June 27/28, 1944

    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. 
    P/O G. Boehmer was attacked by an enemy aircraft. The port wing, fuselage and hydraulics were damaged and the mid under gunner was injured. They landed at Ford on return for medical attention. 

    F/O E. Aldred from 420 squadron was attacked by an enemy aircraft, there was no claim or damage. 
    F/O G. Heron was attacked by an ME-109, 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. 
    F/O P. Cronin had one engine go u/s outbound. They bombed and returned safely to base on 3 engines. 
    W/O2 B. Vanier was attacked 3 times by ME-109s, they claimed one damaged. 

    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 A. Tinmouth returned without bombing, as the bomb doors would not open. 

    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. 
     


    As well as the attacks on the V-1 sites, 6 Halifaxes from 428 squadron were ordered on a mining operation to Lorient and St. Nazaire. The crews were over the gardens at between 10,000 and 15,000 feet, sowing 10@1500 and 2@1850 lb mines. 

    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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