July 27/28, 1943

    60 Halifaxes from 408, 419, 427, and 428 Squadrons were joined by 18 Wellingtons from 429 and 432 Squadrons on an attack at Hamburg. The crews were over the target at between 10,000 and 20,500 feet, releasing 120,000 lbs of high explosives and 250,000 lbs of incendiaries. Along with the other 700 aircraft from Bomber command and with the use of Window, this attack was devastating.  Huge fires were started, and coupled with high temperatures and low humidity, square miles of the city burned to the ground with enormous casualties.

    Sgt G. Sloth from 408 Squadron returned early as their navigation aids were u/s.
    F/O A. Whiston returned early as the pilot’s escape hatch blew off.
    F/Sgt A. Grubert returned early as the port under carriage would not retract. It folded on landing at Wittering without injuries to the crew. 
    Sgt K. Brager was hit by flak, there were holes in the port wing.
    F/Lt C. Stovel RCAF and crew, flying Halifax II DT-749 coded EQ-O, failed to return from this operation.

      F/Sgt J. Le Blanc RCAF
      Sgt J. Borley RCAF–POW
      P/O J. Bemister RCAF–POW
      F/Lt G. McDougal RAF
      P/O W. Richardson RCAF–POW
      P/O E. Parker RCAF
      F/O H. McDonald RCAF
    5 crew were killed and 3 POWs after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    F/Lt A. Quaile from 419 Squadron returned early as some instruments iced up and were u/s.
    F/Sgt R. Stewart was hit by flak, one engine caught fire and the hydraulics were u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    F/Lt D. Corcoran had the port outer go u/s outbound. They bombed from 10,000 feet and returned safely to base on 3 engines.
    W/Cdr M. Fleming had 4 near collisions over the target.

    Sgt E. Cornelius from 427 Squadron was hit by flak, the stbd inner was damaged.

    F/Sgt G. Newton from 428 Squadron had the port inner go u/s outbound. This engine was restarted. Just before the target the stbd inner was u/s. The bombed from a lower altitude and returned safely to base on 3 engines.
    F/Sgt W. Armour had the nose of his Halifax damaged by the trailing aerial from a Wellington that cut in front of him.

    F/Lt G. Pentony from 429 Squadron returned early as the stbd engine was u/s. They landed safely at base on one engine.
    Sgt W. Tighe returned early as the navigation aids were u/s.
    W/Cdr J. Piddington RAF and crew, flying Wellington X JA-114 coded AL-A, failed to return from this operation.

      F/O A. Farquhar RCAF
      P/O P. Renton RAF
      Sgt L. Reineck RAF–POW
      Sgt R. Scarth RAF–POW
    3 crew were killed and 2 POWs after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    Sgt R. Burgess, F/O I. Beckwith and W/Cdr H. Kerby from 432 Squadron all returned early as their stbd engines were u/s. They landed safely at base on one engine.
     

    While most of the group went to Hamburg, 6 Wellingtons from 429 Squadron were ordered on a mining operation to Heligoland. The crews were over the garden at 900 feet, sowing 10@1500 lb mines.

    Sgt S. Kelso returned without mining, as they could not find the pinpoint.
     


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