October 3/4, 1943


    75 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431, and 434 squadrons were ordered on an attack at Kassel. The crews were over the target at between 17,000 and 20,500 feet, releasing 136,000 lbs of high explosives and 261,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, some important industrial buildings were destroyed.

    F/Sgt D. Cook RCAF and crew from 419 squadron, flying Halifax II JB-967 coded VR-F, was attacked by an intruder north west of Lincoln, they were badly damaged and crash-landed at base.

      Sgt A. Simpson RAF
      F/O O. Fonger RAF
      F/Sgt H. Campbell RCAF
      Sgt P. Packer RAF
      Sgt A. Legault RAF
      Sgt D. Robertson RAF
    The Flt engineer was slightly injured.

    F/Lt G. Laird RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-637 coded ZL-W, were attacked by an ME-210 outbound at the Dutch coast. F/O J. Findlay RCAF, the rear gunner, and the wireless operator, P/O G. Rogerson RAF were killed outright, and Sgt W. Cardy RAF, the Flt engineer seriously injured. The Halifax was hosed from end to end with cannon fire. The Halifax caught fire and was put into a port corkscrew, after losing 4,000 feet the fire went out. The 2,000 lb bomb fell through the damaged bomb doors and the rest of the load was jettisoned into the North Sea. 

      Sgt W. Cardy RAF
      Sgt J. Corbally RCAF
      P/O G. Rogerson RAF
      Sgt J. Lorimer RCAF
      P/O J. Moffat RCAF
      F/O J. Findlay RCAF
    They arrived back at base with damaged hydraulics and looking like a sieve. Ground control wanted the crew to bail out, but the crew was worried the injured would not survive the jump. All the way home Sgt W. Cardy RAF, the Flt engineer would regain consciousness and get Sgt J. Corbally RCAF, the bomb aimer, to check the fuel  tanks and change as needed. It took the crew some time to get the under carriage down due to the damaged hydraulics.  They were then able to make a safe landing at base.

    F/O G. Sutherland from 428 squadron returned early as the intercom was u/s.
    F/O C. Murphy landed at Tangmere on return.
    F/Sgt G. Newton was attacked by an FW-190, there were holes in the bomb doors, tail, hydraulic system, and wings.
    W/O F. Edwards RAF and crew, flying Halifax V EB-213 coded NA-G, failed to return from this operation.

      P/O R. Goldstein RCAF
      Sgt E. Burbage RAF–POW
       Sgt F. Gration RCAF–POW
      F/Sgt G. Herbert RCAF
      Sgt A. Hodgkins RAF
      Sgt J. Lundy RCAF
      F/Sgt A. Cadeau RCAF
    6 crew were killed and 2 POWs.

    W/O2 K. McArthur RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V EB-214 coded NA-S, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt L. Buttler RCAF–POW
      F/O R. Thompson RCAF–POW
      P/O T. Elliott RCAF
      Sgt E. Ranson RAF–POW
      Sgt R. Raymond RCAF–POW
      Sgt R. McDonald RAF–POW
    2 crew were killed and 5 POWs after being shot down by flak.

    F/Sgt G. Clark and F/Sgt S. Wick from 429 squadron returned early due to technical problems.
    F/Sgt F. Hingston was attacked by a JU-88, there was no damage or claim. The landed at Tholthorpe on return.
    F/O B. Jackson was hit by flak, there were holes in the wings and fuselage. The pilot was also hit in the face. They landed safely at Coltishall on return.

    F/Sgt J. Morton from 431 squadron returned early as the rear turret was u/s.
    F/Sgt R. Hamby returned early as they were unable to climb.
    F/Lt C. Higgins returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    F/Sgt J. Ryan returned early as there was a navigational error.
    P/O J. Reynoldson RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax V LK-925 coded SE-R, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt R. De Pape RCAF–Evd
      Sgt S. Peters RAF–POW
      W/O2 L. Cudmore RCAF–POW
      W/O2 G. Crebbin RCAF
      F/Sgt G. Storey RAF–POW
      Sgt C. Wardrope RCAF
      P/O L. Main RCAF
    3 crew were killed, 3 POWs and one evaded capture after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    F/O H. German RCAF and crew, from 434 squadron flying Halifax V LK-638 coded WL-V, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt W. Todd RCAF–POW
      Sgt F. Babington RCAF–POW
      F/Lt G. Berg RCAF
      Sgt C. Dorey RAF–POW
      Sgt R. Eaton RAF–POW
      F/Sgt E. Davidson RCAF
    3 crew were killed and 4 POWs.
     
     


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