Halifax Heavy Bomber WWII
Wikipedia Halifax Bomber On 1943-10-08, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, an Engineering Officer with 427 Sqn at Skipton-on-Swale, wrote in his diary:
"Well we were on tonight for a change after a two week stand-down [due to poor weather]. I thought I'd make an effort to make a good showing on my first real op on my own. The boys co-operated fine and we got a record 16 kites up each with 1882 gals of petrol, 6500 lbs of bombs, 1-2000 lb., 5 cans of 4-30 lb. incendiaries & 8 cans of 90- 4lb. as well as 14 bundles of "window" incendiaries, the metallic strips they shower down when over target to throw out & jam the jerry radio-location beams. It looked pretty good at take-off & although we had 2 go u/s [unserviceable] just before take-off we managed to shift the crews around to stand-by kites & so we got them all away.
I was feeling pretty good about this but soon things began to happen. First the weather closed in & it turned very cold with a sheet-like rain. Then one after another we got the news that seven aircraft were coming back on early returns never having reached the target. This was awful for my first "do" but it seemed that 3 of the seven were due to very bad icing conditions, 2 were due to maintenance faults for which I had to take the blame. One was due to the pilot getting lost and getting too low down over the Ruhr where he got badly shot up with flak while the seventh never got back at all. He crashed down near Eastmoor somewhere & burned up. All crew were killed so I don't suppose we'll ever find out what happened. With Squadron Leader Ganderton I drove around & met each pilot and flight engineer as they got out of their kites, found out their story & made out my report to the station engineering officer. I was nearly 11:00 o'clock when they all got back & since the weather was duff I was getting a little apprehensive about how many of the rest would get back.
At 12:00 o'clock I went down to flying control to watch as the rest of the kites came in. It was very exciting hearing them talk them in one by one by radio and watching them land. We had two near accidents, one when he was swung & ground looped just after landing & the other when a few hung-up incendiaries fell out of a kite on the runway and went up with a terrific roar & bright flames. However, no one was hurt & we kept counting them one by one as they got down safely until there was only 4 more of ours to come in. We waited and waited but they didn't come & we finally had to give them up for lost. About 1:00am I went up to interrogation to find out from each pilot & flight engineer how the kite had functioned & what damage had been sustained. Finally after about an hour I went to the operations room to see if they had any word of our missing aircraft (& they hadn't). I finally got back to the Mess at 3:30am, had fried potatoes and sausages & went to bed.
Sat Oct 23, 1943: "Things were pretty grim here this morning with everyone worried about our big losses. 4 of ours & 2 from 429 making 6 out of 28 aircraft. Also my six early returns didn't make me feel any too happy. Fortunately we were stood down tonight. The target was Kassel last night & 42 were lost altogether. Mostly due to icing I imagine. Our K-Kitty which had several flak holes in it wasn't too bad although it needed and engine change. . . ."
Halifax (Total: 6,178, Canadian: 2,365, Group 0)
Handley Page Halifax
The Handley Page Halifax is a British Royal Air Force (RAF) four-engined heavy bomber of the Second World War. It was developed by Handley Page to the same specification as the contemporary twin-engine Avro Manchester.
The Halifax has its origins in the twin-engine HP56 proposal of the late 1930s, produced in response to the British Air Ministry's Specification P.13/36 for a capable medium bomber for "world-wide use." The HP56 was ordered as a backup to the Avro 679, both aircraft being designed to use the underperforming Rolls-Royce Vulture engine. The Handley Page design was altered at the Ministry to a four-engine arrangement powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine; the rival Avro 679 was produced as the twin-engine Avro Manchester which, while regarded as unsuccessful mainly due to the Vulture engine, was a direct predecessor of the famed Avro Lancaster. Both the Lancaster and the Halifax would emerge as capable four-engined strategic bombers, thousands of which would be built and operated by the RAF and several other services during the War.
On 25 October 1939, the Halifax performed its maiden flight, and it entered service with the RAF on 13 November 1940. It quickly became a major component of Bomber Command, performing routine strategic bombing missions against the Axis Powers, many of them at night. Arthur Harris, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Bomber Command, described the Halifax as inferior to the rival Lancaster (in part due to its smaller payload) though this opinion was not shared by many of the crews that flew it, particularly for the MkIII variant. Nevertheless, production of the Halifax continued until April 1945. During their service with Bomber Command, Halifaxes flew a total of 82,773 operations and dropped 224,207 tons of bombs, while 1,833 aircraft were lost. The Halifax was also flown in large numbers by other Allied and Commonwealth nations, such as the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Free French Air Force and Polish forces. Wikipedia
Halifax BB189, B.Mk.II
s/n BB189
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 189
Merlin XX/22
1427 Flt/76/158/1658 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB201, B.Mk.II
s/n BB201
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 201
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB203, B.Mk.II
s/n BB203
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 203
Merlin XX/22
35/158 Conversion Flight
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB204, B.Mk.II
s/n BB204
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 204
Merlin XX/22
Unit 103
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB205, B.Mk.II
s/n BB205
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 205
Merlin XX/22
Ditched on Return from operations in Bremen 14.9.42 Chorley - aircraft shot down over Leeuwarden, the Netherlands and all crew taken POW
last update: 2025-February-05Halifax BB207, B.Mk.II
s/n BB207
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 207
Merlin XX/22
158/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB208, B.Mk.II
s/n BB208
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 208
Merlin XX/22
158/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB210, B.Mk.II
s/n BB210
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 210
Merlin XX/22
405/1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB211, B.Mk.II
s/n BB211
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 211
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB212, B.Mk.II
s/n BB212
m/d H.P.59
U
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 212
Merlin XX/22
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Topcliffe, Halifax II aircraft BB 212 LQ-P was damaged by flak over the target of Dusseldorf, Germany, 10/11 September 1942. resulting in the pilot, Flight Sergeant Webb (RCAF), losing control and altitude. He ordered his crew to bale, then regained control and continued to fly. Sadly, Flight Sergeant JC Scotten (RCAF) and Flight Sergeant VR French (RAFVR)(Nfld) had already baled out over enemy territory before Flight Sergeant Webb regained control and were both killed due to parachute malfunction. The aircraft returned to England but the flaps were not lowered fully during the landing at RAF Topcliffe, Yorkshire and the aircraft swung off the runway, colliding with a parked 419 Sqn Wellington III BJ887 VR-H (which was written off) killing wireless operator air gunner, FS AT Drennan (RCAF) and injuring Flight Sergeant WM Webb (RCAF), Flight Sergeant EE Gervais (RCAF), Flight Sergeant JM Rankin (RCAF) and Flight Sergeant GE Mitchell (RAF)
Still with No. 405 Squadron, RCAF at Topcliffe, UK, coded LQ*U. Shot down by night fighter during attack on Stuttgart 11/12 March 1943. Shot down at 17,000 feet by an Me 110, prior to reaching target. 6 crew POW, 1 fatality.
last update: 2025-February-05Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1942-09-10 to 1942-09-11
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Topcliffe
405 Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Topcliffe. Halifax BII aircraft BB 212 LQ-P was damaged by flak over Dusseldorf, Germany, resulting in the pilot, Sergeant Webb, losing control and altitude. He ordered his crew to bail, then regained control and continued to fly. Rear Air Gunner Sergeant Scotten (RCAF) and Mid-Upper Air-Gunner Sergeant French (RAFVR) had already bailed out over enemy territory before Webb regained control and were killed due to parachute malfunction. The aircraft returned to England but the flaps were not lowered fully during the landing at RAF Topcliffe, Yorkshire and the aircraft swung off the runway, colliding with a parked 419 Squadron Wellington III BJ887 VR-H (which was written off) killing Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner, Sergeant AT Drennan (RCAF) and injuring Sergeant WM Webb (RCAF), Sergeant EE Gervais (RCAF), Sergeant JM Rankin (RCAF) and Sergeant GE Mitchell (RAFVR)
The aircraft was later repaired and returned to operations, only to be shot down by a night fighter March 11-12, 1943, on an operation against targets in Stuttgart, Germany
Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1943-03-11 to 1943-03-12
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Topcliffe
405 Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) Halifax BII aircraft BB 212 LQ-U lost on bombing mission against targets in Stuttgart, Germany, shot down by a night fighter pilot Lt Johannes Engels of the 10/NJG 4, flying a Bf 110 F-4 from Mainz-Finthen airfield. The Halifax was attacked before reaching target. The Rear Air-Gunner Sergeant R Moore (RAFVR) was killed in action but the remaining crew bailed before the aircraft crashed at Altneudorf, 10 km NE of Heidelberg, GermanyThe surviving crew members, Flight Lieutenant GT Chretein DFM (RCAF), Sergeant AC Collin (RCAF), Flying Officer GT Carlon DFM (RCAF), Flying Officer JS Probert (RCAF), Warrant Officer 1st Class HG Reynolds (RCAF) and Warrant Officer 1st Class AE Danes (RCAF) all survived to be taken as Prisoners of War
There were three other 405 Squadron Halifax II bombers lost on this date on this operation. Please see aircraft serials DT 745 LQ-V, BB 250 LQ-E and Shockley and W 7803 LQ-B for further information on these aircraft and crews
1942-September-11 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alfred Thomas Drennan 2023-04-11
1942-September-11 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Victor Raymond French 2023-04-06 1942-September-11 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Edward Emile Gervais 2023-04-11 1942-September-11 Survived RAFVR Sergeant GE Mitchell 2023-04-11 1942-September-11 Survived RCAF Sergeant John Maxwell Rankin 2023-04-11 1942-September-11 KIA RCAF Sergeant Jack Clarence Scotten 2023-04-06 1942-September-11 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer William Miskimon Webb 2023-04-11 1943-March-12 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Edward Carlon DFM 2024-01-04 1943-March-12 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant George Theodore Chretien DFM 2024-02-17 1943-March-12 PoW RCAF Sergeant Arthur Cyril Collin 2024-03-20 1943-March-12 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Arthur Ernest Danes 2024-08-27 1943-March-12 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Moore 2023-04-06 1943-March-12 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Scott Probert 2023-04-11 1943-March-12 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Harold George Reynolds 2023-04-11 Halifax BB214, B.Mk.II
s/n BB214
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 214
Merlin XX/22
Unit 103
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB215, B.Mk.II
s/n BB215
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 215
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB216, B.Mk.II
s/n BB216
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 216
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Saarbrucken Germany 1942-09-01 to 1942-09-02
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe
With No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ-D" Lost at 23:58 on 1 September 1942, during mission to Saarbruken. Port outer engine caught fire shortly after takeoff from Topcliffe. Wing failed structurally while crossing the UK coast. Crew ordered to bail out. 2 lannded in sea, presumed drowned, 2 others killed, 3 survivors. Pilot F/Sgt. N.A. MacKenzie died in crash, never had time to bail out. Dived into the ground at Chapel St. Leonards, 5 miles north-north-west of of Skegness, LincolnshireHalifax BB217, B.Mk.II
s/n BB217
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 217
Merlin XX/22
Unit 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/ 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit
On 1944-06-29, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 1664/1679 HCU at Wombleton, wrote in his diary:
"Had another accident today when a pilot was taxying "G" George (BB217) along the perimeter track too fast. It got out of control & started to swing & with the port break on so hot it caught fire & ploughed straight for the flying control building. Then it veered slightly & hit a large brick garage just behind the flying control building. It completely demolished the building but only did comparatively light damage to the a/c & made it a Cat AC."
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB219, B.Mk.II
s/n BB219
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 219
Merlin XX/22
103/78/158/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB223, B.Mk.II
s/n BB223
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 223
Merlin XX/22
Unit 103/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB236, B.Mk.II
s/n BB236
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 236
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB242, B.Mk.II
s/n BB242
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 242
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB244, B.Mk.II
s/n BB244
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 244
Merlin XX/22
Units 77/78/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB247, B.Mk.II
s/n BB247
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 247
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77/78/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-May-02 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Harry Astrand 2024-09-12 1944-May-02 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Herbert Russell Davies 2024-09-12 1944-May-02 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Edward John Donnelly 2024-09-12 1944-May-02 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer John Lockwood McKinnon 2024-09-12 1944-May-02 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William Alexander Pope 2024-09-12 1944-May-02 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Malcolm Thomas Seabrook 2024-09-12 Halifax BB248, B.Mk.II
s/n BB248
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 248
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77/10/1658 Heavy Conversion Unit/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB249, B.Mk.II
s/n BB249
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 249
Merlin XX/22
10/158/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB250, B.Mk.II
s/n BB250
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 250
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1943-03-11 to 1943-03-12
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe
Battle of the Ruhr
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Topcliffe, Halifax II BB 250 LQ-E was shot down in flames by night fighter pilot Oblt Heinz-Wilhelm Kornacker of III/NJG4 over France while homeward bound from Stuttgart, Germany. The Halifax was abandoned and crashed at Mondepuis, France
There were three other 405 Squadron Halifax II aircraft lost this night. Please see Shockley, H for information regarding the Halifax W 7803 LQ-B, Chretein, GT for information on Halifax BB 212 LQ-U and Dmytruk, P for information on Halifax DT 745 LQ-V
Those who dared - A Comprehensive List of World War ll Allied Escapers 1943-March-12 Evader RCAF Flight Sergeant Elmer Leigh Bulman MM 2024-10-13 1943-March-12 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer Borden Carrick Dennison DFC 2024-10-13 1943-March-12 Evader RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Jack Jennings DFC 2024-10-13 1943-March-12 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Ronald Frank Kennett 2024-10-13 1943-March-12 KIA RCAF Sergeant Emanuel George Lacina 2024-10-13 1943-March-12 Evader RCAF Acting Squadron Leader Lloyd Emerson Logan DFC, CDGFSS 2023-11-11 1943-March-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Gray MacDonald 2024-10-13 1943-March-12 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon L Spencer 2024-10-13 Halifax BB251, B.Mk.II
s/n BB251
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 251
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB252, B.Mk.II
s/n BB252
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 252
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77/10
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-January-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Brian Fetherstonhaugh 2021-08-06 1943-January-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Clement Lawrence Clifford King 2025-02-05 1943-January-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Wilmer Smith 2021-07-26 1943-January-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur William Wilson 2022-01-11 Halifax BB253, B.Mk.II
s/n BB253
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 253
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51/1658 Heavy Conversion Unit/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB254, B.Mk.II
s/n BB254
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 254
Merlin XX/22
1656 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB257, B.Mk.II
s/n BB257
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 257
Merlin XX/22
Unit 58
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB274, B.Mk.II
s/n BB274
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 274
Merlin XX/22
1659 Heavy Conversion Group
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB275, B.Mk.II
s/n BB275
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 275
Merlin XX/22
1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-February-01 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Gaspard Arsenault 2024-11-03 1943-February-01 KIFA RCAF Sergeant John Louis Boivin 2025-01-26 1943-February-01 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant David Clayton Carder 2025-01-26 1943-February-01 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Harvey Frank Gorrie 2025-01-26 1943-February-01 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Peder Larsen 2025-01-26 Halifax BB278, B.Mk.II
s/n BB278
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 278
Merlin XX/22
Telecommunications Flying Unit/58/1674 heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB281, B.Mk.II
s/n BB281
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 281
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB282, B.Mk.II
s/n BB282
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 282
Merlin XX/22
1658 Heavy Conversion Group/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB283, B.Mk.II
s/n BB283
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 283
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-March-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Francis Beckett 2024-11-10 1943-March-29 KIA RCAF Sergeant Charles St Clair Foster 2025-01-07 1943-March-29 KIA RCAF Sergeant Joseph John Goldspink 2025-01-07 1943-March-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gerald McGrath 2025-01-07 1943-March-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Roderic Murray McLeod 2025-01-07 Halifax BB285, B.Mk.II
s/n BB285
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 285
Merlin XX/22
1652 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB303, B.Mk.II
s/n BB303
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 303
Merlin XX/22
1660 Heavy Conversion Unit/ 1659 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB305, B.Mk.II
s/n BB305
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 305
Merlin XX/22
1660 Heavy Conversion Unit/1659HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB310, B.Mk.II
s/n BB310
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 310
Merlin XX/22
Unit 502/1Operational Training Unit/1674 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB311, B.Mk.II
s/n BB311
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 311
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1943-04-14 to 1943-04-15
408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom) RAF Leeming. Halifax BII aircraft BB 311 EQ-L, was attacked by Me-110, knocking out one engine, then attacked again 30 minutes later returning from an operation against targets in Stuttgart, Germany. The Halifax was shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Helmut Bergmann of the Stab 3/NJG 4, flying a Bf 110 from Juvincourt airfield. The crew abandoned aircraft, before it crashed near Montescourt-Lizerolles, France
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner Sergeant JJ Courtney (RAFVR) was killed in action
The remainder of the crew, Warrant Officer 1st Class RE Dressler (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant RH Jay (RCAF), Warrant Officer 1st Class IR MacDonald (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant GM Parkinson (RCAF), Warrant Officer 1st Class W Reed (RCAF) and Flight Lieutenant LE Usher (RCAF)(USA) all survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
There were two 408 Squadron Halifax II aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial JB 909 EQ-G for additional information on this crew
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1943-April-15 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Joseph Courtney 2024-05-05 1943-April-15 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Robert Ernest Dressler 2024-10-28 1943-April-15 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Raymond Harry Jay 2023-05-23 1943-April-15 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Ian Ross MacDonald 2023-05-23 1943-April-15 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Grenville Marshall Parkinson 2023-05-23 1943-April-15 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Walter Reed 2023-09-26
1943-April-15 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Leland Ellis Usher 2023-05-23 Halifax BB314, B.Mk.II
s/n BB314
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 314
Merlin XX/22
Unit 502
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB317, B.Mk.II
s/n BB317
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 317
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB320, B.Mk.II
s/n BB320
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 320
Merlin XX/22
35/102/1662 Heavy Conversion Unit/1656 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB323, B.Mk.II
s/n BB323
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 323
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Aachen Germany 1943-07-13 to 1943-07-14
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
374 aircraft - 214 Halifaxes, 76 Wellingtons, 55 Stirlings, 18 Lancasters, 11 Mos-quitoes; 5 Group did not take part in this raid. 20 aircraft+ 15 Halifaxes, 2 Lancasters, 2 Wellingtons, 1 Stirling - lost, 5·3 per cent of the force
.A strong tail wind brought the first waves of the Main Force into the target area before Zero Hour with the result that, when the first Pathfinder markers were released, an unusually large number of aircraft bombed in the first minutes of the raid. The visibility was good and large areas of Aachen appeared to burst into flame at once. In the words of the report from Aachen, 'A 'Terrorangriff" of the most severe scale was delivered.'* 2,927 individual buildings were destroyed. These contained 16,828 flats/apartments and there was the familiar list of public and cultural buildings hit. Among those classed as severely damaged were the cathedral, the Rathaus, the town theatre, the police headquarters, the local prison, the main post office, two infantry barracks and an army food depot, and 8 large industrial premises including an aero-engine factory, a rubber factory, a tyre factory and a wagon works. 294 people were killed and 745 injured and 28,500 people appear to have fled the town and were still absent when new ration cards were issued nearly 7 weeks later.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George, Halifax II aircraft BB 323 VR-R "per Flak ad Nausium", on a raid to Aachen, Germany was shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Heinz Strüning of the 3/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Venlo airfield., Netherlands. The Halifax was abandoned, badly damaged and on fire, crashing near Venlo, Limburg, Holland
1943-July-14 KIA RAF Flight Sergeant William Charles Batkin 2024-12-31 1943-July-14 PoW RAF Sergeant James Shaw Carmichael 2024-01-05 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Murray Cottenden 2024-12-31 1943-July-14 PoW USAAF Second Lieutenant Bertram J Furey 2024-12-31 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 John Campbell Gilchrist 2024-12-31 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Kenneth Lasalle 2024-12-31 1943-July-14 PoW RAF Sergeant Gilbert Colin Perrett 2024-12-31 Halifax BB324, B.Mk.II
s/n BB324
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 324
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB326, B.Mk.II
s/n BB326
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 326
Merlin XX/22
1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB327, B.Mk.II
s/n BB327
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 327
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Duisburg Germany 1943-04-08 to 1943-04-09
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
392 aircraft - 156 Lancasters, 97 Wellingtons, 73 Halifaxes, 56 Stirlings, ro Mos¬quitoes. 19 aircraft - 7 Wellingtons, 6 Lancasters, 3 Halifaxes, 3 Stirlings - lost, 4·8 per cent of the force
.Thick cloud again ruined the Pathfinder marking and the resultant bombing was widely scattered. Duisburg experienced only moderate damage, with 40 buildings destroyed, 72 seriously damaged and 36 people killed. Bombs fell on at least 15 other towns in the Ruhr
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Fight Sergeant.D.C. Way, Sergeants P.J. Ireland, J.H. Morris, NO. A.R. Hickey, Sergeants R.J. Amos (RAF), and K.H. Godbold (RAF) were killed. One Canadian,Warrant Officer L.E. Turner, was taken Prisoner of War. This was the fourth operation for this crew.
1943-April-09 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Reginald Hickey 2022-11-14 1943-April-09 KIA RCAF Sergeant Percy John Ireland 2022-10-28 1943-April-09 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Hubert Morris 2022-10-28 1943-April-09 PoW RCAF Sergeant Laverne Elmer Turner 2023-08-14 1943-April-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Delmar Cyril Way 2022-10-28 Halifax BB328, B.Mk.II
s/n BB328
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 328
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB332, B.Mk.II
s/n BB332
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 332
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB334, B.Mk.II
s/n BB334
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 334
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138/405/408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB336, B.Mk.II
s/n BB336
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 336
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-April-05 KIA RAFVR Flight Lieutenant John Baillie Darroch 2024-10-31 1943-April-05 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Edward Gerard Gilmore DFC 2021-11-06 1943-April-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Maxwell Palmer Hall 2021-07-14 1943-April-05 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Kenneth William Haynes 2021-07-14 1943-April-05 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Potter George Oyler 2021-07-14 1943-April-05 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant James William Taylor Mason Smith DFM 2021-07-14 1943-April-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Russell Thomas Wiggett 2021-09-02 Halifax BB343, B.Mk.II
s/n BB343
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 343
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Sergeant Harold Walter Fill 2023-12-15 1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Joseph Jacques Alfred Guay 2025-02-01 1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lloyd George Haines 2023-12-15 1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Irving MacDonald 2023-12-15 1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Francois Rolland Joseph Pilon 2023-12-15 Halifax BB361, B.Mk.II
s/n BB361
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 361
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB367, B.Mk.II
s/n BB367
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 367
Merlin XX/22
Navigation Training Unit/405/1669 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB369, B.Mk.II
s/n BB369
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 369
Merlin XX/22
Navigation training Unit/405/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB372, B.Mk.II
s/n BB372
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 372
Merlin XX/22
405/35/102/1652 Heavy Conversion Group
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB373, B.Mk.II
s/n BB373
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 373
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB374, B.Mk.II
s/n BB374
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 374
Merlin XX/22
405/1658 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB375, B.Mk.II
s/n BB375
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 375
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Peter Dockerill 2024-10-23 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Gordon Mitchel McLean 2024-10-23 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Earl Monahan 2024-10-23 1943-June-22 PoW RCAF Sergeant George Iric Prodham 2024-10-23 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Clifford Clarence Reichert 2024-10-23 1943-June-22 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant J C B Russell 2024-10-23 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Searle 2024-10-23 Halifax BB376, B.Mk.II
s/n BB376
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 376
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Bochum Germany 1943-09-29 to 1943-09-30
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
352 aircraft - 213 Lancasters, 130 Halifaxes, 9 Mosquitoes. 9 aircraft - 5 Halifaxes and 4 Lancasters - lost, 2·6 per cent of the force.
The Oboe-assisted Pathfinder plan worked perfectly and led to accurate and concentrated bombing. In the Bochum air-raid area - which included 3 small towns near by- 527 houses were destroyed and 742 were seriously damaged. The Altstadt is mentioned as having been particularly hard-hit. 161 people were killed, including 33 foreign workers and prisoners of war, and 337 people were injured.
Served with No. 419 Squadron, RCAF, coded "VR*G". . Failed to return from mission to Bochum on 29/30 September 1943. Lost without a trace, all crew killed. Reported by Dutch sources to have come down in the North Sea, 6 kilometres north-west of Den Helder.
Halifax BB378, B.Mk.II
s/n BB378
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 378
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB382, B.Mk.II
s/n BB382
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 382
Merlin XX/22
Overseas Aircraft Preparation Group/301 Ferry Transfer Unit/178/462/614
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB384, B.Mk.II
s/n BB384
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 384
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB386, B.Mk.II
s/n BB386
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 386
Merlin XX/22
Overseas Aircraft Preparation Group/301 Ferry Transfer Unit/178/462/624
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-March-04 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Donald Garforth Browne 2024-11-22 1944-March-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Francis Ira Elliott 2023-07-14 1944-March-04 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Dennis Hazeldine 2023-07-14 1944-March-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class George Thomas Jackson 2023-07-14 1944-March-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Roy Wesley Moller 2023-07-14 1944-March-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Mundell 2023-07-14 1944-March-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harry Alexander Edward Gordon Smith 2023-07-14 Halifax BB390, B.Mk.II
s/n BB390
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 390
Merlin XX/22
Airplane and Armament Experimental Association/ 1659 Heavy Conversion unit/1666HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB412, B.Mk.II
s/n BB412
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 412
Merlin XX/22
Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit/178/462/148
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-September-12 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Richard Alvinzie Crowell 2024-05-22 1944-September-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Howard Ireland 2022-01-26 1944-September-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Ervin O'Brien 2021-08-17 1944-September-12 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Miller Parkinson 2021-08-18 1944-September-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Albert Major Vanderhart 2021-07-22 Halifax BB414, B.Mk.II
s/n BB414
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 414
Merlin XX/22
Overseas Aircraft Preparation Group/301 Ferry Transfer Unit/178
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB417, B.Mk.II
s/n BB417
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 417
Merlin XX/22
Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit/301 Ferry Transfer Unit/3 Overseas Aircraft Delivery Unit/ 462
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax BB428, B.Mk.II
s/n BB428
m/d H.P.59
London Passenger Transport Board
BB 428
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG219, B.Mk.II
s/n DG219
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 219
Merlin XX/22
460 Conversion flight/1656 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG220, B.Mk.II
s/n DG220
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 220
Merlin XX/22
Units 78/76/ 76 Conversion Flight/1658 Heavy Conversion Unit/1663HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG222, B.Mk.II
s/n DG222
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 222
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG224, B.Mk.II
s/n DG224
U
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 224
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Essen Germany 1942-06-08 to 1942-06-09
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
Operated by No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF, when lost on 8 June 1942. Halifax aircraft DG 224 was carrying bombs, camera, and leaflets when it was shot down, on mission to Essen, came down 11 kilometres north-west of centre of Cologne. 7 crew killed, one PoW. 1942-June-09 KIA RAFVR Reginald Paul Healey 2022-05-31 1942-June-09 KIA RAF Leslie Heycock 2022-05-31 1942-June-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lloyd George Higginson 2022-11-22 1942-June-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ernest Norman Jefferies 2022-07-07 1942-June-09 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Alan James McEwen 2022-07-07 1942-June-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Edmund Thomas McGill 2022-07-07 1942-June-09 KIA RCAF Sergeant William John Pethybridge 2022-07-07 1942-June-09 PoW RAF Derek Robert Riches 2022-05-31 Halifax DG225, B.Mk.II
s/n DG225
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 225
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG226, B.Mk.II
s/n DG226
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 226
Merlin XX/22
Units 35/10 Conversion flight/10/158/1658 Heavy Conversion flight/1652 Heavy Conversion flight
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG227, B.Mk.II
s/n DG227
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 227
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35/158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG228, B.Mk.II
s/n DG228
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 228
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Krefeld Germany 1942-10-02 to 1942-10-03
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) Halifax II aircraft DG 228 LQ-H shot down over Holland by flak of the Marine-Flak-Abteilung 813 (Hoek van Holland), 2/MAA 205 Küstenbatterie Brandenburg and the 1 & 2/Reserve, crashing on Vredebest Farm near Noordwijkerhout (Zuid Holland) 16 km SSW of Haarlem, Netherlands. (aviation-safety.net) The bomber crashed into a farmhouse, killing Alida Hogervorst and injuring her mother Adriana Hogervorst and her brother Wim Hogervorst, who later died of his injuries (www.basher82.nl). 1942-October-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Maxwell Ben-Hertz 2025-01-13 1942-October-03 KIA RCAF Sergeant David George Hackett 2025-01-13 1942-October-03 KIA RAF Sergeant Sidney Messham 2025-01-13 1942-October-03 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Edward Warren Murphy 2025-01-13 1942-October-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Joseph Neubert 2025-01-13
1942-October-03 KIA RAAF Sergeant George Henry Shannon 2025-01-13 1942-October-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lionel Harry Williams 2025-01-13 Halifax DG231, B.Mk.V
s/n DG231
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 231
Merlin XX/22
408/1663 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG232, B.Mk.V
s/n DG232
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 232
Merlin XX/22
1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG233, B.Mk.V
s/n DG233
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 233
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/408/518/517
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG234, B.Mk.V
s/n DG234
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 234
Merlin XX/22
Unit 408/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1663HCU/76/1663HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG235, B.Mk.V
s/n DG235
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 235
Merlin XX/22
Unit 408/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/408/Rolls Royce/1667 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG236, B.Mk.V
s/n DG236
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 236
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/1663 Heavy conversion unit/1667 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG237, B.Mk.V
s/n DG237
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 237
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/518/1674 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG238, B.Mk.V
s/n DG238
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 238
Merlin XX/22
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG239, B.Mk.V
s/n DG239
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 239
Merlin XX/22
408/1659 Heavy conversion Unit/1664 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG240, B.Mk.V
s/n DG240
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 240
Merlin XX/22
408/518/517
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG241, B.Mk.V
s/n DG241
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 241
Merlin XX/22
408/1668 Heavy conversion Unit/1660HCU/1666HCU/1667HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG242, B.Mk.V
s/n DG242
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 242
Merlin XX/22
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG243, B.Mk.V
s/n DG243
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 243
Merlin XX/22
408/1668 Heavy Conversion Unit/1654HCU/1662HCU/1667HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG245, B.Mk.V
s/n DG245
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 245
Merlin XX/22
Unit 161
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG246, B.Mk.V
s/n DG246
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 246
Merlin XX/22
408/1663 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG247, B.Mk.V
s/n DG247
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 247
Merlin XX/22
Unit 408/ 1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG248, B.Mk.V
s/n DG248
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 248
Merlin XX/22
Unit 408/1663 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG249, B.Mk.V
s/n DG249
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 249
Merlin XX/22
Unit 408/Rotol/1652 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG252, B.Mk.V
s/n DG252
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 252
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG253, B.Mk.V
s/n DG253
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 253
Merlin XX/22
Unit 408/138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG271, B.Mk.V
s/n DG271
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 271
Merlin XX/22
Unit 408/138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG275, B.Mk.V
s/n DG275
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 275
Merlin XX/22
77/1660 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG277, B.Mk.V
s/n DG277
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 277
Merlin XX/22
408/1663 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG278, B.Mk.V
s/n DG278
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 278
Merlin XX/22
77/1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG280, B.Mk.V
s/n DG280
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 280
Merlin XX/22
Units 1664 Heavy conversion unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG282, B.Mk.V
s/n DG282
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 282
Merlin XX/22
295/1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG285, B.Mk.V
s/n DG285
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 285
Merlin XX/22
From aviation Safety Network:
Further information: Operation Ker was an SIS Op. and according to the Provisional Operation Report prepared for the aircraft's return, it was to drop a parcel on at 47 42 05N, 01 49 25W, which is just south of a village called Sion-les-Mines (Loire-Atlantique), some 16 km W of Chateaubriant in Northern France. There were no co-ordinates given for CRAB 6, a container drop. The French underground found the aircraft burned out, south of Rennes. Seven bodies were found in the wreckage, all were interred in the Eastern Communal Cemetery, Rennes on 17th January 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG292, B.Mk.V
s/n DG292
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 292
Merlin XX/22
Unit 1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG295, B.Mk.V
s/n DG295
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 295
Merlin XX/22
1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-March-16 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Louis Philippe Denis Carrier 2024-10-21 1944-March-16 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Jacques Omer Cournoyer 2025-03-01 1944-March-16 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Roger Dionne 2024-10-21 1944-March-16 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Alphonse Jean-Paul Normandeau 2024-10-21 1944-March-16 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Romeo Arthur Pelletier 2024-10-21 1944-March-16 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Albin Walld 2024-10-21 Halifax DG296, B.Mk.V
s/n DG296
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 296
Merlin XX/22
1664 Heavy Conversion Unit/431/1664HCU/1666HCU/
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG301, B.Mk.V
s/n DG301
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 301
Merlin XX/22
Units 1664 Heavy Conversion Unit/1662HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG308, B.Mk.V
s/n DG308
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 308
Merlin XX/22
1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG339, B.Mk.V
s/n DG339
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 339
Merlin XX/22
On 1943-09-09, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, a Technical Officer at Croft, wrote in his diary:
On September 9, during a party celebrating W/C Clark's DFC award, "About 10:30pm the phone rang & it was another prang off the runway â€" a bad one this time . . . The W/C & I jumped in his car right away and raced down to the Aerodrome in the pitch black. It was B for Bear (DG339). According to the pilot's story . . . the S.O (starboard outside) engine started to vibrate . . . and shake the whole aircraft. He was about 100 [feet] at the time . . . made a low circuit, got sort of panicky & brought her in for a belly landing . . . he headed for the grass and just missed a couple of parked aircraft. . . At the first smack he busted up all four props & tore off a few engine cowlings & radiators, then the stbd outer engine fell out on the ground bashing big hole in the wing in passing. This threw the nose up which promptly tore off the tail wheel . . . & incidentally broke the kite's back just aft of the T.E. of the wings. The nose came down again & the port outer engine fell out and she finally came to rest with debris strewn all over the field for about two hundred yards behind it. What a mess. Cat E definitely & fortunately no one was badly hurt."
