Daily Operations

October 8/9, 1943

16 Lancasters from 408 and 426 squadrons were joined by 70 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431, and 434 squadrons and 14 Wellingtons from 432 squadron on an attack at Hannover. The crews were over the target at between 18,000 and 22,000 feet, releasing 272,000 lbs of high explosives and 294,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the sky was clear and an accurate attack was made with severe damage being caused.

S/Ldr A. Mair from 408 squadron returned early as they were late getting away.
F/Sgt R. Young was hit by flak, not serious. They landed at Leconfield on return.
F/Sgt L. Morrison landed at Chedburgh on return.
All other crews landed at Bury St. Edmonds on return.

Sgt J. Parker from 419 squadron returned early as the rear turret was u/s.
F/O J. Westland returned early as the port inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
All other crews landed at Great Ashfield, Thorpe Abbot, Coltishall, or Mildenhall on return.

F/Sgt A. Olsson from 426 squadron was attacked by a JU-88, this was claimed destroyed.
F/Lt T. Kneale was attacked by a JU-88, there was no claim or damage. They landed at Snetterton Heath on return.
Sgt J. Coulombe landed at Mildenhall on return.
All other crews landed at Snetterton Heath on return.

F/Sgt H. Holland from 427 squadron returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Lt G. Laird returned early as some instruments were u/s.
All crews landed at Hethel, Great Ashfield, Coltishall, Snetteton Heath, or Horsham St. Faith on return.
F/Sgt F. Kelly RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-900 coded ZL-D, failed to return from this operation.

F/Sgt W. Armour from 428 squadron was involved in a collision over the target, 2 feet off the stbd rudder was missing.
Sgt D. Curley landed at Bury St. Edmonds on return.
All other crews landed at Marston Moor on return.

All crews from 429 squadron landed at Great Ashfield, Coltishall, or Horsham St. Faith on return.
F/Sgt K. Williams RAF and crew, flying Halifax II JD-323 coded AL-S, failed to return from this operation.

All crews from 431 squadron landed at Shipdam on return.
F/Sgt I. Chalmers RAAF and crew, flying Halifax V DK-265 coded SE-C, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt J. Ryan RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-657 coded SE-K, failed to return from this operation.

F/Sgt T. Spink from 432 squadron returned early as the engines were running poorly.
P/O R. Sullivan returned early as the intercom was u/s.
F/Sgt J. Poole returned early as the pilot was sick.
Sgt A. Slegg was hit by a falling bomb, the port elevator was damaged.
F/Sgt P. Dennis was attacked by an ME-110 and 2 JU-88s, there was no claim or damage.
F/Lt C. Barrett was attacked by an enemy aircraft, there was no claim or damage.
F/O W. fisher was attacked by a JU-88, there was no damage or claim. Later they were attacked by another JU-88, this was hit and a piece of the port wing broke off, the port engine burst into flames and it dove into the ground.
W/O2 D. Baker RCAF and crew, flying Wellington X LN-451 coded QO-W, failed to return from this operation.

F/O G. Perks from 434 squadron had the port outer u/s on return. They landed safely at Chedburgh on 3 engines.
All other crews landed at Shipdam on return.
F/O F. Small RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-647 coded WL-C, failed to return from this operation.

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