September 16/17, 1943

         
    56 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, and 434 Squadrons were ordered to attack the rail yards in Modane. The crews were over the target at between 14,000 and 19,000 feet, releasing 7,000 lbs of incendiaries and 215,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, this target was in a steep valley and the marking was not accurate so bombing was scattered.

    Sgt D. Cooke and P/O J. Turnbull from 419 Squadron returned early as they could not climb above the icing.
    P/O J. McIntosh returned early as the rear turret was u/s.
    Sgt K. White landed at Tangmere on return.
    F/O J. Westland landed at Polebrook on return.
    Sgt H. Bullis landed at Coleby Grange on return.
    F/Lt A. Quaile RAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax II LW-240 coded VR-S, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt E. Bowden RCAF–POW
      Sgt L. Martin RCAF–Evd
      P/O L. Aspinall RCAF–POW
      P/O G. Graham RCAF–Evd
      F/Sgt T. Bright RAF–Evd
      F/O H. Smith RCAF–Evd
      F/Lt B. Kenyon RCAF–POW
    4 POWs and 4 evaders after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    Sgt A. Darlow from 427 Squadron was hit by flak, not serious. They landed at Bassingbourne on return.
    F/Sgt R. Countess, Sgt D. Olsvik, and Sgt G. Wolton landed at Bassingbourne on return.
    Sgt A. McQuade landed at Coningsby on return due to a fuel shortage.

    Sgt J. Sinclair from 428 Squadron returned early as the compasses were u/s. They landed at Dunsford.
    P/O R. Eaton returned early due to severe icing.
    All other crews landed at Molesworth on return due to poor weather at base.

    F/Sgt G. Hall, S/Ldr D. French, Sgt T. Rawlinson, W/Cdr J. Pattison, and F/O R. Hunt from 429 Squadron returned early due to technical problems.
    Sgt S. Kelso, F/Sgt F. Hingston, and Sgt H. Mitchell landed at Thurleigh on return.

    F/O F. Carter from 434 Squadron returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at Bassingbourne on 3 engines.
    F/O J. Allen landed at Thurleigh on return.
    All other crews landed at Bassingbourne on return due to poor weather at base.
     


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