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG340, B.Mk.V
s/n DG340
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 340
Merlin XX/22
Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit/1667 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG341, B.Mk.V
s/n DG341
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 341
Merlin XX/22
1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
On 1943-06-27, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, a Technical Officer with 1664 HCU at Croft, wrote in his diary:
"Well we had our first prang today. Nobody hurt but it sure made a mess of the kite. It was a beautiful warm day and at 11:00 hrs this morning, P for Peter was making a regular landing. He started to swerve a little & in correcting for it the pupil and instructor were sort of fighting the controls and they ran off the runway, did a big sweep back across the runway & into a very violent ground loop. Both undercarriages were folded up sideways & were pushed into the wings when it came down on its belly the port wing & port tail fin scraped the ground, the port outer engine fell out of its mounting head-first on to the ground & the tail gave such a swing when she turned so sharply that it broke its back just aft of the L.E. & major spar. A Cat E with a vengeance. One wing was still overlapping the runway so we had to start getting it cleared right away. A lot of our crash equipment isn't here yet so we borrowed some lifting bags from Middleton & some pipe lines from Leeming, came back after lunch and started in. First we picked up the loose engine & carted it off to workshops, then with a little lift under each wing with lifting bags we hooked a bowser . . . to each u/c in turn & pulled them away from the wreckage. Then with a bowser to anchor the tail we started the slow process of small lifts, building up supports & then more lifts until about 10 o'clock at night we got one 4 wheel bogey under the stbd. wing root. It has it laid down [in standard procedures] that they are to go under the engine nacelle but I got the brilliant idea to put them in the new locations & it worked very well. We got the other side up by 10:30 & had her wheeled away to a dispersal by 11:00 o'clock at night after 12 hrs. solid work. We had our meals carted out by truck & were quite satisfied with the job. Now we should be able to get a few spares anyway."
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG342, B.Mk.V
s/n DG342
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 342
Merlin XX/22
On 1943-09-08, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, a Technical Officer with 1664 HCU at Croft, wrote in his diary:
"Q for Queenie DG 342 swerved on landing & tore out the stbd u/c [under carriage] on the ground loop. That seems to be the favourite method around here. It's a cat AC with stbd u/c wing, stbd outer engine, 2 stbd props & the stbd tail fin & rudder all bashed up".
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG343, B.Mk.V
s/n DG343
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 343
Merlin XX/22
Units 295/Croft/1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG346, B.Mk.V
s/n DG346
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 346
Merlin XX/22
1664 Heavy Conversion Unit/1 Ferry Unit/48 Maintenance Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG348, B.Mk.V
s/n DG348
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 348
Merlin XX/22
1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG361, B.Mk.V
s/n DG361
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 361
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG363, B.Mk.V
s/n DG363
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 363
Merlin XX/22
Unit 427/1664Heavy conversion Unit/428/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-07 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Vernon Edward Clark 2024-02-25 1944-August-07 KIFA RCAF Sergeant John William Ellis 2022-01-31 1944-August-07 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Alexander Thomas Gorman 2021-08-07 1944-August-07 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Leslie Arthur Green 2021-08-07 1944-August-07 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Archibald Stewart McTavish 2021-08-17 1944-August-07 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Gwynfryn Morgan 2021-09-23 1944-August-07 KIFA RCAF Sergeant William Lewis Southwick 2021-07-23 Halifax DG385, B.Mk.V
s/n DG385
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 385
Merlin XX/22
Unit 434/1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG388, B.Mk.V
s/n DG388
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 388
Merlin XX/22
295/298/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG390, B.Mk.V
s/n DG390
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 390
Merlin XX/22
Unit 295
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG391, B.Mk.V
s/n DG391
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 391
Merlin XX/22
Unit 295
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG393, B.Mk.V
s/n DG393
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 393
Merlin XX/22
Unit 295
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG399, B.Mk.V
s/n DG399
m/d H.P.57
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 399
Merlin XX/22
Units 1663 Heavy conversion Unit/1 Oversea aircraft Preparation Unit/1 Ferry Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-17 Taken on Strength CA not flown, Instructional only. 2020-06-13
1947-March-28 Struck off Strength CA 2020-06-13
Halifax DG402, B.Mk.V
s/n DG402
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 402
Merlin XX/22
Unit 1663 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG405, B.Mk.V
s/n DG405
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 405
Merlin XX/22
Unit 161
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG420, B.Mk.V
s/n DG420
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 420
Merlin XX/22
1663 Heavy Conversion Unit/76/1663HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DG423, B.Mk.V
s/n DG423
Rootes Securities Ltd
DG 423
Merlin XX/22
1663 Heavy conversion Unit/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DJ980, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DJ980
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DJ 980
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77/1664 Heavy conversion Unit/1666HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DJ982, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DJ982
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DJ 982
Merlin XX/22
77/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-December-02 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Murray Beatty 2024-11-09 1943-December-02 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant William John Morgan 2025-01-04 1943-December-02 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas John Skyrme 2025-01-04 1943-December-02 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer William John Taylor 2025-01-04 1943-December-02 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Cameron Walker 2025-01-04 1943-December-02 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Wallace 2025-01-04
1943-December-02 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant John Owens Winters 2025-01-04 Halifax DJ988, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DJ988
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DJ 988
Merlin XX/22
1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DJ991, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DJ991
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DJ 991
Merlin XX/22
1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK115, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK115
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 115
Merlin XX/22
On 1943-08-08, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, a Technical Officer with 1664 HCU at Croft, wrote in his diary:
"Sunday seems to be our unlucky day since we flew hard all day & then tonight had our fourth big prang C for Charles DK115. For some reason I haven't been able to find out yet the port u/c folded up just after he had made his landing & he came down on one wing right in the centre of the runway about 5:30 tonight. We had night flying on & scheduled for 11:00pm so it was up to me to get it lifted and cleared in time. Bill Tait & I ordered midnight suppers & set to work with lifting bags and jacks & finally got a bogey under her & towed her away to dispersal by 10:45 just in time because the aircraft were beginning to warm up in preparation for take-off. It damaged the port outer mainplane, aileron and flap, ruined the undercarriage, the port tail rudder & bashed the bottom of the port outer engine. Also two port props. This makes another Cat AC for the contractors to work on & a total of three ganged up in the hanger at the present time."
Groundlooped on landing at Dishforth and undercarriage collapsed 29.10.441664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05Halifax DK119, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK119
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 119
Merlin XX/22
Units 138/161
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK122, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK122
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 122
Merlin XX/22
Unit 295
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK127, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK127
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 127
Merlin XX/22
On 1943-04-15, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, a Technical Officer with 1659 HCU at Topcliffe, wrote in his diary:
"Went for my first ride in a Halifax today. DK127, G one of our new Mk V kites with Merlin XXII engines & with only 5 hours of flying time. It sure is a smooth kite. Squadron Leader Langton was the pilot, I was flight engineer & did the starting operation of fuel cocks & temperature adjustments. Two pilots â€" Clark and Ross were the mid-upper and rear gunners although neither had ever operated a turret or fired a gun before. What a crew,; it certainly would have been funny if we had met up with a Jerry FW190 or something since I imagine our goose would have been cooked."
Force landed at Wrexham after failure of both port engines 30.3.44
1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1656 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK129, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK129
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 129
Merlin XX/22
1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK131, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK131
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 131
Merlin XX/22
Unit 295
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK133, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK133
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 133
Merlin XX/22
1660 Heavy conversion Unit/1667 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-September-06 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Beverly Gordon Kitchen 2021-08-12 1944-September-06 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer John Russell Pound 2021-08-12 1944-September-06 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Mark Edward Vandekinder 2021-07-13 1944-September-06 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Kenneth Allan Watson 2021-07-10 1944-September-06 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William Francis Woolgar 2021-07-06 Halifax DK134, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK134
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 134
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK135, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK135
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 135
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William George Arthur 2024-11-03 1943-June-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Frederick Charles Ashby 2024-11-03 1943-June-25 PoW RAF Sergeant Lawrence Arthur Bone 2024-11-14 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Max Shvemar 2025-01-27 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Lou Warren Somers 2025-01-27 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Jonathan Harvey Walton 2025-01-27 1943-June-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Vernon Moore White 2025-01-27 Halifax DK139, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK139
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 139
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Carl Phillips Beairsto 2024-11-09
1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Austen Cadmus 2024-06-27 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer Anthony David Deane 2024-10-09 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Melvin Maier Meyer 2024-06-27 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Thomas Vicary 2024-06-27 Halifax DK140, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK140
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 140
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK141, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK141
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 141
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Pierce James Axel Dennis 2024-10-13 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Douglas Hamilton 2024-10-13 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 John Joseph Reansbury 2024-10-13 1943-June-23 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Arnold Spencer 2024-10-13 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon Louis Tyrone 2024-10-13 Halifax DK142, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK142
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 142
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Aachen Germany 1943-07-13 to 1943-07-14
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
427 Lion Squadron (Ferte Manus Certe) RAF Leeming. Halifax V aircraft DK 142 ZL-C, on a raid against targets in Aachen, Germany was attacked by multiple night fighters. The bomber was abandoned and crashed on the banks of the river Waal northwest of Dreumel, Gelderland, Netherlands
The entire crew survived
Warrant Officer Class 2 WH Green (RCAF), Sergeant JH Brown (RCAF), Sergeant SW Bryant (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 JF Hutchings (RCAF), Sergeant RT Hayes (RCAF) and Warrant Officer Class 2 ME Sobkowicz (RCAF) were all taken as Prisoners of War
Warrant Officer Class 2 JRR Poudrier (RCAF) survived and evaded until betrayed by a Belgian criminal, to be arrested became a Prisoner of War
1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Sergeant John Harold Brown 2024-11-21 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Stanley William Bryant 2024-11-23 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Walter Herbert Green 2022-10-22 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Sergeant Robert Thomas Hayes 2022-10-22 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class John Frederick Hutchings 2022-10-22 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Joseph Richard Roland Poudrier 2022-10-22 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Michael Edward Sobkowicz 2022-10-22 Halifax DK143, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK143
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 143
Merlin XX/22
Unit 427/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-September-23 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Claudien Paul Joseph Dessertine 2024-10-16 1944-September-23 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Alphonse Clement Duhamel 2024-10-29 1944-September-23 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Edgar Albert Robitaille 2021-08-08 1944-September-23 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Philorome Ambroise Vigneault 2021-07-13 Halifax DK144, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK144
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 144
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK146, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK146
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 146
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK147, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK147
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 147
Merlin XX/22
Units Linton-On-Ouse,/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK150, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK150
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 150
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK165, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK165
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 165
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK166, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK166
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 166
Merlin XX/22
Units Linton-On-Ouse/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK169, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK169
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 169
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK170, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK170
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 170
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK180, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK180
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 180
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-26 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert James Frost 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gerald Alban Gagnon 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 PoW RCAF Sergeant John Richard Hooley 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Angus Anthony McKinnon 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Clarence Ray Munson 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Charles Richard Page 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 PoW RAF Sergeant Kenneth Albert Shannon 2021-06-10 Halifax DK181, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK181
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 181
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-December-04 Survived RCAF Flying Officer Ralph Alexander Carson 2021-10-05 1943-December-04 Survived RAFVR Flying Officer William Arthur Cozens 2021-10-05 1943-December-04 Survived RAFVR Sergeant C Hopper 2021-10-05 1943-December-04 Survived RAFVR Sergeant John McGowan 2022-05-23 1943-December-04 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Ross Bell Nairn 2022-05-25 1943-December-04 Survived RAFVR Sergeant William Leslie Stockford 2021-10-05 1943-December-04 Survived RAFVR Sergeant H Whittaker 2021-10-05 Halifax DK182, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK182
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 182
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1943-10-21 to 1943-10-22
427 (B) BG (RCAF) Skipton on Swale
Battle of the Ruhr
1943-October-23 Accident Crash Crashed on return from attack on Kassel, near Newton Kyme. All were killed. 2019-08-20
1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Kenneth Alfred Brown 2024-11-21 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Desmond Owen Collen 2024-03-20 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Edward John Dutton 2024-10-31 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Irvine McCullagh 2023-07-19 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Peter John Moore 2021-06-05 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Henry Procter 2021-06-05 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Warrant Officer Douglas Harold Welch 2021-06-05 Halifax DK183, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK183
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 183
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Bochum Germany 1943-06-12 to 1943-06-13
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
Shot down by a night fighter and crashed at Prins Hendrikpolder, Den Hoorn, Texel island, Noord-Holland.
Killed includes Dixon:Pilot Officer George William Rupert Dalton RCAF J/17164 KIA Sergeant James Imms RAF 640842 KIA Bergen General Cemetery, NetherlandsPilot Officer Bernard Laird Tedford RCAF J/17609 KIA Den Burg Cemetery, Texel, Holland, Plot K. Row 3. Grave 52.Pilot Officer Alexander Mathias Fellner RCAF J/16714 POW Stalag 9C, POW# 1726.Pilot Officer Gerrard Smith Huston RCAF J/17316 POW Stalag Luft L3 Sagan & Belaria, POW# 1699.Pilot Officer William Angus Thurston RCAF J/17163 POW Stalag Luft L3, Sagan & Belaria, POW# 1509.
1943-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George William Rupert Dalton 2024-11-13 1943-June-13 KIA RCAF Sergeant Albert Dixon 2024-11-13 1943-June-13 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Alexander Mathias Fellner 2024-11-13 1943-June-13 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Gerrard Smith Huston 2024-11-13 1943-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Bernard Laird Tedford 2024-08-27 1943-June-13 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Angus Thurston 2024-11-13 Halifax DK184, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK184
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 184
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William George Rex Baum 2025-03-02 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ward Bray 2025-03-02 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Richard Chester Day 2025-03-02 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Everett Elmer Stuart McCulloch 2025-03-02 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frederick George Painter 2025-03-03 Halifax DK185, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK185
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 185
Merlin XX/22
Units 431/1427/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit.
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-31 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class William George King 2021-08-12 1944-January-31 KIFA RCAF Sergeant George Martin 2022-01-21 1944-January-31 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald George McLeod 2021-08-17 1944-January-31 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Albert Lorne Mullen 2021-08-16 1944-January-31 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Robert Henry Rahn 2021-08-11 1944-January-31 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Lewis Riggs 2021-08-08 Halifax DK186, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK186
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 186
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit/1667 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK189, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK189
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 189
Merlin XX/22
Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK190, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK190
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 190
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harold Garfield Froude 2022-08-25 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Francis Joseph Higgins DFM 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Fergus John Hunter 2021-06-06 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Kashmar 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Theodore Matynia 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Robert Randolf Stickney 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer Archibald Kay Young 2021-08-21 Halifax DK191, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK191
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 191
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Byron Mcgie Gracie 2021-08-07 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harry Pliley Heximer 2021-08-10 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Norman Frederick Notley 2021-08-17 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Armand Alphonse Pariseau 2021-08-18 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Norman Duncan Reid AFC 2021-08-10 Halifax DK192, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK192
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 192
Merlin XX/22
Unit427/1663 Heavy conversion Unit 1427 flt ??
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1943-06-11 to 1943-06-12
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
427 Lion Squadron (Ferte Manus Certe) RAF Leeming. Halifax BV aircraft DK 192 ZL-V returned to RAF Oulton with battle damage after an operation to Dusseldorf, Germany. While on a taxiway the Halifax was in a collision with 431 Squadron Wellington HF 543 SE-P that had also returned to RAF Oulton with battle damage. There were no casualties from either aircraft but the Wellington was written off. The Halifax was repaired and sent to HCU 1663 but later lost 1944-02-07 along with the entire RAF crew while on a training flight
Flight Lieutenant IP Colquhoun (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 JR Dobie (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant WE Beswick (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 1 SW Bryant (RCAF), FS JPC LaPointe (RCAF), Sergeant G Millard (RCAF) and FS LC Patrick (RCAF) all survived safe
1943-June-12 Survived RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Edward Beswick 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 Survived RCAF Warrant Officer Class I Stanley William Bryant 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 Survived RCAF Flight Lieutenant Ian Lorne Colquhoun 2024-03-23 1943-June-12 Survived RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Robert Dobie 2024-10-22 1943-June-12 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant Jean-Paul Claude LaPointe 2023-11-29 1943-June-12 Survived RCAF Sergeant G Millard 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant Leslie Cayless Patrick 2022-10-21 Halifax DK196, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK196
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 196
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-07 PoW RCAF Sergeant Edward Norman Bongard 2024-11-14 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Mcintosh Brown 2024-11-22 1943-September-07 PoW RCAF Sergeant Thomas Joseph Cousineau 2025-01-27 1943-September-07 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Peter Frederick Elko 2025-01-27 1943-September-07 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant James Absalom Pickup 2025-01-27 Halifax DK201, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK201
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 201
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK202, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK202
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 202
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK207, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK207
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 207
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK223, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK223
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 223
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax Dk224, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n Dk224
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
Dk 224
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK225, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK225
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 225
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK226, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK226
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 226
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK227, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK227
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 227
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK228, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK228
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 228
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-July-14 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Archibald Douglas Dawson 2024-10-05 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Richard Goodfellow 2024-10-05 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ernest Drever Robertson 2024-10-05 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Walter Ferg Stewart 2024-10-05 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harold Bramley Ward 2024-10-05 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant William George Weeks 2024-10-05 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Sergeant Stephen Zayets 2024-10-05 Halifax DK229, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK229
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 229
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK230, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK230
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 230
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lloyd Marshall Banks 2024-11-07 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Gordon William Neil Fanson 2024-11-07 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Alan Leighton 2024-11-07 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Alfred Lewis 2024-11-07 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Grigor McCallum 2024-11-07 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald John McNeill 2024-11-07 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Hugh Orr 2024-11-07 Halifax DK231, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK231
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 231
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK233, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK233
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 233
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Sergeant Robert William Briggs-Jude 2024-11-18 1943-September-01 PoW RAF Sergeant Hugh Charfles Burdoff 2024-11-23 1943-September-01 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Richard Simon Dutka MiD 2024-10-31 1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Douglas Alexander Este 2022-03-12 1943-September-01 PoW RAF Sergeant Claude Haddon 2022-03-12 1943-September-01 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Malcolm MacAulay 2023-01-30 1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Sergeant Sidney Elmer Towle 2022-03-12 Halifax DK234, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK234
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 234
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1943-10-21 to 1943-10-22
427 (B) BG (RCAF) Skipton on Swale
Battle of the Ruhr
On 1943-10-08, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, an Engineering Officer with 427 Sqn at Skipton-on-Swale, wrote in his diary:
"Well we were on tonight for a change after a two week stand-down [due to poor weather]. I thought I'd make an effort to make a good showing on my first real op on my own. The boys co-operated fine and we got a record 16 kites up each with 1882 gals of petrol, 6500 lbs of bombs, 1-2000 lb., 5 cans of 4-30 lb. incendiaries & 8 cans of 90- 4lb. as well as 14 bundles of "window" incendiaries, the metallic strips they shower down when over target to throw out & jam the jerry radio-location beams. It looked pretty good at take-off & although we had 2 go u/s [unserviceable] just before take-off we managed to shift the crews around to stand-by kites & so we got them all away.
I was feeling pretty good about this but soon things began to happen. First the weather closed in & it turned very cold with a sheet-like rain. Then one after another we got the news that seven aircraft were coming back on early returns never having reached the target. This was awful for my first "Ëœdo' but it seemed that 3 of the seven were due to very bad icing conditions, 2 were due to maintenance faults for which I had to take the blame. One was due to the pilot getting lost and getting too low down over the Ruhr where he got badly shot up with flak while the seventh never got back at all. He crashed down near Eastmoor somewhere & burned up. All crew were killed so I don't suppose we'll ever find out what happened. With Squadron Leader Ganderton I drove around & met each pilot and flight engineer as they got out of their kites, found out their story & made out my report to the station engineering officer. I was nearly 11:00 o'clock when they all got back & since the weather was duff I was getting a little apprehensive about how many of the rest would get back.
At 12:00 o'clock I went down to flying control to watch as the rest of the kites came in. It was very exciting hearing them talk them in one by one by radio and watching them land. We had two near accidents, one when he was swung & ground looped just after landing & the other when a few hung-up incendiaries fell out of a kite on the runway and went up with a terrific roar & bright flames. However, no one was hurt & we kept counting them one by one as they got down safely until there was only 4 more of ours to come in â€" we waited and waited but they didn't come & we finally had to give them up for lost. About 1:00am I went up to interrogation to find out from each pilot & flight engineer how the kite had functioned & what damage had been sustained. Finally after about an hour I went to the operations room to see if they had any word of our missing aircraft (& they hadn't). I finally got back to the Mess at 3:30am, had fried potatoes and sausages & went to bed.
Sat Oct 23, 1943: "Things were pretty grim here this morning with everyone worried about our big losses. 4 of ours & 2 from 429 making 6 out of 28 aircraft. Also my six early returns didn't make me feel any too happy. Fortunately we were stood down tonight. The target was Kassel last night & 42 were lost altogether. Mostly due to icing I imagine. Our K-Kitty which had several flak holes in it wasn't too bad although it needed and engine change. . . ."
1943-October-23 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Kassel. All were killed. 2019-08-20
1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Hamilton Balloch 2024-12-07 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Edward Fairfield 2024-12-07 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Harold Samuel McCartney 2024-12-07 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Sydney Aubrey Minter 2024-12-07 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Alexander Mitchell 2024-12-07 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Edward Pedder 2024-12-07
1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ivor Schilansky 2024-12-07 Halifax DK235, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK235
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 235
Merlin XX/22
Units 428/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK236, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK236
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 236
Merlin XX/22
Units 76/431/44 Maintenance Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK237, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK237
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 237
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Harvey Lionel Allen 2023-11-09 1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Sergeant Norman Edward Gregor 2023-10-31 1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Sergeant Andrew Hayward Murdoch 2023-11-09 1944-January-21 PoW RAF Sergeant Iorwerth Presce Roberts 2021-06-22 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Sergeant Sydney James Smith 2024-05-03 1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant R Ernest Terry 2023-10-31 1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Oscar Pearson Yarnold 2023-11-09 Halifax DK238, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK238
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 238
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Winston Woolley Blackmore 2024-11-12 1943-August-18 PoW RAFVR Sergeant George F Hodgson 2025-01-23 1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Noel Franklin Oliver 2025-01-23 1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Jean Paul Raymond Richard 2025-01-23 1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Reginald George Seaborn 2025-01-23 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Frederick Stanley Williams 2025-01-23 1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer William Stephen Ernest Wood 2025-01-23 Halifax DK239, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK239
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 239
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK240, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK240
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 240
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK242, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK242
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 242
Merlin XX/22
Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK243, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK243
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 243
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Joseph Desmond Brady 2024-11-17 1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert (Bob) William Charman 2025-02-20 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Sergeant James Leonard Fletcher 2025-02-20 1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Revell Tuzo Johnson 2025-02-20 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Sergeant Orville Malcolm McIntyre 2025-02-20 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Ifor Wyn Pugh 2025-02-20 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 John Louis Troman 2025-02-20 Halifax DK246, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK246
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 246
Merlin XX/22
Units 192/431/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK247, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK247
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 247
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK248, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK248
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 248
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK249, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK249
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 249
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-01 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Robert Cecil Bradley 2024-11-17 1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Stanley Feakes 2024-04-13 1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Thomas Kendall Green 2024-04-13 1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Bruce Robert Harrison 2024-04-21 1943-September-01 KIA RAFVR Warrant Officer John Reginald Prockter 2024-05-01 1943-September-01 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Arthur Riddle Soulsby 2024-05-03 1943-September-01 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Williams 2024-05-03 Halifax DK250, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK250
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 250
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK251, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK251
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 251
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Sergeant Harry Lawrence Douglas 2024-10-28 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alan Benjamin Jackson 2024-05-29 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James McDonald 2024-06-17 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Chester Frank Phillips 2024-06-22 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Aubrey David Steadman 2024-10-28 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Harold Tovey 2024-07-10 Halifax DK252, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK252
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 252
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-28 Survived RCAF Sergeant G M Custeau 2021-06-09 1943-September-28 Survived RAF Sergeant Leslie Frederick Edmonds 2021-06-09 1943-September-28 Survived RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Desmond Jackman DFC 2021-06-09 1943-September-28 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Magnus Jonas Johnson DFC 2021-06-09 1943-September-28 Survived RAF Sergeant Ernest Charles Henry Knowles DFM 2021-06-10 1943-September-28 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Maxwell Kogan DFC 2021-06-09 1943-September-28 Survived RCAF Sergeant J Silverman 2021-06-09 Halifax DK253, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK253
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 253
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK254, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK254
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 254
Merlin XX/22
427/301 Ferrry transfer Unit/1 Overseas Aircraft Delivery Unit/1577 Flight
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK255, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK255
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 255
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK257, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK257
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 257
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-July-14 PoW RAF Sergeant Donald Brown 2024-11-21 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Francis Henry Ditchburn 2024-10-21 1943-July-14 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Montague Edwards 2025-03-09 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Boyd Leslie Gillis 2025-03-09 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Ft. Lieutenant Donald Scott Morgan 2025-03-09 1943-July-14 Evader RCAF Sergeant J P O'Leary 2025-03-09 1943-July-14 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas Henry Pritchard 2025-03-09 Halifax DK258, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK258
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 258
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Milton Ray Ledgett 2024-06-05 1943-August-28 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant John MacReady 2021-04-09 1943-August-28 PoW KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Herbert David Mallory 2024-04-22 1943-August-28 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Kenneth Newton Reid 2021-04-09 1943-August-28 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Thomas Frank Thould 2024-07-10 1943-August-28 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant William Mark VanZant 2021-04-09 Halifax DK259, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK259
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 259
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William George Bellinger 2024-11-11 1943-September-29 Evader USAAF Second Lieutenant J T Clary 2024-02-29 1943-September-29 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer George Victor Hastings 2025-01-13 1943-September-29 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Clarence York Hovey 2025-01-13 1943-September-29 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Ivan Arthur Lewis Lockhart 2025-01-13 1943-September-30 PoW USAAF Sergeant R W Stuart 2025-01-13 Halifax DK260, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK260
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 260
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Peenemunde Germany 1943-08-17 to 1943-08-18
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Tholthorpe
434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Tholthorpe, Halifax BV aircraft DK 260 IP-M was engaged in operations against the V-2 rocket sites at Peenemunde, Germany when it was attacked by a night fighter which was shot down. A second night fighter attack resulted in the Halifax crashing near Wolgast, Germany
Flight Lieutenant IL Colquhoun (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 1 CP Fitzpatrick (RCAF) and FS Lapointe (RCAF) were all killed in action
Sergeant DA Young (RAFVR) was missing, presumed killed in action
Sergeant Young has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial
Sergeant JR Dobie (RCAF), Flying Officer WE Beswick (RCAF) and Sergeant PS Crees (RAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
There were two more 434 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this date. Please see aircraft serials EB 258 IP-T and EB 276 IP-G for additional information
Daily Operations 6bombergroup.ca
Me and Mr. Jones > Vintage Wings of Canada
1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Edward Beswick 2024-10-22 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Ian Lorne Colquhoun 2024-04-04 1943-August-18 PoW RAF Sergeant Peter Sydney Crees 2024-10-22 1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Robert Dobie 2024-10-22 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Charles Phillip Fitzpatrick 2024-10-22 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Jean Paul Claude LaPointe 2024-10-22 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Dennis Alfred Young 2024-10-22 Halifax DK261, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK261
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 261
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-24 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Charles Brooks 2024-11-20 1943-August-24 Evader RCAF Squadron Leader R A McLeron 2025-03-05 1943-August-24 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant James Plenderleith 2025-03-05 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles William Snyder 2025-03-05 1943-August-24 PoW RCAF Sergeant Edward Arthur Walters 2025-03-05 Halifax DK262, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK262
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 262
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Roger Moore 2024-06-22 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Leonard Thomas Olmstead 2024-06-22 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Sergeant Philip Murray Shulman 2024-06-28 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Sergeant George Wills Sutherland 2024-07-09 1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant David Douglas Witts 2024-07-12 Halifax DK264, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK264
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 264
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK265, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK265
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 265
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Hannover Germany 1943-10-08 to 1943-10-09
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholthorpe
Battle of Berlin
504 aircraft- 282 Lancasters, 188 Halifaxes, 26 Wellingtons, 8 Mosquitoes. This was the last Bomber Command raid in which Wellingtons took part. 300 (Polish) and 432 (Canadian) Squadrons provided the 26 Wellingtons which operated on this night; they all returned safely. The German controller guessed correctly that Hannover was the target and many night fighters arrived before the attack was over. 27 aircraft- 14 Lancasters and 13 Halifaxes - were lost, 5·4 per cent of the force.
Conditions over Hannover were clear and the Pathfinders were finally able to mark the centre of the city accurately; a most concentrated attack followed with a creepback of only 2 miles, all within the built-up area. This was probably Hannover's worst attack of the war. The local report describes extensive damage in the centre of. the city and in many other parts except the west. The telephone system and electricity supply failed at the beginning of the raid and many water mains were quickly broken. A large area of fire quickly developed in the centre and south-central districts. Acting upon instructions from the Party Headquarters and from district air-raid posts, the population were shepherded to collecting places in open areas between the fires. This action is believed to have saved many lives but 1,200 people were killed and 3,345 were injured, 449 seriously so. A further 6,000-8,000 people received eye injuries because of smoke and heat. 3,932 buildings were completely destroyed and more than 30,000 were damaged in varying degree, but no individual buildings are named. R.A.F. reconnaissance, however, showed that the important Continental rubber factory and the Hanomag machine works were badly hit.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft DK 265 failed to return from a trip over Hanover, Germany. Sergeants W.H.Hamil, H.E. Evans, T.A. Ashcroft (RAF), G. Beeken (RAF), R Mather (RAF), F.W. Stubbings (RAF), and Flying Officer S.H. Walker (RAF) were killed.
There were two 431 Sqdn. aircraft lost on this date. Please see Sergeant F. Rudd for information regarding the other aircraft and crew.
Halifax DK267, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK267
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 267
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1943-08-23 to 1943-08-24
428 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Middleton St George
428 Ghost Squadron, (Usque ad Finem) RAF Middleton St George. Halifax BV aircraft DK 267 NA-H was most likely attacked by a night fighter over Berlin, killing one crew member. Four other crew bail safely from the Halifax and were captured. The Pilot was badly injured but continued to fly his aircraft in the company of his Bomb Aimer, heading north until the Halifax was abandoned near Annelov, Sweden, where the last two crew survived and became Interned Prisoners in Sweden
The Wireless Operator/Air Gunner C E Crampton (RAFVR) was killed action in the fighter attack on the bomber
Warrant Officer 1st Class L S Bates (RCAF), Warrant Officer 1st Class W S Kerr (RCAF), Warrant Officer 2nd Class G W Patterson (RCAF) and Sergeant J Taylor (RAFVR) all safely bailed while still over Germany and all survived to become Prisoners of War
Flight Sergeant H A Read (RCAF) badly wounded and Flying Officer J J McQuade (RCAF) abandoned their damaged aircraft safely over Sweden and became Interned Prisoners
1943-August-24 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Leo Stanislaus Bates 2024-12-31 1943-August-24 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Charles Ernest Crampton 2024-05-12 1943-August-24 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 William Stanley Kerr 2024-12-31 1943-August-24 Interned RCAF Flying Officer James Joseph "Scotty" McQuade 2023-11-08 1943-August-24 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 George Walter Patterson 2024-12-31 1943-August-24 Interned RCAF Flight Sergeant Harry Allen Read 2023-11-08 1943-August-24 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Joseph Taylor 2023-11-08 Halifax DK268, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK268
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 268
Merlin XX/22
Unit 427/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK269, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK269
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 269
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DK270, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK270
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 270
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Ferry Flight Hanover Germany 1943-09-27 to 1943-09-28
428 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St George
Aircraft had been badly damaged by enemy fire over the target, resulting in the loss of the port outer engine. The pilot was able top nurse the aircraft back to England and was diverted to attempt a landing at the US Air Station, Framlington. On approach to landing, the port inner engine also failed , causing the Halifax to flip, strike some trees and crash
Quote from Steve Wilson, son of pilot Sergeant R Wilson, with his father's account of the night his plane crashed.
The aircraft was hit by accurate flak over the target after being caught in searchlights. As a consequence of this, the port outer engine was badly damaged and ceased to function. The bombs were jettisoned over the target and and the pilot turned the aircraft back for home at Middleton St George.
Whilst crossing the coast (Dutch coast I believe) theHalifax was again hit by flak from a German flak ship which damaged the inner port engine, but did not put it out of action. On regaining the English coast, the crew realised that they were now in serious trouble and the pilot was having problems keeping the aircraft airborne due not only to engine problems but also to damaged flight surfaces.
They broadcast the emergency call sign (blackie blackie for that night) and the US air base at Framlingham responded as the nearest airfield. The pilot headed for this base and all were gratified to seethe landing lights ablaze for them. They began a very difficult descent to the runway, but as fate would have it, the damaged port inner engine chose this moment to stop altogether.
The effect of this was to cause the aircraft to flip over onto its port side, the wing caught the tree tops and the plane crashed into the ground before ever reaching the runway.
There were three survivors - the pilot, the mid upper gunner and the tail gunner. The pilot was badly injured having a smashed pelvis, and other serious injuries and indeed when they found him one of his eyes was hanging down on his cheek.The rear gunner was also very badly injured but I do not know the extent of these.The mid upper gunner escaped without a scratch and went for help, but could not get out of the the heavily ploughed and muddy field that they were in due to barbed wire security fences that surrounded the field. It was nearly an hour before American forces got to them.
The official story simply states that the aircraft over shot the landing on return - this is not the case, they never even got to the runway, and the crash was was caused by battle damage.
1943-September-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Arthur James Wadd Lucas 2022-07-10 1943-September-28 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Duncan Mercer 2022-07-10 1943-September-28 Survived RAF Flying Officer Bruce Wallace Roughton 2022-07-10 1943-September-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Frank Smith 2021-06-10 1943-September-28 Survived RAF Sergeant Edward Page Wainwright 2022-07-10 1943-September-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant George Valentine Whitley 2022-07-10 1943-September-28 Survived RAF Sergeant R Wilson 2022-07-10 Halifax DK271, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n DK271
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
DK 271
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-23 PoW RCAF Sergeant George Rae Annand 2024-11-02 1943-September-23 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Henry Francis Davis 2023-11-03 1943-September-23 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Norman Lloyd Reed 2023-11-02 1943-September-23 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Frank Prescott Sharpe 2023-11-02 1943-September-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Verne Allison Stewart 2023-11-02 1943-September-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Russell Terres Zdan 2023-11-02 Halifax DT482, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT482
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 482
Merlin XX/22
Unit 103 Conversion flight/ 103/1656 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT483, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT483
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 483
Merlin XX/22
Failed to Return, Mining 1943-01-09 Unit 460 Conversion flight/ 103/51 Island of Juist Holland
Claim by Maj Helmut Lent Stab IV/NJG1 - Sea 20km West of Texel (Eisbar): 4,000m at 20:24.(Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1943 Part 1 - Theo Boiten)
last update: 2025-February-11Halifax DT487, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT487
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 487
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Karlsruhe Germany 1942-09-02 to 1942-09-03
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe
Karlsruhe 200 aircraft of 5 types with 4 Group Halifaxes now back on major operations. 8 aircraft - 4 Wellingtons, 2 Lancasters, 1 Halifax, 1 Stirling - lost, 4·0 per cent of the force.
