September 5/6, 1943

    49 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, and 434 squadrons were joined by 6 Lancasters from 426 squadron on an attack at Mannheim. The crews were over the target at between 17,000 and 21,000 feet, releasing 110,000 lbs of high explosives and 113,000 lbs incendiaries. According to reports, the target was clear of cloud and severe damage was caused.

    F/O D. Laidlaw from 419 squadron returned early with an electrical failure.
    F/O J. Westland returned early as the intercom was u/s.
    F/O J. Studer, RCAF and crew, flying Halifax II  JD-210 coded VR-S, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt. A. Hallworth, RAF
      F/O G. Shannon, RCAF
      F/O H. Danniger, RCAF
      F/Sgt. R.Hayes, RCAF
      Sgt. R. James, RCAF
      F/Sgt. G. Usher, RCAF
    All were killed.

    P/O F. Allan, RAAF and crew, flying Halifax II  JD-410 coded VR-V, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt. H. Nuttall, RAF
      F/O J. Harris, RCAF–POW
      F/O R. Burke, RCAF
      Sgt. A. Slaney, RAF
      Sgt. J. Kilpatrick, RAF
      Sgt. H. Hudson, RAF
    6 were killed and 1 POW.

    Sgt. W. Caldwell from 427 squadron returned early as their Halifax wouldn’t climb.
    F/Lt. G. Laird had the stbd inner go u/s outbound. They bombed and returned safely to base on 3 engines.
    Sgt. D. Olsvik was hit by flak, there were holes in the bomb doors and overload fuel tank.
    F/Sgt. H. Fletcher, RAF and crew, flying Halifax V  LK-636 coded ZL-H, failed to return from this op.

      Sgt. G. Wood, RAF
      Sgt. F. Walters, RAF
      Sgt. G. Tew, RAF
      Sgt. R. Johnson, RAF
      Sgt. L. Stemmler, RCAF
      Sgt. T. Fox, RAF
    All were killed.

    W/O A. Harrison from 428 squadron returned early as the wireless operator, Sgt P. Bentley RAF, was sick. His ear drum burst.
    F/Sgt. W. Kruse returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    F/Sgt. H. Pattinson was attacked by an FW-190, it was claimed destroyed.

    2nd/Lt. J. Clary from 434 squadron returned early as the stbd outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    P/O J. Allen had the port outer go u/s on return. They landed safely at Market Harborough on 3 engines.
    S/Ldr. W. Thomson was hit by flak, the port fuel tank was holed.


     

    While the above crews were going to Mannheim, 9 Wellingtons from 432 squadron were ordered on a mining operation to Brest and Lorient. The crews were over the garden at between 2,000 and 5,000 feet, sowing 18@1500 lb mines.

    Sgt. P. Dennis returned without mining as they could not find the pinpoint.
    F/O A. Mercer was hit by flak, there were holes in the port wing and fuel tank. They landed safely at Colerne.
     


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