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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