100 Halifaxes from 420, 425, 426, 431, 432, and 434 Squadrons were ordered on an attack at a V-1 site at Biennais. The crews were over the target at between 10,000 and 11,000 feet, releasing 794,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the night was clear and the was target accurately bombed.
F/O F. Bird, W/O2 W. McAdam, P/O E. Johnson, P/O W. Campbell, F/O H. Whittal, F/O K. Kidd, F/O C. Bennett, F/O J. Zavitz, S/Ldr R. Deegan, P/O W. Fenton, S/Ldr A. Hull, F/O T. Ainslie, F/O E. Aldred, P/O G. Wass, F/O S. Joplin, F/Sgt J. Sled, and P/O R. McKay from 420 Squadron landed at Mildenhall on return.
F/O I. Todd from 425 Squadron had the under carriage collapse on landing. The crew was uninjured.
F/O R. W. Harrison RCAF and crew from 431 Squadron, flying Halifax III MZ-657 coded SE-K, swung off the runway on takeoff and crashed, caught fire, and then exploded.
F/O A. Phillips RCAF F/O G. Dumville RCAF W/O1 R. Hooker RCAF F/Sgt J. Content RCAF Sgt K. Taylor RCAF P/O F. Longstaff and F/O M. Kyte landed at East Moor on return.
All crews from 432 squadron landed at Woolfax Lodge, Wittering, Tuddenham, Witchford, Mildenhall, and Langar on return.
F/O B. Peterson, P/O J. Stinson, P/O A. Hegseth, S/Ldr F. Watkins, P/O
A. Gibb, F/O G. Nickerson, F/Lt J. Keane, P/O R. Pratt, F/O K. Magrath,
F/O G. Moore, P/O L. Browning, and F/Lt G. McKay from 434 Squadron landed
at Mepal on return.
While some crews were attacking Biennais, 6 Halifaxes from 428 Squadron were ordered on a mining operation to Lorient, Brest and St. Nazaire. The crews were over the garden at 12,000 feet, sowing 10@1500 lb and 3@1800 lb mines.
All crews returned safely to base.
|