March 11/12, 1943



    35 Halifaxes from 405, 408, and 419 Squadrons were ordered on an attack at Stuttgart. The crews were over the target between 12,000 and 18,000 feet, releasing 195,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, this attack was not successful.

    P/O J. Burton from 405 Squadron returned early due to severe icing.
    F/Sgt W. McAlpine returned early as the radios were u/s.
    F/Lt L. Campbell was hit by flak, holes in the stbd wing and tail. They landed at Linton on Ouse on return.
    F/Sgt C. Stovel and crew flying Halifax II DT-560 coded LQ-W were attacked by a JU-88, the tail and bomb doors were damaged.
    Sgt J. Weber and crew flying Halifax II W-1173 coded LQ-X were attacked by a ME-109, many strikes were seen and it caught fire and crashed to the ground, it was claimed destroyed.
    Sgt R. Symes and crew flying Halifax II DT-507 coded LQ-M were attacked by an ME-110, there were holes in the port wing and aileron.
    S/Ldr C. Palmer landed at Linton on Ouse on return.
    F/O H. Atkinson landed at Beaulieu on return.
    F/Lt H. Shockley RCAF and crew, flying Halifax II W-7803 coded LQ-B, failed to return from this operation.

      P/O B. Labarge RCAF
      Sgt C. Henderson RCAF
      P/O W. Kirkpatrick RAF
      P/O F. Holland RAF
      F/O W. Palmer RCAF
      Sgt M. MacKenzie RAF
      P/O J. Henderson RAF
    All were killed.

    F/Sgt G. Chretien RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax II BB-212 coded LQ-U, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt A. Collin RCAF–POW
      F/Sgt T. Carlon RCAF–POW
      P/O J. Probert RCAF–POW
      Sgt H. Reynolds RCAF–POW
      Sgt A. Danes RCAF–POW
      Sgt R. Moore RAF
    They were shot down by a Nightfighter, 6 POWs and one crewmember killed.

    F/O B. Dennison RCAF–Evd and crew, flying Halifax II BB-250 coded LQ-E, failed to return from this operation.

      S/Ldr L. Logan RCAF–Evd
      Sgt E. Lacina RCAF
      F/Sgt E. Bulman RCAF–Evd
      F/Sgt G. Spencer RCAF–Evd
      F/Sgt H. Jennings RCAF–Evd
      F/Sgt R. MacDonald RCAF
      F/Sgt. R. Kennett RCAF–POW
    They were shot down by a Nightfighter, 5 crew evaded, 1 was a POW, and 2 were killed.

    P/O H. Rae RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax II DT-745 coded LQ-V, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt H. Mason RAF–POW
      Sgt K. Elt RAF–Evd
      P/O K. Money RAF–POW
      F/Sgt W. MacDonald RCAF–POW
      F/Sgt P. Johnston RAF–POW
      F/Sgt J. Maguire RAAF–POW
      Sgt P. Dmytruk RCAF–Evd
    They were shot down by a Nightfighter, 2 crew evaded and 6 were POWs.

    This was the first operation by 405 Squadron since returning from Coastal Command to 6 Group.

    Sgt J. Patry from 408 Squadron returned early as the stbd outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    F/Sgt R. Blackhall returned early, as the rear turret was u/s.
    F/Sgt M. Marment and crew flying Halifax II DT-781 coded EQ-D were attacked by a ME-110, the port inner and stbd outer were u/s. They belly landed at Langar with no injuries to the crew.
    F/O A. Stewart RNZAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax II HR-656 coded EQ-T, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt J. Hammond RCAF–Evd
      F/Sgt D. Leitch RAF–POW
      F/O G. Lamus RAF–Evd
      Sgt L. Marsden RAF–POW
      Sgt R. Davidson RCAF-Evd
      Sgt C. Hamilton RNZAF–Evd
    They were shot down by a Nightfighter, 4 crew evaded and 3 POWs.

    P/O L. Ainsworth from 419 squadron returned early, as the rear turret and fuel pumps were u/s.
    F/Sgt R. Goddard was hit by flak, not serious.
    Sgt A. Green was hit by flak, the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at Thorney Island on 3 engines.
    S/Ldr D. Clark and crew flying Halifax II DT-689 coded VR-N were attacked by a ME-210, the was shot down and claimed destroyed.
    Sgt P. Johnson and crew flying Halifax II DT-617 coded VR-G were attacked by an unidentified twin engine aircraft, there was no claim or damage.