12 Halifaxes from 427 and 429 squadrons were ordered our on a mining operation to Oslo. The crews were over the garden at 12,000 feet, sowing 48@1500 lb. mines.

Sgt R. Thew RAF
F/O P. Haydock RCAF
F/O J. Dougan RCAF
P/O M. Gravel RCAF
P/O J. Williamson RCAF
P/O J. Curle RCAF

They were lost without a trace. Three crews from 429 Squadron saw an aircraft descend into the
water in flames at 19:58 hours.



6 crews from 429 Squadron departed base at between 18:27 and 18:55 hours, they were over the
garden at between 22:44 and 22:57 hours, returning to base at between 01:24 and 02:19 hours.
F/Lt A. Childs and crew flying Halifax III   MZ-824 coded  AL-G were hit by flak over the target
area, it was not serious. They also observed a large aircraft descending in flames to the water at
19:58 hours. What appeared to be a steady electric light was seen about 1,000 feet above the water
where the aircraft went down. At 54:34N-00:48W at 01:16 hours while flying at 1,500 feet a light
on the sea was seen flickering. An orbit was made but no further observations were made.
S/Ldr L. Neilly and crew flying Halifax III  LV-994 coded  AL-L at 19:58 hours while flying at
1,000 feet, position 53:30N-02:30E observed a unidentified aircraft come through the clouds
totally enveloped in flames and crash into the sea, no parachutes were seen.
F/O J. Barlow and crew flying Halifax III  MZ-285 coded  AL-U at 20:00 hours while flying at 1,500
feet, position 53:27N-02:33E observed a unidentified aircraft fall in flames and continued to burn
on the water.
F/Lt H. Brawn and crew flying Halifax III  MZ-424 coded  AL-Z were hit by flak over the target
area, it was not serious.