July 9/10, 1943

    41 Halifaxes from 408, 419, 427, and 428 Squadrons were ordered on an attack at Gelsenkirchen. The crews were over the target at between 14,000 and 21,500 feet, releasing 140,000 lbs of incendiaries and 70,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing was light but a synthetic oil plant was damaged.

    Sgt S. Laine from 408 Squadron was hit by flak, there were holes in the port wing, fuel tanks and stbd outer engine was u/s. They landed safely on 3 engines at West Malling on return.
    F/Sgt A. Grubert RCAF and crew, flying Halifax II JB-959 coded EQ-H, crashed on take off due to faulty instruments. 

      Sgt G. Herron RAF
      P/O C. Carrigan RCAF
      Sgt W. McCulloch RAF
      P/O W. Polder RAAF
      Sgt R. Lumgair RCAF
      Sgt F. Hoyle RAF
    The crew was not injured.

    F/O D. Bain was hit by flak, oxygen system was hit. On return they were fired upon by English coastal defences.
    F/O G. Bennett was hit by incendiaries. The wire caught fire and burnt for  10 to 15 minutes. They dove down from 19,000 feet and the fire went out. They landed at East Wretham on return.
    S/Ldr A. Mair had both port engines u/s on return. They landed safely on 2 engines at West Malling. 
    P/O T. Mellish RCAF and crew, flying Halifax II JB-922 coded EQ-H, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt J. Pickering RAF–POW
      Sgt W. Plewman RCAF–POW
      P/O E. Crouch RAF
      W/O2 A. Pixley RCAF–POW
      F/Sgt W. Prentice RCAF
      Sgt W. Willis RCAF–POW
    3 crew were killed and 4 POWs.

    P/O H. Lancaster RCAF and crew flying, Halifax II JD-216 coded EQ-P, failed to return from this operation.
    F/O J. Richardson RCAF
    Sgt W. Bryans RAF
    F/Sgt J. Stefanchuk RCAF
    F/Sgt G. Reid RCAF
    Sgt J. MacDonald RAF
    F/Sgt J. McClung RCAF
    Sgt J. Sturgess RAF
    All were killed.

    F/O S. Heard from 419 Squadron returned early as the rear turret was u/s.

    F/Lt J. Morton from 427 Squadron returned early as the bomb aimer was sick.
     P/O D. Arnot was hit by flak, not serious.

    P/O A. Reilander from 428 Squadron was hit by flak, not serious.
    P/O R. Eaton was hit by flak, there were holes in the stbd wing and fuselage.
    S/Ldr F. Bowden RAF and crew flying, Halifax V DK-229 coded NA-W, failed to return from this operation.
    Sgt H. McGeach RCAF–POW
    Sgt H. Rowe RAF–POW
    P/O R. Gritten RAF–POW
    Sgt A. Reynolds RAF–Evd
    Sgt J. Hurst RAF–POW
    P/O B. Fitzgerald RCAF–POW
    5 crew were POWs, 1 evaded, and 1 killed after suffering two engine failures and possibly being damaged by flak. 

    While most of the group was operating against Gelsenkirchen, 6 Wellingtons from 431 Squadron were ordered on a mining operation off Texel. The crews were over the garden at between 700 and 900 feet, sowing 12@1500 lb mines. 

    All crews returned safely to base.
     


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