March 2/3, 1943




    31 Wellingtons from 420, 424, 427, 428, 429, and 431 Squadrons were ordered on a mining operation to the Frisian Islands. The crews were over the garden at between 700 and 6,000 feet, sowing 50@1500 lb mines.

    W/O G. Tubman from 420 Squadron returned early, as they were unable to find the pinpoint.

    Sgt D. Rae from 427 Squadron landed at Acklington due to poor weather at base.
    F/Sgt L. Lymburner RCAF and crew, flying Wellington III X-3390 coded ZL-W, failed to return from this operation.

      F/Sgt H. Millson RCAF
      F/Sgt H. MacPherson RCAF
      Sgt R. Clark RAF
      F/Sgt W. Drake RCAF
      W/O2 T. Dutton RCAF
    All were killed.

    Sgt. K. Radcliffe and F/O D.Morgan from 428 Squadron returned early as they could not find the pinpoint. They both landed safely at Dalton.

    Sgt A. Jameson from 429 Squadron returned early as they were unable to find the pinpoint.
    Sgt J. Black RCAF and crew, flying Wellington X HZ-260 coded AL-K, failed to return from this operation.

      F/Lt C. Campbell RCAF
      Sgt P. Rothena RAF
      P/O F. Bartleet RAF
      F/Sgt W. Billington RAF
    This crew was shot down over the sea. On March 5 the bomb aimer, Sgt. Rothena, was found in a dinghy. The pilot, Sgt Black, had died of exposure a few short hours before. The rest of the crew was killed in the ditching.

    S/Ldr. T. Marshall and Sgt. R. Barclay from 431 Squadron returned early because their navigation aids were u/s.