March 12/13, 1943



    23 Halifaxes from 405, 408, and 419 Squadrons were joined by 87 Wellingtons from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, and 431 Squadrons on an attack at Essen. The crews were over the target from between 16,000 to 19,000 feet, releasing 232,000 lbs of high explosives and 156,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was well hit, with the Krupps complex being damaged.

    F/O W. Colledge from 405 Squadron returned early as the oxygen system was u/s.
    F/Sgt W. McAlpine returned early as the port engines were vibrating severely.
    P/O N. Daggett was hit by flak, at least 200 holes in the fuselage, hydraulics u/s, port outer u/s, rudder control almost severed, and holes in most fuel tanks. They landed safely on 3 engines at Martlesham Heath.

    P/O J. Carver from 408 Squadron returned early as the pilots escape hatch blew off.
    S/Ldr E. Gilmore returned early as the intercom was u/s.
    F/O C. Hatle was hit by flak, both port engines were u/s. They crash landed at base with no injuries to the crew.
    Sgt D. Childers was coned by search lights, they dove from 17,500 feet down to 1,500 feet straining the wings and elevators, but returned safely home.

    P/O W. Boyce from 419 Squadron returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    F/O C. MacIntosh and crew flying Halifax DT-798 coded VR-T were attacked by an unidentified single engine aircraft, there was no claim or damage.
    P/O J. Dickson had one engine go u/s over the target. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.

    Sgt C. Tidy from 420 Squadron returned early as one engine was u/s. They landed on one engine at Scorton.
    Sgt J. Kennedy returned early as the intercom was u/s.
    Sgt A. Sodero and crew flying Wellington III X-3814 coded PT-P were attacked by a ME-110, there was no claim or damage.
    Sgt G. Cooke RCAF–POW and crew, flying Wellington X  HE-690 coded PT-U, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt J. Morris RAF–POW
      Sgt R. Mercer RAF–POW
      Sgt A. Dawson RAF
      Sgt T. McKinnon RCAF–POW
    4 crew were POWs and one killed when they were shot down by flak.

    Sgt D. Parker and Sgt. W. Dove from 424 Squadron were hit by flak, not serious.
    P/O R. Caldwell RCAF and crew, flying Wellington III  BK-348 coded QB-J, failed to return from this operation.

      F/O G. Cory RCAF
      F/Sgt W. Topping RCAF
      W/O2 A. Larson RCAF
      F/Sgt L. Parker RCAF
    All were killed.

    Sgt J. Rivard and crew from 425 Squadron flying Wellington III Z-1603 coded KW-C were attacked by an unidentified twin engine aircraft, there was no claim or damage.
    Sgt J. Lamontagne RCAF–POW and crew, flying Wellington III  BK-340 coded KW-T, failed to return from this operation.

      F/Sgt A. Brown RCAF–POW
      F/Sgt J. Gauthier RCAF–POW
      Sgt J. Gouley RCAF–POW
      F/Sgt M. Aumond RCAF–POW
    All the crew were POWs after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    Sgt J. Sammet from 426 Squadron returned early as the oxygen system was u/s.
    Sgt I. Runciman and crew flying Wellington III BK-440 coded OW-V were attacked by a unidentified aircraft, there was no claim or damage.
    S/Ldr F. Parker and crew flying Wellington III X-3699 coded OW-Q were attacked by an unidentified enemy aircraft and an ME-109, there were no claims or damage.
     

    P/O A. Fellner from 427 Squadron returned early as the oxygen system was u/s.
    W/Cdr D. Burnside and crew flying Wellington III BK-164 coded ZL-E were hit by flak. The navigator, P/O R. Heather RCAF was killed and F/Sgt G. Keen RAF, the wireless operator lost his foot. They were also attacked twice by a JU-88, there was no claim or damage. The crew was able to safely make it back to base.

    Sgt K. Radcliffe from 428 Squadron returned early as the port engine was u/s. They landed safely at Dalton on one engine.
    Sgt J. Ferguson returned early as the port engine was u/s. They also landed safely at Dalton on one engine.
    Sgt C. Pearce returned early as the port engine was u/s. They landed safely at Dalton.
    P/O R. Buckham, Sgt K. Knapp, F/Lt W. Suggitt, F/Lt D. Morgan, Sgt K. Fry, W/O1 A. Harrison, Sgt L. Williamson, P/O R. Tighe, Sgt R. Parkinson, Sgt W. Pepper, and Sgt J. Martyn landed at Leeming on return.

    Sgt G. De Bussac, Sgt G. Kennedy, and F/Lt A. Chipling from 429 Squadron were hit by flak, not serious.
    Sgt A. Jameson was involved in a mid air collision. The rear turret was jammed and tail damaged. They returned safely and landed at East Wretham.

    Sgt J. Esdale from 431 Squadron returned early as the pilot's escape hatch blew off.
    Sgt A. Bryant returned early as the compasses were u/s.
    F/Sgt L. Haynes and Sgt J. Morton returned early as their rear turrets were u/s.
    Sgt. J. Aspden was hit by flak, not serious.
    Sgt. A. Smith landed at Melbourne on return.
    F/Sgt. R. Hamby RAF and crew flying Wellington X  HE-205 coded SE-X was attacked by an enemy aircraft. The Wellington was badly damaged with the hydraulics and navigation aids being u/s. The navigator, P/O J. Clarke RAF, was killed also. They landed safely at East Wretham.