      Sgt A. Dymick RAF Wireless Op
      Sgt J. Stuart RAF Rear Gunner
    They were hit by flak and crashed into the sea, there were no survivors.