The Pathfinders were accurate and this was a successful raid, An estimated 200 fires were seen burning at the same time. Reconnaissance photographs showed much residential and some industrial damage. A very short report from Karlsruhe says only that 73 people were killed and that 3 public buildings in the city centre were hit.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus). Halifax aircraft DT 487 was shot down at Lesves, seven miles south-west of Namur, Belgium."The aircraft was returning from a mission to Karlsruhe (Baden-Württemberg) and it was shot down by Oblt Martinek (Bf 110) of III./NJG 4, departing from the French base Juvincourt.
The entire crew was killed and resting at Hotton: Flight Lieutenant Lawrence David Hillier (pilot,) Flight Sergeant George William Roberts (second pilot,) Flight Sergeant Bernard Arthur McGrath (navigator,) Sergeant Alexander Douglas Muir (flight engineer,) Pilot Officer Kenneth Ederic Michael Mitchell (wireless operator, gunner,) Flight Sergeant Arthur Colin Ewing (wireless operator,) Sergeant Edward John Cutting (gunner) and Sergeant Edwin Charles Alfred Coules (gunner.)
1942-September-03 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Edwin Charles Alfred Coules 2024-05-02 1942-September-03 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Edward John Cutting 2024-09-21 1942-September-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur Colin Ewing 2023-08-22 1942-September-03 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Lawrence David Hillier 2023-08-22 1942-September-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Bernard Arthur McGrath 2023-08-22 1942-September-03 KIA RAFVR Keneth Ederic Michael Mitchell 2023-08-22 1942-September-03 KIA RCAF Sergeant Alexander Douglas Muir 2023-08-22 1942-September-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George William Roberts 2023-08-23 Halifax DT488, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT488
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 488
Merlin XX/22
Unit 33
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT496, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT496
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 496
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT500, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT500
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 500
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35/10/419/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT507, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT507
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 507
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT509, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT509
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 509
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-December-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Albert Lloyd Fox 2021-08-06 1942-December-20 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class James Albert Hunter 2021-08-10 1942-December-20 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Leopold Rene Kingsley 2021-08-12 1942-December-20 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Edward Cecil Malone 2021-08-14 Halifax DT511, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT511
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 511
Merlin XX/22
Unit76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT512, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT512
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 512
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT514, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT514
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 514
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT515, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT515
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 515
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT517, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT517
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 517
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT520, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT520
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 520
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT523, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT523
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 523
Merlin XX/22
Units 103/1656 Heavy conversion Unit/1662HCU/1656HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT524, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT524
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 524
Merlin XX/22
Units 460/158/1658 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT525, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT525
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 525
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT539, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT539
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 539
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-November-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Morris Kolesky Callan 2024-07-25 1942-November-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Edwin Herbert Kingsland 2024-07-25 1942-November-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Donald Thomas Marler 2024-07-25 1942-November-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frederick Wilson Read 2024-07-25 1942-November-10 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Herbert Zealand 2024-07-25 Halifax DT540, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT540
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 540
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102/419
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT546, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT546
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 546
Merlin XX/22
Units 10/408/1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT548, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT548
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 548
Merlin XX/22
Units 102/419/1659 Heavy conversion Unit/1666HCU
On 1943-12-21, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, Chief Technical Officer at Wombleton, wrote in his diary:
"One of 1679's Lancasters, DS521 [sic] got closed off our circuit last night due to bad weather & was diverted to Topcliffe. Here he overshot & hit the tail end of a Halifax parked on a dispersal. It tore the tail right off & the Lanc turned end-over-end & stopping flat on its back with its wheels in the air & caught fire burning up completely. Three of the boys got out alive miraculously but the other three were lost."
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT550, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT550
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 550
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT551, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT551
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 551
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1666HCU
On 1944-05-17, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 1664/1679 HCU at Wombleton, wrote in his diary:
"This afternoon we had our first accident this month when B for Bear DT551 broke and undercarriage casting on landing & went into a big ground loop. Nobody hurt but it made the kite a cat E & further gold mine for spares"
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT553, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT553
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 553
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT556, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT556
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 556
Merlin XX/22
Units 78/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT560, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT560
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 560
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/1666 Heavy conversion unit/1659HCU/1666HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT561, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT561
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 561
Merlin XX/22
Units 10/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT562, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT562
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 562
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT563, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT563
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 563
Merlin XX/22
Units 77/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT565, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT565
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 565
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT568, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT568
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 568
Merlin XX/22
Units: Telecommunications Flying Unit/77/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT569, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT569
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 569
Merlin XX/22
Units 158/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT570, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT570
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 570
Merlin XX/22
Units 158/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT572, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT572
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 572
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-November-22 PoW RAF Pilot Officer Owen Sydney Rogers Collett 2024-04-29 1942-November-22 PoW RAF Flying Officer Alexander Paterson Douglas 2024-10-27 1942-November-22 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Walter Norman Hogg 2022-05-22 1942-November-22 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Stanley Jenson 2024-03-14 1942-November-22 PoW RAF Sergeant James Maher 2022-05-22 1942-November-22 PoW RCAF Sergeant Alfred Leslie Rathburn 2022-05-22 1942-November-22 PoW RAF Sergeant Allison Norrie Ross 2024-01-10 Halifax DT573, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT573
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 573
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/1659 Heavy conversion Unit/1662HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT575, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT575
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 575
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT576, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT576
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 576
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Ferry Flight 1942-11-29 to 1942-11-29
405 (C) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe
Served with No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*U", based at Dishforth. Crashed on 29 November 1942, just half mile east of Melmerby, Yorkshire shortly after taking off from Topcliffe at 10:05 local time and burnt. There were two crews in the aircraft, the flight crew, plus second crew and a ground crew mechanic as passengers all 15 on board killed. Was ferrying second crew to detachment at Beaulieu. This was the worst non-operational loss to occur in Yorkshire during the entire war
Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire
Honouring the Airmen of RAF Beaulieu & USAAF Station 408-RA...
1942-November-29 KIFA RCAF Corporal Joseph Victor Raoul Beaudry 2025-01-05 1942-November-29 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Allen Catto Bradley 2024-11-16 1942-November-29 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Samuel Stuart Clark 2024-02-25 1942-November-29 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Benjamin Hugo Enns 2025-01-05 1942-November-29 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Stephen Frederic Gannon 2025-01-05 1942-November-29 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Orlando Delmar Conrad Hamel 2025-01-05 1942-November-29 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Francis Hooton 2025-01-05 1942-November-29 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Jones 2025-01-05 1942-November-29 KIFA RCAF Sergeant William Michael Kostenuk 2022-07-07 1942-November-29 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Earl Lewis McGillivray 2022-07-07 1942-November-29 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ralph Elliott Milliken 2022-07-07 1942-November-29 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Stanley Milne 2024-06-06 1942-November-29 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Norman Wilbur Ross 2022-07-07 1942-November-29 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer Class III Melville James Stanley 2022-07-07
1942-November-29 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Robert Ian Taylor 2025-01-14 Halifax DT578, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT578
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 578
Merlin XX/22
Units 78/77/1658 heavy Conversion Unit
On 1943-11-24, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, a Technical Officer with 427 Sqn at Leeming, wrote in his diary:
Warning: The following material contains graphic content that may not be suitable for all readers.
"At 4 o'clock I got news of a crashed Halifax about 10 miles from here, so being the acting station engineer I had to go out to see it. I found bits & pieces of it scattered all over the hills but it got dark before I located the main wreckage. However I could see that it was a cat E so that was all I needed. The whole crew were killed too . . " and again on Monday November 29 he wrote "The AIB inspector came up today to enquire about the crashed kite I tried to locate last Wednesday. We set out right after lunch today & finally found it crashed against the base of a vertical cliff of rock right up at the top of one of the highest hills in the Cleveland range. There wasn't much left since it had burned completely. All that could be found of the bodies had been removed . . . It looked very much as if it had a collision with another aircraft since one wing & engine were missing & there was another crashed kite about three miles away."
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT579, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT579
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 579
Merlin XX/22
Units 77/158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT582, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT582
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 582
Merlin XX/22
Units 77/51/1666 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT584, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT584
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 584
Merlin XX/22
Units 77/51/1666 Heavy Conversion unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT586, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT586
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 586
Merlin XX/22
Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit/301 Ferry Transfer Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT587, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT587
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 587
Merlin XX/22
Units Royal Aircraft Establishment/ Lasham/ 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT615, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT615
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 615
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT616, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT616
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 616
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Bochum Germany 1943-06-12 to 1943-06-13
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
503 aircraft - 323 Lancasters, 167 Halifaxes, II Mosquitoes. 14 Lancasters and 10 Halifaxes lost, 4·8 per cent of the force.
This raid took place over a completely cloud-covered target but accurate Oboe . sky-marking enabled the all Lancaster/Halifax Main Force to cause severe damage to the centre of Bochum. After daylight photographs had been taken, 130 acres or destruction were claimed. The only report from Germany says that 449 buildings were destroyed and 916 severely damaged and that 312 people were killed.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "VR*K". Failed to return from attack on Bochum on 12 / 13 June 1943. Shot down at 02:20 local time by Bf110 G9+AR of 7/NJG1, flown by Oblt. W. Rapp. All 7 crew were POW.
1943-June-13 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 David Lawson Gray 2024-07-24 1943-June-13 PoW RCAF Sergeant Robert James Hamilton 2024-07-24 1943-June-13 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Bertrand Denis Kirkham 2024-07-24 1943-June-13 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer James Albert Mills 2024-07-24 1943-June-13 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Arthur Taylor 2024-07-24 Halifax DT617, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT617
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 617
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Essen Germany 1943-04-03 to 1943-04-03
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
348 aircraft- 225 Lancasters, 113 Halifaxes, IO Mosquitoes; this was the first raid in which more than 200 Lancasters had taken part. 12 Halifaxes and 9 Lancasters lost 6·o per cent of the force - and 2 further Halifaxes crashed in England.
The weather forecast was not entirely favourable for this raid and the Pathfinders prepared a plan both for sky-marking and ground-marking the target. In the event, there was no cloud over Essen and the Main Force crews were somewhat confused lu find two kinds of marking taking place. The resultant bombing, however, was accui ate and a higher proportion of aircraft produced good bombing photographs than on any of the earlier successful raids on Essen.
Local reports showed that there was widespread damage in the centre and in th western half of Essen. 635 buildings were destroyed and 526 seriously damaged. 1 1 H people - 88 civilians, IO Flak gunners, 2 railwaymen, 2 policemen and 16 Frend, workers - were killed and 458 people were injured
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
This a/c served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF. Coded "VR*C" on 3/4 March 1943, when it received slight damage from a night fighter during raid on Hamburg. Coded "VR*G" on 11/12 March 1943 when it attacked Stuttgart, Failed to return from attack on Essen on 3/4 April 1943. All 7 crew including Sgt.s J.B. Langley (RAF), L.H. Ransome (RAF), and P/O. H.T, MacDonald (RAF) were killed.
1943-April-04 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Essen. All were killed. 2019-08-20
Halifax DT619, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT619
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 619
Merlin XX/22
Units 419/ 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Minelaying Frisian Islands Netherlands 1943-02-27 to 1943-02-27
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "VR*Q". Crash landing at Coltishall on 28 February 1943 after being hit by enemy aircraft and by flak during mining operation to the Frisian Islands. 2 killed. Navigator Sgt. A. Mellin took over flight engineers duties after engineer was killed over target, despite his own injuries, and received a DFM. Crash landed at Low Mye, Wigtown, 22.1.44Units 419/ 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit1943-February-28 Accident Crash Crash landing at Coltishall after being hit by flak during mining operation to the Frisian Islands. 2 killed. 2019-08-20
Halifax DT620, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT620
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 620
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT623, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT623
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 623
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Lorient France 1943-01-29 to 1943-01-30
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Asawayita) RAF Middleton St George. Halifax BII aircraft DT 623 VR-S made a wheels up crash landing returning from operations over the dock area at Lorient, France
FS JMB O'Connor (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant AP Cranswick (RAF), Sergeant FE Johnston (RAF),Warrant Officer W McRobbie (RAF), FS D McKenzie (RAF), Pilot Officer JC Garton (RAF )and Flight Sergeant ILJ Howard (RAF) all survived, safe
Warrant Officer Class 2 JMB O'Connor would be missing, presumed killed 1943-04-28 in 419 Squadron Halifax JB 923 VR-Q while on a mine-laying sortie off the coast of Norway
WR Chorley notes that Flight Lieutenant Cranswick left 419 Sqn soon after for operations as a Pathfinder, where he became one of the premier bomber pilots in Bomber Command. He was killed July 4-5, 1944, as a Squadron Leader DSO while acting as Primary Visual Marker on an operation over France.
Halifax DT624, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT624
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 624
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Combat Bay of Biscay France 1942-10-15 to 1942-10-15
405 (C) Sqn (RCAF) Beaulieu
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Bealieu, Halifax II aircraft DT 624 LQ-F returned from a daylight, long-range anti-submarine patrol over the Bay of Biscay on three engines with one of the port propellers feathered. The pilot obtained permission for a right hand circuit and, on turning into the wind, the aircraft went into a spin and crashed three miles west of the Beaulieu aerodromeBombing 1942-12-15 to 1942-12-15
405 (C) Sqn (RCAF) Beaulieu
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Bealieu, Halifax II aircraft DT 624 LQ-F returned from a daylight, long-range anti-submarine patrol over the Bay of Biscay on three engines with one of the port propellers feathered. The pilot obtained permission for a right hand circuit and, on turning into the wind, the aircraft went into a spin and crashed three miles west of the Beaulieu aerodrome.
1942-December-15 KIFA RAFVR Albert George Henry Gapes 2022-06-08 1942-December-15 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Harold William Gunn 2022-07-07 1942-December-15 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Flight Engineer Richard Alan Rollins 2022-07-07 1942-December-15 KIFA RAFVR James Ryan 2022-06-08 1942-December-15 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert James Abadore Shaw 2022-07-07 1942-December-15 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Robert William Stewart 2022-07-07 1942-December-15 KIFA RAF Louis Gilbert Watson 2023-07-14 Halifax DT626, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT626
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 626
Merlin XX/22
Units 77/51/1658 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT629, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT629
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 629
Merlin XX/22
Units 77/419/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT630, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT630
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 630
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1943-02-03 to 1943-02-04
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). As Halifax aircraft DT 630 crossed the French coast, en route to the target Hamburg, Germany, it was attacked from below by a German FW-190 fighter aircraft. The Halifax was raked with cannon shells along the entire length of the fuselage killing the pilot and setting fire to the incendiaries in the bomb-bay. The navigator gave the signal to bail out but only three of the crew, FS Milton, Sergeants W.N. Garnett, and E.R. Marquand got out. Garnett and Marquand were taken Prisoners of War when they landed and Milton was either an Evader or was taken Prisoner of War. Pilot Officer J.D. MacKenzie, W/O R. H. Hill, (BROTHER to Howard Stephenson Hill), Sergeant W.P. Duthie, and W/O L.A. Gonnett were killed in the aircraft.
263 aircraft- 84 Halifaxes, 66 Stirlings, 62 Lancasters, 51 Wellingtons - provided by all groups on the first zoo-plus raid for more than 2 weeks.
Icing conditions in cloud over the North Sea caused many aircraft to return early. The Pathfinders were unable to produce concentrated and sustained marking on H2S and the bombing of the Main Force was scattered. The results in Hamburg were no better than the attack by a much smaller force a few nights earlier. 45 fires classed as 'large' were started, including 2 in various oil depots and I in a warehouse near the Elbe waterfront. 55 people were killed and 40 injured. The German night fighters operated effectively, despite the bad weather, and 16 bombers were lost - 8 Stirlings, 4 Halifaxes, 3 Wellingtons and I Lancaster, 6· 1 per cent of the force.
1943-February-04 KIA RCAF Sergeant William Peter Duthie 2024-10-31 1943-February-04 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Nelson Garnett 2022-10-22 1943-February-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Lennox Alwin James Gonnet 2022-10-22 1943-February-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Raymond Hepton Hill 2022-10-22 1943-February-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Jack Douglas Mackenzie 2022-10-22 1943-February-04 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Eric Raymond Marquand 2023-09-10 1943-February-04 PoW RAF Alexander Henry Milton 2023-08-22 Halifax DT632, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT632
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 632
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT633, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT633
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 633
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Bay of Biscay France 1943-02-21 to 1943-02-21
405 (C) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus), Coastal Command No 18 Group, Halifax aircraft DT 633 crashed one and one half miles north-east of the aerodrome at RAF Station, Beaulieu, Hampshire.
The pilot was detailed to carry out an operational air sea patrol and this was his first night operational flight. The total weight of the aircraft was approximately 58,500 lbs, which included bombs and six depth charges. After some unexplained delay at the dispersal point and runway, the aircraft took off normally at 0455 hrs, made a turn to port through about 180 degrees and then crashed into a wood about 1½ miles from the airfield. An outbreak of fire occurred on impact, followed by the explosion of the bombs and depth charges which disintegrated the aircraft. The seven occupants were killed. Owing to the complete destruction of the aircraft practically no useful evidence was obtained by an examination of the wreckage. (Source South East History Boards)
1943-February-21 KIFA RAFVR William John Hart 2023-07-14 1943-February-21 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Roy Victor McLean 2022-07-07 1943-February-21 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frank James O'Donohoe 2022-07-07 1943-February-21 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Benjamin Frederick John Parker 2022-07-07 1943-February-21 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ernest Harold Sellar 2022-07-07 1943-February-21 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Carl John Jr Shagena 2022-07-07 1943-February-21 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Benjamin Warren Jr Turner 2022-07-07 Halifax DT634, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT634
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 634
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-03-27 to 1943-03-27
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Middleton St George
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. Halifax Mk II aircraft DT 634 VR-E was a few miles south of Bremen, Germany, enroute to bomb targets in Berlin, Germany when it was caught in a flak barrage, a few minutes later the starboard outer engine heated up and had to be feathered. The crew decided to carry on but changed to the closer destination of Magdeburg, Germany instead of Berlin. After carrying out the bombing run the aircraft was hit from below and shot down by night fighter pilot Oblt. Ulrich Wulff of the 1/NJG 5, flying a Bf 110 aircraft, setting an engine on fire. The fire spread to the fuselage and the escape hatches had to be cut open with axes as the they had become jammed in the attack. All the crew jumped to safety except pilot Flying Officer Porter who stayed at the controls. He stayed too long and went down with the aircraft when it crashed at Escheburg near Bergedorf Schleswig-Holstein Germany
Flying Officer Charles Edward Porter MiD (RCAF) was killed in action
Warrant Officer Class I Murray Winston Bishop (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class I Joseph Gerald Lanteigne (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class I Albert Henry Taylor (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant George Joseph Sweanor (RCAF), Sergeant Daniel London (RAFVR) and Flying Officer Alan Thomas Budinger (RAFVR) survived and were all taken Prisoners of War
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
1943-March-27 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Murray Winston Bishop 2024-11-12 1943-March-27 PoW RAF Flying Officer Alan Thomas Budinger 2024-07-06 1943-March-27 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Joseph Gerald Lanteigne 2025-01-21 1943-March-27 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Daniel London 2024-07-06 1943-March-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Charles Edward Porter MiD 2024-09-15 1943-March-27 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant George Joseph Sweanor 2024-07-06 1943-March-27 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Albert Henry 'Scottie' Taylor 2025-01-14 Halifax DT635, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT635
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 635
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT636, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT636
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 636
Merlin XX/22
Unit 58
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Murdoch Clark 2024-02-25 1943-August-23 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Lloyd Chesley Matthews 2021-08-16 1943-August-23 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Banks Earle Mitchell DFM 2021-08-16 1943-August-23 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class William Allan Tennant 2021-07-27 Halifax DT639, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT639
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 639
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Minelaying Frisian Islands Netherlands (Nectarines) 1943-02-18 to 1943-02-18
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "VR*B". Mining operation to Frisian Islands on 9/10 January 1943, diverted to Croft on return. Nothing was heard from the crew after departing for the operation but are believed to have been shot down by a night fighter.as there were many in the area that night1943-February-19 Failed to Return Failed to return from mining operation to the Frisian Islands, no survivors. 2019-08-20
1943-February-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John William Grant 2022-10-24 1943-February-18 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Reid Gray 2022-10-24 1943-February-18 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Harold Thomas Jacobsen 2022-10-24 1943-February-18 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Benoit Albert Levasseur 2022-10-24 1943-February-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Griffith Arthur Lloyd 2022-10-24 1943-February-18 KIA RCAF Sergeant William Albert Robinson 2022-10-24 1943-February-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Potter Wilson 2024-06-28 Halifax DT641, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT641
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 641
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-03-01 to 1943-03-01
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
302 aircraft - 1 56 Lancasters, 86 Hali faxes, 60 Stirlings. 17 aircraft - 7 Lancasters, 6 Halifaxes, 4 Stirlings - lost, y6 per cent of the force.
The Pathfinders experienced difficulty in producing concentrated marking be¬cause individual parts of the extensive built-up city area of Berlin could not be distinguished on the H2S screens. Bombing photographs showed that the attack was spread over more than IOO square miles with the main emphasis in the south-west of the city. However, because larger numbers of aircraft were now being used and because those aircraft were now carrying a greater average bomb load, the proportion of the force which did hit Berlin caused more damage than any previous raid to this target. This type of result- with significant damage still being caused by only partially successful attacks - was becoming a regular feature of Bomber Command raids.
Much damage was caused in the south and west of Berlin. 22 acres of workshops were burnt out at the railway repair works at Tempelhof and 20 factories were badly damaged and 875 buildings -mostly houses -were destroyed. 191 people were killed.
Some bombs hit the Telefunken works at which the H2S set taken from the Stirling shot down near Rotterdam was being reassembled. The set was completely destroyed in the bombing but a Halifax of 35 Squadron with an almost intact set crashed in Holland on this night and the Germans were able to resume their research into H2S immediately.
.source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Halifax aircraft DT 641 was shot down in the sea during a trip to Berlin, Germany. Sergeants A.D. Cherkinsky, J. Kowalski, A.L. Bateman, and FS W.G. Francis and FS A.T. Woodhouse were killed. Two of the crew, not Canadians, missing believed killed. Sgt. J.N. Gray (RAF) and F/O. A.J. Herriott D.F.M. (RAF) were also killed
1943-March-01 KIA RCAF Sergeant Albert Leroy Bateman 2024-12-30 1943-March-01 KIA RCAF Sergeant Arthur David Cherkinsky 2024-02-12 1943-March-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Wilfred George Francis 2024-12-30 1943-March-01 KIA RAFVR James Nicol Gray 2024-12-30 1943-March-01 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Arthur James Herriott DFM 2024-12-30 1943-March-01 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Kowalski 2024-12-30 1943-March-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alexander Trevor Woodhouse 2024-12-30 Halifax DT642, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT642
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 642
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Conversion 1944-07-29 to 1944-07-29
(OT) HCU (RAF) Aldergrove
Operated by 1674 Heavy Conversion Unit. After taking off on a practice flight, the aircraft continued straight ahead towards Antrim, flying very low for no apparent reason and against instructions. It then began a wide turn at high speed, but lost height and struck trees at Masserene Estate, Antrim. (some records state Shanes Castle) It cut a swathe through the trees before crashing on open ground immediately south of the Sixmilewater, on the site what is now the Antrim Forum, it caught fire and burned out. Warrant Officer L.W. Lenz, Flying Officer G. Fraser, FS H.V. Heaton, Sgts, J.L.Snider, L.M. Hembruff, and four of the crew, not Canadians, were also killed.
source: Malcolm Deeley, Ulster Aviation Society
1944-July-29 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Fraser 2023-07-19 1944-July-29 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Vincent Heaton 2023-07-19 1944-July-29 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Leonard Morland Hembruff 2023-07-19 1944-July-29 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Lambert William Lenz 2023-07-19 1944-July-29 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Jack Lloyd Snider 2023-07-19 Halifax DT645, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT645
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 645
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT646, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT646
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 646
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Essen Germany 1943-03-05 to 1943-03-06
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
442 aircraft - 157 Lancasters, 131 Wellingtons, 94 Halifaxes, 52 Stirlings, 8 Mos¬quitoes. It was on this night that Bomber Command's roo.oooth sortie of the war was flown. 14 aircraft- 4 Lancasters, 4 Wellingtons, 3 Halifaxes, 3 Stirlings - lost, 3·2 per cent of the force.,/p>
The only tactical setback to this raid was that 56 aircraft - nearly 13 per cent of the force - turned back early because of technical defects and other causes. 3 of the 'early returns' were from the 8 Oboe Mosquito marker aircraft upon which the success of the raid depended but the 5 Mosquitoes which did reach the target area opened the attack on time and marked the centre of Essen perfectly. The Pathfinder backers-up also arrived in good time and carried out their part of the plan. The whole of the marking was 'blind', so that the ground haze which normally concealed
Essen did not affect the outcome of the raid. The Main Force bombed in 3 waves - Halifaxes in the first wave, Wellingtons and Stirlings in the second, Lancasters in the third. Two thirds of the bomb tonnage was incendiary; one third of the high-explosive bombs were fuzed for long delay. The attack lasted for 40 minutes and 362 aircraft claimed to have bombed th, main ta,g,t. Those tac6cs would be typical of many other raids on the Ruhr area in the next 4 months.
Reconnaissance photographs showed 160 acres of destruction with 53 separate buildings within the Krupps works hit by bombs. A map from Essen shows the main area of damage to have been between the Krupps works and the city centre. The local report states that 3,018 houses were destroyed and 2,166 were seriously damaged. The number of people killed is given in various reports as between 457 and 482; at least Io of these were firemen. If the higher figure is correct, the previous record number of people killed in an air raid on Germany - 469 in the moo-bomber raid on Cologne in May 1942 - was exceeded.Small numbers of bombs fell in 6 other Ruhr cities
.source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
1943-March-06 PoW RAF Leonard Bakewell 2025-01-14 1943-March-06 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 James Arthur Bennett 2024-11-11 1943-March-06 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William James Clark 2024-12-04 1943-March-06 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant James Robert Cooper 2025-01-14 1943-March-06 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Jack Edward Marvel 2024-12-04 1943-March-06 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Donald Dennis Scowen 2024-12-04 1943-March-06 Evader RCAF Sergeant Alvin C Turner 2024-12-04 Halifax DT667, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT667
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 667
Merlin XX/22
Units 10/1652 Heavy Conversion Unit/1666HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT669, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT669
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 669
Merlin XX/22
Units 419/1668 Heavy conversion Unit/1662 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Saint-Nazaire France 1943-03-28 to 1943-03-28
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George, Halifax II aircraft DT 669 VR-L was damaged by a night fighter attack on a raid to St Nazaire, France on March 28, 1943. The pilot lost control for the aircraft and ordered the crew to bale, but then regained control and cancelled the order. Warrant Officer Class 1 Douglas was the only crew member to bale. He survived and was taken as Prisoner of War. The Halifax and the rest of the crew managed to limp back to England and land safely with three injured crew membersHalifax DT672, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT672
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 672
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Bochum Germany 1943-05-13 to 1943-05-14
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
>p>442 aircraft - 135 Halifaxes, 104 Wellingtons, 98 Lancasters, 95 Stirlings, IO Mos¬quitoes; 5 Group did not take part in this raid. 24 aircraft- 13 Halifaxes, 6 Welling¬tons, 4 Stirlings, 1 Lancaster - lost, 5·4 per cent of the force.This raid started well but, after 15 minutes, what were believed to be German decoy markers drew much of the bombing away from the target. The only information available from Germany is that 394 buildings in Bochum were destroyed, 716 were seriously damaged and 302 people were killed.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
There were two 419 Sqn. aircraft lost in the same area this same night. Please see Sergeant F.W. Walkerdine for information regarding the other crew and aircraft.
1943-May-14 KIA RAF Sergeant George Adams 2024-11-01 1943-May-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Heyer Bowden 2024-11-16 1943-May-14 KIA RCAF Sergeant Oliver John Haralson 2025-02-04 1943-May-14 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Edwin Kurring 2025-02-04 1943-May-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lawrence David McEwen 2025-02-04 1943-May-14 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Frederick Stefhen Neal 2025-02-04 1943-May-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Edward Basil Ruto 2025-02-04 Halifax DT673, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT673
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 673
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT674, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT674
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 674
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-28 PoW RCAF Sergeant John Douglas Blewett 2024-11-13 1943-May-28 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Joseph Napoleon Pascal Eugene Comeau 2025-01-25 1943-May-28 PoW RAAF Flight Sergeant Kenneth Oswald Greig 2025-01-25 1943-May-28 PoW RCAF Sergeant William Albert Ivor 2025-01-25 1943-May-28 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer II Welland Victor Neumann 2025-01-25 1943-May-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Vincent John Raymond Veys 2025-01-25 1943-May-28 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Cedric Anton Vogel 2025-01-25 Halifax DT675, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT675
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 675
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT676, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT676
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 676
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/1659 Heavy conversion unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT677, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT677
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 677
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/1659 Heavy conversion Unit/1662HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT678, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT678
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 678
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-January-24 Survived RCAF Sergeant John Douglas Blewett 2022-05-28 1943-January-24 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer N D Downie 2024-10-28 1943-January-24 Survived RCAF Sergeant William Albert Ivor 2021-04-29 1943-January-24 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant Welland Victor Neumann 2022-06-03 1943-January-24 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Vincent John Raymond Veys 2021-04-29 1943-January-24 Survived RCAF Flying Officer Cedric Anton Vogel 2021-04-29 Halifax DT679, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT679
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 679
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-03-29 to 1943-03-30
408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom) RAF Leeming. Halifax BII aircraft DT 679 EQ-Q was likely struck by flak during a night operation against targets in Berlin and crashed near Ruttelerfeld/Stapelmoor, southeast of Marx, Niedersachsen, Germany
Flying Officer FNS Cavanaugh (RCAF) Flying Officer HE Tanner (RCAF), Flight Sergeant GW Herrington (RCAF)(USA), Flight Sergeant WA Kopacz (RCAF)(USA), Sergeant EA Biggs (RAFVR), Sergeant TW Harris (RAFVR) and Sergeant RH Holtham (RAF) were all killed in action
1943-March-30 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Edwin Arthur Biggs 2023-04-15 1943-March-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frank Napoleon Smith Cavanaugh 2024-01-21 1943-March-30 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas William Harris 2023-04-15 1943-March-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Granite William Herrington 2023-04-15 1943-March-30 KIA RAF Sergeant Raymond Henry Holtham 2023-04-15 1943-March-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Walter Anthony Kopacz 2023-04-15 1943-March-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harold Edward Tanner 2023-04-15 Halifax DT680, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT680
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 680
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-February-03 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Jean Sylvio Albert Aubry 2023-11-06 1943-February-03 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Andrew Black 2025-01-22 1943-February-03 PoW RAF Samuel Eardley 2025-01-22 1943-February-03 PoW RAF Bert Gordon Howe 2025-01-22 1943-February-03 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Ian Gordon Imrie 2023-11-06 1943-February-03 PoW RAF John Albert Taplin 2025-01-22 1943-February-03 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Frank Waite 2025-01-22 Halifax DT682, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT682
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 682
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT684, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT684
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 684
Merlin XX/22
Unit 58
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT686, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT686
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 686
Merlin XX/22
Units 58/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT689, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT689
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 689
Merlin XX/22
Units 419/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT694, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT694
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 694
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/1652 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT695, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT695
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 695
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/1652 Heavy Conversion Unit/1663HCU/1658HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT697, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT697
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 697
Merlin XX/22
Units 158/1658 Heavy Converison Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT699, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT699
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 699
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Minelaying La Rochelle France (Cinnamon) 1943-04-06 to 1943-04-07
405 (C) Sqn (RCAF) Leeming
Battle of the Ruhr
Served with No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*G". Failed to return from mining operation to La Rochelle and Brest night of 6/7 April 1943. Last radio transmission received at 23:23 UK time. Came down in ocean off La Rochelle. All crew were killed. This was the last crew lost by this Squadron before it transferred to No. 8 Group for pathfinder duties. 1943-April-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Floyd Roger Willis Anderson 2024-11-02 1943-April-07 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Harvey Edwards 2023-09-23 1943-April-07 KIA RCAF Sergeant Archibald Don Gordon 2023-12-15 1943-April-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert John Jones 2023-09-23 1943-April-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frank Duncan Roberts 2023-09-23 1943-April-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Reginald Victor Stuart 2023-09-21 1943-April-07 KIA RAFVR Lionel Robert Wallace 2022-06-08 Halifax DT704, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT704
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 704
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Kiel Germany 1943-04-04 to 1943-04-05
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Leeming
Battle of the Ruhr
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) Pathfinder Force, RAF Leeming. Halifax BII aircraft DT 704 LQ-H missing during an attack against the docks and shipping at Kiel, Germany. The Halifax was hit by radar-directed marine flak and exploded in mid-air, crashing in the target area near Klausdorf, Germany.The entire crew was lost
With 577 bombers taking part in this raid it was the largest raid of the war to this date, but strong winds and heavy cloud cover effected both target marking and bombing accuracy. Little damage was caused.
