June 5/6, 1944

    192 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 squadron were joined by 32 Lancasters from 408 and 419 squadron. All targets were coastal gun batteries protecting the Normandie beaches. All attacks were made from between 9,000 to 12,000 feet unloading 1,860,000 lbs. of high explosives on the coastal guns at Longues, Houlgate, and Merville-Franceville. These attacks were all made through 10/10 cloud cover.

    F/Sgt. C. Reid from 408 squadron had his stbd outer go u/s on return. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    Sgt. D. Andrews had the rear turret go u/s on return also.

    Crews of F/O W. Lacey, F/O R. Wilson and F/Lt. J. Hovey of 419 squadron returned without bombing as they didn’t observe any T. I’s

    F/Sgt. R. Mckay from 420 squadron was hit by flak. It wasn’t serious and they returned safely to base.

    P/O C. Jones of 425 squadron had the stbd inner go u/s on return. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    F/O E. Kirk had the port outer go u/s on return. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.

    F/Sgt. W. Webster of 426 squadron returned early as the port outer went u/s after takeoff. They landed safely on 3 engines.
    F/O A. North returned without bombing as no T. I’s were seen.
    F/O J. Beesley, RCAF, and crew were killed when their Halifax blew up in mid-air and crashed at Bircham Newton.

      Sgt. T. Clark, RAF
      F/O R. Tranter, RCAF
      F/O R. Irvine, RCAF
      Sgt. G. Durning, RCAF
      P/O R. Carol, RCAF
      P/O M. Forsberg, RCAF
       

    W/O2 A. King, F/Lt. W. Stephen, and W/O2 D. Foster of 427 squadron returned without bombing as no T. I’s were seen over the target.

    F/Sgt. H. Smith, F/Lt. F. Lynch, P/O K. Carter, F/O E. Graham, P/O A. Gilbert, Sgt. W. Hall, F/Lt. R. Anderson and P/O S. Side of 428 squadron returned without bombing as no T. I’s were seen over the target.
    F/Sgt. A. Jakeman also return without bombing. No T. I’s were seen and they landed at Dishforth, low on fuel.

    F/O E. Townsend of 429 squadron returned without bombing as no T. I’s were seen.
    F/Lt. L. Neilly has the stbd outer go u/s on return. They landed safely on 3 engines at Moreton Valance.

    F/Lt. M. Johnstone of 431 squadron returned without bombing as no T. I’s were seen.

    P/O R. Card of 432 squadron returned to base as the compasses were u/s.

    F/O J. Morgan of 433 squadron was hit by flak. It was not serious and the crew returned to base safely.
     
     


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