Daily Operations

March 24/25, 1944

23 Lancasters from 408 and 426 Squadrons were joined by 90 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, 429, 432, and 433 Squadrons on an attack at Berlin. The crews were over the target at between 19,000 and 24,000 feet, releasing 48,000 lbs of high explosives and 409,000 lbs of incendiaries.
According to reports, there was severely high winds and the attack was scattered. This was another terrible night as 72 crews failed to return due to being blown off course and over heavy flak defenses.

W/O2 W. Kasper from 408 Squadron jettisoned the load and returned early after being hit many times by flak.
F/Sgt J. McCaffrey had the mid upper turret u/s on return.
S/Ldr W. Russell and F/Sgt W. Cooke landed at Coltishall on return due to fuel shortages.
S/Ldr H. Miles completed his second tour with this operation, 32 operations on the first tour,19 ½ on the second.

W/O2 R. Leonard from 420 Squadron returned early as the under carriage was u/s.
F/Lt R. Deegan and W/O2 J. Boadway landed at Coltishall on return.
F/O H. Rice RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax III LW-373 coded PT-W, failed to return from this operation.

P/O R. Basson from 424 Squadron returned early as the oxygen system was u/s.
F/O J. Doig was attacked by an enemy aircraft, the stbd flap and wing were damaged. They landed at Chedburgh on return due to a fuel shortage.
F/Sgt H. Kirkby landed at West Raynham on return.
F/Sgt B. Vanier landed at Docking on return.
F/O T. Millman landed at Tuddenham on return.
F/O W. Krampe RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LW-435 coded QB-R, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt V. Lacaille and F/Sgt V. Irvine from 425 Squadron returned to base as their port outers were u/s. They both landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/O J. Taylor returned early as the rear turret was u/s.
P/O L. Renaud RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LW-425 coded KW-V, failed to return from this operation.

P/O N. Jones RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LW-428 coded KW-C, failed to return from this operation.

F/Lt I. McRobie from 426 Squadron returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Sgt N. Craig returned early as the oxygen system was u/s.
W/O2 D. Robertson landed at Woodbridge on return due to a fuel shortage.
F/Sgt J. Jean was hit by flak, the rear turret was damaged and Sgt J. Favreau RCAF, the rear gunner was injured. they landed at Coltishall for fuel and medical attention.

F/O W. Weicker from 427 Squadron landed at Foulsham on return due to a fuel shortage.
W/O1 W. Magdalinski RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax III LK-752 coded ZL-V, failed to return from this operation.

W/O2 A. Yaworski RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LW-574 coded ZL-J, failed to return from this operation.

P/O S. Dowdell RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LW-577 coded ZL-K, failed to return from this operation.

W/O2 E. Baker from 429 Squadron returned early with a technical problem.
F/Sgt N. Thompson was hit by flak, not serious. They were also attacked 3 times by enemy aircraft, there was no claims or damage. During these attacks, the wireless operator bailed out over Berlin.
F/O A. Macdonald was attacked by a JU-88, it was claimed damaged.
P/O T. Rawlinson was coned by 30-40 searchlights for 5 minutes. They were able to get away.
P/O S. Wick RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LK-805 coded AL-H, failed to return from this operation.

F/O J. Warkentin

P/O E. Giles RAAF and crew flying Halifax III LW-688 coded AL-J failed to return from this operation.

F/O R. Conroy RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LV-914 coded AL-V, failed to return from this operation.

F/Sgt J. McElheran from 432 Squadron returned early as the compasses were u/s.
P/O J. McIntosh RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax III LW-593 coded QO-O, failed to return from this operation.

P/O J. Smith from 433 Squadron returned early as they could not climb.
F/Sgt J. Monahan returned early as some instruments were u/s.
F/Lt G. Edmonds returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
P/O J. Major landed at Snetterton Heath on return.
F/O W. Canter landed at Woodbridge on return.
F/Sgt F. Edmondson had the port inner go u/s after bombing, they jettisoned the I.B containers to maintain height. They landed at Woodbridge on return due to a fuel shortage.
F/O E. Van Slyck was hit by flak, both wings and the port outer and fuselage were damaged. Sgt A. Phillips RAF, the navigator, was injured and F/Sgt R. Pontentier RCAF, the rear gunner bailed out over enemy territory. They landed safely at West Malling.
P/O W. Russell RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III HX-284 coded BM-B, failed to return from this operation.

P/O H. Lossing RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LV-841 coded BM-H, failed to return from this operation.

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