November 3/4, 1943

    25 Lancasters from 408 and 426 squadrons were joined by 90 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431, and 434 squadrons on an attack at Dusseldorf. The crews were over the target at between 18,000 and 22,000 feet, releasing 146,000 lbs of high explosives and 419,000 lbs of incendiaries.
    According to reports, most of the attack fell in the southern sectors with severe damage to some industrial premises, including the Mannesmann steel factory.

    F/Lt. W. Russell from 408 squadron returned early with mechanical problems. They were also followed for some time by a beaufighter.
    P/O L. Hansen returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    F/O W. Stewart returned early as the navigation aids were u/s.
    F/Sgt. E. Kearl was hit by flak, there was a large hole in the port elevator and the aerial was shot off.
    F/Sgt. L. Morrison landed at Tholthorpe.
    W/O2 R.Young, RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster II  DS-774 coded EQ-F, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt. R. Smith, RCAF
      P/O T. Hilliard, RCAF
      F/O H. Oien, USAAF
      F/O J. Sauve, RCAF
      F/Sgt. C. Miller, RCAF
      F/Sgt. C. MacDonald, RCAF
      Crashed into the sea, 3 crew members washed up in a dinghy.


    Sgt. J. Hamilton from 419 squadron returned early as the rear turret was u/s.

    W/O1 A. Olsson from 426 squadron returned early as the rear turret was u/s.
    P/O D. Ditzler, RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster II  DS-713 coded OW-G, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt. J. Ellis, RAF
      F/Sgt. N. McLeod, RCAF
      F/Sgt. C. Flewin, RCAF
      W/O1 G. Mutton, RCAF
      Sgt. M. Gee, RCAF
      Sgt. J. Galloway, RCAF
    All were killed.

    P/O G. Weldon from 427 squadron landed at Church Fenton on return.

    F/Sgt. E. O’Connor from 428 squadron returned early as the rear turret was u/s.
    F/O R. Eaton, RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V  LK-954 coded NA-E, crashed near Coningsby on return.

      F/O A. Hodgkinson, RCAF
      Sgt. A. Moss, RAF
      F/O L. Whitham, RCAF
      F/O B. Elmore, RAF
      Sgt. A. Weigh, RAF
      Sgt. H .Shimwell, RAF
      P/O A. MacKenzie, RCAF
    Their Halifax was damaged by gunfire. All were killed.

    F/Sgt. E. Willey, Sgt. R. Reinelt, F/Sgt. W. Byers, and Sgt. S. Smith from 429 squadron returned early due to technical problems.
    F/O B. Jackson was attacked by an enemy aircraft, there was no claim or damage.
    F/Sgt. G. Byers, RCAF and crew, flying Halifax II  JD-326 coded AL-P, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt. E. Bates, RAF
      P/O D. Naismith, RCAF
      F/Sgt. O. Bell, RCAF
      F/O C. Blagborne, RCAF
      Sgt. E. Helm, RCAF
      Sgt. C. Hunt, RAF
    All were lost while out a trace. F/Sgt. G. Byers' twin brother F/Sgt. W. Byers flew with this squadron.

    F/Sgt. F. Long from 431 squadron returned early as the rear turret was u/s.

    Sgt. K. Smith from 434 squadron returned early as the intercom was u/s.
    Sgt. J. Pollard was hit by flak, there were holes in the rear turret.
    F/Sgt. E. Devaney was hit by flak, there were holes in the stbd wing tip.
    F/Sgt. J. Keane was hit by incendiaries, there were holes in the wings.
    F/Lt. L. Linnel was hit by incendiaries, there were holes in the wings.
    P/O A. Austin landed at Linton on Ouse on return.
    F/Sgt. E. Dunlop, RAAF and crew, flying Halifax V  EB-257 coded WL-E, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt. L. Shirley, RAF
      Sgt. J. James, RCAF–POW
      Sgt. R. Vance, RCAF–POW
      Sgt. J. Owen, RAF
      Sgt. N. McBride, RCAF–POW
      Sgt. C. Edgar, RAF
    4 crew were killed and 3 POWs.
     
     


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