Daily Operations

November 22/23, 1943

27 Lancasters from 408 and 426 squadrons were joined by 83 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431, and 434 squadrons on an attack at Berlin. The crews were over the target at between 18,000 and 22,000 feet, releasing 250,000 lbs of high explosives and 382,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was cloud covered but serious damage was caused to the central and west areas of the city.

P/O W. Phillips from 408 squadron returned early as the oxygen system was u/s.
P/O J. White was hit by flak, not serious.
P/O K. Brager was hit by flak, the bomb aimer’s perspex was shot off, mid upper turret and rear turret were damaged. There were also many holes through out the wings and fuselage.
F/O W. Stewart was attacked by an enemy aircraft. They went into a stbd spin and got control back. They then went into a spin to port. They lost height from 20,000 feet down to 5,000 feet and all the engines cut out. They were able to get all the engines going and returned safely to base.

P/O R. Metheral from 419 squadron returned early was the fuel cap came off one tank.
F/Sgt I. Johnson returned early due to severe icing.
F/O D. Laidlaw returned early as the rear turret was u/s.
Sgt G. Scade returned early as the rear turret and intercom was u/s.
P/O M. Stronach was hot by flak, there were holes in the windscreen and stbd wing. They landed safely at Catfoss on return.
P/O W. Hunter RCAF and crew, flying Halifax II LW-231 coded VR-F, failed to return from this operation.

P/O J. Brown from 426 squadron was hit by flak, the pilot was slightly injured and there were holes throughout the aircraft.

F/Sgt A. McQuade from 427 squadron was hit by flak, not serious.
P/O J. Matherley landed at Coltishall on return due to a fuel shortage.
P/O J. Milton landed at Swanton Morley on return due to a fuel shortage.
P/O R. Deegan landed at Tholthorpe on return due to a fuel shortage.

F/Sgt H. Pattinson from 428 squadron returned early due to severe icing.
W/O2 G. Hergott returned early as the pilot was sick.
F/Lt A. Reilander had the port outer u/s on return. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Sgt J. Jacob RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-906 coded NA-D, failed to return from this operation.

F/O J. Keegan from 429 squadron returned early with a technical problem.
F/Lt V. Haines returned early after being hit by flak, there were holes in the port wing and fuel tanks.
P/O S. Kelso was hit by flak, there were holes in the port wing and stbd inner engine.
P/O F. Hingston was hit by flak, not serious. They landed at Tholthorpe on return.

S/Ldr C. Higgins from 431 squadron returned early as the oxygen system was u/s.
F/Lt J. Hill returned early as the port inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
P/O R. Rubie returned early as they were damaged by flak outbound.
F/O G. Philbin was hit by flak, there were holes in the port wing.
P/O R. Hamby landed at Woodbridge on return due to a fuel shortage.

F/O S. Dunn from 434 squadron returned early as some of the instruments were u/s.
W/O2 W. Perrier was attacked by an ME-110, there was no claim or damages.
F/O D. Evans and F/Sgt P. Escaravage landed at Docking on return.
F/Sgt D. Morrison, F/O C. Brest and F/Lt J. Tyler landed at East Moor on return.
F/Sgt B. Tedford RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-702 coded WL-E, failed to return from this operation.

F/O R. Savage RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax V LK-953 coded WL-C, failed to return from this operation.

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