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41 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 squadrons were joined by 169 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 squadrons on attack of 2 V-1 sites at Wizernes and Foret D’Eawy in the Pas de Calais area. The crews were over the targets at between 12,000 and 14,000 feet, releasing 1,513,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, all attacks were successful.
W/O2 R. Harlow from 408 squadron was attacked by an enemy aircraft,
there was no damage or claim.
F/O E. Aldred from 420 squadron was attacked by an enemy aircraft, there
was no claim or damage.
F/O J. Partridge from 424 squadron returned early as 2 engines were
u/s. They landed safely at base on 2 engines.
Sgt M. Lavoie from 425 squadron, flying Halifax III MZ-683 coded KW-A, was returning from Foret D’Eawy on 3 engines. On landing, the Halifax swung and crashed into LW-680 KW-U, which was loaded with bombs and MZ-618 KW-J, which had just returned from Foret D’Eawy. All aircraft caught fire. Aircrew and ground crew worked hard at extricating trapped crewmembers amid fires and huge explosions. All crewmembers were rescued with injuries, some serious. Air Commodore A. Ross was seriously injured in these explosions helping with the rescue of the trapped airmen, his arm was severed below the elbow. Lac MacKenzie and Lac Wolfe were also injured during this rescue. A/C A. Ross received the George Cross, F/Sgt J. St. Germain and Cpl M. Marguet the George Medal, Lac M. MacKenzie and Lac R. Wolfe a BEM, for acts of bravery during this trying time.
P/O D. Robertson from 426 squadron landed at Molesworth on return.
F/O R. Penrose from 427 squadron returned early as the stbd outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
P/O F. Augusta from 429 squadron returned early as the compasses were u/s.
Sgt E. Reesor from 431 squadron returned early as the stbd inner was
u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
P/O D. Maddock from 432 squadron returned early, as the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/O N. Currie from 434 squadron returned without bombing, as the load
hung up.
F/O C. Gue was attacked by an enemy aircraft. The port outer was u/s
due to a broken fuel line. On landing at St. Eval, a tire blew causing
the Halifax to swing off the runway. The landing gear collapsed damaging
the plane but the crew was uninjured.
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