September 15/16, 1944
172 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432,
433, and 434 Squadrons were joined by 28 Lancasters from 419 and 428 Squadrons
on an attack at Kiel. The crews were over the target at between 16,500
and 21,500 feet, releasing 442,000 lbs of high explosives and 913,000 lbs
of incendiaries. According to reports, the weather was clear and severe
damages were caused.
P/O E. Patzer from 408 Squadron returned early, as the oxygen system
was u/s.
F/O B. Wallace hit a bird on takeoff, putting a hole in the nose.
P/O J. Kellond was hit by flak, the stbd inner caught fire. This was
put out and they landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/O J. McAllister from 415 Squadron returned early as they were unable
to raise the under carriage.
P/O W. MacNeill returned early as both port engines were u/s. They
landed safely at base on 2 engines.
P/O O. Lindquist was hit by flak, the stbd outer and wing were damaged.
They bombed Flensburg as an alternate.
F/Lt W. Chalcraft from 419 squadron was hit by flak, not serious.
F/O G. Jones from 420 Squadron returned early as they were unable to
raise the under carriage.
F/O R. Gallen and crew, flying Halifax III MZ-625 coded PT-Q, was attacked
by a ME-210, there was no damage but some strikes were seen
P/O J. Tease was hit by flak, not serious.
F/Lt V. Motherwell RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III NA-629 coded PT-W,
had the hydraulics fail, about a 100 miles from the target on the return
flight. The under carriage, flaps, and bomb doors came down. This problem
could not be fixed and with the increased drag, height was lost. An S.O.S
was sent out and the crew ditched in the North Sea, about 70 miles from
the coast. The crew was spotted the next day by a fellow pilot and they
were safely picked up by a launch, after spending 14 hours in a dinghy.
F/O J.Y. Cote from 425 Squadron returned early due to severe icing.
F/O G. Lareau returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed
safely at base on 3 engines.
F/O E. St.Jean was hit by flak, not serious. They were also hit by
incendiaries that put holes through the wing. One also came through the
fuselage between the wing spars, a crew member threw it out of the aircraft.
F/O R. Stone from 426 Squadron was hit by flak, not serious.
P/O L. Matton and crew flying Halifax VII NP-771 coded OW-J were attacked
by a unidentified single engine aircraft, there was no claim but they received
a cannon shell through the fuselage and bomb bay.
F/O H. Hicken had a flat tire on landing, there was no damage or injuries.
P/O J. Sheridan was hit by flak, there was a hole in the fuselage.
P/O G. Kirkby and crew from 427 Squadron flying Halifax III MZ-304 coded
ZL-B were attacked by a ME-109, there was no damage or claim
F/O E. Peacock and crew from 428 Squadron, flying Lancaster X KB-737
coded NA-R, were attacked twice by JU-88s, there was no damage but strikes
were seen on one JU-88.
P/O L. Kagna and crew, flying Lancaster X KB-742 coded NA-M, were attacked
by a JU-88, there was no claim or damage.
F/O C. Gray from 429 Squadron landed at Middleton St. George due to
a fuel shortage.
F/O G. Kercher from 431 Squadron landed at Carnaby on return.
F/O H. Williamson had the flaps, undercarriage and bomb doors come
down on return. They landed safely at Carnaby due to a fuel shortage.
F/O J. Mills and crew from 432 Squadron, flying Halifax VII NP-723
coded QO-D, were attacked by an ME-109, there was no claim or damage.
P/O J. Gallagher RCAF
and crew, flying Halifax VII NP-719 coded QO-N, failed to return from this
operation.
Sgt C. Gill RAF
F/O J. Leblanc RCAF
P/O H. McLeod RCAF
P/O J. Labelle RCAF
P/O C. Crowe RCAF
P/O D. MacCarthy RCAF
All were killed.
P/O J. Eggar and crew from 433 Squadron, flying Halifax III HX-268 coded
BM-A, were attacked by a unidentified single engine aircraft, there was
no claim or damage.
P/O W. Watson and crew, flying Halifax III MZ-818 coded BM-E, were
attacked by an unidentified enemy aircraft, there was no claim or damage.
F/O J. Moffatt and crew from 434 Squadron, flying Halifax III MZ-420
coded WL-F, were attacked by an FW-190, there was no claim or damage.
P/O B. Peterson was hit by flak, not serious.
P/O J. Badgley landed at Carnaby on return.
While some crews went to Kiel, 20 Halifaxes from 424, 427, and 429 squadrons
were ordered on a mining operation to Kiel Bay and Oslo. The crews were
over the garden at between 10,000 and 15,000 feet, sowing 76@1500 lb mines.
F/O R. Guild and crew from 424 Squadron, flying Halifax III LW-119 coded
QB-O, were attacked by an ME-210, there was no damage but many strikes
were seen.
F/Lt H. Woodruff from 427 squadron did not mine as they were unable
to find the pinpoint.