Daily Operations

January 20/21, 1944

47 Lancasters from 408, 426, and 432 squadrons were joined by 99 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431, 433, and 434 squadrons on an attack at Berlin. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 23,000 feet, releasing 342,000 lbs of high explosives and 491,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and bombing was scattered.

P/O R. Lloyd from 408 Squadron returned early as the generators were u/s.
F/O W. Stewart and crew, flying Lancaster II DS-726 coded EQ-Y, were attacked by an FW-190, there was no claim or damage.
Sgt F. Smitton and crew, flying Lancaster II DS-761 coded EQ-V, were attacked by an FW-190, there was no claim or damage.

F/Sgt J. Quinn from 419 squadron returned early as the port inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
W/Cdr W. Pleasance had the port inner go u/s on return. They landed safely on 3 engines at Woodbridge on fumes.
F/Sgt I. Hopkins RCAF–POW and crew flying, Halifax II DT-731 coded VR-M, failed to return from this operation.

P/O H. Bullis RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax II HX-162 coded VR-X, failed to return from this operation.

P/O A. Olsson from 426 squadron returned early, as the oxygen system was u/s.
F/O B. Patterson was hit by incendiaries over the target. They lost 3,500 feet putting out the fire.
1st/Lt J. Smith was hit by flak, the mid upper turret was damaged.
F/Lt M. Wilson and crew, flying Lancaster II LL-721 coded OW-U, were attacked by an unidentified twin engine, single tail fin, aircraft, there was no claim or damage.
F/Lt L. McCaig RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster II LL-628 coded OW-Y, failed to return from this operation.

F/O G. Weldon from 427 squadron returned early as the radio and navigation aids were u/s.
S/Ldr G. Liard returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
P/O A. McAuley landed at Skipton on Swale on return.
F/Lt J. Milton landed at Wendling on return.
F/O W. Cozens RAF and crew, flying Halifax V LL-191 coded ZL-N, crashed on landing. They made 3 attempts to land. On the final attempt the clipped a house, power lines, and trees. The pilot F/O W. Cozens, RAF, bomb aimer F/O L. Biddiscombe RAF, navigator Sgt W. Stockford RAF, and Flt engineer Sgt J. McGowan RAF, were killed.

P/O N. Cook RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V EB-246 coded ZL-S, failed to return from this operation.

F/Sgt H. Gouthreau from 428 squadron returned early, as they were unable to climb due to severe icing.
S/Ldr W. McLeish and crew, flying Halifax II JP-191 coded NA-B, were fired upon by a Halifax, there were many holes in their aircraft, plus the port flaps, elevator, port inner engine, and port tire were damaged.
S/Ldr C. Bartlett and crew, flying Halifax II JN-968 coded NA-I, were attacked by an ME-110, they were hit with a couple cannon shells that damaged the fuselage. Later they were hit by flak, the mid upper turret, rudders and fins were also damaged.
P/O D. Curley was hit by flak, the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Sgt F. Reain RCAF–Evd and crew, flying Halifax V LK-739 coded NA-P, failed to return from this operation.

F/Sgt A. Toft and F/O J. Keenan from 429 squadron returned early with technical difficulties.
P/O H. Mitchell returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
P/O K. Bowly returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Sgt W. Byers returned early as the compasses were u/s.
F/O A. MacDonald and crew, flying Halifax V LK-993 coded AL-J, were attacked by an unidentified twin engine enemy aircraft, some strikes were seen.
F/O H. Paddison RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LL-197 coded AL-L, failed to return from this operation.

F/O F. Guillevin from 431 squadron returned early as the intercom, turrets, navigation aids, and gunners suits were u/s.
F/Sgt K. Smith was hit by flak, not serious.
F/O R. Christison had the port inner u/s on return. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Sgt J. Maher landed away on return and went missing.

F/Sgt J. Poole from 432 squadron returned early as the oxygen system was u/s.
P/O J. Esdale returned early as the navigation aids were u/s.

W/O2 D. James from 433 squadron returned early as they were unable to raise the under carriage.
F/Lt. G. Wolton bombed Kiel as the overload pump was u/s.

F/O D. Evans from 434 squadron returned early due to severe icing.
F/Sgt W. McQueen returned early as the intercom and ailerons were not working.
P/O D. Morrison had the stbd outer u/s on return, they landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/O J. Hammond had the port wheel collapse on landing, the crew was not injured.
F/Sgt F. Johnson and crew, flying Halifax V LK-656 coded WL-C, was hit by flak twice over the target. One hit the bomb bay and one behind the wing in the fuselage. The rear escape hatch was badly damaged. The rudder controls were sheared off and the oxygen system was not working aft of the wing area. The electrical system was also u/s. Some incendiaries caught fire but the crew was able to put them out. Return to England was made on aileron control. The crew bailed out over Driffield and landed safely except for minor scrapes.

F/Sgt G. Mould RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LL-179 coded WL-K, failed to return from this operation.

F/O J. Clinkskill RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LL-141 coded WL-H, failed to return from this operation.

F/O C. Brest RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LL-135 coded WL-R, failed to return from this operation.