1943-April-05 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Arthur Damms 2024-08-08 1943-April-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Joseph Foley 2022-07-07 1943-April-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Edward Goldney 2022-07-07 1943-April-05 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William Francis Jordan 2024-08-08 1943-April-05 KIA RCAF Sergeant Harry Bertram John Sargent 2024-08-08 1943-April-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Alexander Campbell Taylor 2025-01-14 1943-April-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ralph James Wright 2022-07-07 Halifax DT705, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT705
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 705
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT721, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT721
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 721
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT723, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT723
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 723
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Essen Germany 1943-04-03 to 1943-04-04
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Leeming
Served with No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*F". Failed to return from attack on Essen on 3/4 April 1943. Damaged by flak after bombing target. Attacked by a night fighter over Holland on return. One engine lost, entered an uncontrollable spiral. Crew baled out. Flight Sergeant W.S. Beaty drowned on landing, remaining 7 landed on Tiengemeten Island or mainland near Oud-Beijerland, taken PoW. Flight Sergeant K.O. Perry died in captivity on 23 August 1943. 1943-April-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Walter Stanley Beatty 2024-11-09 1943-April-04 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Henry Colwell 2025-01-04 1943-April-04 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Armand Burns Granbois 2025-01-04 1943-April-04 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Henry Hoddinott 2025-01-04 1943-April-04 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant James Lago 2025-01-04 1943-April-04 PoW Died RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Keith Oliver Perry 2025-01-04 1943-April-04 PoW RCAF Sergeant Welland Wilfred Phipps 2025-01-04 1943-April-04 PoW RCAF Flt Sergeant Henry Champion Waugh 2025-01-04 Halifax DT726, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT726
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 726
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT730, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT730
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 730
Merlin XX/22
Units 51/77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT731, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT731
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 731
Merlin XX/22
Units 158/419
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-01-20 to 1944-01-20
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
769 aircraft- 49 5 Lancasters, 264 Halifaxes, lo Mosquitoes. 35 aircraft- 22 Halifaxes, I 3 Lancasters - lost, 4·6 per cent of the force. I02 Squadron, from Pocklington, lost 5 of its 16 Halifaxes on this raid, 2 more crashed in England and the squadron would lose 4 more aircraft in the next night's raid. The bomber approach route took a wide swing to the north but, once again, the German controller managed to feed his fighters into the bomber stream early and the fighters scored steadily until the force was well on the way home. The diversions were not large enough to deceive the Germans.
The Berlin area was, as so often, completely cloud-covered and what happened to the bombing is a mystery. The Pathfinder sky-marking appeared to go according to plan and crews who were scanning the ground with their H2S sets believed that the attack fell on eastern districts of Berlin. No major navigational problems were experienced. No photographic reconnaissance was possible until after a further 4 raids on Berlin were carried out but the various sources from which the Berlin reports are normally drawn all show a complete blank for this night. It is not known whether this is because of some order issued by the German authorities to conceal the extent of the damage or whether the entire raid missed Berlin.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. On January 20, 1944 Halifax BII aircraft DT 731 dropped its bomb load on the target at Berlin, Germany and on the return leg was near Leipzig, Germany when it was shot down by a German JU-88 aircraft. The crew all abandoned the Halifax before it crashed near Dessau-Roblau, Germany
Warrant Officer Class 1 WE MacKenzie (RCAF), Flying Officer A Cormack (RCAF), FS IV Hopkins (RCAF), Sergeant WD McCaghey (RCAF), Sergeant ER Jenkins (RAF) and TSergeant FS Paules (USAAF) all survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
There were two 419 Squadron Halifax BII aircraft lost on this operation. See Sanderson, FG for information on Halifax HX 162 VR-X
1944-January-20 PoW RAF Sergeant John Chambers 2024-01-28 1944-January-20 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Alastair Cormack 2024-04-18 1944-January-20 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Ivan Victor Hopkins 2022-12-07 1944-January-20 PoW RAF Sergeant Edward Reginald Jenkins 2022-04-08 1944-January-20 PoW KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Warren Ellwood Mackenzie 2024-04-22 1944-January-20 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer William Douglas McCaghey 2022-12-07 1944-January-20 PoW USAAF Technical Sergeant Frank S Paules 2023-07-06 Halifax DT735, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT735
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 735
Merlin XX/22
Units 1474 Flight/192/1475 Flight/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-19 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Theodore Reginald Bailey DFC 2024-11-04 1944-November-19 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 John Francis Emery 2024-11-27 1944-November-19 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Clifford Nicholas Flette 2024-11-27 1944-November-19 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Robert Sidney Gray 2024-11-27 1944-November-19 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Edward Alexander Hine 2024-11-27 1944-November-19 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Norman O'Donnell 2024-11-27 1944-November-19 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer James Edward Osborn 2024-11-27 Halifax DT737, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT737
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 737
Merlin XX/22
Units 1474 Flight/192/1473Flt/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit
On 1944-04-30, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 1664/1679 HCU at Wombleton, wrote in his diary:
"All our luck seems to run in one streak since we had another Cat E accident today. This was an exciting one since Squadron Leader Gaivan was the pilot of old W-Willie DT737 & he blew a tyre out just on takeoff and that meant he had to land again with a tyre already burst which isn't good. The news spread around like wildfire & we were all out on the field to watch him attempt his landing. So was the fire truck, crash truck & ambulance! He came in nicely & held it down on the good wheel to start with but finally the other one came down, dug in & then he started to ground loop 3 times in succession. The crew were only a little bit shaken but the kite was really bad since it's back was really broken. As you walked down the fuselage toward the tail you had to turn a 45 degree corner & when we hooked the browser on & started to drag it away the rear fuselage came right off."
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT738, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT738
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 738
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT741, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT741
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 741
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-01 KIA RAF Herbert Philipson Atkinson MID 2024-11-03 1943-May-01 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class George Kenneth Collopy 2024-03-21 1943-May-01 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Albert George Hardy 2022-07-07 1943-May-01 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class George Laroy 'Buddy' MacCallum 2023-09-06 1943-May-01 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Edward Patrick Nurse 2023-09-21 1943-May-01 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Francis Redmond O'Neill 2023-09-21 1943-May-01 KIA RCAF Flying Officer R M Reilly 2023-08-05 1943-May-01 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Norman Herman Weiler 2023-08-17 Halifax DT745, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT745
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 745
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1943-03-11 to 1943-03-12
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Topcliffe
Battle of the Ruhr
405 Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Topcliffe. Halifax BII aircraft DT 745 LQ-V was attacked at 15,000 feet and shot down by night fighter pilot Lt Jakob Schaus of the 4/NJG 4, flying a Bf 110 from Saint-Dizier airfield, during an attack on targets in Stuttgart , Germany. The Halifax crashed near Chlons-sur-Marne, France
This was the first loss from 405 Squadron after it returned to Bomber Command from a five month attachment to Coastal Command
Pilot Officer HD Rea (RCAF), Flying Officer WA MacDonald (RCAF), Flight Sergeant JJ Maguire (RAAF), (2nd Pilot) Sergeant HJ Mason (RAF), Pilot Officer KPC Money (RAF) and Flight Sergeant P Johnston (RAF) survived and all were taken as Prisoners of War
Flight Sergeant P Dmytruk (RCAF) and Pilot Officer KW Elt (RAF) survived and evaded. Pilot officer Elt, with the aid of an escape organization, made his way to Gibraltar and eventually back to the UK. Flight Sergeant Dmytruk joined the French Resistance but was captured and shot after an ambush 1943-12-09
[Royal Air Force serial and Image Database]...
1943-March-12 Evader KIA RCAF Flt. Sergeant Peter Dmytruk CDGFSS 2024-10-22 1943-March-12 Evader RAF Pilot Officer Kenneth Winston Elt DFM 2023-04-18 1943-March-12 PoW RAF Flight Sergeant Patrick Johnston 2023-04-18 1943-March-12 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class William Alexander MacDonald 2025-02-10 1943-March-12 PoW RAAF Flight Sergeant James Joseph Maguire 2023-04-18 1943-March-12 PoW RAF Sergeant Howard Jack Mason 2023-04-18 1943-March-12 PoW RAF Pilot Officer Kenneth Percy Cox Money 2023-04-18 1943-March-12 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Harold David Rea 2023-04-18 Halifax DT746, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT746
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 746
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT747, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT747
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 747
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT749, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT749
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 749
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-July-28 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Edward Bemister 2024-07-14 1943-July-28 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Henry Borley 2024-07-14 1943-July-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Alexis Renee Leblanc 2024-07-22 1943-July-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Howard William McDonald 2025-01-13 1943-July-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Elbert Frank Parker 2025-01-13 1943-July-28 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Gordon James Richardson 2024-07-14 1943-July-28 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Clifford Campbell Stovel DFC 2024-07-14 Halifax DT750, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT750
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 750
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT752, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT752
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 752
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT769, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT769
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 769
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-July-14 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Barneveld 2024-11-09 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 David Lloyd George Brown 2024-11-21 1943-July-14 PoW RAF Sergeant Bryce Domigan 2024-10-24 1943-July-14 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Foggon 2025-03-08 1943-July-14 PoW RAF Flying Officer James John Kelly 2025-03-08 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Douglas George McKay 2025-03-08 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Alan Osborne Smuck 2025-03-08 Halifax DT772, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT772
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 772
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/408
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Rene Archambault 2024-11-02 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Edward Bisheff 2024-11-12 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Clarence MacDonald 2025-01-20 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Cecil Lester Sebelius 2025-01-20 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Duncan Walsh 2025-01-20 Halifax DT773, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT773
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 773
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Pilsen Czechoslovakia 1943-04-16 to 1943-04-17
78 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Linton-on-Ouse
78 (Preston's Own) Squadron (Nemo non paratus) RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Halifax BII aircraft DT 773 EY was shot down by night fighter pilot Lt Joseph Nabrich III/NJG101 returning from an operation against the Skoda armaments factory in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. Pilot Flight Lieutenant Dowse gave the order to abandon the aircraft and stayed at the controls. Sadly, Flight Lieutenant Dowse was not able to get free himself and went down with his bomber. The Halifax crashed crashed in the dry lake bed of Max Eyth in the Hofen district of Stuttgart, Germany
Flight Lieutenant AP Dowse (RAFVR) was killed in action
FS R Desjardins (RCAF), Sergeant AW Hoare (RAFVR), Sergeant P Lansford (RNZAF), Flying Officer AN Orr (RAFVR), Sergeant TT Slater (RAFVR) and Sergeant HE Thompson (RAFVR) survived and all were taken as Prisoners of War
1943-April-17 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Richard Desjardins 2024-11-13 1943-April-17 KIA RAF Flight Lieutenant Arthur Patrick Dowse DFC 2024-09-15 1943-April-17 PoW RAFVR Albert William Hoare 2022-11-28
1943-April-17 PoW RNZAF Philip Langford 2022-11-28 1943-April-17 PoW RAFVR Flying Officer Andrew Neilson Orr 2024-11-16 1943-April-17 PoW RAFVR Thomas Thompson Slater 2022-11-28 1943-April-17 PoW RAFVR H E Thompson 2023-11-29 Halifax DT774, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT774
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 774
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT777, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT777
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 777
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT780, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT780
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 780
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT781, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT781
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 781
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/1668 Heavy conversion Unit/1656HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT783, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT783
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 783
Merlin XX/22
Unit10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT790, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT790
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 790
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT793, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT793
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 793
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT794, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT794
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 794
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Dortmund Germany 1943-05-04 to 1943-05-05
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
596 aircraft - 255 Lancasters, 141 Halifaxes, I IO Wellingtons, 80 Stirlings, IO Mos¬quitoes - on the largest 'non-r ,ooo' raid of the war to date and the first major attack on Dortmund. 31 aircraft - 12 Halifaxes, 7 Stirlings, 6 Lancasters, 6 Wellingtons - lost, 5·2 per cent of the force. A further 7 aircraft crashed in bad weather at the bomber bases.
The initial Pathfinder marking was accurate but some of the backing-up marking fell short. A decoy fire site also attracted many bombs. But half of the large force did bomb within 3 miles of the aiming point and severe damage was caused in central and northern parts of Dortmund. The city's report states that 1,218 buildings were destroyed and 2,141 seriously damaged, including the Hoesch and the Dortmunder Union steel factories and many facilities in the dock area. The old Rathaus was among 7 buildings of a cultural nature which were destroyed. At least 693 people were killed, including 200 prisoners of war, and 1,075 people were injured. The number of dead in this raid was a new record.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Gerald Elliott 2022-10-28 1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Alexander Farrel 2022-10-28 1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Elmer Earl Kennedy 2022-10-28 1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John William McIntosh 2022-10-28 1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Sergeant George Douglas Menzies 2022-10-28 1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Hugh Morland Metcalfe 2022-10-28 1943-May-05 KIA RAFVR Gordon Sandfield 2023-08-26 Halifax DT795, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT795
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 795
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT797, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT797
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 797
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-February-17 Survived RCAF Sergeant Benjamin Douglas Boynton DFM 2025-02-17 1943-February-17 Survived RCAF Sergeant John Allan Hammond 2022-04-01 1943-February-17 Survived RAFVR Flying Officer George Herbert Lamus 2025-02-17 1943-February-17 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Texas Roy Livermore 2025-02-17 1943-February-17 Survived RCAF Sergeant J W Unilowski 2025-02-17 1943-February-17 Survived RCAF Sergeant R L R Wright 2025-02-17 1943-March-02 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Junius Quintus Ashmore 2024-11-03 1943-March-02 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Arnold Wallace Cochrane 2025-02-17 1943-March-02 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Ivor Charles Grice 2025-02-17 1943-March-02 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Herbert Higgins 2025-02-17 1943-March-02 KIA RAF Sergeant Frederick MacDonald 2025-02-17 1943-March-02 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Harry Kenneth McCreery 2025-02-17 1943-March-02 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ross Weiss 2023-11-06 Halifax DT798, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT798
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 798
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1943-08-02 to 1943-08-03
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Hamburg
740 aircraft - 329 Lancasters, 235 Halifaxes, rn5 Stirlings, 66 Wellingtons, 5 Mos-quitoes. 30 aircraft- 13 Lancasters, IO Halifaxes, 4 Wellingtons, 3 Stirlings-lost, 4·1 per cent of the force.
The bombing force encountered a large thunderstorm area over Germany and the raid was a failure. Many crews turned back early or bombed alternative targets. At least 4 aircraft, probably more, were lost because of icing, turbulence or were struck by lightning. No Pathfinder marking was possible at Hamburg and only scattered bombing took place there. Many other towns in a 100-mile area of Northern Germany received a few bombs. A sizeable raid developed on the small town of l\lmshorn, 12 miles from Hamburg. It is believed that a flash of lightning set a house on flre here and bomber crews saw this through a gap in the storm clouds and started lO bomb the fire. 254 houses were destroyed in Elmshorn and 57 people were killed, some of them refugees from recent raids on Hamburg.source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Target - Hamburg, Germany. Halifax aircraft DT 798 appeared to be hit by lightning just before it reached the target, all four engines failed and the electrical system went out. FSs J.S. Sobin, D.J. McCarty, and one RAF member of the crew were also killed. Two Canadians, Sergeant J.P. Mahoney, Flying Officer Sibalis, and one RAF member of the crew bailed out and were taken Prisoners of War. This was Sergeant Sadeski's first operation.
1943-August-03 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Aubrey Walter Farrow 2023-10-10 1943-August-03 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Edward Horswill 2023-10-10 1943-August-03 PoW RCAF Sergeant Joseph Michael Mahoney 2023-10-10 1943-August-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Daniel John McCarty 2023-10-10 1943-August-03 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Sadeski 2023-10-10 1943-August-03 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Jack Sibalis 2023-10-10 1943-August-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Stanley Sobin 2023-10-10 Halifax DT800, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT800
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 800
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT801, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT801
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 801
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Combat Duisburg Germany 1943-05-12 to 1943-05-13
35 (PFF) Sqn (RAF) Graveley
35 Squadron RAF (Uno Anima Agimus), Pathfinder Force, RAF Graveley. Halifax II aircraft DT 801 TL-A was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant August Geiger of the 7/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Twente airfield while on an operation to Duisburg, Germany, crashing behind a house in Buurse, Overijssel, Netherlands
Sawyer and Richards were killed. Elford, Heard, Moores, and Rowley survived and were taken as Prisoners of War. Elford evaded capture for several days but was picked up by the Gestapo and became a Prisoner of War. The pilot, Sale evaded capture, was reported safe in Gibraltar on August 4, 1943 and returned to service with his squadron.In Enemy Hands - Canadian Prisoners of War 1939-1945
1943-May-13 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Ross Oliver Elford 2022-06-27 1943-May-13 PoW RAF Flying Officer Geoffrey Edward Heard 2025-01-20 1943-May-13 PoW RAF Sergeant Samuel Angus Moores 2022-06-27 1943-May-13 KIA RAFVR Sergeant David John Osborne Richards 2022-06-27 1943-May-13 PoW RAF Sergeant Clarence Washington Rowley 2022-06-27 1943-May-13 Evader RCAF Squadron Leader Douglas Julian Sale DSO & Bar, DFC 2022-06-27 1943-May-13 KIA RAFVR Flight Lieutenant Rupert Claude Sawyer 2022-06-27 Halifax DT802, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT802
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 802
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT803, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT803
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 803
Merlin XX/22
Units 35/Navigation Training Unit/1666Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT805, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT805
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 805
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT807, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT807
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 807
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax DT808, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n DT808
English Electric Co Ltd
DT 808
Merlin XX/22
Units 102/405
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Essen Germany 1943-04-03 to 1943-04-04
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Leeming
Battle of the Ruhr
Served with No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*V". Failed to return from attack on Essen on 3 / 4 April 1943, shot down by a night fighter flown of I./NJG1. Crashed near "Lijnbraak" farmhouse, Vierlingsbeek, the Netherlands. 5 crew were killed and 2 POW. 1943-April-04 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Ernest Bradley 2023-11-17 1943-April-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Joseph Walter Halikowski 2025-02-18 1943-April-04 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Floyd Edward Luxford 2025-02-18 1943-April-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William James McAlpine 2025-02-18 1943-April-04 KIA RCAF Sergeant Howard John McQueen 2025-02-18 1943-April-04 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Wilfred Lawrence Murphy 2025-02-18 1943-April-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 John Day White 2025-02-18 Halifax EB127, B.Mk.V
s/n EB127
m/d H.P.57
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 127
Merlin XX/22
Units 161/1663Heavy conversion Unit/1 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit/1 ferry Unit/Canada
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-17 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1947-March-28 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
Halifax EB129, B.Mk.V
s/n EB129
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 129
Merlin XX/22
Unit 161
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB132, B.Mk.V
s/n EB132
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 132
Merlin XX/22
Unit 295
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB134, B.Mk.V
s/n EB134
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 134
Merlin XX/22
Unit 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB135, B.Mk.V
s/n EB135
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 135
Merlin XX/22
Unit 295
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB136, B.Mk.V
s/n EB136
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 136
Merlin XX/22
1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB137, B.Mk.V
s/n EB137
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 137
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Leipzig Germany 1943-12-03 to 1943-12-04
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholhorpe
Battle of Berlin
527 aircraft - 307 Lancasters, 220 Halifaxes. Despite the loss of two pressmen on the previous night, the well-known American broadcaster, Ed Murrow, flew on the raid with a 619 Squadron Lancaster crew. He returned safely.
The bomber force took another direct route towards Berlin before turning off to bomb Leipzig. German fighters were in the bomber stream and scoring successes before the turn was made but most of them were then directed to Berlin when the Mosquito diversion opened there. There were few fighters over Leipzig and only 3 bombers are believed to have been lost in the target area, 2 of them being shot down by Flak. A relatively successful raid, from the point of view of bomber casualties, was spoiled when many aircraft flew by mistake into the Frankfurt defended area on the long southern withdrawal route and more than half of the bombers shot down on this night were lost there. 24 aircraft- 15 Halifaxes, 9 Lancasters -were lost, 4·6 per cent of the force.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BV aircraft EB 137 SE-N missing during a night trip to Leipzig, Germany, shot down by night fighter pilot Feldwebel Karl-Georg Pfeiffer of the 12/NJG 1, flying Bf 110 G-4 G9+EZ from Leeuwarden airfield, Netherlands. The Halifax crashed at Zakedijkje, Bergen, Noord-Holland with the loss of the entire crew
Sergeant G Heider (RCAF), Pilot Officer GH Armstrong (RCAF), FS FA Long (RAF), FS RR Steven (RAF), FS GF Brown (RAF), FS WC Burley (RAF) and Sergeant JG L'Argent (RAF) were all killed in action
There were four 431 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Ritchie, RW for information on Halifax LK 685 SE-C, Edgar, AW for information on Halifax LK 968 SE-P and Cook, RG for information on Halifax LK 898 SE-O
1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gerald Henry Armstrong 2024-11-03 1943-December-04 KIA RAF Flight Sergeant George Frederick Brown 2024-11-21 1943-December-04 KIA RAF Flight Sergeant William Charles Burley 2024-11-24 1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Sergeant Georges Heider 2023-04-04 1943-December-04 KIA RAF Sergeant John George L'Argent 2023-04-04 1943-December-04 KIA RAF Flight Sergeant Francis Albert Long 2023-04-04 1943-December-04 KIA RAF Flight Sergeant Robert Redpath Steven 2023-04-04 Halifax EB138, B.Mk.V
s/n EB138
m/d H.P.57
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 138
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76/1663 Heavy Conversion Unit/1 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit/1 Ferry Unit/Canada
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-17 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1947-March-28 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
Halifax EB140, B.Mk.V
s/n EB140
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 140
Merlin XX/22
Units 1575 flight/624
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB146, B.Mk.V
s/n EB146
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 146
Merlin XX/22
1667 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB148, B.Mk.V
s/n EB148
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 148
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB149, B.Mk.V
s/n EB149
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 149
Merlin XX/22
1667 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB150, B.Mk.V
s/n EB150
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 150
Merlin XX/22
1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB154, B.Mk.V
s/n EB154
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 154
Merlin XX/22
Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit/ 301 Ferry Transfer Unit/3 Overseas Aircraft Developmnet Unit/624/148
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB156, B.Mk.V
s/n EB156
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 156
Merlin XX/22
1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB157, B.Mk.V
s/n EB157
m/d H.P.57
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 157
Merlin XX/22
1664 Heavy Conversion Unit/1 OFPU/1 Ferry Unit/Canada
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-17 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-August-17 Classified Instructional CA A 426 2020-06-12
1947-March-28 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
Halifax EB158, B.Mk.V
s/n EB158
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 158
Merlin XX/22
1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB180, B.Mk.V
s/n EB180
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 180
Merlin XX/22
Unit 1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB181, B.Mk.V
s/n EB181
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 181
Merlin XX/22
Unit 1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Conversion 1943-09-28 to 1943-09-28
1664 () HCU (RCAF)
Flying too low, crashed 3 miles east of Kepwick, near Helmsley, Yorks 23.9.43On 1943-09-28, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, a Technical Officer with HCU 1664 at Croft, wrote in his diary: "Well I had the feeling something was going to happen. I was wakened up at 4:00 am this morning with the flying control Sergeant worrying about "S" for Sugar which hadn't returned & was 3 hours over due. Reports had been received about a crashed aircraft down near Marston Moor . . . at noon we got word that the one crashed aircraft that had been found was a Lancaster so ours was still missing . . . At five o'clock we finally got word of it. It had crashed somewhere down in the Cleveland Hills just east of York, four killed & two badly injured. I didn't think any plane could crash in England without somebody seeing it." The following day, "W/C and I went down to the crash after first visiting the two lads in hospital in Northallerton . . . From the W/ops story it seems they were flying along normally about 1600 ft just below the cloud base. However the barometer had dropped over 200 ft while they were away & the pilot apparently had neglected to correct for this so actually they were only at 400 ft & hit the top of one of the highest hills in the dark - 7 minutes after midnight. When he next woke up, dawn was just breaking so he crawled out of his part of the wreckage & not being able to walk, crawled over to another part of the fuselage picking up an open parachute on the way, wrapped himself up in it & quietly passed out again. A shepherd in the moors reported seeing a fire in the hills shortly after midnight and an army search party had finally found the crash at 1:00 pm the next afternoon â€" it is remarkable that even two were still alive after 13 hours."
"After negotiating several terrific hills & paths we finally arrived at the wreck. What a mess it was lying way up in the towering hills forming part of the famous and desolate Yorkshire Moors. We could see where the plane had come up a narrow twisting valley with towering cliffs on each side. How he got as far as he did is more than I can tell. Anyway he pranged on the flat top of the hill across the end of the valley. Just 25 more feet & he'd have been OK since there wasn't a tree in sight but as it was, he was going full out & wreckage was strewn in a wide swath for almost a half mile. I never saw such a wreck nor realised that so many bits and pieces could come off a kite as it slithered along. The place where the W/Op had been sitting was just a crumpled up mass & I don't know how he got out alive . . . There was also a dead sheep with all four feet in the air who never knew what hit him. We spent all afternoon up there sorting out bits and pieces & salvaging a few items . . . also some secret equipment which could not be left lying around there." On October 3, 1943, he "went down and answered a few questions under oath at the court of enquiry they are holding for S."
Halifax EB184, B.Mk.V
s/n EB184
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 184
Merlin XX/22
1667 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB185, B.Mk.V
s/n EB185
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 185
Merlin XX/22
1667 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB187, B.Mk.V
s/n EB187
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 187
Merlin XX/22
1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB191, B.Mk.V
s/n EB191
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 191
Merlin XX/22
1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB198, B.Mk.V
s/n EB198
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 198
Merlin XX/22
Flying Officer Henry Alfred POULTER (409940) RAAF, Pilot. His escape hatch blew off causing aircraft to crash, Stillington, Yorks, 22.10.431664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05On 1943-09-15, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, an Engineering Officer at Croft, wrote in his diary:
". . . We had a real one today. Our first fatality since the unit began. . . ZU-D for Donald EB 198 had gone down somewhere near East Moor. Actually it was Stillington Yorks." Ross and W/C Clark set out to find it, and "after asking a few of the farmers around we soon found the smoking remains in a potato field & what a mess it was." The pilot had died but the other six had baled out and "These six soon came struggling in from all directions where they had landed & were rather tattered & minus shoes etc. but nevertheless whole & mighty glad to be safe on the ground." Apparently the pilot's escape hatch blew open mid flight and eventually blew right out, and "unfortunately hit the stbd tail fin in passing. This caused the rudder controls to be practically non-operative so the pilot told the crew to bale out. . . From then on, of course things are more or less obscure" but the pilot was unable to maintain control of the aircraft. After the investigation "we made for home here & brought the boys back with us."
Halifax EB199, B.Mk.V
s/n EB199
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 199
Merlin XX/22
1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB200, B.Mk.V
s/n EB200
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 200
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB201, B.Mk.V
s/n EB201
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 201
Merlin XX/22
1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB202, B.Mk.V
s/n EB202
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 202
Merlin XX/22
"Bullseye bombing raids were area-wide practices involving hundreds of aircraft coordinated with ground defence operations to provide training for both groups.
On 1943-09-21, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, an Engineering Officer with HCU 1664 at Croft, hitched a ride on EB202 for the exercise. It involved about 250 heavy bombers and ground searchlights on the south coast and London. Ross got permission from the W/C to go with Squadron Leader Jacobs. He rushed through preparations for getting the Squadron's aircraft prepared and joined Squadron Leader Jacobs in ZU-G for Georgie (EB 202) at takeoff. In his diary Ross provided a detailed description of the evening's events, including watching Sammy McDougall navigating by goon sets â€" those very secret but amazing instruments for getting dead reckoning as to position from radio. They are all so secret that I won't say anything more here about it except that they all carry enclosed detonators for blowing it up in case of landing in enemy territory. As we finally reached height I went up to the bomb aimers position where I would see everything there was to see. There were hundreds & hundreds of searchlights weaving all over the sky . . . and the boys were saying that it compared very much the same as anything they had ever seen on a real operational trip. We got picked up several times by searchlight & as soon as one gets you, about 12 or 15 others all swing over on you & cone you. The light is so dazzling you can't see out through the Perspex . . . However we managed to get out of a couple of cones by taking violent evasive action. However they don't like to do too much of that near the target since there is a danger of collision." They were under strict radio silence, but "suddenly all the searchlights in sight started to do the same thing, moving in a steady arc from vertical to a horizontal position pointed northward frantically it seemed. It was what is know as a visual homing & was one of the signs pre-arranged to indicate that there was a real enemy bombing raid in progress & we were to get the h _ _ _ out of there . . . Then we made off up the east coast & home four hours after takeoff."
