May11/12, 1944



    26 Lancasters from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 80 Halifaxes from 424, 427, 428, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 Squadrons on an attack of the rail yards at Boulogne. The crews were over the target at between 10,000 and 13,000 feet, releasing 920,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, some bombing hit the yards but much missed and fell into the town.

    W/O1 C. McLeod from 408 Squadron had the rear turret go u/s on return.

    P/O B. Edwards from 419 Squadron returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    F/Lt A. Byford returned without bombing as they were late over the target.

    F/Lt D. Perry RCAF and crew from 427 Squadron, flying Halifax III LW-114 coded ZL-S, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt J. Craig RAF
      1st/Lt R. Stevens USAAF
      F/O J. Brown RCAF
      P/O S. Ellis RCAF
      P/O C. Lamb RCAF
      P/O G. Sinclair RCAF
    All were killed after possibly colliding with S/Ldr C. Barrett from 432 Squadron.

    F/Sgt S. Puskas from 429 Squadron returned early as they were late to the target.
    S/Ldr D. Kenney returned without bombing as there were no T.I.s.

    P/O J. Artyniuk, W/O2 F. Skeaff and F/Lt G. Philbin from 431 Squadron returned without bombing as there were no T.I.s.
    F/Sgt F. Longstaff returned early as their navigation aids were u/s.
    S/Ldr C. Higgins returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at Beaulieu on 3 engines.

    F/Sgt R. Anthony from 432 Squadron returned early as they were late getting away.
    S/Ldr C. Barrett RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III NA-500 coded QO-G, failed to return from this operation.

      P/O W. Shaw RAF
      F/O D. Bentley RCAF
      F/O T. Groundrey RCAF
      F/Sgt G. Coe RAF
      F/Sgt W. Riding RAF
      P/O A. Hamilton RCAF
      P/O J. Thomson RCAF
    All were killed after possibly colliding with F/Lt D. Perry from 427 Squadron.
     
    F/O W. Wright from 434 Squadron returned early after the port inner caught fire and the stbd outer was running rough. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    F/Lt J. Snelgrove was hit by flak, there were holes in one fuel tank.
     

    While most crews went to Boulogne, 6 Halifaxes from 433 Squadron were ordered on a mining operation to Brest, Lorient and St. Nazaire. The crews were over the gardens at 12,000 feet, sowing 10@1500 lb mines.

    P/O J. James returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3engines.
     
     


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