May 12/13 1944



    12 Lancasters from 419 Squadron were joined by 96 Halifaxes from 420, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, and 432 Squadrons to attack the rail yards at Louvain. Bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused to the rail yards.

    F/O A. De Breyne from 419 Squadron returned to base as there were no T.I.s.
    F/O H. Smith RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster X  KB-710 coded VR-W, failed to return from this operation. 

      Sgt. R. Bull RAF
      F/O J. Moore RCAF
      F/O W. Finlayson RCAF
      F/O W. Price RCAF
      P/O J. O'Connell RCAF
      P/O S. Livingstone RCAF
    All were killed after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    P/O B. Edwards RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster X KB-713 coded VR-X, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt. J. Carruthers RAF
      F/O R. Campbell RCAF
      P/O P. Dewar RCAF
      P/O R. Smith RCAF
      P/O J. Webber RCAF
      P/O H. Oddan RCAF
    All the crew were killed.

    F/O W. Fenton, W/O2 J. Ward, and W/O2 L. Holoway from 420 Squadron returned without bombing as there were no T.I.s.

    P/O C. Jones from 425 Squadron returned early as the port inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.

    S/Ldr R. Epps and F/Lt J. Hollingworth from 426 Squadron returned without bombing as there were no T.I.s.
    W/O2 J. Jean returned early as the bomb sight was u/s.
    F/O J. O'Neill returned early after they were attacked by enemy aircraft. The hydraulics and fuel system were damaged. They landed safely at Woodbridge.
    F/O J. Black RCAF--POW and crew, flying Halifax III  LK-883 coded OW-E, failed to return from this operation.

      F/Sgt W. Berry RAF--Evd
      F/O R. Doubt RCAF--Evd
      F/O J. van Maarion RCAF--Evd
      P/O R. Fitzpatrick RCAF
      P/O J. Jones RCAF
      P/O K. Drumm RCAF
      Sgt. A. Jones RAF
    Four crew members were killed, 3 evaded and one POW.

    P/O W. Bentz RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III  LW-682* coded OW-M, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt. R. Ellerslie RAF
      F/O T. Taylor RCAF
      F/O C. Phillips RCAF
      P/O J. McIntyre RCAF
      P/O J. Arbour RCAF
      P/O J. Summerhayes RCAF
      P/O F. Roach RCAF
    All were killed when shot down by a Nightfighter. 
    *This aircraft was recovered recently, with the remains of  three Canadian crew  members still aboard. Details of the recovery are available at the BAHA site.

    P/O. J. Wood from 429 Squadron returned to base as they were unable to raise the undercarriage.

    W/O2 J. Gustafson, P/O. E. Johnson, P/O M. McMillan, and F/O R. Harrison from 431 Squadron returned without bombing as there were no T.I.s.
    W/O2 F. Skeaff returned without bombing s there were no T.I.s. They landed at Tuddenham. 
    P/O C. Campbell RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III MZ-629 coded SE-B, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt. J. MacPherson RAF
      W/O2 C. Barzeele RCAF--Evd
      F/O S. Preston RCAF
      P/O A. Laturnus RCAF
      P/O E. Empey RCAF
      P/O A. Yarrington RCAF
    6 were killed and one evaded capture.

    P/O D. Maddock from 432 Squadron returned without bombing as there were  no T.I.s.
    F/Sgt J. McElheran landed at Tuddenham due to a fuel shortage.


     

    19 Halifaxes from 424 and 428 Squadron were ordered on a mining operation to the Frisian Islands. The crews were over the garden at between 8,000 and 15,000 feet sowing 36@1,500 lb mines.

    F/Lt F. Lynch from 428 Squadron returned early as their navigation aids were u/s.
     


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