March 26/27, 1943
30 Halifaxes from 405, 408, and 419 Squadrons were joined by 86 Wellingtons
from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, and 431 Squadrons on an attack
at Duisberg. The crews were over the target at between 14,000 and 20,000
feet, releasing 192,000 lbs of high explosives and 225,000 lbs of incendiaries.
According to reports, the target was cloud covered and the attack was scattered.
P/O J. Burton from 405 Squadron returned early as some instruments were
u/s.
F/Sgt C. Stovel returned early as the compasses were u/s and they were
fired at by English flak.
P/O R. Symes was hit by flak, there were holes in both wings.
P/O N. Daggett and crew flying Halifax II JB-875 coded LQ-S were attacked
by a JU-88, many strikes were seen and one engine was seen on fire, it
was claimed damaged.
F/Sgt R. Blackhall from 408 Squadron had the stbd outer u/s on return.
They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Lt R. Gamble was hit by flak, damage wasn’t serious ,but Sgt E. Crook
RAF, the wireless operator was injured.
Sgt J. Morris from 419 Squadron returned early as the port inner was
u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
Sgt J. Clary from 420 Squadron returned early with an electrical failure.
F/Sgt W. Horborenko returned early as the port engine was u/s. They
landed safely at base on one engine.
Sgt J. Kennedy and crew flying Wellington X HE-375 coded PT-H were
attacked by an unidentified enemy aircraft, there was no claim or damage.
Sgt W. Dove from 424 Squadron was hit by flak, not serious.
Sgt G. McMenemy, Sgt J. McGavock, Sgt I. Runciman, P/O D. Shuttleworth,
Sgt S. Gaunt, P/O J. Sammet, S/Ldr C. Dowie, P/O W. Shaw, Sgt A. Steen,
P/O D. Kennedy, F/Lt J. McNeill, Sgt F. Stuart, and Sgt F. Dingwall from
426 Squadron landed at Swanton Morley on return.
Sgt D. Lloyd landed at Marham on return.
F/Sgt H. Patch landed at Coltishall on return.
Sgt J. Wright landed at Oulton on return.
Sgt E. Hall RAF
and crew, flying Wellington III X-3696 coded OW-T, failed to return
from this operation.
Sgt J. Reade RAF
Sgt F. Simpson RAF
Sgt W. Stevenson RAF
Sgt C. Reed RAF
They broadcast a positional report 60 miles from base over the North Sea,
but were lost without a trace.
F/Sgt G. Vandekerckhove and crew from 427 Squadron flying Wellington
III HE-425 coded ZL-W was attacked by a JU-88, there was no claim or damage.
F/Lt C. Taylor returned early as the intercom was u/s.
Sgt A. Erickson landed at Wattisham on return due to poor weather.
Sgt J. Martyn from 428 Squadron was hit by flak, not serious. They landed
at Hardwick on return.
S/Ldr F. Bowden landed at Dalton on return.F/O R. Tighe, F/Lt D. Morgan,
Sgt K. Radcliffe, Sgt L. Carter, Sgt K. Fry, Sgt J. Ferguson, P/O R. Buckham,
P/O P. Manning, W/O1 A. Harrison, Sgt V. Sylvester, Sgt W. Pepper, and
Sgt K. Knapp landed at Marham on return.
Sgt K. Burini from 429 Squadron returned early as the radios were u/s.
F/Sgt G. Kilburn brought the load back as it hung up over the target.
F/Sgt T. Heyes was hit by flak, the hydraulics were u/s. They landed
safely at Coltishall on return.
F/O B. Rawson had the stbd engine go u/s on return. They landed safely
at base one engine.
F/O G. Fox RAF
and crew, flying Wellington X MS-487 coded AL-B, failed to return
from this operation.
Sgt A. Skelly RAF
Sgt G. Murray RAF–Evd
P/O P. Bastian RAF
Sgt J. Murray RAF–POW
3 crew were killed, 1 evaded, and one was a POW after they were hit by
flak.
Sgt A. Bryant from 431 Squadron returned early with a fuel problem,
they landed safely at Catfoss.
Sgt R. Barclay returned early as they were lost.
Sgt A. Smith landed at Elvington on return.
F/Lt G.Eades RAF
and crew, flying Wellington X HE-503 coded SE-S, failed to return
from this operation.
F/Lt A. Hill RCAF
F/Lt N. Gardner RAF
W/O2 B. Ducker RCAF
W/O2 J. Rogal RCAF
The crew disappeared without a trace.