Struck off Charge 9.6.45
1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB203, B.Mk.V
s/n EB203
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 203
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-April-15 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Lloyd John Cull 2024-05-23 1944-April-15 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class John Huddleston 2022-12-13 1944-April-15 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Charles Edward Lovett 2021-08-13 1944-April-15 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Homer Leroy Muisiner 2021-08-16 1944-April-15 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Hugh Alexander Wallace 2021-07-12 Halifax EB204, B.Mk.V
s/n EB204
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 204
Merlin XX/22
Units 76/77/1663 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB205, B.Mk.V
s/n EB205
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 205
Merlin XX/22
Units 428/431/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB206, B.Mk.V
s/n EB206
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 206
Merlin XX/22
Units 428/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB207, B.Mk.V
s/n EB207
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 207
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB209, B.Mk.V
s/n EB209
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 209
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-July-14 Evader RCAF Sergeant Edward A Bridge 2024-11-18 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class T Chliszczyk 2024-02-15 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Jack Charles Archie Hayes 2021-05-21 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Donald Fraser Ross 2021-05-21 1943-July-14 Evader RCAF Sergeant Derek James Webb 2021-05-21 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant William Bruce Webber 2021-05-21 1943-July-14 PoW RAF Sergeant Alan Maurice Winter 2021-06-11 Halifax EB210, B.Mk.V
s/n EB210
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 210
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB211, B.Mk.V
s/n EB211
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 211
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Walter Leonard Cogger 2024-04-04 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Daniel D Kennedy 2024-04-21 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Thornhall Baldur Lifman 2024-04-22 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Edward Reginald Marks 2024-04-22 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Norman Rhine Mitchell 2024-04-23 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Merton Barnabas Murphy 2024-04-23 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Francis Sheridan 2024-05-01 Halifax EB212, B.Mk.V
s/n EB212
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 212
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB213, B.Mk.V
s/n EB213
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 213
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-October-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Albert Joseph Cadeau 2024-06-30 1943-October-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Phillip Goldstein 2024-06-30 1943-October-03 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Frank Gration 2024-06-30 1943-October-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Garnet Mcmillan Herbert 2024-06-30 1943-October-03 KIA RCAF Sergeant James Lundy 2024-06-30 Halifax EB214, B.Mk.V
s/n EB214
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 214
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-October-04 PoW RCAF Sergeant Lancelot Francis Buttler 2024-11-27 1943-October-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas John Elliott 2021-08-06 1943-October-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Kenneth Alexander Barnard McArthur 2024-10-31 1943-October-04 PoW RCAF Sergeant Russell Rexford Raynard 2023-08-05 1943-October-04 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert Allan Thompson 2023-08-13 Halifax EB215, B.Mk.V
s/n EB215
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 215
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Ernest Farmer 2021-06-10 1943-September-28 PoW RAFVR Sergeant David Albert Job Griffin 2021-06-10 1943-September-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Edward Mussen 2021-06-10 1943-September-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Walter Satchell 2021-06-10 1943-September-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Eric Turner Springett 2021-06-10 1943-September-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Alfred Stuart 2021-06-10 1943-September-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas John Jack Wilson 2021-06-10 Halifax EB216, B.Mk.V
s/n EB216
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 216
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB217, B.Mk.V
s/n EB217
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 217
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-October-22 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Jackson Ross Bryan 2024-11-23 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Harvey Burton 2024-11-25 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Daniel William Hall 2021-05-19 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Lewis Morpeth 2021-05-19 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Stuart Sewall 2021-08-01 1943-October-22 PoW RAF Sergeant Frank Street 2021-05-19 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Alfred William Leonard Worrad 2021-07-06 Halifax EB218, B.Mk.V
s/n EB218
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 218
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-October-23 KIA RCAF Flt. Sergeant Clayton Perry Brown 2024-08-08 1943-October-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John James Dance 2024-08-08 1943-October-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harry Prior Farr 2024-08-08 1943-October-23 KIA RAFVR Flt. Sergeant Arthur Frank Fry 2024-08-08 1943-October-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Francis John Guay 2025-03-08 1943-October-23 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Douglas Leslie Thornley 2025-03-08 1943-October-23 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Floyd Bertram Watson 2025-03-08 Halifax EB219, B.Mk.V
s/n EB219
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 219
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/1667 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB220, B.Mk.V
s/n EB220
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 220
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB239, B.Mk.V
s/n EB239
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 239
Merlin XX/22
Unit 161
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB241, B.Mk.V
s/n EB241
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 241
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB242, B.Mk.V
s/n EB242
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 242
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB243, B.Mk.V
s/n EB243
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 243
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ernest Dean Cornelius 2024-04-20 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Raymond Arthur Kirk 2021-08-12 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Stewart Low 2022-01-23 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Sergeant Derrick Stephen Phillips 2021-08-14 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Raymond Francis Shortridge 2021-07-30 Halifax EB246, B.Mk.V
s/n EB246
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 246
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Sydney Child 2024-04-04 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John George Coflin 2024-04-04 1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Charles Cook 2024-04-04 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norman Earl Cook 2024-04-04 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Bruce Elrick Findlay 2024-04-13 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Sergeant Berle Clinton Prill 2024-05-01 1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Robert Sydney Thompson 2024-05-03 Halifax EB247, B.Mk.V
s/n EB247
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 247
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB248, B.Mk.V
s/n EB248
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 248
Merlin XX/22
units 427/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/1659HCU/1669HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB250, B.Mk.V
s/n EB250
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 250
Merlin XX/22
Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB251, B.Mk.V
s/n EB251
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 251
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-31 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Amos Albert 2024-11-01 1943-August-31 KIA RAF Sergeant Edward Bartlett 2024-11-09 1943-August-31 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Cyril Campbell Gofton 2024-12-29 1943-August-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 John James McLean 2024-12-29 1943-August-31 PoW RAF Flying Officer Alfred Dennis Rothwell 2024-12-29 1943-August-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Pierre Cornelius Vandekerckhove DFC 2024-12-29 1943-August-31 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer William Alfred Williamson 2024-12-29 1943-August-31 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Alan Edward Young 2024-12-29 Halifax EB252, B.Mk.V
s/n EB252
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 252
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB253, B.Mk.V
s/n EB253
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 253
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB254, B.Mk.V
s/n EB254
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 254
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Leverkusen Germany 1943-11-19 to 1943-11-19
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Tholthorpe
434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Tholthorpe. Halifax BV aircraft EB 254 IP-D was shot down during an operation against targets in Leverkusen, Germany by night fighter pilot Hauptmann Eckart-Wilhelm von Bonin of the 6/NJG 1, flying Bf 110 G-4 G9+GP from St Trond (Sint-Truiden) airfield, Belgium
The Halifax crashed near Wankum, Wachtendonk, Nordrhein-Westfalen in the vicinity Monchengladbach, Germany
Wireless Operator/Air-Gunner, Sergeant HD Newey (RAFVR) was killed in action during the night fighter attack
Warrant Officer 1st Class RE Hukee (RCAF), Warrant Officer 1st Class RH Gairns (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant RCC Hodgson (RCAF) and Warrant Officer 1st Class LE Smith (RCAF) all survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
Sergeant AV MacIntosh (RCAF) survived and was captured briefly but managed to escape and make his way to Holland, where he was hidden until liberated by Allied troops in September of 1944
Pilot Officer (then Sergeant) JLN Warren BEM (RCAF) survived, injured and evaded briefly but surrendered to be taken Prisoner of War. He later escaped, was re-captured and escaped again, evading until liberated in April 1945
There was a second 434 Squadron Halifax lost on this operation. Please aircraft serial LK 990 IP-X for additional information on this aircraft and crew
1943-November-20 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Leverkusen. Shot down by a night fighter, 6 crew were POW. 2019-08-20
1943-November-19 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Robert Harold Gairns 2023-06-03 1943-November-19 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Ronald Cyril Cameron Hodgson 2023-06-03 1943-November-19 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Raymond Edwin Hukee 2023-06-05 1943-November-19 Escaper RCAF Sergeant Allen Vincent MacIntosh 2023-06-05 1943-November-19 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Henry Derrick Newey 2023-06-03 1943-November-19 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Lawrence Earl Smith 2023-06-04 1943-November-19 PoW Escaper RCAF Pilot Officer Jean Louis Nazaire Warren BEM 2023-06-05 Halifax EB255, B.Mk.V
s/n EB255
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 255
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Norman Garnet Betts 2025-01-18 1943-August-23 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William Benzie Forbes Climie 2025-01-18 1943-August-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Henry Bernard Ebbers 2025-01-18 1943-August-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Richard Samuel Harrison 2025-01-18 1943-August-23 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 William Holt Ledford DFM 2025-01-18 1943-August-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edward Allan Morgans 2025-01-18 Halifax EB256, B.Mk.V
s/n EB256
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 256
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-01-28 to 1944-01-29
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
Battle of Berlin
434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Croft. Halifax BV aircraft EB 256 WL-S was attacked by a night fighter during an operation against industial targets in Berlin, Germany. Despite the loss of the port outer engine and holed fuel tanks, the Halifax continued to the target and completed its bomb run. On the return flight, the struggling bomber made it back over the North Sea, off the coast of Filey, North Yorkshire, England. Almost out of fuel, the Halifax lost the starboard inner engine, was abandoned and crashed at Flixton, Yorkshire
Rear Gunner Pilot Officer J W R Demers (RCAF) was killed in action when his parachute failed to open
Pilot Officer M F Flewelling DFC (RCAF), Flight Sergeant E A Vigor (RCAF), Flying Officer D R Hutcheon DFC (RCAF), Pilot Officer R J Brown (RCAF), Pilot Officer R N Dobney (RAFVR), Pilot Officer S Thompson (RAFVR) and Pilot Officer J Clayton (RAFVR) all baled safely and survived
There were four other 434 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Halifax aircraft serials LK 649 WL-X, LK 740 WL-V, LK 916 WL-P and LL134 WL-U
1944-January-29 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Robert J Brown 2024-10-22 1944-January-29 Survived RAFVR Flt. Lieutenant James Clayton 2024-10-22 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph William Raoul Demers 2023-12-15 1944-January-29 Survived RAFVR Flying Officer Richard Norris Dobney 2024-10-22 1944-January-29 Survived RCAF Flight Lieutenant (A) Murray Franklin Flewelling DFC 2024-10-22 1944-January-29 Survived RCAF Flying Officer Donald Robert Hutcheon DFC 2024-10-22 1944-January-29 Survived RAFVR Flying Officer Stanley Thompson 2024-10-22 1944-January-29 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant Edmund Arthur Vigor 2024-10-22 Halifax EB257, B.Mk.V
s/n EB257
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 257
Merlin XX/22
Unit 434
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB258, B.Mk.V
s/n EB258
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 258
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Cecil Allan Brown 2024-11-21 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Ronald Connor 2024-03-27 1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Sergeant George Norman Irving 2025-03-08 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Carson Jordan 2025-03-08 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frederick James Piper MiD 2025-03-08 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Isidore Roland Romuald Renaud 2025-03-08 1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Arlo Henry Wetter 2025-03-08 Halifax EB274, B.Mk.V
s/n EB274
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 274
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB275, B.Mk.V
s/n EB275
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 275
Merlin XX/22
Units 428/431/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax EB276, B.Mk.V
s/n EB276
Rootes Securities Ltd
EB 276
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Sedford Armstrong 2024-11-03 1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Lloyd George Christmas 2024-02-20 1943-August-18 PoW RAF Pilot Officer Charles Cox Gibbs 2023-11-04 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gregg McIntyre Johnston 2024-06-27 1943-August-18 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Douglas Michael Joseph Labelle 2023-11-04 1943-August-18 PoW RAF Flying Officer James Gardner Aitken McPherson 2022-03-21 1943-August-18 PoW RAF Sergeant Keith William Rowe 2022-03-21 Halifax HR654, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR654
Handley Page Ltd
HR 654
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-03-29 to 1943-03-30
408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom) RAF Leeming. Halifax BII aircraft HR 654 EQ-R was shot down by night fighter pilot Oblt Paul Szameitat of the 5/NJG 3, flying Do 217N D5+SN from Schleswig airfield during an operation against targets in Berlin, Germany. The Halifax crashed near Suderschmedeby south of Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany with only one crew member surviving
Flight Lieutenant JS Acheson (RCAF) Navigator, survived to be taken as Prisoner of War
Flight Sergeant JF Barnes (RCAF), Sergeant H Davenport (RCAF), Flight Sergeant NW Roberts (RCAF), Sergeant FJ Cherry (RAFVR), Sergeant G Jennings (RAFVR) and Sergeant LSV Lewis-Stanford (RAFVR) were all killed in action
There were two 408 Squadron Halifax II aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial DT 679 EQ-Q for further information on this aircraft and crew
1943-March-30 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Sidney Acheson 2023-10-24 1943-March-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Francis Barnes 2023-10-26 1943-March-30 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Frederick John Cherry 2024-02-12 1943-March-30 KIA RCAF Sergeant Harold Davenport 2023-10-26 1943-March-30 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Gordon Jennings 2023-04-15 1943-March-30 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Ronald Stanley Victor Lewis-Staniford 2023-04-15 1943-March-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Norman William Roberts 2023-10-26 Halifax HR655, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR655
Handley Page Ltd
HR 655
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-February-07 KIA RCAF Sergeant Douglas Matthew Brackenridge 2025-02-18 1943-February-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Emery Romeo Giguere 2025-02-18 1943-February-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Herbert Lough 2025-02-18 1943-February-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Fisher Sayers 2025-02-18 1943-February-07 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Dean William Smith 2025-02-18 Halifax HR656, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR656
Handley Page Ltd
HR 656
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1943-03-11 to 1943-03-12
408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom) RAF Leeming. Halifax II aircraft HR 656 EQ-T had a port side engine failure on the way to operations over Stuttgart, Germany. Despite the engine loss and resulting drop in speed, the crew flew on and successfully dropped their bomb load. Sadly, on the return flight the Halifax was attacked and shot down by night fighter pilot Hptm Otto Materne of the 4/NJG 4, crashing north of Rozieres, France
Sergeant RD Davidson (RCAF), Sergeant JA Hammond (RCAF), Flying Officer GH Lamus (RAF) and Sergeant CT Hamilton (RNZAF) all survived and became Evaders
FS DDP Leitch (RAFVR), Sergeant LS Marsden (RAF) and Flying Officer AA Stewart (RNZAF) survived and all were taken ad Prisoners of War
Search for France-Crashes 39-45
1943-March-12 Evader RCAF Sergeant Russell Duncan Davidson 2022-11-03 1943-March-12 Evader RNZAF Charlie Thomas Hamilton 2022-11-03 1943-March-12 Evader RCAF Sergeant John Allan Hammond 2024-09-02 1943-March-12 Evader RAF Flying Officer George Herbert Lamus 2022-11-03 1943-March-12 PoW RAFVR Flight Sergeant David Duncan Patrick Leitch MBE 2024-09-02 1943-March-12 PoW RAF Sergeant Laurence Stanley Marsden 2022-11-03 1943-March-12 PoW RNZAF Flying Officer Andrew Stewart 2022-11-03 Halifax HR657, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR657
Handley Page Ltd
HR 657
Merlin XX/22
units 408/78/1667 heavy Conversion Unit/1662Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR658, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR658
Handley Page Ltd
HR 658
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Sergeant Jack Colin Archer 2024-11-02 1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Roger Victor Clitheroe 2024-03-05 1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Sergeant William Cameron Ellard 2021-08-06 1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Angus Grant 2021-08-07 1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gudmundur Arnpot Johannesson 2023-01-07 1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Malcolm Roy Edgar Metcalfe 2021-09-28 1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Donat Cyprien Romain Nault 2021-08-17 Halifax HR659, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR659
Handley Page Ltd
HR 659
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR660, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR660
Handley Page Ltd
HR 660
Merlin XX/22
Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit/301 Ferry transfer Unit/3 Overseas Aircraft Delivery unit/148
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR662, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR662
Handley Page Ltd
HR 662
Merlin XX/22
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR664, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR664
Handley Page Ltd
HR 664
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/78/1652 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR665, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR665
Handley Page Ltd
HR 665
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR666, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR666
Handley Page Ltd
HR 666
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR667, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR667
Handley Page Ltd
HR 667
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR684, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR684
Handley Page Ltd
HR 684
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR685, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR685
Handley Page Ltd
HR 685
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR686, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR686
Handley Page Ltd
HR 686
Merlin XX/22
Unit 502
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR687, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR687
Handley Page Ltd
HR 687
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR689, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR689
Handley Page Ltd
HR 689
Merlin XX/22
Unit 502
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR692, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR692
Handley Page Ltd
HR 692
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR695, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR695
Handley Page Ltd
HR 695
Merlin XX/22
Units 10/1658 Heavy Conversion Unit/1669HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR699, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR699
Handley Page Ltd
HR 699
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR711, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR711
Handley Page Ltd
HR 711
Merlin XX/22
Units 51/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR712, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR712
Handley Page Ltd
HR 712
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR713, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR713
Handley Page Ltd
HR 713
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR714, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR714
Handley Page Ltd
HR 714
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102/77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR717, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR717
Handley Page Ltd
HR 717
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR720, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR720
Handley Page Ltd
HR 720
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR721, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR721
Handley Page Ltd
HR 721
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR723, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR723
Handley Page Ltd
HR 723
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/35/77/1666Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR725, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR725
Handley Page Ltd
HR 725
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR727, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR727
Handley Page Ltd
HR 727
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76/102/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR730, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR730
Handley Page Ltd
HR 730
Merlin XX/22
Units 51/102/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR732, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR732
Handley Page Ltd
HR 732
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR733, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR733
Handley Page Ltd
HR 733
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR734, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR734
Handley Page Ltd
HR 734
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR737, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR737
Handley Page Ltd
HR 737
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR739, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR739
Handley Page Ltd
HR 739
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-31 KIA RAAF Flight Sergeant William Joseph Browne 2022-05-20 1943-August-31 KIA RAAF Flight Sergeant William Edward Bryden 2022-05-20 1943-August-31 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Sidney Clenton 2024-03-03 1943-August-31 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Charles Colin Gardener 2022-05-20 1943-August-31 PoW RAFVR Sergeant John Partington 2022-05-20 1943-August-31 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Garfield Townley 2023-08-14 1943-August-31 KIA RAAF Pilot Officer Ronald William Wildman 2022-05-20 Halifax HR743, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR743
Handley Page Ltd
HR 743
Merlin XX/22
Unit 58
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR746, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR746
Handley Page Ltd
HR 746
Merlin XX/22
Transfer Ferry Unit/58
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR751, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR751
Handley Page Ltd
HR 751
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR753, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR753
Handley Page Ltd
HR 753
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR757, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR757
Handley Page Ltd
HR 757
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10/158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR758, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR758
Handley Page Ltd
HR 758
Merlin XX/22
unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR773, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR773
Handley Page Ltd
HR 773
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR775, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR775
Handley Page Ltd
HR 775
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR776, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR776
Handley Page Ltd
HR 776
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR780, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR780
Handley Page Ltd
HR 780
Merlin XX/22
Units 158/419/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR782, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR782
Handley Page Ltd
HR 782
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR783, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR783
Handley Page Ltd
HR 783
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR784, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR784
Handley Page Ltd
HR 784
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR789, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR789
Handley Page Ltd
HR 789
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR791, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR791
Handley Page Ltd
HR 791
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR793, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR793
Handley Page Ltd
HR 793
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Wuppertal Germany 1943-05-29 to 1943-05-30
35 (PFF) Sqn (RAF) RAF Graveley
Aircraft was shot down by a night fighter over Netherlands while on an operation to Wuppertal, Germany. The aircraft was abandoned and crashed near Sittard, Holland
Squadron Leader P Johnston DFC (RAF)and Sergeant FJ Jarvis (RAF) were missing, presumed killed. They have no known grave and are commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial
Sergeant AW Cowan (RCAF) survived and evaded briefly, but was captured 1944-05-30 to join the other survivors: Pilot Officer R Wood (RCAF), FS BT Royall (RAAF), Flying Officer RG Houston (RAF )and Sergeant MT Byrne (RAF) as Prisoners of War. FS EA Roede (RAF) would evade until July before being captured in Brussels
WR Chorley notes that Pilot Officer Wood landed poorly when he baled, breaking his leg, and that he was older than the usual crewman (having lied about his age to re-join the RCAF in 1939 he was 38 years old, not the 33 on his records). His son, FS D Wood, joined the RCAF in Canada on the same day his father was taken POW, and later flew a tour of operations in 1944 as a gunner (Airforce Magazine, Vol 8, No 2, 1984)
Halifax HR796, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR796
Handley Page Ltd
HR 796
Merlin XX/22
Navigation Training Unit/405/1667 Heavy Conversion Unit/1662HCU/1656HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR797, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR797
Handley Page Ltd
HR 797
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Ashton Fillingham 2022-07-13 1943-June-12 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant James Caldwell Harty 2022-07-13 1943-June-12 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Forbes Ewan Mackay 2023-09-07 1943-June-12 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Burton Leigh Miller 2023-09-17 1943-June-12 PoW RAF John Edward Patterson 2024-01-10 1943-June-12 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer John Sommerville 2023-01-30 1943-June-12 PoW RCAF Sergeant William Norman C Tatham DFC 2023-08-11 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Norman Henry Arthur Taylor 2022-07-13 Halifax HR799, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR799
Handley Page Ltd
HR 799
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR800, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR800
Handley Page Ltd
HR 800
Merlin XX/22
Navigation Training Unit/405/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR801, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR801
Handley Page Ltd
HR 801
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR802, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR802
Handley Page Ltd
HR 802
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35/428/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-October-15 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Byron Jerimiah Becker 2025-01-06 1944-October-15 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Alexander Harvey Macleod 2025-01-06 1944-October-15 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Harry Whittaker McKay 2025-01-06 1944-October-15 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Beverly Thomas Taylor 2025-01-06 1944-October-15 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer George Ambrose Franklin Whinfield 2025-01-06 1944-October-15 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Walter Robert Wickham 2025-01-06 Halifax HR804, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR804
Handley Page Ltd
HR 804
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/35/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR805, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR805
Handley Page Ltd
HR 805
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR806, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR806
Handley Page Ltd
HR 806
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR807, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR807
Handley Page Ltd
HR 807
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-28 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Leonard Samuel Percy Dalton 2024-08-08 1943-May-28 KIA RAFVR James Holmes 2024-08-08 1943-May-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Young Houston 2024-08-08 1943-May-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gabriell Emile Joseph Lebihan 2024-08-08 1943-May-28 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Clayton Maracle 2024-08-08 1943-May-28 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Frederick Sovereign 2024-08-08 1943-May-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Stephen Wilson 2024-08-08 Halifax HR808, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR808
Handley Page Ltd
HR 808
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR809, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR809
Handley Page Ltd
HR 809
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Duisburg Germany 1943-04-08 to 1943-04-09
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Gransden Lodge
Battle of the Ruhr
Took off in Halifax Mark II (Sqn code: LQ-X) at 21:32. Target was reached at 23:00 and the load released from 15,000 feet. Starboard engine cut out just before reaching target and started again after crossing enemy coast on way home. A/C was caught in heavy flak at target and gyro toppled when evasive action was taken. A/c went into a spin and the other three engines cut. The captain then warned crew to be ready to bale out. The second pilot Pilot Officer Bisson; Flight Engineer, Sergeant Whitterton; Mid Upper Gunner, Flight Sergeant Wagner and Rear Gunner Flight Sergeant Cox baled out without waiting for orders. Captain righted a/c at 1,000 feet and three engines started up again so returned to base with the remaining four crew.Halifax HR810, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR810
Handley Page Ltd
HR 810
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-06 KIA RAFVR Sergeant George Edward Agate 2025-03-03 1943-September-06 PoW RAF James Henry Briggs 2025-03-03 1943-September-06 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Leo Joseph Martin Broderick 2024-11-19 1943-September-06 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Alexander Cunningham Brunton 2025-03-03 1943-September-06 PoW RAF Clifford Hewitson 2025-03-03 1943-September-06 PoW RAF Robert Thomson 2025-03-03 Halifax HR811, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR811
Handley Page Ltd
HR 811
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1943-07-24 to 1943-07-25
405 (PFF) Sqn (RCAF) Gransden Lodge
Battle of Hamburg
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus), Pathfinder Force. BROTHER to Albert Benjamin McLellan. Halifax aircraft HR811 was hit by flak over enemy territory on July 25, 1943.Warrant Officer McLellan succumbed to his wounds while in the Addenbrook Hospital. Other crew members returned safely: Pilot Officer Cowan, Sergeant Culpin, Fl/Sergeant Milne, Sergeant Langley, Sergeant Mace, Sergeant HurstHalifax HR812, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR812
Handley Page Ltd
HR 812
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR813, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR813
Handley Page Ltd
HR 813
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Cologne Germany 1943-07-03 to 1943-07-04
405 (PFF) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Gransden Lodge
Battle of the Ruhr
From Operations Record Book:
Weather:-10/10 at first, clearing by mid day to fine. Visibility ability poor at first becoming very good. Light northerly wind.
OPERATIONS: BOMBING ATTACK ON "COLOGNE" 11 Aircraft detailedTen of our aircraft reached and bombed primary from an average height of 19,500 feet on red and green TI in good visibility. Target was a mass of fires with smoke up to 10,000 feet.One of our aircraft was attacked by an unidentified night fighter and severely damaged, the starboard elevator and tail assembly by canon shells; canon shells to starboard centre mainplane, wing internally damaged, fuselage, holed, and bomb doors shot up and mid upper turret astro dome were also holed.Captain of this aircraft is 13399011 Sergeant Phillips J who had much difficulty in preventing aircraft getting into stalling speed because aircraft would not be stopped from climbing. This was overcome by tying the control column to the rudder [word?] by means of the dinghy rope, which was slightly successful although pressure still had to be maintained on the stick. The mid upper gunner was slightly injured in his leg. One of our aircraft is missing. members of the crew were ....... Nothing has been heard from this crew since time of takeoff.
1943-July-04 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Ivan Anderson 2024-11-12 1943-July-04 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Lloyd MacDonald Anderson 2024-11-12 1943-July-04 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Hugh Alexander McIvor Clee 2024-11-12 1943-July-04 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Francis William Frudd 2024-11-12 1943-July-04 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Gordon Karr Harrison 2024-11-12 1943-July-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Rankin 2024-11-12 1943-July-04 PoW RAFVR Raymond Bagnall Smith DFC 2022-06-22 Halifax HR816, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR816
Handley Page Ltd
HR 816
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-25 PoW RAF Sergeant Peter Charles Andrews 2025-02-05 1943-June-25 PoW RAF Frank Bowker 2023-10-22 1943-June-25 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William Kingsley 2025-02-05 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Wendelin Kucinsky 2025-02-05 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Sergeant Charles William Patterson Price 2025-02-05 1943-June-25 PoW RAF Gordon Charles Tisbury 2025-02-05 Halifax HR817, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR817
Handley Page Ltd
HR 817
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
Combat Peenemunde Germany 1943-08-17 to 1943-08-18
405 (PFF) Sqn (RCAF) Gransden Lodge
Battle of Hamburg
Halifax II aircraft HR 817 LQ-C strayed south of its intended route and was shot down by flak near Flensburg during a night attack against the V-2 rocket sites at Pennemunde, Germany. The bomber crashed at Friedenshugel, Germany
All were Killed in Action
1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant David Colin Brodie Angus 2024-11-02 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Thomas John Bowling 2025-02-15 1943-August-18 KIA RAF Hubert William Cooke 2024-04-06 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Edwin Gimby 2025-02-15 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Willard Melvin Haugen 2025-02-15 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harry Starkey McIntyre 2025-02-15 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Thomas Alan Pargeter 2025-02-15 Halifax HR832, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR832
Handley Page Ltd
HR 832
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Operational None 1943-06-16 to 1943-06-16
405 (PFF) Sqn (RCAF) Gransden Lodge
Battle of the Ruhr
405 Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Gransden Lodge. Halifax BII aircraft encountered severe weather conditions and turbulence on a routine cross-country training flight. The Halifax was struck by lightning and broke up in flight, crashing at Clifton Farm, Clenchwarton, 2 miles west of Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England with the loss of the entire crew
Flying Officer RE Agassiz (RCAF), Flying Officer WC Davies (RCAF), FS CL Pudney GC (RCAF)(USA), Sergeant a Faulkner (RAFVR), Flying Officer RW Frewin (RAFVR), Sergeant MK Holliday (RAF) and Flight Lieutenant CD Lawson MiD (RAF) were all killed in this flying accident
405 Squadron Halifax II HR832 Fl/Lt Lawson RAF Gransden Lodge...
1943-June-16 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Roland Ernest Garnault Agassiz 2022-11-28 1943-June-16 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Walter Cecil Davies 2024-10-31 1943-June-16 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Arthur Faulkner 2022-11-28 1943-June-16 KIFA RAFVR Flying Officer Lawrence William Arthur Frewin 2022-11-28 1943-June-16 KIFA RAF Sergeant Malcolm Keith Holliday 2022-11-28 1943-June-16 KIFA RAF Flight Lieutenant Christopher Daniel Lawson MID 2022-11-28 1943-June-16 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Clinton Landis Pudney GM 2022-11-28 Halifax HR833, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR833
Handley Page Ltd
HR 833
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405/35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR834, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR834
Handley Page Ltd
HR 834
Merlin XX/22
Units 51/102/1659Heavy Conversion Unit/1666HCU
On 1944-05-27, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with HCU 1664/1669 at Wombleton, wrote in his diary: "Well we had the third of our usual string of three prangs to-day when QY-B "Beer" - this is the third B in a month so we are going to stop using that letter for awhile - HR834 - one of our newest & best kites with 4 brand new Merlin XXI engines in it. The SO [starboard outboard] engine cut out on takeoff just after he got airborne, it swung to the right, ploughed through the top of 4 big trees right in the middle of the bomb [storage] dump (I'm sure glad that didn't stop him or the whole dump would have gone up & I wouldn't have been writing this) then caromed of another tree to end up in the middle of a nearby farmers field where the kite broke up badly & then caught fire."
"There were 9 men in the kite & they all got out in one of the most miraculous escapes I ever expect to see, with very minor injuries. I hoped on my motor bike & was there 5 minutes after it happened to see the crew wandering around not quite knowing how they got out. I helped the rear gunner who was cut badly about the face into a truck & then it got stuck in the mud & we had to push it out. Two others had broken ankles & 3 had to be treated for minor shock. Other than that there wasn't much else the matter with them. We tried to get the fire out but it was pretty hopeless especially with all the ammunition exploding all over the place. I was using a fire extinguisher for awhile until the intense heat drove us away. An investigation later showed that an inlet valve spring broke on the B bank causing the explosive charge to blow by into the induction manifold & setting fire to the mixture coming into the cylinder. Quite a small thing to right-off an aircraft & almost the crew."
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR835, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR835
Handley Page Ltd
HR 835
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR836, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR836
Handley Page Ltd
HR 836
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR838, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR838
Handley Page Ltd
HR 838
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR839, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR839
Handley Page Ltd
HR 839
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR840, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR840
Handley Page Ltd
HR 840
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR841, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR841
Handley Page Ltd
HR 841
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/35/77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR843, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR843
Handley Page Ltd
HR 843
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR844, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR844
Handley Page Ltd
HR 844
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR847, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR847
Handley Page Ltd
HR 847
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/35/1652 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR849, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR849
Handley Page Ltd
HR 849
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1943-08-02 to 1943-08-03
405 (PFF) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Gransden Lodge
Battle of Hamburg
405 Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Gransden Lodge. Halifax BII aircraft #HR 849 LQ-E was shot down by flak over Bremen, Germany while on an operation to Hamburg, Germany. The entire crew was lost on this, their 5th operation and the 10th bomber lost on this 4th raid against targets in Hamburg
FS WJ Crozier (RCAF), Sergeant T Brownless (RAFVR), Sergeant H Gardner (RAFVR), Sergeant AF Gregory (RAFVR), Sergeant SJ Passey (RAFVR), Sergeant ST Pitt (RAFVR) and Sergeant D Rowbotham (RAF) were all killed in action
The Battle of Hamburg, Allied Bomber Forces Against a German City in 1943 by Martin Middlebrook, Appendix 4 page 343 1943-August-03 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas Brownless 2024-11-23 1943-August-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William James Crozier 2024-05-22 1943-August-03 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Henry Gardner 2022-07-26 1943-August-03 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Albert Frank Gregory 2022-07-26 1943-August-03 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Sydney John Passey 2022-07-26 1943-August-03 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Stanley Thomas Pitt 2022-07-26 1943-August-03 KIA RAF Sergeant Douglas Rowbotham 2022-07-26 Halifax HR850, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR850
Handley Page Ltd
HR 850
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR852, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR852
Handley Page Ltd
HR 852
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-11 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Robert Wilfred Featherstone 2021-08-05 1943-June-11 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Herbert Lawrence Levere 2021-08-05 1943-June-11 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Keith MacEachern 2021-08-05 1943-June-11 PoW USAAF Flying Officer David Stephen Percy Roberts 2021-08-05 Halifax HR853, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR853
Handley Page Ltd
HR 853
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR854, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR854
Handley Page Ltd
HR 854
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Combat Montbeliard France 1943-07-15 to 1943-07-16
405 (PFF) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Gransden Lodge
Battle of the Ruhr
405 Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Gransden Lodge. Halifax II aircraft HR 854 LQ-A was homeward-bound from an operation to bomb the Peugeot motor factory at Montbeliard, France, when it was attacked by German night-fighters and the two starboard engines were shot up. After losing considerable altitude over 35 minutes, the Pilot finally ordered the crew to bail out before the Halifax crashed near Tonnerre, France
Rear Air-Gunner, Flight Sergeant Arthur Osbourne Prior (RAFVR) survived and was captured to become a Prisoner of War
Flight Lieutenant James Henry Foy DFC MiD (RCAF), Squadron Leader Albert Lambert DFC (RCAF), Flying Officer Hugh Thompson Huston MiD (RCAF), Pilot Officer John Bert MacDougall MiD (RCAF), Sergeant Gregor MacGregor (RCAF) and Flying Officer Thomas William Simpson (RCAF) all survived and became Evaders, all eventually making their way over the Pyrenees Mountains, through Spain, on to Gibraltar, ultimately returning safely to the UK
The crew came down at about 03:15 hours, just West of Beliecarde. They buried their parachutes and mae wests in thick undergrowth and pulled briar over them. They moved South, reaching a canal, walking along it, for about 30 minutes. As it became light, the crew hid in a wood along the canal bank. At 23:00 hours on 16 July 1943, they continued along the canal, endeavoring to find a bridge. They eventually crossed the canal and continued walking until 02:00 hours, when they again hid in woods. The crew spent all of the day, 17 July 1943, in the woods, and began to walk South at 23:00 hours., eventually reaching the outskirts of Les Bordes at 05:30 hours. From the cover of a wood, they watched a nearby farmhouse, which they eventually approached, were taken in, fed and sheltered. Those who dared - A Comprehensive List of World War ll Allied Escapers
1943-July-16 Evader RCAF Flight Lieutenant James Henry Foy DFC, MiD 2025-03-04 1943-July-16 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Hugh Thompson Huston MiD 2025-03-04 1943-July-16 Evader RCAF Squadron Leader Albert Lambert DFC & Bar 2025-03-09 1943-July-16 Evader RAFVR Sergeant Gregor MacGregor 2025-03-04 1943-July-16 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer John Bert McDougall MiD 2025-03-09 1943-July-16 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Arthur Osbourne Prior 2025-02-26 1943-July-16 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Thomas William Simpson 2025-03-09 Halifax HR855, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR855
Handley Page Ltd
HR 855
Merlin XX/22
Units 35/428/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR856, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR856
Handley Page Ltd
HR 856
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Edward Beavo 2025-01-05 1943-August-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Richard Alexander Carney 2025-01-05 1943-August-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John David Hawkins 2025-01-05 1943-August-17 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Peter William Manning DFC 2025-01-05 1943-August-17 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Gordon Campbell McKay 2025-01-05 1943-August-17 KIA RCAF Sergeant Malcolm Stephen Miller 2025-01-05 1943-August-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Harold Viney 2025-01-05 Halifax HR857, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR857
Handley Page Ltd
HR 857
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/35/428/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1662HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR858, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR858
Handley Page Ltd
HR 858
Merlin XX/22
Units 158/51/781652 Heavy Conversion Unit/1662HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR859, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR859
Handley Page Ltd
HR 859
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR860, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR860
Handley Page Ltd
HR 860
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/10/1652 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Combat Gelsenkirchen Germany 1943-07-09 to 1943-07-10
405 (PFF) Sqn (RCAF) Gransden Lodge
Battle of the Ruhr
N405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Pathfinder Force). Target - Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Halifax aircraft HR 860 was badly damaged by flak over the target but returned and landed safely at RAF Station, Gransden Lodge. F/O. Law was the only casualty and was killed in the aircraft by shell fragments.Halifax HR864, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR864
Handley Page Ltd
HR 864
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Essen Germany 1943-07-25 to 1943-07-25
405 (PFF) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Gransden Lodge
405 Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Gransden Lodge. Halifax BII aircraft HR 863 LQ-M was shot down by Oberleutnant Paul Zorner of the 3/NJG 3, flying a Messerschmitt Bf 110 inbound for an operation against the Krupp Works armament factories in Essen, Germany. The Halifax crashed and exploded between Thesinge and Ten Boer, Groningen, Netherlands with the loss of all but one crew member
Flying Officer ME Tomczak (RCAF), Flying Officer AP McCracken (RCAF), Pilot officer MS Smyth (RCAF), Warrant officer Second Class CJV Kettley (RCAF), Flight Sergeant EK White (RCAF), and Sergeant AJ Wood (RAF) were all killed in action
The Bomb Aimer, Flight Lieutenant AJ Sochowski (RCAF) was the only crew member to escape the aircraft before it crashed and survived to become a Prisoner of War
1943-July-25 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Clifford John Vosper Kettley 2023-07-13 1943-July-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Alexander Purves McCracken 2023-07-13 1943-July-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Michael Sydney Smyth 2023-07-13 1943-July-25 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Alexander Joseph Sochowski 2023-07-13 1943-July-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Marcel Emmett Tomczak 2023-07-13 1943-July-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Edward Kenneth White 2023-07-13 1943-July-25 KIA RAF Sergeant Albert Joseph Wood 2023-07-13 Halifax HR865, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR865
Handley Page Ltd
HR 865
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR867, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR867
Handley Page Ltd
HR 867
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR869, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR869
Handley Page Ltd
HR 869
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR871, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR871
Handley Page Ltd
HR 871
Merlin XX/22
Served with No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF. Failed to Return, Hamburg, 3.8.43, crashed in Baltic SeaUnit 405
The following links to video documenting recovery of HR871 parts from the Baltic.
last update: 2025-February-05Bombing Hamburg Germany 1943-08-02 to 1943-08-03
405 (PFF) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Gransden Lodge
Battle of Hamburg
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Gransden Lodge. Halifax BII aircraft encountered a massive electrical storm during an operation against targets in Hamburg, Germany. Battling towards the target, with ice building up on the wings, the Halifax was struck by a blinding flash of lightning. Both inboard engines lost power, the electrical system and radio destroyed, the bomber lost altitude while the pilot fought to regain control, managing to do so at an altitude of about 4000 feet. Return to the UK was out of the question and the navigator instead plotted a course for neutral Sweden. The Halifax crashed into the Baltic Sea near Kampinge Bay, Sweden shortly after the crew safely abandoned the bomber and all became interned prisoners of Sweden
In an interesting turn of fate, many of the Canadians on this and other downed crews not only survived being shot down, they also played hockey against Swedish teams while they were interned. They were well treated and housed and played hockey for several months before being repatriated to UK 1944-01-30
Amazingly, the wreckage of Halifax HR 871 was located by Swedish divers in 2011 and is now in the process of being recovered, lead by Karl Kiarsgaard, Director of the Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada), Bomber Command Museum of Canada. The plan is to have the Halifax restored as a static display at the museum, similar to Halifax NA 377, recovered by Halifax 57 Rescue from the bottom of Lake Mjosa, Norway. The aircraft was beautifully restored to static condition and is now on display at the RCAF Memorial Museum at Trenton, Ontario.
