November 19/20, 1943


    66 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431, and 434 were ordered on an attack at Leverkusen. The crews were over the target at between 17,000 and 23,000 feet, releasing 116,000 lbs of high explosives and 243,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, weather was very poor, and with equipment problems with the pathfinders, the attack was scattered with very little damage.

    P/O M. Stronach from 419 squadron returned early as the rear turret was u/s.
    Sgt G. Scade returned early as the guns were frozen and u/s.

    P/O J. Matherley from 427 squadron returned early as the port inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    P/O J. Milton returned early as the rear turret and stbd inner were u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.

    F/O N. Brown from 428 squadron returned early as both turrets were u/s.
    W/Cdr D. French was hit by flak, there were holes in the fuselage and wings.

    F/Sgt K. Hawthorn RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-950 coded NA-T was hit by flak, the stbd inner and intercom were damaged. Over England on return, both port engines quit and the crew bailed out. The Halifax crashed into a cemetery near Canterbury.

      Sgt C. Kirtland RAF
      F/O F. Storen RCAF
      F/Sgt D. Smith RCAF
      W/O1 L. Fournier RCAF
      F/Sgt J. McEwen RCAF
      Sgt L. Oshowy RCAF
    The crew was safe except one, who was killed.

    F/Sgt H. Sheppard RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax V LK-956 coded NA-S, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt J. Walker RAF–POW
      F/O D. Knight RCAF–POW
      F/Sgt D. MacGillivray RCAF–Evd
      Sgt S. Stevens RAF–POW
      Sgt N. Michie RCAF–Evd
      Sgt S. Munns RAF–Evd
    4 crew were POWs and 3 evaded capture after being hit by flak and abandoning over Holland.

    P/O J. Keenan from 429 squadron returned without bombing, as they could not find the target.
    S/Ldr D. Kenney returned early with a technical problem.
    F/Sgt E. Baker had the stbd outer u/s on return. They landed safely at Lindholme on 3 engines.

    F/Sgt W. Craig from 431 squadron returned early as they were too late getting away.

     S/Ldr L. Linnell from 434 squadron was hit by flak, the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    P/O J. Snelgrove was hit by flak, not serious. They landed at West Malling on return.
    F/O D. Evans was hit by flak, there were holes in the fuselage and the navigator’s oxygen was u/s. They landed safely at Thorney Island on return.

    Sgt R. Hukee RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax V EB-254 coded WL-D, failed to return from this operation. 

      Sgt A. McIntosh RCAF–POW
      F/O R. Hodgson RCAF–POW
      F/Sgt L. Smith RCAF–POW
      Sgt H. Newey RAF
      F/Sgt R. Cairns RCAF–POW
      Sgt J. Warren RCAF–POW
    6 crew were POWs and one killed after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    P/O W. Winning RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-990 coded WL-X, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt M. Hutton RAF–POW
      F/O B. Caplan RCAF–POW
      F/Sgt M. Beaton RCAF–POW
      F/Sgt E. Mathews RAF–POW
      Sgt G. Saunders RCAF–POW
      F/Sgt S. Erickson RCAF–POW
    6 crew were POWs and 1 killed.
     


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