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.
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
F/Lt A. Quaile from 419 Squadron returned early as some instruments
iced up and were u/s.
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/Lt G. Pentony from 429 Squadron returned early as the stbd engine
was u/s. They landed safely at base on one engine.
P/O P. Renton RAF Sgt L. Reineck RAF–POW Sgt R. Scarth RAF–POW
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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