Royal Air Force serial and Image Database
1943-August-03 Interned RAFVR Ronald A Andrews 2023-11-05 1943-August-03 Interned RCAF Sergeant Wilfred Herbert King 2023-11-05 1943-August-03 Interned RAFVR Flight Sergeant Vernon Alfred Knight 2023-11-05 1943-August-03 Interned RCAF Sergeant Lloyd David Kohnke 2023-11-05 1943-August-03 Interned RCAF Flight Sergeant Graham William Mainprize 2023-11-06 1943-August-03 Interned RCAF Sergeant Herbert C McLean 2023-11-05 1943-August-03 Interned RAFVR Flight Sergeant John Alwyn "Pee Wee" Phillips DFM, DFC 2023-11-05 
Halifax HR872, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR872
Handley Page Ltd
HR 872
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-10 KIA RCAF Sergeant Douglas Allan Black 2024-11-12 1943-August-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Henry Evans 2025-01-21 1943-August-10 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Macgregor Gray 2025-01-21 1943-August-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Hanna 2025-01-21 1943-August-10 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Henry King 2025-01-21 1943-August-10 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Allan John Middleton 2025-01-21 1943-August-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles William Pickering 2023-08-26 Halifax HR876, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR876
Handley Page Ltd
HR 876
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR905, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR905
Handley Page Ltd
HR 905
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Sergeant Douglas Glenn Bebensee DFM 2024-11-10 1943-July-14 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Douglas Milne Clarke 2025-01-05 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Henry Navin Emerson DFM 2025-01-05 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Glover McGladrey DFC 2025-01-05 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Roy Gordon Morrison DFC 2025-01-05 1943-July-14 PoW RNZAF Donald John Smith 2025-01-05 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ernest Maurice Witt 2025-01-05 1943-July-14 KIA RAF Squadron Leader Denzel Lloyd Wolfe DFC 2025-01-05 Halifax HR907, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR907
Handley Page Ltd
HR 907
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR910, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR910
Handley Page Ltd
HR 910
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/419
last update: 2025-February-05
Minelaying Borkum Island Germany 1944-02-11 to 1944-02-12
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
Served with No. 419 Squadron, RCAF, coded "VR*R". Lost during mining operation to the Frisian Islands off Borkum on 12/13 February 1944. Five other crews were in the same area at the same time and reported no enemy activity. The loss of this crew remains a mystery. 52 Aircraft deployed incl. Units 405/419
1944-February-12 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Joseph Gilles Bachand 2024-11-06 1944-February-12 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Russell William Kemp 2022-12-07 1944-February-12 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant David Drysdale Laidlaw 2022-12-07 1944-February-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alfred Stephen Miller 2022-12-07 1944-February-12 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Walter Earl Rempel 2022-12-07 Halifax HR912, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR912
Handley Page Ltd
HR 912
Merlin XX/22
Units 35/419
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Vaires-sur-Marne France 1944-03-29 to 1944-03-30
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
76 Halifaxes and 8 Mosquitoes of 4, 6 and 8 Groups attacked the railway yards at Vaires, near Paris, in bright moonlight. The bombing was very accurate and 2 ammunition trains which were present blew up; it is reported that 1,270 German troops were killed. 1 Halifax lost.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). The crew of Halifax aircraft HR 912 were engaged in a night trip to the rail yards at Vaires, France when their aircraft was hit by flak over Le Havre, France. The pilot made a crash landing in the English Channel.
1944-March-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Alexander Greenidge 2022-12-12 1944-March-30 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Elmore Oliver Elvidge Humphreys 2022-12-12 1944-March-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Bentley Lowe 2022-12-12 1944-March-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Vernal Norwood Lunney 2022-12-12 1944-March-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ernest Gordon Surridge 2022-12-12 1944-March-30 KIA RCAF Sergeant Maurice William Wheeler 2022-12-12 Halifax HR915, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR915
Handley Page Ltd
HR 915
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-01 PoW RAF A. N. Gocher 2023-08-23 1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Curtis Albert Goring 2022-07-20 1943-September-01 PoW RAFVR Pilot officer James Tilston Maddock 2024-01-10 1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Edwin Matthew McArthur DFM 2024-10-31 1943-September-01 PoW RAF F Peacock 2023-09-23 1943-September-01 PoW RCAF Squadron Leader George Thomas Pearson DFC 2022-07-20 1943-September-01 PoW RAF L Ramsden 2024-01-10 Halifax HR916, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR916
Handley Page Ltd
HR 916
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/35/428/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1669HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR917, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR917
Handley Page Ltd
HR 917
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1943-08-02 to 1943-08-03
405 (PFF) Sqn (RCAF) Gransden Lodge
Battle of Hamburg
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus), Pathfinder Force. Halifax aircraft HR 917 failed to return from a night raid on Hamburg, Germany. Six RAF members of the crew, Flight Lieutenant H.W.J. Dare, P/Os J.R.F. Ratcliffe, K.C. Rigby, Sergeants E. Darbyshire, W. Hutchison, and D.A. Thomas, were also killed.Halifax HR918, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR918
Handley Page Ltd
HR 918
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader William Henry Baldwin DFC 2024-11-05 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frank Albert Harman 2022-10-13 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Philip John Ashworth Magson 2024-04-22 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Allan Menzies 2024-04-23 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Arthur Miller 2024-04-23 Halifax HR920, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR920
Handley Page Ltd
HR 920
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR922, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR922
Handley Page Ltd
HR 922
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR923, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR923
Handley Page Ltd
HR 923
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-08-23 to 1943-08-24
405 (PFF) Sqn (RCAF) Gransden Lodge
Battle of Berlin
405 Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Gransden Lodge, Halifax II aircraft HR 923 LQ-V on a raid against targets in Berlin, Germany, was attacked by an Me109 fighter and badly shot up after completing its bomb-run. Short of fuel due to punctured fuel tanks and severely damaged, the Halifax diverted to Sweden, ditching south of Sandhammaren lighthouse, near Ystad, Sweden
Warrant Officer 1st Class H Smith (RCAF), Pilot Officer D P Davies (RCAF), Sergeant L F Cassidy (RCAF), Sergeant J S Gates (RCAF), Sergeant J H Flick (RCAF), Sergeant J C Catling (RAF) and Sergeant T O'Toole (RAF) were all safe after the ditching and were interned in Sweden. The crew were very well treated and even travelled around Sweden to play hockey against Swedish teams. They played 24 games before they were repatriated to England, 1944-03-16
Royal Air Force Serial and Image database
1943-August-24 Interned RAF Sergeant J C Catling 2024-01-20 1943-August-24 Interned RCAF Flying Officer Daniel Peter Davies 2023-11-07 1943-August-24 Interned RCAF Flying Officer James H Flick 2023-11-07 1943-August-24 Interned RCAF Flight Sergeant John S Gates 2023-11-07 1943-August-24 Interned RAF Sergeant Thomas O'Toole DFM 2023-11-07 1943-August-24 Interned RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Hector "Snuffy" Smith 2023-11-07 Halifax HR925, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR925
Handley Page Ltd
HR 925
Merlin XX/22
Units 35/419/428/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR928, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR928
Handley Page Ltd
HR 928
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Osborne Lloyd Bliss DFC 2024-11-13 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Walter David Craig DFM 2024-05-11 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Philip Macdonell McIntosh DFM 2025-01-26 1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert William Nixon DFC 2025-01-26 Halifax HR929, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR929
Handley Page Ltd
HR 929
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR931, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR931
Handley Page Ltd
HR 931
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR941, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR941
Handley Page Ltd
HR 941
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR943, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR943
Handley Page Ltd
HR 943
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR944, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR944
Handley Page Ltd
HR 944
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR948, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR948
Handley Page Ltd
HR 948
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR950, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR950
Handley Page Ltd
HR 950
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR952, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR952
Handley Page Ltd
HR 952
Merlin XX/22
Units 51/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR977, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR977
Handley Page Ltd
HR 977
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR978, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR978
Handley Page Ltd
HR 978
Merlin XX/22
Units 158/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR980, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR980
Handley Page Ltd
HR 980
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR984, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR984
Handley Page Ltd
HR 984
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR985, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR985
Handley Page Ltd
HR 985
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR986, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR986
Handley Page Ltd
HR 986
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HR988, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HR988
Handley Page Ltd
HR 988
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/428/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/1662HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX147, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HX147
Handley Page Ltd
HX 147
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/428/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/1662 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-11 KIFA RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Douglas Best 2024-11-12 1944-July-11 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William Arthur Corley 2024-04-18 1944-July-11 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Neil John Kidney 2025-01-17 1944-July-11 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Johnny Peter Kolomic 2025-01-17 1944-July-11 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Robert Kirk Moore 2025-01-17 1944-July-11 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Raymond Frank Simmons 2025-01-17 1944-July-11 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Victor Zoratti 2025-01-17 Halifax HX149, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HX149
Handley Page Ltd
HX 149
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX150, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HX150
Handley Page Ltd
HX 150
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX151, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HX151
Handley Page Ltd
HX 151
Merlin XX/22
unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX155, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HX155
Handley Page Ltd
HX 155
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX158, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HX158
Handley Page Ltd
HX 158
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX160, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HX160
Handley Page Ltd
HX 160
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX162, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HX162
Handley Page Ltd
HX 162
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-01-20 to 1944-01-20
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
769 aircraft- 49 5 Lancasters, 264 Halifaxes, lo Mosquitoes. 35 aircraft- 22 Halifaxes, I 3 Lancasters - lost, 4·6 per cent of the force. I02 Squadron, from Pocklington, lost 5 of its 16 Halifaxes on this raid, 2 more crashed in England and the squadron would lose 4 more aircraft in the next night's raid. The bomber approach route took a wide swing to the north but, once again, the German controller managed to feed his fighters into the bomber stream early and the fighters scored steadily until the force was well on the way home. The diversions were not large enough to deceive the Germans.
The Berlin area was, as so often, completely cloud-covered and what happened to the bombing is a mystery. The Pathfinder sky-marking appeared to go according to plan and crews who were scanning the ground with their H2S sets believed that the attack fell on eastern districts of Berlin. No major navigational problems were experienced. No photographic reconnaissance was possible until after a further 4 raids on Berlin were carried out but the various sources from which the Berlin reports are normally drawn all show a complete blank for this night. It is not known whether this is because of some order issued by the German authorities to conceal the extent of the damage or whether the entire raid missed Berlin.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. Halifax BII aircraft HX 162 VR-X had reached the turning point, about sixty miles north-east of the target of Berlin, Germany, when it was attacked by a German ME-109 fighter aircraft and set on fire. The pilot ordered the bombs jettisoned and then turned the aircraft for home. The Halifax was further damaged by flak as it neared Hamburg, Germany and the crew was ordered to abandon the aircraft
The Halifax crashed near Horst, Steinburg, Germany
Crew members Sergeant Sanderson and Sergeant Ferguson, were fatally wounded in the attacks and did not escape the Bomber
Sergeant FG Sanderson (RCAF) and Sergeant DJ Ferguson (RAFVR) were killed in action
Flying Officer HL Bullis (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 AH Towers (RCAF), FS MA Potter (RCAF), FS R Bonathan (RAF), and TSergeant BH Boisvert (USAAF) survived and were all taken as Prisoners of War
1944-January-21 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Berlin, shot down by a night fighter. 2 killed 5 POW. 2019-08-20
1944-January-20 PoW USAAF Technical Sergeant Eugene Howard Boisvert 2024-11-26 1944-January-20 PoW RAF Flight Sergeant Roy Bonathan 2025-01-27 1944-January-20 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Hubert Leslie Bullis 2024-11-26 1944-January-20 KIA RAFVR Sergeant David Joseph Ferguson 2025-01-26 1944-January-20 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Marwood Armstrong Potter 2025-01-26 1944-January-20 KIA RCAF Sergeant Frank Gordon Sanderson 2025-01-26 1944-January-20 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Arthur Henry Towers 2025-01-26 Halifax HX164, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HX164
Handley Page Ltd
HX 164
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX165, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HX165
Handley Page Ltd
HX 165
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX168, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HX168
Handley Page Ltd
HX 168
Merlin XX/22
Units 35/419/1659 Heavy conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX175, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HX175
Handley Page Ltd
HX 175
Merlin XX/22
Unit 502
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX183, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HX183
Handley Page Ltd
HX 183
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX185, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HX185
Handley Page Ltd
HX 185
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX188, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HX188
Handley Page Ltd
HX 188
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX189, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HX189
Handley Page Ltd
HX 189
Merlin XX/22
Couvron-et-Aumencourt, 12 kilometres North North West of Laon. 1 killed, 2 POW, 4 evaded.
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Laon France 1944-04-22 to 1944-04-23
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St.George
181 aircraft- 69 Halifaxes, 52 Lancasters, 48 Stirlings, 12 Mosquitoes - of 3, 4, 6 and 8 Groups. 9 aircraft - 4 Lancasters, 3 Stirlings, 2 Halifaxes - lost, 5·0 per cent of the force.
The attack on the railway yards was carried out in 2 waves and severe damage was caused. The aircraft of one of the Master Bombers, Wing Commander A. G. S, Cousens of 635 Squadron, was shot down; Wing Commander Cousens was killed,
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Halifax aircraft HX 189 was hit by machine gun and cannon fire from a German JU-88 fighter aircraft during a night attack against the rail yards at Laon, France. The Halifax caught fire and all the crew bailed out. One Canadian,Warrant Officer P.J. Murphy, the RAF flight engineer, John Thomson, the USAAF pilot, Chuck Thomas were taken Prisoners of War. Three Canadians, Flying Officer J.A. Neal, FS R.P. Lindsay, and Sergeant W.A. Greene were Evaders.
1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Victor Alfred Knox 2023-10-11 1944-April-23 Evader RCAF Flight Sergeant P R Lindsay 2022-12-13 1944-April-23 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Patrick Jerome Murphy 2023-07-29 1944-April-23 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer J A Neal 2022-12-13 1944-April-23 Evader USAAF Flying Officer C A Thomas 2022-12-13 Halifax HX224, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HX224
Handley Page Ltd
HX 224
Merlin XX/22
Unit 58
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX225, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n HX225
Handley Page Ltd
HX 225
Merlin XX/22
Unit 58
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX230, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX230
Handley Page Ltd
HX 230
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Ewart Davidson 2024-09-14 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Bruce Fraser 2024-09-14 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Hein 2024-09-14 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert James McKay 2024-09-14 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Oliver 2024-09-14 Halifax HX241, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX241
Handley Page Ltd
HX 241
Hercules XVI
Units 51/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX245, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX245
Handley Page Ltd
HX 245
Hercules XVI
According to The Halifax File, this aircraft lost height on take-off and crashed into Halifax HX277, Skipton-On-Swale 19.12.43
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX265, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX265
Handley Page Ltd
HX 265
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-01-28 to 1944-01-29
433 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
From the ORB:
HX-265 captained by Flying Officer JM Gray who was making his first sortie as captain made an amazing ditching into the sea about 15 miles of the English coast near Hartlepool. This aircraft had been hit by heavy flak prior to reaching the target which holed one of the starboard tanks, and the ditching was necessary due to lack of petrol. All the members of the crew were saved, and this was a very outstanding piece of work by the captain for his excellent ditching, by the flight engineer who figured the petrol supply to within 15 miles, by the navigator, who had no "Aids" as the "Gee" and wireless were both unserviceable.
1944-January-29 Rescued RCAF John MacPherson Gray DFC 2023-06-26
1944-January-29 Rescued R G Jackson 2021-08-12 1944-January-29 Rescued RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Pierre Octave Victor Levesque 2022-01-23 1944-January-29 Rescued RCAF John Donald McAnulty 2023-06-26 1944-January-29 Rescued L P Ruddy 2021-08-11 1944-January-29 Rescued RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Michael Ryan 2021-08-11 1944-January-29 Rescued RAFVR Sergeant Oscar William Sporne 2021-08-12 Halifax HX268, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX268
Handley Page Ltd
HX 268
Hercules XVI
Units 433/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-May-17 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Arthur Ronald Armstrong 2024-11-03 1945-May-17 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Orwin Rene Gillette 2021-08-07 1945-May-17 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Harold Alfred Jones 2021-08-11 1945-May-17 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William James Long 2022-01-23 1945-May-17 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Angus Francis Wilson Torbett 2021-07-15 1945-May-17 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Brony Trymbulak 2021-07-14 1945-May-17 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Thomas Alexander Vincent 2021-07-13 Halifax HX269, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX269
Handley Page Ltd
HX 269
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-25 PoW Died RCAF Pilot Officer George Frederick Fielding 2023-05-22 1944-February-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Donald McAnulty 2023-06-26 1944-February-25 PoW RCAF Sergeant James Joseph Mulvaney 2023-01-30 1944-February-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Ivan Stanley John Boynton Thomas 2021-04-06 Halifax HX272, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX272
Handley Page Ltd
HX 272
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Mclean Awrey DFC 2024-11-04 1944-March-31 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Henry Cooper 2024-04-09 1944-March-31 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Gilchrist McLaughlan 2022-04-08 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Leo Victor Milward 2024-06-20 1944-March-31 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Christian Marius Nielson 2023-09-21 1944-March-31 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Christopher Witton Panton 2024-06-22 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer Class I William Francis Rost 2024-06-28 1944-March-31 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Sturgeon Thompson 2024-07-09 Halifax HX275, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX275
Handley Page Ltd
HX 275
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX277, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX277
Handley Page Ltd
HX 277
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX278, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX278
Handley Page Ltd
HX 278
Hercules XVI
Unit 466
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX279, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX279
Handley Page Ltd
HX 279
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Frankfurt Germany 1944-03-18 to 1944-03-18
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
427 Lion Squadron (Ferte Manus Certe) RAF Leeming. Halifax BIII aircraft HX 279 ZL-Z missing during a night operation to Frankfurt, Germany, believed shot down by a night fighter
Flying Officer AH Mildon (RCAF), Flying Officer RE O'Heare (RCAF), Pilot Officer RA Dumas (RCAF), Pilot Officer RC Gallaugher (RCAF), and Sergeant GA Ritchie (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Flight Sergeant WC Miller (RCAF) and Sergeant E Sawyer (RAFVR) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
There were two 427 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial Halifax LW 551 ZL-Gfor further information on this aircraft and crew
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1944-March-19 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Frankfurt. 5 crew were killed and 2 POW. 2019-08-20
1944-March-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Richard Alexandre Dumas 2023-04-25 1944-March-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ralph Clare Gallaugher 2023-04-25 1944-March-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Albert Harry Mildon 2023-04-26 1944-March-18 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer William Connerty Miller 2023-04-26 1944-March-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Ernest O'Heare 2023-04-25 1944-March-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant George Arklay Ritchie 2023-04-26 1944-March-18 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Ernest Sawyer 2023-04-25 Halifax HX280, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX280
Handley Page Ltd
HX 280
Hercules XVI
Units 433/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX281, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX281
Handley Page Ltd
HX 281
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Henry Cox 2024-05-08 1944-January-29 Survived RAFVR George Lumsden 2021-08-30 1944-January-29 Survived RCAF J F McDonough 2022-04-23 1944-January-29 Survived RCAF John Francis McDonough 2021-08-30 1944-January-29 Survived RCAF Stuart McDougall 2021-08-30 1944-January-29 Survived RCAF Jack Eldin Mitchell 2021-08-30 1944-January-29 Survived RCAF John Kenneth Shedden 2021-08-30 1944-January-29 Survived RCAF Rodney Denis Wilson 2021-08-30 Halifax HX282, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX282
Handley Page Ltd
HX 282
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Frankfurt Germany 1944-03-18 to 1944-03-19
433 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale
433 Porcupine Squadron (Qui S'y Frotte S'y Pique) RAF Skipton-on-Swale. Halifax BIII aircraft HX 282 BM-K failed to return from a raid on targets in Frankfurt, Germany. Homeward-bound, the bomber was shot down by night fighter pilot Ofw Karl-Heinz Scherfling of the 12/NJG 1, who was flying a Bf 110 G-4 and crashed at Krov, Rheinland-Pfalz on the Moselle River, Germany
Pilot Officer DE James (RCAF) and Pilot Officer JPOV Levesque (RCAF) were killed in action
Flight Lieutenant SA Sinclair (RCAF), Pilot Officer AG Sharpe (RCAF), Sergeant RT Stinson (RCAF), Group Commander LE Wray AFC (RCAF), Sergeant RD Green (RAF) and Sergeant RE Pearce (RAF) survived and were all taken as Prisoners of War
Nachjagtd Combat Archive 1944 Part Two 16 March - 11 May by Theo Boiten, page 7On VE Day, 1945-05-08, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 424/433 Sqds at Skipton on Swale, went to Brussels as part of a fleet of 26 aircraft to pick up released POW's. He wrote in his diary: "The war is definitely over now with complete surrender all round " cease fire is at 1 minute after midnight tonight. . . Got everything organised for the other kites to take off at 12:40 & we got airborne at 10:30 am . . we finally found our aerodrome B58 at a little town called Melsbrock . . . We reached our parking strip & got out to be confronted with approx.. 3000 POWs of all nationalities. . . There were Assies & New Zealanders, Canadians & Americans, English, Poles, Russians etc. Several Canadians came up to speak to us having recognised our a/c letters. Even some from our own Sqdn were there with a Nav [Navigator] from G/C Wray's crew [HX282} & a F/Eng from W/C Blane's crew [LV997]. Also one from 433 "M" which was shot down in February when I was there. . . The POWs all had marvellous experiences to relate."
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1944-March-19 PoW RAF Sergeant Ronald David Green 2023-04-26 1944-March-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer David Eric James 2023-04-26 1944-March-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Pierre Octave Victor Levesque 2023-04-26 1944-March-19 PoW RAF Sergeant Robert Ernest Pearce 2023-04-26 1944-March-19 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer George W Sharpe 2023-04-26 1944-March-19 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Sidney Alfred Sinclair 2023-04-26 1944-March-19 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Thomas Stinson 2023-08-10 1944-March-19 PoW RCAF Group Commander Lawrence Edward Wray AFC 2023-04-26 Halifax HX283, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX283
Handley Page Ltd
HX 283
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Jean Maurice Marcel Couture 2024-05-05 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Alfred Gisli Jira 2024-04-21 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert John McMehen 2024-04-22 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Byron Allen Russell 2024-05-01 1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Frederick John Seeley 2024-05-01 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Sergeant Samuel Jackson Swain 2024-05-03 1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Charles Webber 2024-05-03 Halifax HX284, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX284
Handley Page Ltd
HX 284
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-03-24 to 1944-03-25
433 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale
433 Porcupine Squadron (Qui S'y Frotte S'y Pique) RAF Skipton-on-Swale. Halifax aircraft HX 284 BM-B was shot down and crashed near Legden, SE of Ahaus, Germany near the Dutch border during a night operation against targets in Berlin, Germany. Cause of loss was believed to have been from a night fighter
The Pilot, Pilot Officer Russell maintained control of the aircraft so that his crew could bail out to safety, but could not get out himself and went down with the aircraft, killed in action
Pilot Officer DW Howell (RCAF) and Sergeant W Walmsley (RAFVR) were killed in action, both believed due to parachute malfunctions. Sergeant Walmsley was killed when he bailed. Pilot Officer Howell survived briefly but died on the way to a German hospital
Flying Officer JT Shea (RCAF) survived and evaded briefly until captured a few days later and taken as Prisoner of War
Sergeant RC Cossar (RCAF), Flying Officer M Topplin (RCAF),and Sergeant P McLuskie (RAFVR) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
There were two 433 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial LV 841 BM-H for additional information
Footprints on the Sands of Time, RAF Bomber Command Prisoners of War in Germany 1939-45 by Oliver Clutton-Brock pages 271,322,401,420 433 Squadron, RCAF, Skipton on Swale, Yorks. - Page 2 - Handley...
July I 2020 I RCAF 420 Snowy Owl
1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Cyril Cossar 2024-04-24 1944-March-25 PoW KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Desmond William Howell 2022-10-20 1944-March-25 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Peter McLuskie 2022-10-20 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Francis Russell 2022-10-20 1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Thomas Shea 2022-10-20 1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Mack Topplin 2022-10-20 1944-March-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Walmsley 2022-10-20 
Halifax HX285, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX285
Handley Page Ltd
HX 285
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-29 Survived RCAF Henry Glen Boisevain 2025-01-26 1944-January-29 Survived RAFVR James Graig Cummings 2024-05-29 1944-January-29 Survived RAFVR Warrant Officer Richard Lewis Ludlow 2025-01-26 1944-January-29 Survived RCAF Arnold Willy Norris 2021-08-12 1944-January-29 Survived RCAF Flight Lieutenant Peter Aldege Schnobb MC 2021-08-11 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William Alfred Stiles 2025-01-26 Halifax HX287, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX287
Handley Page Ltd
HX 287
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Sidney Wallace Follows 2023-10-11 1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Irwin Neil McInnis 2023-10-11 1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William John Deblois Sturmy 2023-10-11 1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Glenford Herbert Taylor 2023-10-11 1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Ross Thrasher 2023-10-11 Halifax HX288, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX288
Handley Page Ltd
HX 288
Hercules XVI
Unit 433
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX289, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX289
Handley Page Ltd
HX 289
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Clifford Lloyd Depper 2024-10-14 1944-January-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Bruce McClellan 2024-10-14 1944-January-22 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Rowland Henry Megainey 2024-10-14 1944-January-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Reginald Reed 2024-10-14 1944-January-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Henry Seymour 2024-10-14 1944-January-22 KIA RAF Sergeant John Michael Townsend 2024-10-14 1944-January-22 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Archibald Wilson 2024-10-14 Halifax HX290, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX290
Handley Page Ltd
HX 290
Hercules XVI
Units 433/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX291, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX291
Handley Page Ltd
HX 291
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1944-04-22 to 1944-04-23
433 (B) Sqn (RCN) RAF Skipton-on-Swale
433 Porcupine Squadron (Qui S'y Frotte S'y Pique) RAF Skipton-on-Swale. Halifax BIII aircraft HX 291 BM-W was hit by flak over the target and later shot down by a night fighter pilot, probably Hptm E Zechlin of Stab I/NJG 2, during an operation against targets in Dusseldorf, Germany
The Halifax crashed near Meeuwen, Belgium
Pilot Officer HC Seedhouse (RCAF), Pilot Officer HG Boissevain (RCAF) and Sergeant JC Cumming DFM (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Flying Officer LW Canter DFM (RCAF) and Flying Officer AW Norris (RCAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
and Flight Sergeant AMP Camenzuli (RAFVR)(Malta) survived and evaded for a few months but was eventually arrested and became a Prisoner of War
Flying Officer PA Schnobb MiD (RCAF) survived and was an Evader until liberated in September,1944
There were three 433 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials LV 990 BM-J and LV 840 BM-E for additional information
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
"Belgians Remember Them": RAF aircraft's crash sites: Meeuwen
Philip F Plant's Contribution - John Austin's fourteenth operation I ...
1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Henry Glen Boissevain 2024-07-29
1944-April-23 PoW RAFVR Flight Sergeant Anthony Mac Publio Camenzuli 2024-07-29 1944-April-23 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Wilfred Lloyd "Zeev" Canter DFM 2024-07-29 1944-April-23 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Graig Cumming DFM 2024-07-29 1944-April-23 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Arnold Willy Norris 2024-07-29 1944-April-23 Evader RCAF Flight Lieutenant Peter Aldege Schnobb MiD 2024-07-29 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harold Charles Seedhouse 2024-07-29 
Halifax HX292, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX292
Handley Page Ltd
HX 292
Hercules XVI
Units 433/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX311, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX311
Handley Page Ltd
HX 311
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-02-15 to 1944-02-15
424 () () Skipton-on-Swale
Battle of Berlin
After a rest of more than 2 weeks for the regular bomber squadrons, 891 aircraft - 561 Lancasters, 314 Halifaxes, 16 Mosquitoes -were dispatched. This was the largest force sent to Berlin and the largest non-1,000 bomber force sent to any target, exceeding the previous record of 826 aircraft (which included Stirlings and Wellings tons) sent to Dortmund on the night of 23/24 May 1943. It was also the first time that more than 500 Lancasters and more than 300 Halifaxes were dispatched. The quantity of bombs dropped, 2,642 tons, was also a record.
The German controllers were able to plot the bomber stream soon after it left the English coast but the swing north over Denmark for the approach flight proved too far distant for many of the German fighters. The German controller ordered the fighters not to fly over Berlin, leaving the target area free for the Flak, but many fighters ignored him and attacked bombers over the city. The diversion to Frankfurt¬on-Oder failed to draw any fighters: 43 aircraft - 26 Lancasters, 17 Halifaxes - were lost, 4·8 per cent of the force.
Berlin was covered by cloud for most of the raid. Heavy bombing fell on the centre and south-western districts but many places out in the country again re-corded bombs, with 59 people being killed there. Damage in Berlin was extensive with 599 large and 572 medium fires and nearly 1,000 houses and 526 temporary wooden barracks, of which there were now a large number in Berlin, destroyed. Some of Berlin's most important war industries were hit, including the large Sie-mensstadt area. 320 people were killed - 196 civilians, 34 service personnel, 9 air-raid workers, 80 foreign workers and 1 prisoner of war. The diminishing proportion of civilian casualties reflects the large-scale evacuation which had now taken place but a further 260 civilians were recorded as being 'buried alive' and it is not known how many of these survived,
This was really the end of the true 'Battle of Berlin'; only one more raid took place on the city in this period and that was not for more than a month
.source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
425 Alouette Squadron (Je Te Plumerai). Halifax aircraft 4 HX 311 did not return from night operations over Berlin, Germany.
Flight Sergeant Frederick William BARTLEY (1311036) Air Gunner, Pilot Officer Alexander Francis DOWDING (159677) Flight Engi; Pilot Officer John William FISHER (415244);Flying Officer Bruce William FOSKETT (413755);Pilot Officer Frederick William JANES (168517) Wireless Op;Sergeant Stanley LUCAS (2216237) Air Gunner; Flight Lieutenant Ronald Henry PENALAGAN (J/8940) Pilot Squadron Leader Aloyis Valentine REILANDER (J/20359) Pilot, were all killed.
1944-February-16 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Berlin. All were killed. 2019-08-20
Halifax HX313, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX313
Handley Page Ltd
HX 313
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Bourg-Leopold Belgium 1944-05-27 to 1944-05-28
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
Served with no. 424 Squadron, RCAF, at Skipton-on-Swales, coded "QB*B". Shot down by Bf 109 during attack on Bourg-Leopold on 27 / 28 May 1944. Crashed near Oostham-Langven, Belgium. 1 POW, 3 evaded, remainder of crew killed.
1944-May-28 Evader RCAF Flying Officer W J Elliott 2023-01-10 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Frank Freeman 2023-08-22 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Aubrey Irwin 2023-08-22 1944-May-28 Evader RCAF Flight Lieutenant B L Mallett 2023-01-10 1944-May-28 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Victor Poppa 2023-09-25 1944-May-28 Evader RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class K C Sweatman 2023-01-10 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Wilfred George Wakely 2023-01-10 Halifax HX314, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX314
Handley Page Ltd
HX 314
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Minelaying Brest France (Jellyfish) 1944-05-10 to 1944-05-11
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
Halifax aircraft HX 314 did not return from a night mine-laying operation. Flight Lieutenant H.T. Amy, F/Os T.R. Millman, L.R. Georgeson, P/Os B.V.Starrup, J. Swarbrick (RAF), F/Os W.E. Marshall (RAF), and F.N. Wilson (RAF) were killed.
Halifax HX316, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX316
Handley Page Ltd
HX 316
Hercules XVI
Units 424/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX318, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX318
Handley Page Ltd
HX 318
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Karlsruhe Germany 1944-04-24 to 1944-04-25
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
637 aircraft - 369 Lancasters, 259 Halifaxes, 9 Mosquitoes - of all groups except 5 Group. 19 aircraft - 11 Lancasters, 8 Hallfaxes - lost, 3·0 per cent of the force,
Cloud over the target und n strong wind which pushed the Pathfinders too far north spoiled this attack. Only the northern part of Karlsruhe was seriously damager und most of the bombs fell outside the city. It has been difficult to obtain details from this target. One report says that 23 people were killed, 133 were injured and mon than 900 houses were destroyed or badly damaged, but another report gives the number of people killed as I 18. Mannheim, 30 miles to the north, recorded a raid by approximately 100 aircraft on this night and Darmstadt, Ludwigshafen and Heidelberg were also hit by aircraft which failed to find the main target. It must be assumer that many bombs fell in open country between Karlsruhe and Mannheim; another German report says that bombs fell in 120 parishes.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax III aircraft HX 318 QB-O was hit by flak and exploded at 20,000 feet south-west of Bingen, at Waldalgesheim, Germany during night operations against Karlsruhe, Germany
Flying Officer WP Hugli (RCAF), Flying Officer RS Chapman (RCAF), Pilot Officer GW Mayor (RCAF), Sergeant w Docherty (RAFVR) and Sergeant GAA Pound (RAFVR) were killed in action
Flying Officer GS Coleman (RCAF) and FS HE May (RCAF) were thrown clear of the exploding aircraft and survived to be taken as Prisoners of War
There were two 424 Squadron aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Tinline, JE for information regarding Halifax III aircraft LV-962 QB-X
Flying Officer Hugli had gone down due to an engine failure, 1943-5-27 while on an anti-submarine patrol in the Bay of Biscay. He had been flying 10 Coastal Operational Training Unit Whitley V aircraft BD 282 at the time. A 461 Squadron (RAAF) Sunderland flying boat, searching for the Wellington crashed in the swell while attempting to land and rescue the downed Wellington crew. A second 461 Squadron Sunderland was dispatched and sighted the survivors, staying on station until both the downed aircrews were picked by the French destroyer "La Combattante" on the morning of 1943-05-29
Daily Operations 6bombergroup.ca
424 Squadron Halifax III HX318 QB-O Plt.Off. Hugli, RAF Skipton-on...
1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Scott Chapman 2024-10-23 1944-April-25 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant George Stephen Coleman 2024-10-23 1944-April-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Docherty 2024-10-23 1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Paul Hugli 2024-10-23 1944-April-25 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Edward May 2024-10-23 1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer "Red" George William Mayor 2024-10-23 1944-April-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant George Albert Alexander Pound 2024-10-23 
Halifax HX319, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX319
Handley Page Ltd
HX 319
Hercules XVI
Units 424/Bomber Command Instructors School
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX320, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX320
Handley Page Ltd
HX 320
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Aachen Germany 1944-05-24 to 1944-05-25
158 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Lissett
158 Squadron RAF (Strength in unity) RAF Lissett. Halifax III HX 320 NP-A was probably shot down by night fighter pilot Obleutnant J Werth of Stab/NJG 2 from an altitude of 9,000 feet during an operation against targets in Aachen, Germany. The Halifax crashed at Lieshout, Noord-Brabant Netherlands
Flying Officer J B O'Hara (RCAF) survived and was taken as Prisoner of War
Flying Officer M V Lawrence DFC (RCAF), Flying Officer R D MacFayden (RCAF), Sergeant W J Christie (RAFVR), Flight Lieutenant R P Freeman DFC (RAFVR) and Sergeant R E Stubbs (RAFVR) survived and evaded for various periods of time with the aid of Dutch underground groups but all were eventually captured to become Prisoners of War
One crew member, Flight Sergeant R Barnes DFM (RAFVR) survived and evaded capture and was hidden by Dutch citizens until liberated in Eindhoven by British troops, 1944-09-18
There were four more 158 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation: LV 918 NP-O, LW 118 NP-X, LW 653 NP-T and LW 720 NP-W
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
1944-May-25 Evader RAFVR Flight Sergeant Ronald Barnes DFM 2024-01-06 1944-May-25 PoW RAFVR Sergeant William John Christie 2024-12-21 1944-May-25 PoW RAFVR Flight Lieutenant Roger Percy Freeman DFC 2024-01-06 1944-May-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Marshall Vernon Lawrence DFC 2024-01-06 1944-May-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert Duncan MacFayden 2024-12-21 1944-May-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Bernard O'Hara 2024-01-06 1944-May-25 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Robert Edwin Stubbs 2024-12-21 Halifax HX322, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX322
Handley Page Ltd
HX 322
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX325, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX325
Handley Page Ltd
HX 325
Hercules XVI
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Combat Leipzig Germany 1944-02-19 to 1944-02-20
35 (PFF) Sqn (RAF) RAF Graveley
35 Squadron RAF (Uno Anima Agimus), Pathfinder Force, RAF Graveley. Halifax III aircraft HX325 TL-J was shot down by a Ju88 night fighter flown by Felwebel Frank of NJG3 on February 21, 1944 while engaged in an operation against targets in Leipzig, Germany. The aircraft crashed at Beedenbostel, Germany
Knight was killed by the night fighter. Sale, although wounded during the action, stayed at the controls so his crew could bale out, crash-landed his aircraft and managed to get out. It was his fiftieth trip. Sale was taken Prisoner of War and died in hospital a month later from his wounds. The rest of his surviving crew, Carter, Bodnar, Lamb, Rogers and Cross were taken as Prisoners of War
1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Boris Olen Bodnar DFC 2023-11-16 1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Squadron Leader Gordon Henry Francis Carter DFC & Bar 2024-01-11 1944-February-20 PoW RAF Warrant Officer George Henry Cross DFC, DFM 2024-05-19 1944-February-20 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Kenneth Knight 2025-01-26 1944-February-20 PoW RAFVR Flight Lieutenant Robert Lionel Lamb 2025-01-26 1944-February-20 PoW RAFVR Flight Lieutenant Harold John Rogers DFC 2025-01-26 1944-February-20 PoW KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Douglas Julian Sale DSO & Bar, DFC 2025-01-26 Halifax HX326, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX326
Handley Page Ltd
HX 326
Hercules XVI
Unit 35/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX328, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX328
Handley Page Ltd
HX 328
Hercules XVI
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Combat Frankfurt Germany 1943-12-19 to 1943-12-20
35 (PFF) Sqn (RAF) Graveley UK
35 Squadron RAF (Uno Anima Agimus), Pathfinder Force, RAF Graveley. Halifax III aircraft HX 328 TL-J, returning from an operation to Frankfurt, Germany had a Target Illuminator (TI) munition malfunction, which ignited in the aircraft bomb bay as it was preparing to land. Sale gained altitude to allow his crew to bale from the burning aircraft, which most were able to do. As Sale was himself about to bale, he realized that his mid-upper gunner, Lamb was unable to bale due to a fire-damaged parachute. Sale resumed control of the bomber and managed to land it safely and taxi off the runway. Both he and Lamb escaped from the aircraft, which exploded as they ran to get clear. Both men survived and continued to fly together. Carpenter suffered a broken ankle.
