July 18/19, 1944


    42 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 squadrons were joined by 111 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 432, and 433 squadrons on an attack on the oil plant Wesseling. The crews were over the target at between 11,000 and 14,000 feet, releasing 1,286,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the weather was clear and severe damage was done to this facility. 

    P/O W. Kasper from 408 squadron returned early after they were coned by search lites and forced to jettison the load. 

    F/Lt. G. Peck from 419 squadron returned early after they were coned by search lites and attacked by an enemy aircraft. There was no claim or damage but they were forced to jettison the load. 
    Sgt. H. Witwer was attacked by an enemy aircraft, there was no claim or damage. 
    P/O G. Hartford was hit by flak, there was holes in the port wing and bomb bay. 

    P/O V. Lacaille from 425 squadron returned early as the stbd outer caught fire after takeoff. They returned safely to base on 3 engines. 
    F/O A. Taillon RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LW-672 coded KW-N, failed to return from this operation. 

      F/Sgt. W. Cameron RCAF
      Sgt. P. Kinnear RAF 
      P/O J. Dufour RCAF 
      Sgt. J. Arsenault RCAF–POW 
      P/O W. Watson RCAF
      P/O J. Giroux RCAF
      P/O N. Boucher RCAF
    7 crew members were killed and one was a POW. 

    P/O P. Labelle from 426 squadron was attacked by a JU-88, there was no claim or damage. 
    P/O J. Williamson was hit by flak, not serious. 

    F/O R. Curtis from 428 squadron returned early as they were coned by search lites and forced to jettison the load. 
    P/O N. Powers had the port inner u/s on return. They landed safely at base on 3 engines. 

    F/O L. Dimarco from 429 squadron returned early as the port inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines. 

    F/O L. Friedman from 432 squadron returned early, as some instruments were u/s. 
    P/O H. Britton was hit by flak, there were holes in the fuselage and the bomb aimer was slightly injured. 

    P/O J. Monahan and crew from 433 Squadron flying Halifax III MZ-816 coded BM-W was fired upon by a Halifax, there was no damage.