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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