Sale was awarded a Bar to his DSO for this act of determination and braveryinformation from book: The Pathfinder Companion War Diaries of the RAF Pathfinder Force-1942-1945 by Sean Feast, Grub Street Press 2012
1943-December-20 Survived RAF Flying Officer Carpenter,George Carpenter DFC 2024-01-06 1943-December-20 Survived RCAF Squadron Leader Gordon Henry Francis Carter DFC & Bar 2022-06-27 1943-December-20 Survived RAF Warrant Officer George Henry Cross DFC, DFM 2022-06-27 1943-December-20 Survived RAF Flt. Lieutenant Alan James Dowling DFC & Bar 2024-10-28 1943-December-20 Survived RAF Flight Lieutenant Robert Lionel Lamb 2022-06-27 1943-December-20 Survived RAF Warrant Officer Marcus Rees DFC 2022-06-27 1943-December-20 Survived RCAF Squadron Leader Douglas Julian Sale DSO & Bar, DFC 2022-06-27 Halifax HX330, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX330
Handley Page Ltd
HX 330
Hercules XVI
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX332, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX332
Handley Page Ltd
HX 332
Hercules XVI
Unit 35/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX333, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX333
Handley Page Ltd
HX 333
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX334, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX334
Handley Page Ltd
HX 334
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX335, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX335
Handley Page Ltd
HX 335
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX337, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX337
Handley Page Ltd
HX 337
Hercules XVI
Unit 466
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX339, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX339
Handley Page Ltd
HX 339
Hercules XVI
Units 427/429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX343, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX343
Handley Page Ltd
HX 343
Hercules XVI
Unit 466/415.10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX345, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX345
Handley Page Ltd
HX 345
Hercules XVI
Unit 466
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX346, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX346
Handley Page Ltd
HX 346
Hercules XVI
Units 158/620/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX347, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX347
Handley Page Ltd
HX 347
Hercules XVI
Units 35/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX348, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX348
Handley Page Ltd
HX 348
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX351, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX351
Handley Page Ltd
HX 351
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax HX352, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX352
Handley Page Ltd
HX 352
Hercules XVI
Units 433/429
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Aachen Germany 1944-05-24 to 1944-05-25
429 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
429 Bison Squadron (Fortunae Nihil) RAF Leeming. Halifax BIII aircraft HX 352 AL-L missing during operations against rail yards in Aachen, Germany. Outward-bound, the aircraft was intercepted and shot down by the night fighter crew of Hauptmann Struning & Oberleutnant Apel of the 3/NJG 1, from Venlo airfield in the Netherlands in Heinkel He 219 A-0 G9+EL
The bomber crashed at Gellik, Lanaken, Limburg, Belgium
Pilot Officer JI MacDonald (RCAF), Pilot Officer JL Michell (RCAF)(USA), Flying Officer D McKenzie (RCAF), Sergeant JI Jolley (RAF), and A.N. Smith (RAF) were also killed. One Canadian, Sergeant HD LaPointe (RCAF) survived and was taken Prisoner of War
There were three 429 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials LW124 AL-N and LW137 AL-K for additional information on these aircraft and crews
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
"Belgians Remember Them": RAF aircraft's crash sites: Gellick
1944-May-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Joseph Isaac Jolley 2023-03-28 1944-May-25 PoW RCAF Sergeant Harold Donald "Shorty" La Pointe 2023-03-29 1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Ignatius MacDonald 2023-03-29 1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Daniel Neilson McKenzie 2023-03-29 1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Lloyd Michell 2023-03-29 1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Peter Nazar 2023-03-29 1944-May-25 KIA RAF Sergeant Alec Norman Smith 2023-03-28 Halifax HX353, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX353
Handley Page Ltd
HX 353
Hercules XVI
Unit 433
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Hedley Royden Brewer 2024-11-18 1944-July-05 PoW RAFVR Flight Sergeant Sidney James Chambers 2024-01-28 1944-July-05 Escaper RCAF Sergeant Arthur Richard Hutchinson 2022-02-28 1944-July-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Laird MacLean 2022-03-06 1944-July-05 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Peter Perganter 2022-02-28 1944-July-05 Escaper RCAF Sergeant Peter Allan Reeve 2022-02-28 1944-July-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer George Atkinson Wolstencroft 2022-02-28 Halifax HX356, B/GR.Mk.III
s/n HX356
Handley Page Ltd
HX 356
Hercules XVI
Units 158/640/158
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-08 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Clarence William Arthur Britton 2022-04-14 1944-November-08 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William Wilfred Cook 2024-04-06 1944-November-08 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Max Freeman 2021-08-06 1944-November-08 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gerald William Henry Patterson 2025-03-03 1944-November-08 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Edwin Sampson Powell 2025-03-03 1944-November-08 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Andrew Sharp 2025-03-03 1944-November-08 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Geoffrey William Stone 2025-03-03 Halifax JB783, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB783
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 783
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB785, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB785
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 785
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB787, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB787
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 787
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB790, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB790
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 790
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-13 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Norman Bainblatt 2024-11-04 1943-June-13 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Rolland Forest 2024-11-28 1943-June-13 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 David Hester Hutchinson 2024-11-28 1943-June-13 PoW Died RCAF Flight Lieutenant George Russell Large 2023-11-18 1943-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Francis Lloyd Milburn 2024-11-28 1943-June-13 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Albert Frederick Rayment 2024-11-28 Halifax JB791, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB791
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 791
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Duisburg Germany 1943-03-12 to 1943-05-13
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
572 aircraft - 238 Lancasters, 142 Halifaxes, 112 Wellingtons, 70 Stirling», 10 Mosquitoes. 34 aircraft 10 Lancastcrs, 10 Wellingtons 9 Halifaxes, 5 Stirlings losrt 5·9 per cent of the force
This was the fourth raid on Duisburg so far during the Battle of the Ruhr, the firs 3 raids having been only partially successful. The Pathfinder marking on this night however, was near perfect and the Main Force bombing was particularly well concentrated. The centre of Duisburg and the port area just off the River Rhine, the larges inland port in Germany, suffered severe damage. I ,596 buildings were totally destroyer and 273 people were killed. 4 of the August Thyssen steel factories were damaged Nearly 2,000 prisoners of war and forced workers were drafted into Duisburg to repairwindows, roofs and other bomb damage. In the port area, 21 barges and 13 other ship totaling 18,921 tons were sunk and 60 further ships of 41,000 tons were damaged. l was not deemed necessary to attack Duisburg again during this period.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BII JB 791 VR-X was coned by flak during an attack against the port area and industrial targets, including the Thyssen steel works at Duisburg, Germany. The pilot, Warrant Officer Class 1 GA McMillan (RCAF) took evasive action and managed to complete a bomb run, but some of the incendiary bombs hung up, necessitating a second bomb run, during which the pilot's front (perspex) screen was blown out by flak. None of the crew were hurt, but fires broke out in the starboard wing, engines and fuel tanks. The order to bale was given, five of the crew abandoning the stricken bomber at 12,000 feet, fifty miles west of Duisburg. Sergeant Klein (RCAF) stated he was the last to go out the front hatch and thought he heard an explosion soon after.
Pilot Officer AR Wallace (RCAF), Sergeant WJ Klein (RCAF), Sergeant WJ Howell (RCAF), Sergeant HG Bees (RCAF) and Pilot Officer H Enever (RAF) survived and were all taken as Prisoners of War
(There were two 419 Squadron Halifax II aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Simonett, WA for information on Halifax JB 861 VR-C)
1943-May-13 PoW KIA RAFVR Sergeant Walter Herbert David Alison 2024-11-02 1943-May-13 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Henry George Bees 2024-11-11 1943-May-13 PoW RAF Pilot Officer Harry Enever 2025-01-07 1943-May-13 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William John Howell 2025-01-07 1943-May-13 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant William Joseph Klein 2025-01-07 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Glen Allan McMillan 2025-01-07 1943-May-13 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Albert Randall Wallace 2025-01-07 Halifax JB792, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB792
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 792
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB793, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB793
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 793
Merlin XX/22
Units 77/419
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Wuppertal Germany 1943-05-29 to 1943-05-30
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
719 aircraft- 292 Lancasters, 185 Halifaxes, II8 Stirlings, II3 Wellingtons, II Mosquitoes. 33 aircraft - IO Halifaxes, 8 Stirlings, 8 Wellingtons, 7 Lancasters - lost, 4·6 per cent of the force.
This attack was aimed at the Barmen half of the long and narrow town of Wuppertal and was the outstanding success of the Battle of the Ruhr, Both Pathfinder and Main Force bombing was particularly accurate and a large fire area developed in the narrow streets of the old centre of the town. It is probable that the fire was so severe that the first, small form of what would later become known as 'firestorm' developed. Because it was a Saturday night, many of the town's fire a air-raid officials were not present, having gone to their country homes for the week end, and the fire services of the town - in their first raid - were not able to control the fires.
Approximately 1,000 acres - possibly 80 per cent of Barmen's built-up area was destroyed by fire. 5 out of the town's 6 largest factories, 211 other industrial premises and nearly 4,000 houses were completely destroyed. The number of buildings classed as seriously damaged - 71 industrial and 1,800 domestic - indicates the high proportion of complete destruction. Various figures were given for the number people killed but our expert on Ruhr raids, Norbert Kriiger, advises that the figure 'approximately 3,400' is the nearest reasonable estimate.
The above figures indicate that the property damage in this raid was about twice as severe as any previous raid on a German city, while the number of people killed in this comparatively unprepared backwater of the Ruhr, was about 5 times greater than any previous city raid.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). The crew of Halifax aircraft JB 793 completed their attack on Wupperthal, Germany and were homeward bound when they were attacked by a German fighter aircraft. All of the port wing caught fire and the aircraft started to mush, the order was given to bail out but only three of the crew survived. There were two 419 Sqdn. aircraft lost this night. Please see FS D.J. Shtitz for information regarding the other crew and aircraft..
1943-May-30 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Ernest Hall 2023-08-28 1943-May-30 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Frank Harrison Hubbs 2022-11-07 1943-May-30 KIA RCAF Sergeant Lawrence Ronald Lamoure 2023-08-22 1943-May-30 PoW RCAF Sergeant Ross Mathews Mingay 2023-07-24 1943-May-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Roy Munro Ricketts 2023-08-23 1943-May-30 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Stanley George Ward 2023-08-17 1943-May-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frank Ellsworth Winegarden 2022-11-07 Halifax JB796, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB796
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 796
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Cologne Germany 1943-07-03 to 1943-07-04
408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom) RAF Leeming. Halifax II aircraft JB 796 EQ-C was shot down by night fighter pilot Unteroffizier Dickhaus of the 9/NJG 4, (flying from Juvincourt airfield), over France during night operations against targets in Cologne, Germany
The Halifax crashed at Bonneleau hamlet, Fontaine-Bonneleau, Oise, Hauts-de-France, France
FS RM Hicks MiD (RCAF), Flying Officer AB Foster (RCAF), Pilot Officer AE Kelly (RCAF), Sergeant AR Warnick, Sergeant T Riley (RAF), and Pilot Officer JCM Taylor (RAF) were all killed in action
Sergeant PE Cote (RCAF) survived and was taken as Prisoner of War
There were two 408 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial JB 913 EQ-F for additional information
1943-July-04 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Paul Emile Cote 2024-04-28 1943-July-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Baker Foster 2022-10-17 1943-July-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Reginald McLeod Hicks MiD 2022-10-17 1943-July-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Albert Edward Kelly 2022-10-17 1943-July-04 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas Riley 2024-02-06 1943-July-04 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Jeffrey Charles May Taylor 2025-01-14 1943-July-04 KIA RCAF Sergeant Arthur Raymond Warnick 2022-10-17 Halifax JB797, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB797
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 797
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/1658 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB798, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB798
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 798
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1943-07-29 to 1943-07-30
78 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Breighton
78 Squadron (Nemo Non Paratus) RAF Breighton. Halifax II aircraft JB 798 EY-P is believed to have been hit by flak while on an operation against targets in Hamburg, Germany. The Halifax crashed south-west of Lubeck at Bad Oldsloe, Germany, the 14th aircraft shot down on this, the 3rd raid on targets in Hamburg
FS WMT Hetherington (RCAF), Flying Officer RC Baillie (RCAF), FS GH Woodcock (RCAF), Sergeants T Campbell (RAF), WE Goodacre (RAFVR), JR Nicholls (RAFVR) and FS PA Fraser (RAAF) were all killed in action on their 6th operation
The Battle of Hamburg, Allied Bomber Forces Against a German City by Martin Middlebrook, Appendix 4, page 340 29/30.07.1943 No.78 Squadron Halifax II JB798 EY-P Flight Sergeant Peter...
1943-July-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ralph Cameron Baillie 2024-11-04 1943-July-30 KIA RAF Sergeant Thomas Campbell 2024-07-12 1943-July-30 KIA RAAF Flight Sergeant Peter Aird Fraser 2024-11-28 1943-July-30 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Ernest Goodacre 2024-11-28 1943-July-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Moffatt Tattersall Hetherington 2024-11-28 1943-July-30 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Robert Nicholls 2024-11-28 1943-July-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gerald Harvey Woodcock 2024-11-28 Halifax JB799, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB799
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 799
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB800, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB800
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 800
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB801, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB801
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 801
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB803, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB803
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 803
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB805, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB805
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 805
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Wupperthal Germany 1943-05-29 to 1943-05-30
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St.George
Battle of the Ruhr
719 aircraft- 292 Lancasters, 185 Halifaxes, II8 Stirlings, II3 Wellingtons, II Mosquitoes. 33 aircraft - IO Halifaxes, 8 Stirlings, 8 Wellingtons, 7 Lancasters - lost, 4·6 per cent of the force.
This attack was aimed at the Barmen half of the long and narrow town of Wuppertal and was the outstanding success of the Battle of the Ruhr, Both Pathfinder and Main Force bombing was particularly accurate and a large fire area developed in the narrow streets of the old centre of the town. It is probable that the fire was so severe that the first, small form of what would later become known as 'firestorm' developed. Because it was a Saturday night, many of the town's fire a air-raid officials were not present, having gone to their country homes for the week end, and the fire services of the town - in their first raid - were not able to control the fires.
Approximately 1,000 acres - possibly 80 per cent of Barmen's built-up area was destroyed by fire. 5 out of the town's 6 largest factories, 211 other industrial premises and nearly 4,000 houses were completely destroyed. The number of buildings classed as seriously damaged - 71 industrial and 1,800 domestic - indicates the high proportion of complete destruction. Various figures were given for the number people killed but our expert on Ruhr raids, Norbert Kriiger, advises that the figure 'approximately 3,400' is the nearest reasonable estimate.
The above figures indicate that the property damage in this raid was about twice as severe as any previous raid on a German city, while the number of people killed in this comparatively unprepared backwater of the Ruhr, was about 5 times greater than any previous city raid.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
There were two 419 Sqdn. aircraft lost this night. Please see FS R.M. Ricketts for information regarding the other crew and aircraft.
1943-May-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Edward Lawrence Armstrong 2024-11-03 1943-May-30 KIA RAF Sergeant Charles Patrick Baker 2024-11-05 1943-May-30 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Gwyn Fryn Humphreys 2024-11-28 1943-May-30 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Phillip Shuttleworth Johnson 2024-11-28 1943-May-30 KIA RAFVR Rowland Stafford Metcalf 2024-11-28 1943-May-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Thomas William Peets 2024-11-28 1943-May-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant David Jacob Shtitz 2024-11-28 Halifax JB806, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB806
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 806
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB837, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB837
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 837
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB841, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB841
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 841
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ernest Henry Alderson 2024-11-01 1943-May-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Mackenzie Colvin 2024-03-24 1943-May-24 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Hooper 2022-01-27 1943-May-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Texas Roy Livermore 2021-09-23 1943-May-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant David Slobotsky 2021-10-02 1943-May-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harry Uretzky 2021-07-14 Halifax JB845, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB845
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 845
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB848, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB848
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 848
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB850, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB850
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 850
Merlin XX/22
Unit77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB854, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB854
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 854
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Sergeant Steve Archie 2024-11-02 1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Roland Birchall 2024-11-12 1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Sergeant Alexander Crawford Cantley 2023-12-23 1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Chetwynd Heming 2025-01-19 1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Sergeant Stanley Johannes Jorgensen 2023-12-17 1943-April-17 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Richard Mason 2023-12-17 1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Demetro Zaleschuk 2023-12-17 Halifax JB856, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB856
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 856
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB858, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB858
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 858
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Nelson Acton 2024-11-01 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer David Aiken 2024-11-01 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Campbell Culbert 2024-05-23 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Douglas Bruce Hunter 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Frederick Male 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer John Henry McNess 2021-06-07 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Bruce Ryerson Milligan 2021-05-28 1943-June-26 PoW RAFVR Pilot Officer Robert Banks Wright 2021-06-07 Halifax JB859, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB859
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 859
Merlin XX/22
Units 419/1666 Heavy conversion Unit
On 1944-03-09, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 1664/1679 HCU at Wombleton, wrote in his diary:
"Last night we had a kite force land down south at Worksop Notts.JB859 "H" for Harry. He apparently lost a prop blade which shook off the whole prop and reduction gar and broke three of the four engine bearers. It's a wonder he didn't lose the engine too on landing since it was just hanging there and that's all. I'm trying to have it made a Cat AC but the MU won't play ball & it begins to look as if we'll have to send a completely built-up power plant down there ourselves & fix it up."
On 1944-04-27, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 1664/1679 HCU at Wombleton, wrote in his diary:
Warning: The following material contains graphic content that may not be suitable for all readers.
"What luck we seem to be having just now. Things went smoothly today & we almost finished off our cloakroom. Then saw a cinema in the Mess & were sitting around drinking beer about 11:30 pm when flying control rang up to say we had another bad accident. We went right down to the aerodrome to find two kites locked together on the perimeter track with the boys hacking away with axes to try to get the tail gunner out of his turret. It appears the kites were being marshalled on the track for an operational takeoff on our bulls-eye exercise. T for Tommy JD106 was stopped in front & H-Harry JB859 was parked about 30 yds behind with the engines running. Somehow or other when the pilot of H was doing his cockpit check the kite started to drift forward & he didn't notice until it climbed right up the tail of T. The crew of T didn't know anything about it until they heard the tail gunner scream J___ C___ over the intercom & they came the crash. The port inner prop of H sliced right through the turret about 4 times & half tore the tail gunner's head off so he was a pretty gory mass when we pulled him out of the turret " dead of course. It looks like a court martial case of negligence but I sure feel sorry for the pilot who did it. This also counts up as 2 accidents for our sheet so we are not doing so well this month. Anyway it's the first fatal accident in a month and a half."
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB860, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB860
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 860
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB861, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB861
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 861
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Duisburg Germany 1943-05-12 to 1943-05-13
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
572 aircraft - 238 Lancasters, 142 Halifaxcs, 112 Wellingtons, 70 Stirling», 10 Mos¬quitoes. 34 aircraft 10 Lancastcrs, 10 WollinMtons, 9 U11lifuxos, 5 Stirlin!JR losr, 5·9 per cont of the force.
This was the fourth raid on Duisburg so far during the Battle of the Ruhr, the firs 3 raids having been only partially successful. The Pathfinder marking on this night however, was near perfect and the Main Force bombing was particularly well concen trated. The centre of Duisburg and the port area just off the River Rhine, the larges inland port in Germany, suffered severe damage. I ,596 buildings were totally destroyer and 273 people were killed. 4 of the August Thyssen steel factories were damaged Nearly 2,000 prisoners of war and forced workers were drafted into Duisburg to repai windows, roofs and other bomb damage. In the port area, 21 barges and 13 other ship totalling 18,921 tons were sunk and 60 further ships of 41,000 tons were damaged. lt was not deemed necessary to attack Duisburg again during this period.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. Halifax BII aircraft JB 861VR-C crashed near Rotterdam during a raid against the port area, industrial sector and the Thyssen steel work at Duisberg, Germany. The bomber was shot down by night fighter pilot Hauptmann Kurt Liedke of the 1/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Gilze-Rijen airfield, Netherlands
1943-May-13 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Thomas Brown 2024-11-22 1943-May-13 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Alfred James Gearing 2022-11-07 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class John Palmer 2022-11-07 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Roger Emile Lucien Ratelle 2022-11-07 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Sergeant William Allan Simonett 2022-11-07 1943-May-13 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Herbert Walsh 2022-11-07 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer II Raymond Cuthbert Weedy 2022-11-07 Halifax JB862, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB862
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 862
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Dortmund Germany 1943-05-23 to 1943-05-24
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
After a 9-day break in major operations, Bomber Command dispatched 826 aircraft on this raid, the greatest number in a 'non- I ,ooo' raid so far in the war and the largest raid of the Battle of the Ruhr. The force comprised: 343 Lancasters, 199 Halifaxes, 151 Wellingtons, 120 Stirlings and 13 Mosquitoes. 38 aircraft - 18 Halifaxes, 8 Lancasters, 6 Stirlings, 6 Wellingtons - were lost, 4·6 per cent of the force.
The Pathfinders marked the target accurately in clear weather conditions and the ensuing attack proceeded according to plan. It was a very successful raid. Large areas in the centre, the north and the east of Dortmund were devastated. Nearly 2,000 buildings were completely destroyed. Many industrial premises were hit, par¬ticularly the large Roesch steelworks, which ceased production. 599 people were killed, I ,275 were injured and the bodies of about 25 other people were never found. Dortmund was not attacked in strength again by Bomber Command until exactly year after this raid.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Target - Dortmund, Germany. Halifax aircraft JB 862 arrived over the target on three engines, after dropping its bombs the aircraft was coned by searchlights and slightly damaged by flak. The Halifax dove to escape the searchlights but was soon set on fire by more flak. The order to bail out was given but Sergeant Dunn was trapped in the aircraft, he survived the crash and was the only member of the crew to live.
1943-May-24 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Alfred James Brockway 2024-11-19 1943-May-24 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Francis Albert Dunn 2024-10-29 1943-May-24 KIA RAFVR Douglas Gartery 2025-03-03 1943-May-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Robert Gowling 2025-03-03 1943-May-24 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Arthur Stanley Green 2025-03-03 1943-May-24 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Michael Arthur Harrison 2025-03-03 1943-May-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Fernand Jacques Paul Prieur 2025-03-03 Halifax JB863, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB863
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 863
Merlin XX/22
Unit77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB864, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB864
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 864
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB866, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB866
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 866
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-April-03 KIA RCAF Sergeant Gilbert Davies Boyer 2025-02-17 1943-April-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Franklyn Roy Burke 2025-02-17 1943-April-03 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Maurice Gordon Church 2025-02-17 1943-April-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Grant Alexander Fletcher 2025-02-17 1943-April-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Dugald McBride 2025-02-17 1943-April-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ebenezer Alfred Sirett 2025-02-17 Halifax JB868, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB868
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 868
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB875, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB875
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 875
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/78/1658Heavy Conversion Unit/1652HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB893, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB893
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 893
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/408/429/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB896, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB896
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 896
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-24 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 George Banescu 2024-11-07 1943-May-24 KIA RAFVR Mark Gluck 2024-11-07 1943-May-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frank Percival Harrison 2024-11-07 1943-May-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Roland Warren Jennings 2024-11-07 1943-May-24 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 James Martin 2024-11-07 1943-May-24 KIA RAF Stanley McGlory 2024-11-07 1943-May-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ronald Cameron McRae 2024-11-07 Halifax JB897, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB897
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 897
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB898, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB898
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 898
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Orin Blackhall 2025-01-22 1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Sergeant Kenneth Edward Emmons 2025-01-22 1943-May-05 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Clarence Leslie Horn 2025-01-22 1943-May-05 PoW RCAF Flt. Sergeant Carl B (Soggy) Norton 2025-01-22 1943-May-05 PoW RAF Flight Lieutenant Frederick Hamilton Scythes 2025-01-22 1943-May-05 PoW RAF Flt. Lieutenant George Irving Semper 2025-01-22 1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Albert James Sutton 2025-01-22 Halifax JB899, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB899
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 899
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/10/1662 Heavy Conversion Unit/1656HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB900, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB900
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 900
Merlin XX/22
Units 419/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/1656 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB902, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB902
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 902
Merlin XX/22
Unit 502
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB904, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB904
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 904
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Dortmund Germany 1943-05-04 to 1943-05-05
405 (PFF) Sqn (RCAF) Gransden Lodge
Battle of the Ruhr
With No. 405 (B) Squasdron, RCAF, coded "LQ*E". Lost on raid on Dortmund on 4/5 May 1943. Shot down by nightfighter, crashed near Quendorf
Pilot Officer John Watt LENNOX (J/16481) Pilot; Sergeant Bernard MOODY (1087282) Air Gunner. Killed
Prisoners of War for Halifax II JB904 - Sergeant Ambrose Arthur Albert ADLAM (626241); Fg Off John James Barnet GRAHAM (124317); Sgt Austin Townsend KNIGHT (1384356); Sergeant Joseph Laurent PRIEUR (R/108161); Sergeant Francis Vivian ROBERTS (1288940)
Halifax JB905, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB905
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 905
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/1658 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB906, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB906
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 906
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB907, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB907
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 907
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB909, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB909
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 909
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1943-04-14 to 1943-04-15
408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom) RAF Leeming. Halifax BII aircraft JB 909 EQ-G was shot down by night fighter pilot Hauptmann Hans-Karl Kamp of the 7/NJG 4, flying a Bf 110 or Do 217 from Juvincourt airfield during an operation against targets in Stuttgart, Germany. The bomber crashed at La Neuvillette, 4 km northwest of Reims, Grand Est, France
The pilot, Pilot Officer IC MacKenzie MiD (RAAF) stayed at the controls while his crew abandoned their aircraft and was killed in action
Sergeant LW McKenzie (RCAF), Flight Sergeant JS Murray (RCAF), Sergeant JT Coupland (RAFVR), Pilot Officer WA McIlroy (RAF), Pilot Officer C O'Connell (RAAF) and Flying Officer A Playfair (RAFVR) all survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
The second pilot, Sergeant (later Flying Officer) WL Canter DFM (RCAF) survived and was an Evader
There were two 408 Squadron Halifax II aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial BB 311 EQ-L for additional information on this aircraft and crew
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1943-April-15 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Wilfred Lloyd "Zeev" Canter DFM 2023-05-24 1943-April-15 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Thomas James Coupland 2024-05-04 1943-April-15 KIA RAAF Pilot Officer Ian Cumming MacKenzie MiD 2023-05-23 1943-April-15 PoW RAF Flight Lieutenant William Alexander "Mac" McIlroy 2023-05-23 1943-April-15 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Lloyd William McKenzie 2023-05-23 1943-April-15 PoW Early Release RCAF Warrant Officer 1 James Stuart Murray 2025-01-16 1943-April-15 PoW RAAF Pilot Officer Conel O'Connell 2023-05-22 1943-April-15 PoW RAFVR Flying Officer Alfred Playfair 2023-05-22 Halifax JB912, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB912
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 912
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Stettin Germany 1943-04-20 to 1943-04-21
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
339 aircraft- 194 Lancasters, 134 Halifaxes, 11 Stirlings. 21 aircraft- 13 Lancastcrs, 7 Halifaxes, I Stirling - lost, 6·2 per cent of the force.
This raid, on a target more than 600 miles from England, proved to be the most successful attack beyond the range of Oboe during the Battle of the Ruhr. Visibility was good and the Pathfinder marking was carried out perfectly. 24 fires were still burning when a photographic reconnaissance aircraft flew over Stettin a day and u half later. Approximately 100 acres in the centre of the town were claimed as devastated; much of this area comprised industrial buildings. German reports show that 1 1 industrial premises and 380 houses were completely destroyed. A large chemical factory was among the places where production was completely halted. 586 people were killed in Stettin.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
This A/C operated by No. 419 Squadron, RCAF, coded "VR*B" and "VR*E". Bombed Frankfurt on 10/11 April 1943, as "B". Bombed Pilsen on 16 / 17 April 1943. Coded "E" when lost. Failed to return from attack on Stettin on 20 / 21 April 1943, shot down by a night fighter. 7 crew were POWs and 1 killed.
1943-April-21 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class James Martin Carlton 2024-01-05 1943-April-21 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Thomas Mervyn Crandell 2024-05-12 1943-April-21 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Russell Fry 2022-10-28 1943-April-21 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Thomas Earl Jackson 2022-10-28 1943-April-21 PoW RCAF Sergeant Camille Joseph Sebastien 2023-08-06 1943-April-21 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Joseph Frederick Westerman 2023-08-17 Halifax JB913, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB913
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 913
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Cologne Germany 1943-07-03 to 1943-07-04
408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom) RAF Leeming. Halifax II aircraft JB 913 EQ-F was shot down during an operation against targets in Cologne, Germany by night fighter pilot Hauptmann Walter Milius of the Stab III NJG 3 (detached to 2/NJG 1), flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Gilze-Rijen airfield, the Netherlands
The Halifax crashed at Tessenderloo, Limburg, Belgium
Flying Officer RH Speller (RCAF), Sergeant TN Brown (RCAF), Flying Officer T Lowrey (RAF), Sergeant R Evans (RAF) and Flying Officer VWG Foster (RAF) all survived and became Prisoners of War
Sergeant EB Dungey DFC (RCAF) and Sergeant AT Bowlby DFM (RCAF) survived and became Evaders. Helped by brave locals and Belgian, Dutch and French Resistance members both Sergeant Bowlby and Sergeant Dungey eventually made their way to Gibraltar and returned to the UK
There were two 408 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial JB 796 EQ-C for additional information
"Belgians Remember Them": RAF aircraft's crash sites: Tessenderlo
1943-July-04 Evader RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur Tremaine Bowlby DFM 2024-11-16 1943-July-04 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Nicholas Brown 2024-11-22 1943-July-04 Evader RCAF Sergeant Elmer Burton Dungey DFC 2024-10-29 1943-July-04 PoW RAF Sergeant Ronald Evans 2025-02-05 1943-July-04 PoW RAF Flying Officer Victor William George Foster 2025-02-05 1943-July-04 PoW RAF Flying Officer Thomas Lowrey 2025-02-05 1943-July-04 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Randall Howard Speller 2025-02-05 Halifax JB914, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB914
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 914
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB915, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB915
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 915
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB916, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB916
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 916
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB917, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB917
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 917
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/419/1666Heavy Conversion Unit/1659HCU/1666HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB918, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB918
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 918
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB919, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB919
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 919
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/77/1658 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB920, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB920
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 920
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Duisburg Germany 1943-04-26 to 1943-04-27
405 (PFF) Sqn (RCAF) Gransden Lodge
Battle of the Ruhr
Operated by No. 405 Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*F". Failed to Return, Duisberg, 27.4.43
Warrant Officer Class II Thomas Lloyd BENTLEY (R/70608) Air Gunner; Pilot Officer David Edward CROCKATT (J/17418) Pilot; Pilot Officer Chester Brockie DIXON (J/17446) Pilot; Pilot Officer John Robert MARRIOTT (J/17600) Navigator; Pilot Officer Francis Edward O'HARE (51838) Wireless Op; Sergeant Isaac Abraham PENNER (R/61926) Flight Engi ;Warrant Officer Class II Stewart SLEETH (R/84338) Navigator; Flight Sergeant John Lawrence STORDY (R/104320) Air Gunner. All killed
1943-April-27 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Thomas Lloyd Bentley 2025-01-15 1943-April-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer David Edward Crockatt 2025-01-15 1943-April-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Chester Brockie Dixon 2025-01-15 1943-April-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Robert Marriott 2025-01-15 1943-April-27 KIA RCAF Sergeant Isaac Abraham Penner 2025-01-15 1943-April-27 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Stewart Sleeth MiD 2025-01-15 1943-April-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Lawrence Stordy 2025-01-15 Halifax JB922, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB922
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 922
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-July-10 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Roland Mellish 2021-08-16 1943-July-10 PoW Died RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Asa Nelson Pixley 2024-10-31 1943-July-10 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Howard Plewman 2021-05-21 1943-July-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Ronald Prentice 2021-08-12 1943-July-10 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Wilfred George Willis 2021-05-21 Halifax JB923, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB923
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 923
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Minelaying Skaggerak Strait Norway 1943-04-28 to 1943-04-28
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. Halifax BII aircraft JB 929 VR-Q was shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Werner Speidel of the 10/NJG 3, flying a Ju 88 from Aalborg-West airfield in Denmark, while laying mines in the Skaggerak Strait, Norway. The bomber crashed at sea, 50 km northwest of Hjørring, Nordjylland, Denmark
Warrant Officer Class 2 GKA Smallwood (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 JG Acker (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 JM O'Connor (RCAF), Sergeant JA Allen (RCAF), FS RR Gourde (RCAF), FS LJ Murphy (RCAF), and FS JW Carley (RCAF) were all missing, presumed killed. They have no known graves and are all commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial
1943-April-29 Failed to Return Failed to return from mining operation to the Frisian Islands, no survivors. 2019-08-20
1943-April-28 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 James Gordon Acker 2024-11-01 1943-April-28 KIA RCAF Sergeant James Arthur Laurence Allan 2024-11-02 1943-April-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John William Carley 2024-01-04 1943-April-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Russell Gourde 2022-10-28 1943-April-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lloyd Joseph Charles Murphy 2022-10-28 1943-April-28 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class James Michael Barry O'Connor 2022-10-28 1943-April-28 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class George Kenneth Alfred Smallwood 2024-06-27 Halifax JB924, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB924
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 924
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB925, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB925
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 925
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John William Gibson 2021-02-17 1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Clifford Oscar Hatle 2022-10-22 1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Sergeant William George Kapuscinski 2021-08-11 1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Harold O'Connell 2021-08-17 1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Henry Richmond 2021-08-09 1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Albert Andrew Tschantre 2021-07-14 Halifax JB926, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB926
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 926
Merlin XX/22
Units 78/1652 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Conversion 1943-11-23 to 1943-11-24
1658 () HCU (RCAF) Leeming
On 1943-11-24, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, a Technical Officer with 427 Sqn at Leeming, wrote in his diary:
Warning: The following material contains graphic content that may not be suitable for all readers.
