October 4/5, 1943



    54 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431, and 434 squadrons were ordered to attack Frankfurt.The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 22,000 feet, releasing 116,000 lbs of high explosives and 229,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports the weather was clear and severe damage was caused to the eastern sector of the city including the inland port and docks.

    F/O W. Hamilton, RCAF and crew, flying Halifax II  JD-204 coded VR-L, from 419 squadron failed to return from this operation. 

      Sgt J. McEwan, RAF–POW
      F/O E. Riley, RCAF–POW
      F/O J. Dale, RCAF
      Sgt T. Reay, RAF–POW
      F/Sgt E. Griffin, RCAF
      F/Sgt A. Bortolussi, RCAF
    4 crew were killed and 3 POWs.

    Sgt. A. Fare, RAF and crew, flying Halifax II  JD-463 coded VR-D, failed to return from this operation. 

      Sgt C. Winterbottom, RAF
      Sgt G. Chapman, RAF
      Sgt W. Renner, RCAF–Evd
      Sgt W. Boyce, RAF
      Sgt G. Beach, RAF
      F/Sgt R. Paddison, RCAF
    6 crew were killed and 1 evaded capture.

    6 crews from 427 squadron landed at Bitteswell, Finmere, Chipping Warden, Westcott, Little Horwood, and Bruntingthorpe due to a fuel shortage.
    W/O1 E. Champion. RAF and crew, flying Halifax V  LK-920 coded ZL-J,  failed to return from this operation. 

      Sgt P. King, RAF
      F/O T. Thomas, USAAF
      F/Sgt J. Paquet, RCAF
      F/Sgt R. Ranger, RCAF
      W/O2 J. Perrin, RCAF
      Sgt P. Quenet, RCAF
    All were killed.

    W/O2 W. Kruse from 428 squadron returned early due to the port outer going u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    Sgt. R. Buck landed at Bruntingthorpe on return.
    F/O G. Sutherland landed at Little Staughton on return.
    F/Sgt. J. Harkins, RCAF (Evd) and crew, flying Halifax V  LK-931 coded NA-W, failed to return from this operation. 

      Sgt A. Scott, RAF–POW
      Sgt D. Richards, RAF–POW
      Sgt S. Baldwin, RAF–POW
      Sgt A. Parkinson, RAF–POW
      Sgt G. Columbus, RCAF–POW
      Sgt N. Lee, RAF–Evd
    5 were POWs and 2 evaded capture.

    F/Sgt. J. Hollingworth from 429 squadron had the port outer go u/s over the target. They landed safely on 3 engines at Castle Camps due to a fuel shortage.
    P/O K. Mills was hit by flak, there were holes in the stbd wing.
    F/Sgt. S. Wick landed at Market Harborough on return.
    Sgt. R. Reinelt landed at Downham Market on return.
    Sgt K. Williams landed at Silverstone on return.
    F/Lt. G. Pentony, RAF, flying Halifax II  JD-327 coded AL-F, was attacked repeatedly by enemy aircraft. There were holes in the stbd fuel tanks and the stbd outer engine was u/s. They returned safely to England on 3 engines, but due to low fuel, the crew bailed out. 

      F/Sgt G. Byers, RCAF
      Sgt C. Holdsworth, RAF
      F/O G. Messenger, RAF
      F/Lt L. Thompson, RAF
      P/O K. Craig, RAF
      Sgt G. Patton, RAF
      P/O G. Fitzgerald, RAF
    2 crew members were killed when they failed to exit the Halifax before it hit the ground near Crowborough.

    F/Sgt. J. Ryan and F/Sgt. R. Hamby from 431 squadron landed at Linton on Ouse on return. 
    F/Sgt. I. Chambers landed at Middle Wallop on return.

    F/O F. Carter, S/Ldr. W. Thomson and Sgt A. Austin from 434 squadron landed at Linton on Ouse on return.
    F/Lt. L. Linnell landed at Moreton-in-the-Marsh on return.
    F/Lt. J. Tyler landed at Harwell on return.
    F/O J. Allen, RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V  DK-250 coded WL-W, failed to return from this operation. 

      Sgt R. Lee, RAF
      F/O W. Ruxton, RCAF
      Sgt A. Cox, RAF
      Sgt H. Henshall, RAF
      Sgt C. Hayward, RAF
      W/O2 P. Sheldon, RCAF
    All were killed.
     
     


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