September 15/16, 1943

    63 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429 and 434 squadrons were ordered to attack the Dunlop rubber factory at Montlucon. The crews were over the target at between 6,000 and 10,000 feet, releasing 116,000 lbs of high explosives and 228,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused to the complex.

    S/Ldr. G. McMurdy from 419 squadron was hit by flak, not serious.

    Sgt. J. Dawson from 427 squadron returned early as the stbd outer caught fire. They landed safely at base on 3engines.
    P/O F. Murray returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    Sgt. A. Barlow returned early as they were hit by flak.
    F/Sgt. A. Chibanoff, RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V  DK-253 coded ZL-M, crashed near Harmondsworth on return.

      Sgt. D. Coe, RAF
      F/O F. Webb, RCAF
      F/O B. Begbie, RCAF
      Sgt. A. Gaiger, RAF
      Sgt. E. Potts, RAF
      Sgt. H. Frost, RCAF
    All were killed. 

    F/O R. Fernyhough from 428 squadron returned early as the instruments were u/s.
    Sgt. J. Farmer returned early as the port inner was u/s. They landed safely at Tangmere on 3 engines.
    W/Cdr. D. Smith, RAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax V  LK-913 coded NA-N, failed to return from this operation.

      P/O E. Bell, RCAF-POW
      Sgt. C. Heyworth, RAF-Evd
      F/Lt. E. Mason, RCAF–Evd
      F/O H. Dereniuk, RCAF–POW
      P/O R. Malins, RAF–POW
      P/O J. Nelmes, RCAF–Evd
      F/Lt. J. Forman, RCAF–Evd
    This crew was hit by incendiaries and crash-landed in France.

    Sgt. T. Rawlinson from 429 squadron was attacked by 2 enemy aircraft, there was no claim or damage.
    This was the first operation by 429 squadron since converting to the Halifax.

    F/O C. Popplewell from 434 squadron returned early as the stbd outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    Sgt. O. Lytle landed at Tangmere on return.
    S/Ldr. W. Thomson had Air Commodore “Black Mike McEwen” along as the 2nd pilot.
    Sgt. J. Snelgrove was hit by incendiaries, one engine was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines. Sgt. Snelgrove commented on the beautiful moon on this operation. 
     


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