June 24/25, 1943

    37 Halifaxes from 408, 419, 427, and 428 Squadrons were joined by 38 Wellingtons from 429, 431, and 432 Squadrons on an attack at Wuppertal. The crews were over the target at between 12,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 96,000 lbs of high explosives and 188,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused.

    F/O H. Lancaster from 408 Squadron was hit by flak, the bomb doors were damaged.

    P/O B. Heintz from 419 Squadron just missed colliding with a Halifax on return near the Dutch coast.
    Sgt G. Neale RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax II JD-214 coded VR-U, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt R. Cleaver RAF–POW
      Sgt R. McLachlan RCAF–POW
      Sgt W. Jaffray RCAF–POW
      Sgt P. Griffiths RAF–POW
      Sgt D. Kenwell RCAF–POW
      Sgt W. McLeod RCAF–POW
    All were POWs after being shot up by a Nightfighter and force landed in Holland. 

    S/Ldr B. Jost RCAF and crew, flying Halifax II JD-147 coded VR-C, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt J. Johnson RCAF
      Sgt E. Pope RAF–POW
      F/Sgt A. Bruce RNZAF–POW
      F/O R. Goodwin RCAF
      F/Sgt L. Barker RAF–POW
      Sgt R. Austin RAF–POW
    3 crew were killed and 4 POWs after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    F/Lt V. Ganderton from 427 Squadron returned early as the guns were u/s.
    S/Ldr C. Earthrowl was hit by flak, not serious.
    F/O L. Somers RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V DK-135 coded ZL-B, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt W. Arthur RAF
      F/O M. Shvermar RCAF
      P/O V. White RCAF–POW
      Sgt L. Bone RAF–POW
      Sgt J. Walton RCAF
      Sgt F. Ashby RAF
    5 crew were killed and 2 POWs.

    P/O A. Reilander from 428 Squadron returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    Sgt R. Whitfield RAF and crew flying Halifax II JD-258 coded VR-H, borrowed from 419 Squadron, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt P. Stephenson RAF
      F/O R. Fowler RCAF
      P/O W. Donnelly RAF
      Sgt C. Gorton RAF
      Sgt J. Dean RAF
      F/Sgt M. Kimber RCAF
    All were killed after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    P/O J. Lancaster from 429 Squadron returned early as one engine was u/s. They landed safely at base on 1 engine.
    Sgt G. Clark returned early as the stbd engine was u/s. They landed safely at base on 1 engine.
    Sgt L. Southwood bombed Haamstead airfield and one engine was u/s. They landed safely at base on 1 engine.
    Sgt E. Willey was hit by flak, there were holes in the astro dome and rear turret.
    P/O K. Johnston RCAF and crew flying Wellington X LN-281 coded AL-V crashed on landing due to a blown tire. The propellers, wings, and bomb bay doors were damaged. The crew was uninjured.
    W/O1 L. O’Leary RCAF and crew, flying Wellington X HZ-521 coded AL-W, failed to return from this operation.

      F/Sgt E. Peart RCAF
      F/Sgt C. Keay RCAF
      Sgt J. Meech RAF
      F/Sgt H. Hicks RCAF
    All were killed.

    Sgt J. Reynoldson from 431 Squadron returned early as the stbd engine was u/s. They landed safely at base on 1 engine.
    F/Sgt J. Morton returned early as the rear turret was u/s.
    P/O J. Valentine was attacked 4 times by enemy aircraft. Sgt L. Cheesewright RAF, the rear gunner was injured. On evasive action, W/O W. Jewels RAF, the wireless operator, bailed out over France. They landed safely at Manston to tend to the seriously injured gunner.

    Sgt A. Erickson from 432 Squadron returned early as they were caught by search lights and hit by flak. They landed safely at Hardwick on return.
    Sgt N. Goldie RAF and crew, flying Wellington X HF-572 coded QO-J, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt G. Liddle RAF
      Sgt F. Trowbridge RAF
      Sgt C. Killick RAF
      F/Sgt W. Sparrow RCAF
    All were killed.

    F/Sgt J. Mercier RCAF and crew, flying Wellington X HZ-518 coded QO-A, failed to return from this operation.

      F/O J. Gingras RCAF
      F/Sgt M. Deverell RCAF
      Sgt M. Tobin RAF
      F/Sgt J. Lagace RCAF
    All were killed.
     
     


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