July 23/24, 1944

    100 Halifaxes from 424, 426, 427, 429, 431, 433, and 434 squadron were ordered on an attack of the oil facilities at Donges. The crews were over the target at between 12,000 and 14,000 feet, releasing 806,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the weather was clear and severe damage was caused, plus a ship was sunk in the harbour.

    F/Lt. A. Fentiman from 424 squadron almost was in a collision with another Halifax over the target.
    P/O W. Bonar landed at Ossington on return due to a fuel shortage.
    Sgt. J. Lang landed at Honeybourne on return due to a fuel shortage.
    P/O G. Hawthorne landed at Linton on Ouse on return.

    F/O L. Dimarco and crew from 429 Squadron flying Halifax III LV-964 coded AL-T was attacked by a FW-190, there was no claim or damage.

    P/O J. Gustafson and crew from 431 Squadron flying Halifax III LK-845 coded SE-J was attacked by a unidentified twin engine aircraft, there was no claim or damage.

    Sgt. J. Savard from 433 squadron landed at Wellesbourne Mountford on return.
    F/O J. Beveridge landed at Honeybourne on return due to a fuel shortage.
    F/O J. Armstrong landed at Tholthorpe on return.

    F/O W. Dumas from 434 squadron returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    P/O J. Lees landed at Elsham Wolds on return due to a fuel shortage.
     
     

    While part of the group went to Donges, 42 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 squadrons were ordered on an attack at Kiel. The crews were over the target at between 19,000 to 20,000 feet, releasing 468,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the weather was clear and the city was severely damaged.

    F/O J. Brown RCAF and crew flying Lancaster II DS-692 coded EQ-S from 408 Squadron had the leading lead of the wing open up after takeoff. They were unable to jettison the load as they were too low and the airspeed was 140 mph at fuel power. They crash landed at Marston Moor. 

      Sgt A. Ruff RAF
      P/O H. Thompson RAF
      F/O J. Proven RAF
      W/O1 B. Gibbons RCAF
      F/Sgt D. Cooke RAF
      Sgt A. West 
    The crew was able to escape safely before the Lancaster went up in flames.

    F/O H. Minhinnick had the port inner go u/s on return. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.

    P/O A. Gilbert and crew from 428 Squadron flying Lancaster X KB-760 coded NA-P was attacked by a FW-190. There was no claim or damage.
    F/Lt F. Lynch and crew flying Lancaster X KB-749 coded NA-A fired a few rounds at what they thought as an enemy aircraft. It turned out to be another Lancaster.