"At 4 o'clock I got news of a crashed Halifax about 10 miles from here, so being the acting station engineer I had to go out to see it. I found bits & pieces of it scattered all over the hills but it got dark before I located the main wreckage. However I could see that it was a cat E so that was all I needed. The whole crew were killed too . . " and again on Monday November 29 he wrote "The AIB inspector came up today to enquire about the crashed kite I tried to locate last Wednesday. We set out right after lunch today & finally found it crashed against the base of a vertical cliff of rock right up at the top of one of the highest hills in the Cleveland range. There wasn't much left since it had burned completely. All that could be found of the bodies had been removed . . . It looked very much as if it had a collision with another aircraft since one wing & engine were missing & there was another crashed kite about three miles away."
Halifax JB928, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB928
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 928
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB929, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB929
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 929
Merlin XX/22
Units 419/1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB930, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB930
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 930
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB931, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB931
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 931
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1943-05-14 to 1943-05-14
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Leeming
Took off from Leeming at 23:47 in Halifax Mk II (Sqn code EQ-O Bomber Command) on an operation to Bochum Germany.
Shot down by a night fighter and crashed at Hoofdplaat, 5 km east of Breskens, Zeeland Holland.
Killed Includes Campbell:Pilot Officer Lloyd Albert Stinson RCAF J/17695 KIA Vlissingen Northern Cemetery Flushing Holland Row E. Grave 1.Sergeant John Mclaren Harrison RCAF R/70275 KIA Vlissingen Northern Cemetery Flushing Holland Row E. Grave 2.Pilot Officer Albert Elliott Horne RAAF KIA Vlissingen Northern Cemetery Flushing Holland Row D. Grave 32.
POWsF/Lt Albert William Thompson RCAF J/12987 POW Stalag Luft L3 Sagan and Belaria.Pilot Officer Maurice Henry Joseph Hammill RAF POW Stalag Luft L3 Sagan and Belaria.Sergeant Arthur Costan Ross RAF POW Stalag 357 Kopernikus.
1943-May-14 KIA RAF Squadron Leader Hanlon Donald Richard Leroy Campbell DFC 2024-06-24 1943-May-14 PoW RAF Pilot Officer Maurice Henry Joseph Hammill 2024-06-24 1943-May-14 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Mclaren Harrison 2024-06-24 1943-May-14 KIA RAAF Pilot Officer Albert Elliott Horne DFM 2024-06-24 1943-May-14 PoW RAF Sergeant Arthur Costan Ross 2024-06-24 1943-May-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lloyd Albert Stinson 2024-06-24 1943-May-14 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Albert William Thompson 2024-06-24 Halifax JB956, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB956
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 956
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB957, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB957
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 957
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB959, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB959
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 959
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB963, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB963
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 963
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/77/1674 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB964, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB964
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 964
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB965, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB965
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 965
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB966, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB966
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 966
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Bochum Germany 1943-05-13 to 1943-05-14
405 (PFF) Sqn (RCAF) Gransden Lodge
Battle of the Ruhr
With No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF. Coded "LQ*D" when shot down on night of 13/14 May 1943, on mission to Bochum. Came down at 02:16 local at Den Kaat, Holland, 2 miles north of Balkbrug . Claimed by night fighter from 8.NJG1.
Flying Officer Hugh Donald BEATTIE (J/10119) Pilot; Flight Sergeant Ralph Eric HART (R/95244) Air Gunner; Sergeant Sydney Buchanan HAWLEY (1269142) Wireless Op. All Killed
Prisoners of War for Halifax II JB966 - Sergeant Kenneth William CLARKE (1376493); Sergeant Reginald FERGUSON (R/141618) ; Sgt John Donald GIBSON (R/75127); Plt Off John Arthur HAWTIN (J/11941)
1943-May-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Hugh Donald Beattie 2024-11-09 1943-May-14 PoW RCAF Sergeant Reginald Ferguson 2025-01-10 1943-May-14 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 John Donald Gibson 2025-01-04 1943-May-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ralph Eric Hart 2025-01-04 1943-May-14 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Arthur Hawtin 2025-01-10 Halifax JB967, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB967
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 967
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/419
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB968, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB968
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 968
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429/424
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-27 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Kirby 2021-06-11 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Edward Douglas MacMurchy 2021-06-10 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frank Thorburn Manners 2021-06-10 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Sergeant Donald Willis Matthews 2021-06-10 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Sergeant William Ellis McKee 2021-06-10 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Ronald Hubert Sherback 2021-06-10 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Sergeant Douglas Bryant Stone 2021-07-22 Halifax JB969, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB969
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 969
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429/419/1659/1666 heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JB971, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB971
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 971
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429/417 per The Halifax File
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Mannheim Germany 1943-09-23 to 1943-09-23
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
628 aircraft- 312 Lancasters, 193 Halifaxes, II5 Stirlings, 8 Mosquitoes. 5 B-r7s also took part. 32 aircraft- 18 Lancasters, 7 Halifaxes, 7 Wellingtons - lost, 5·1 per cent of the force.
This raid was intended to destroy the northern part of Mannheim, which had not been so severely hit in the successful raid earlier in the month. The Pathfinder plan worked well and concentrated bombing fell on the intended area, although later stages of the raid crept back across the northern edge of Ludwigshafen and out into the open country. The following buildings were destroyed in Mannheim: 927 houses, 20 Industrial premises, 11 schools, 6 public buildings and a church, A large number of other buildings were damaged and approximately 25,000 people were bombed out of their homes. 102 people were killed and 418 were injured. There were more than 2,000 fires. Local records (provided on this night by Herr Erwin Folz and not from the local authorities) show that the later stages of the bombing crept back across the Rhine to the northern part of Ludwigshafen, where the LG. Farben factory was severely damaged, and then to the smaller outlying towns of Oppau and Frankenthal. Ludwigshafen suffered 47 people killed and 260 injured. A further 8,000 people were bombed out, of whom 4,289 were foreign workers. The centre of the small town of Frankenthal was completely burnt out and 38 people were killed there.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
1943-September-24 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Mannheim. All were killed. 2019-08-20
Halifax JB972, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JB972
English Electric Co Ltd
JB 972
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1943-06-11 to 1943-06-12
408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom) RAF Leeming. Halifax II aircraft JB 972 EQ-Q was shot down by night fighter pilot Major Werner Streib of the Stab I/NJG 1, flying He 219 V9 G9+FB from Venlo airfield, Netherlands during operations against targets in Dusseldorf, Germany, but this loss was also claimed by heavy Flak units. The Halifax exploded and crashed in the target area southwest of Rheinberg, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Pilot Officer AG Grant (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 AE Fowell (RCAF) and FS JM Lang (RCAF) were all killed in action
Pilot Officer RE Carter (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant TB Moore (RCAF), Sergeant MR Laloge (RCAF) and Sergeant KR Stentiford (RAFVR) survived were taken as Prisoners of War
Flight Lieutenant Bruce Moore was the navigator during the operation and later a resident of Flin Flon, Manitoba provided the following information, "We were hit by flak and the bomb aimer jettisoned the bombs, we were hit again and the Halifax blew up almost immediately. When I came to, the ground was getting very close so I pulled the ripcord. I landed OK, but was taken Prisoner of War. The next day I had to help bury my three Manitoba friends and was then taken to POW camp Stalag Luft IV where I helped in the Great Escape, Sergeant Laloge also survived the war
Footprints on the Sands of Time, RAF Bomber Command Prisoners of War in Germany 1939-45 by Oliver Clutton-Brock page 262,339,365,410 Daily Operations 6 Bomber Group RAF Bomber Command
Halifax II JB972 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1943-June-12 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Roy Elliott Carter 2024-01-15 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Albert Edward Fowell 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Gordon Grant 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Marcel Robert Laloge 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Murray Reginald Lang 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Theodore Bruce Moore 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Kenneth Richard Stentiford 2022-10-21 Halifax JD106, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD106
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 106
Merlin XX/22
Units 10/1666 heavy Conversion Unit
On 1944-04-27, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 1664/1679 HCU at Wombleton, wrote in his diary:
Warning: The following material contains graphic content that may not be suitable for all readers.
"What luck we seem to be having just now. Things went smoothly today & we almost finished off our cloakroom. Then saw a cinema in the Mess & were sitting around drinking beer about 11:30 pm when flying control rang up to say we had another bad accident. We went right down to the aerodrome to find two kites locked together on the perimeter track with the boys hacking away with axes to try to get the tail gunner out of his turret. It appears the kites were being marshalled on the track for an operational takeoff on our bulls-eye exercise. T for Tommy JD106 was stopped in front & H-Harry JB859 was parked about 30 yds behind with the engines running. Somehow or other when the pilot of H was doing his cockpit check the kite started to drift forward & he didn't notice until it climbed right up the tail of T. The crew of T didn't know anything about it until they heard the tail gunner scream J___ C___ over the intercom & they came the crash. The port inner prop of H sliced right through the turret about 4 times & half tore the tail gunner's head off so he was a pretty gory mass when we pulled him out of the turret " dead of course. It looks like a court martial case of negligence but I sure feel sorry for the pilot who did it. This also counts up as 2 accidents for our sheet so we are not doing so well this month. Anyway it's the first fatal accident in a month and a half."
last update: 2025-February-05
Conversion 1944-06-23 to 1944-06-23
HCU 1666 (OT) HCU (RCAF) Wombleton
On 1944-06-23, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 1664/1679 HCU at Wombleton, wrote in his diary:
"Well we had our third prang of the month last night when T-Tommy JD106 ploughed into the top of a high hill about 20 miles north of here & right in the middle of the moors. The hill was 1490 ft high & cloud base was 1500 & the pilot was letting down thru cloud in the dark to see where he was! What a thing to do. Anyway W/C Martin and I drove up to find it . . . hunted all morning . . . located the crash at 3:30 in the afternoon. It was spread over ½ mile and was very badly broken up. The tail gunner got out uninjured & told the whole story, the flight engineer is still alive but just barely & they don't think he has much chance. The other six were killed."
1944-June-23 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Ward Thomas Falan 2022-08-06 1944-June-23 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Melville Alfred Foy 2022-08-24 1944-June-23 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Herbert William Garwood 2021-08-07 1944-June-23 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Paul Haacke 2022-09-27 1944-June-23 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Leonard Burnie Lemon 2021-05-17 1944-June-23 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Jean Marie Charles Plante 2021-08-14 1944-June-23 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Leonard Allan Scutt 2022-05-23 Halifax JD107, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD107
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 107
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD108, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD108
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 108
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD109, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD109
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 109
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD112, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD112
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 112
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD113, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD113
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 113
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Bochum Germany 1943-05-13 to 1943-05-14
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
442 aircraft - 135 Halifaxes, 104 Wellingtons, 98 Lancasters, 95 Stirlings, IO Mos¬quitoes; 5 Group did not take part in this raid. 24 aircraft- 13 Halifaxes, 6 Welling¬tons, 4 Stirlings, 1 Lancaster - lost, 5·4 per cent of the force.
This raid started well but, after 15 minutes, what were believed to be German decoy markers drew much of the bombing away from the target. The only information available from Germany is that 394 buildings in Bochum were destroyed, 716 were seriously damaged and 302 people were killed.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
p419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Target - Bochum, Germany. Halifax aircraft was hit by flak over the target and then attacked by German night fighter aircraft. There were two 419 Sqdn. aircraft lost this night. Please see Sergeant O.J. Haralson for information regarding the other crew and aircraft. 1943-May-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Walter Leroy Bovaird 2024-11-16 1943-May-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Walter Herbert Secretan Buckwell 2024-11-23 1943-May-14 PoW RCAF Sergeant William James Nathaniel Duggan 2024-10-29 1943-May-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alfred Eugene Hurteau 2025-02-04 1943-May-14 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Russell William Lowry 2025-02-04 1943-May-14 PoW RCAF Sergeant William Matheson Reid 2025-02-04 1943-May-14 KIA RCAF Sergeant Frederick William Walkerdine 2025-02-04 Halifax JD114, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD114
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 114
Merlin XX/22
Units 419/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/419
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Leipzig Germany 1944-02-19 to 1944-02-20
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
823 aircraft- 56 I Lancasters, 255 Halifaxes, 7 Mosquitoes. 78 aircraft- 44 Lancasters and 34 Halifaxes - lost, 9·5 per cent of the force. The Halifax loss rate was 13·3 per cent of those dispatched and 14·9 per cent of those Halifaxes which reached the enemy coast after 'early returns' had turned back. The Halifax IIs and Vs were permanently withdrawn from operations to Germany after this raid.
This was an unhappy raid for Bomber Command. The German controllers only sent part of their force of fighters to the Kiel minelaying diversion. When the main bomber force crossed the Dutch coast, they were met by a further part of the German fighter force and those German fighters which had been sent north to Kiel hurriedly returned. The bomber stream was thus under attack all the way to the target. There were further difficulties at the target because winds were not as forecast and many aircraft reached the Leipzig area too early and had to orbit and await the Pathfinders. 4 aircraft were lost by collision and approximately 20 were shot down by Flak.
Leipzig was cloud-covered and the Pathfinders had to use sky-marking. The raid appeared to be concentrated in its early stages but scattered later. There are few details of the effects of the bombing. No report is available from Germany and there was no immediate post-raid reconnaissance flight. When photographs were eventually taken, they included the results of an American raid which took place on the following day.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 John Leslie Beattie 2025-01-04 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Sergeant Alfred Harvey Hackbart 2025-01-04 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Sergeant Martin Benedict Leboldus 2025-01-04 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Clifford Lewthwaite 2025-01-04 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas Kenneth Macleod 2025-01-04 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Ralph Piper 2025-01-04 
Halifax JD115, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD115
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 115
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD118, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD118
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 118
Merlin XX/22
Units 51/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD121, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD121
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 121
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD123, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD123
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 123
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/77/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD124, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD124
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 124
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frederick William Hodge 2022-08-17 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Henri Thomas Jacques Lemieux 2022-08-17 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Andrew Livingston DFC 2022-08-17 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Sidney Leon Murrell DFC 2022-08-17 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Willard Nichols BEM 2022-08-17 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ralph Lavis Robinson 2022-08-17 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Earl Dwyre Rowe 2022-08-17 Halifax JD125, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD125
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 125
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD128, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD128
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 128
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD143, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD143
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 143
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1943-06-11 to 1943-06-12
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Middleton-St-George
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. The crew of Halifax II aircraft JD 143 VR-A had just completed their bomb run when they were caught in the beam of a blue Master searchlight. Soon, fifteen additional Slave lights joined the Master to cone the aircraft in light. The Halifax was hit by flak in the nose, the port wing, and port outer engine causing the engine to explode and catch fire. Pilot Flying Officer Boyce ordered the crew to bail out and stayed at the controls, looking to force land the aircraft as Sergeant Chambers was badly wounded and refused to jump
Warrant Officer Class 1 HA Tripp (RCAF) is believed to have jumped but was killed in action
Sergeant DE Chambers (RAFVR) eventually jumped at 2,000 feet but was killed in action
Flying Officer JW Boyce (RCAF) went down with the aircraft and was killed in action when the bomber crashed 7 km west of Xanten, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Five of the crew, Flying Officer GL Buck (RAF), Flying Officer DI Black (RAF), Sergeant RM Hall (RCAF), Sergeant JD Gray (RCAF), and Sergeant DN Stewart (RAF) bailed and survived to be taken as Prisoners of War
Flying Officer Black said, "Although Flying Officer Boyce had plenty of time to get out he stayed in order to give the wounded Wireless Air Gunner , Sergeant DE Chambers, a chance of survival in a forced landing. When Sergeant Chambers finally jumped it was too late for Boyce to get out so he sacrificed himself. As toWarrant Officer Tripp, we thought he got out but maybe his chute didn't open"
There is also a claim that this Halifax was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Manfred Meurer of the 3/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Venlo airfield, the Netherlands
Footprints on the Sands of Time, RAF Bomber Command Prisoners of War in Germany 1939-45 by Oliver Clutton-Brock pages 246,256,305, 309,411 419 Squadron RCAF 1941to 1945 Crew of Halifax JD143
419 Squadron Halifax II JD143 VR-A F/O. Boyce, RAF Middleton St. ...
Halifax II JD143 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1943-June-12 PoW RAFVR Flying Officer Duncan Ian Black 2023-11-16 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William John Boyce 2024-11-16 1943-June-12 PoW RAFVR Flying Officer Charles Lincoln Buck 2024-11-23 1943-June-12 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Douglas Edward Cyril Chambers 2024-01-28 1943-June-12 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 John Douglas Gray 2025-01-21 1943-June-12 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Richard Manning Hall 2025-01-21 1943-June-12 PoW RAFVR Sergeant David Newton Stewart 2025-01-21 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer Class I Herbert Andrew Tripp 2025-02-16 Halifax JD147, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD147
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 147
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Wuppertal Germany 1943-06-24 to 1943-06-25
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
630 aircraft - 251 Lancasters, 171 Halifaxes, IOI Wellingtons, 98 Stirlings, 9 Mos-quitoes. 34 aircraft - IO Halifaxes, IO Stirlings, 8 Lancasters, 6 Wellingtons - lost, s- 4 per cent of the force.
This attack was aimed at the Elberfeld half of Wuppertal, the Barmen half of the town having been devastated at the end of May, The Pathfinder marking was accurate and the Main Force bombing started well but the creepback became more pronounced than usual. 30 aircraft bombed targets in more western parts of the Ruhr; Wuppertal was at the eastern end of the area. These bombing failures were probably a result of the recent run of intensive operations incurring casualties at a high level: However, much serious damage was again caused to this medium-sized Ruhr town. The post-war British survey estimated that 94 per cent of the Elberfeld part of Wuppertal was destroyed on this night and Wuppertal's own records show that more bombs fell in Elberfeld than had fallen in Barmen on the last raid. 171 industrial premises and approximately 3,000 houses -were destroyed; 53 industrial premises and 2,500 houses were severely damaged. Approximately 1,800 people were killed and 2,400 injured.
There was a dramatic incident in Gelsenkirchen, 20 miles north of Wuppertal, when an R.A.F. 4-engined bomber crashed into the hall of a building which had been taken over by the Wehrmacht. The bomber blew up 'with a terrific explosion'. A German officer, 13 soldiers, the caretaker of the building and 5 Dutch trainee postal workers were killed and 2 more soldiers died later.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) Middleton St George, Halifax II aircraft JD 147 VR-C, on a raid to Wuppertal, Germany and turning toward the target when it was hit by cannon fire from night fighter pilot Oberfeldwebel Reinhard Kollak of the 7/NJG 4 (detached to II/NJG 1), flying Bf 110 G-4 3C+ER from St Trond (Sint-Truiden) airfield, Belgium. The Halifax caught fire, the bomb load was jettisoned and the aircraft was turned for home. The fire could not be extinguished and pilot Squadron Leader Jost ordered the crew to bale out
Flying Officer ROE Goodwin (RCAF) baled and was killed when his parachute failed to openSergeant RE Austin (RAF), FS L Barker (RAF), FS AWA Bruce (RAF) and Sergeant EB Pope (RAF) all baled and survived to be taken as Prisoners of WarSquadron Leader BN Jost DFC (RCAF) and flight engineer Sergeant JB Johnson (RCAF) stayed at the controls of the burning aircraft to allow the rest of the crew to bale and turn it away from town. They were too low to bale and were both killed in the crash of bomber near Herten, Limburg, Netherlands
There was a second 419 Squadron Halifax II aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Neale, GV for information on Halifax JD 214 VR-U
1943-June-25 PoW RAF Sergeant Robert Edward Austin 2024-11-04 1943-June-25 PoW RAF Flight Sergeant Leslie Barker 2024-12-17 1943-June-25 PoW RNZAF Flight Sergeant Ashley William Alfred Bruce 2024-11-23 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Oscar Evans Goodwin 2023-11-20 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Sergeant Julius Bjorn Johnson 2023-11-20 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Burton Norris Jost DFC 2023-11-20 1943-June-25 PoW RAF Sergeant Ernest Bailey Pope 2023-11-07 Halifax JD149, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD149
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 149
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD153, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD153
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 153
Merlin XX/22
Units 51/1658Heavy Conversion Unit/1666HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD156, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD156
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 156
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD158, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD158
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 158
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Peenemunde Germany 1943-08-17 to 1943-08-18
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
596 aircraft - 324 Lancasters, 218 Halifaxes, 54 Stirlings. This was the first raid in which 6 (Canadian) Group operated Lancaster aircraft. 426 Squadron dispatched 9 Mark II Lancasters, losing 2 aircraft including that of the squadron commander, Wing Commander L. Crooks, D.S.O., D.F.C., an Englishman, who was killed
This was a special raid which Bomber Command was ordered to carry out against the German research establishment on the Baltic coast where V-2 rockets were being built and tested. The raid was carried out in moonlight to increase the chances of success. There were several novel features. It was the only occasion in the second half of the war when the whole of Bomber Command attempted a precision raid by night on such a small target. For the first time, there was a Master Bomber controlling a full-scale Bomber Command raid; Group Captain J, I·I. Searby, of 83 Squadron, 8 Group, carried out this task. There were three aiming points ~, the scientists and workers living quarters, the rocket factory and the experimental station and the Pathfinders employed a special plan with crews designated as 'shifters', who attempted to move the marking from one part of the target to another as the raid progressed. Crews of 5 Group, bombing in the last wave of the attack, had progressed the 'time and distance' bombing method as an alternative for their part of the raid.
The Pathfinders found Peenumunde without difficulty in the moonlight and the Master Bomber controlled the raid successfully throughout. A Mosquito diversion to Berlin drew off most of the German night-fighters for the first 2 of the raid's 3 phases. Unfortunately, the initial marking and bombing fell on a labour camp for forced workers which was situated rt miles south of the first aiming point, but the Master Bomber and the Pathfinders quickly brought the bombing back to the main targets, which were all bombed successfully. 560 aircraft dropped nearly ,800 tons of bombs; 85 per cent of this tonnage was high-explosive. The estimate has appeared in many sources that this raid set back the V-2 experimental programme by at least 2 months and reduced the scale of the eventual rocket attack. Approximately 180 Germans were killed at Peenemiinde, nearly all in the workers' housing estate, and 500,600 foreigners, mostly Polish, were killed in the workers' camp, where there were only flimsy wooden barracks and no proper air-raid shelters..
Bomber Command's losses were 40 aircraft- 23 Lancasters, 15 Halifaxes and 2 Stirlings. This represents 6·7 per cent of the force dispatched but was judged an acceptable cost for the successful attack on this important target on a moonlit night. Most of the casualties were suffered by the aircraft of the last wave when the German night fighters arrived in force; the groups involved in this were 5 Group, which lost 17 of its 109 aircraft on the raid (14·5 per cent) and the Canadian 6 Group which lost 12 out of 57 aircraft (19·7 per cent). This was the first night on which the Germans used their new schrage Musik weapons; these were twin upward-firing cannons fitted in the cockpit of Me 110s. Two schrage Musik aircraft found the bomber stream flying home from Peenemtinde and are believed to have shot down 6 of the bombers lost on the raid
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
1943-August-18 KIA RAF Sergeant George Blyth 2024-11-13 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James William Dally 2024-08-08 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Stanley Mervyn Heard 2025-01-26 1943-August-18 KIA RAAF Flight Sergeant Donald Malcolm MacPherson 2025-01-26 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Peter Oswald McSween 2025-01-26 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John James Newbon 2025-01-26 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant David Thornton 2025-01-26 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon Stanley Walter 2025-01-26 Halifax JD159, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD159
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 159
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Cologne Germany 1943-07-03 to 1943-07-04
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
653 aircraft - 293 Lancasters, 182 Halifaxes, 89 Wellingtons, 76 Stirlings, 13 Mos¬quitoes. 30 aircraft - 9.Halifaxes, 8 Lancasters, 8 Wellingtons, 5 Stirlings - lost, 4·6 per cent of the force
.The aiming point for this raid was that part of Cologne situated on the east bank of the Rhine. Much industry was .located there. Pathfinder ground marking was accurately maintained by both the Mosquito Oboe aircraft and the backers-up, allowing the Main Force to carry out another heavy attack on Cologne. 20 industrial premises and 2,200 houses were completely destroyed, 588 people were killed, approximately 11000 were injured and 721000 bombed out,
This night saw the first operations of a new German unit, Jagdgeschwader 300 equipped with single-engined fighters using the Wilde Sau (Wild Boar) technique. In this, a German pilot used any form of illumination available over a city being bomber - searchlights, target indicators, the glow of fires on the ground - to pick out : bomber for attack. Liaison with the local Flak defences was supposed to ensure that the Flak was limited to a certain height above which the Wild Boar fighter was free to operate. R.A.F. crews were not used to meeting German fighters over a target city: and it was some time before the presence of the new danger was realized. The report on this night from 4 bombers that they had been fired on over the target by other bombers were almost certainly the result of Wild Boar attacks. The new German unit claimed 12 bombers shot down over Cologne but had to share the 12 available aircraft found to have crashed with the local Flak, who also claimed 12 successes.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Target - Cologne, Germany. Halifax II aircraft JD 159 VR-Y was enroute to the target and had just crossed the enemy coastline when it was attacked several times by two German ME-109 fighter aircraft. it was shot down by night fighter pilot Unteroffizier Rudolf Frank of the 2/NJG 3 (detached to 2/NJG 1), flying Bf 110 G-4 D5+BH from Gilze-Rijen airfield, the Netherlands. The Halifax was extensively damaged with the starboard outer fuel tank on fire and the aircraft had to be abandoned It crashed at Miuzen, a suburb of Mechelen, Belgium. Pilot Officer Bell stayed in the aircraft and tried to make a landing because he had two wounded on board and they could not bail out, all three perished. This was Pilot Officer Bell's twenty-ninth operation. Killed: Flight Sergeant John Albert Anderson RCAF R/99890 Pilot Schoonselhof Cemetery IVa. A. 5., Belgium. Pilot Officer Angus Hugh Bell RCAF J/17340 Pilot Schoonselhof Cemetery IVa. A. 2. Pilot Officer William Bryce Taylor RCAF C/18110 Schoonselhof CemeteryPOWs: Flight Sergeant George Edward Aitken RCAF R/85492 Stalag Luft L6 Heydekrug Warrant Officer Class 1 Joseph Douglas Henry Arseneau RCAF R/73263 Stalag Luft L3 Sagan and Belaria Sergeant Arthur Owen Simpson RAF 1335324 Stalag 357 Kopernikus Flight Sergeant Robert Omer Williston RCAF R/76596 Stalag 4B Muhlberg (Elbe).
Crew JD159.jpg image not found 1943-July-04 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant George Edward Aitken 2025-02-03 1943-July-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Albert Anderson 2025-02-03 1943-July-04 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Joseph Douglas Henry Arseneaut 2025-02-03 1943-July-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Angus Hugh Bell 2025-02-03 1943-July-04 PoW RAFVR Arthur Owen Simpson 2023-09-22 1943-July-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Bryce Taylor 2025-02-03 1943-July-04 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Omer Williston 2025-02-03 Halifax JD160, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD160
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 160
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD163, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD163
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 163
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Peenemunde Germany 1943-08-17 to 1943-08-18
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
596 aircraft - 324 Lancasters, 218 Halifaxes, 54 Stirlings. This was the first raid in which 6 (Canadian) Group operated Lancaster aircraft. 426 Squadron dispatched 9 Mark II Lancasters, losing 2 aircraft including that of the squadron commander, Wing Commander L. Crooks, D.S.O., D.F.C., an Englishman, who was killed
This was a special raid which Bomber Command was ordered to carry out against the German research establishment on the Baltic coast where V-2 rockets were being built and tested. The raid was carried out in moonlight to increase the chances of success. There were several novel features. It was the only occasion in the second half of the war when the whole of Bomber Command attempted a precision raid by night on such a small target. For the first time, there was a Master Bomber controlling a full-scale Bomber Command raid; Group Captain J, I·I. Searby, of 83 Squadron, 8 Group, carried out this task. There were three aiming points ~, the scientists and workers living quarters, the rocket factory and the experimental station and the Pathfinders employed a special plan with crews designated as 'shifters', who attempted to move the marking from one part of the target to another as the raid progressed. Crews of 5 Group, bombing in the last wave of the attack, had progressed the 'time and distance' bombing method as an alternative for their part of the raid.
The Pathfinders found Peenumunde without difficulty in the moonlight and the Master Bomber controlled the raid successfully throughout. A Mosquito diversion to Berlin drew off most of the German night-fighters for the first 2 of the raid's 3 phases. Unfortunately, the initial marking and bombing fell on a labour camp for forced workers which was situated rt miles south of the first aiming point, but the Master Bomber and the Pathfinders quickly brought the bombing back to the main targets, which were all bombed successfully. 560 aircraft dropped nearly ,800 tons of bombs; 85 per cent of this tonnage was high-explosive. The estimate has appeared in many sources that this raid set back the V-2 experimental programme by at least 2 months and reduced the scale of the eventual rocket attack. Approximately 180 Germans were killed at Peenemiinde, nearly all in the workers' housing estate, and 500,600 foreigners, mostly Polish, were killed in the workers' camp, where there were only flimsy wooden barracks and no proper air-raid shelters..
Bomber Command's losses were 40 aircraft- 23 Lancasters, 15 Halifaxes and 2 Stirlings. This represents 6·7 per cent of the force dispatched but was judged an acceptable cost for the successful attack on this important target on a moonlit night. Most of the casualties were suffered by the aircraft of the last wave when the German night fighters arrived in force; the groups involved in this were 5 Group, which lost 17 of its 109 aircraft on the raid (14·5 per cent) and the Canadian 6 Group which lost 12 out of 57 aircraft (19·7 per cent). This was the first night on which the Germans used their new schrage Musik weapons; these were twin upward-firing cannons fitted in the cockpit of Me 110s. Two schrage Musik aircraft found the bomber stream flying home from Peenemtinde and are believed to have shot down 6 of the bombers lost on the raid
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. The crew of Halifax BII aircraft JD 163 VR-N were returning from a raid against Peenemunde, Germany when they were forced to ditch in the North Sea twenty-four miles off the coast from Happisburgh, Norfolk, England. A full scale air/sea search found no trace of crew or aircraft
1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Martin Batterton 2024-11-09 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Arnold Dixon 2024-10-21 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Orville Jerome 2022-11-20 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant David Allen Lloyd 2022-11-20 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Urbin Morris 2022-11-20 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon Francis Parker 2022-11-20 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lawrence Fabian Power 2022-11-20 Halifax JD164, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD164
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 164
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429 per The Halifax File
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD165, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD165
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 165
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD172, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD172
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 172
Merlin XX/22
Units 138/Mediterranean Aircraft command
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD174, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD174
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 174
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Ferry Flight Aachen Germany 1943-07-13 to 1943-07-14
408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Leeming
408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom) RAF Leeming, Halifax II aircraft JD 174 EQ-A outbound on a raid to Auchen, Germany was attacked by a night fighter. The attack left the bomber's hydraulic system inoperable, with the bomb doors unable to open and the landing gear unable to be lowered. The stricken aircraft was able to limp back to England but then, with a full bomb load and inoperable landing gear, the crew had little choice but to bale out. The crew and then the pilot abandoned the Halifax which then crashed and exploded in the Arden Woods between the villages of Hawnby and Kepwick, Yorkshire, England. There were no air crew losses
Pilot Bain, who broke his leg on landing, was accosted by the family whose land the aircraft had crashed on, who were suspicious of his accent, and dragged him painfully at shotgun point to their house where he was able to convince them he was an ally. He was later awarded a DFC for this sortie. The rest of the crew, Labow, Haugen, Wood, Magson, Acorn and Connolly (RAF) survived.
Aircraft accidents on the North Yorkshire Moors
1943-July-14 Survived RCAF Sergeant George Warburton Acorn 2022-06-23 1943-July-14 Survived RCAF Flying Officer Donald Thomas Bain DFC 2024-11-28 1943-July-14 Survived RAF Sergeant Joseph James Connelly 2024-03-26 1943-July-14 Survived RCAF Sergeant Willard Melvin Haugen 2022-06-23 1943-July-14 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Philip John Ashworth Magson 2022-06-23 1943-July-14 Survived RCAF Sergeant Ernest Henry Wood 2024-11-28 Halifax JD175, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD175
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 175
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD199, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD199
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 199
Merlin XX/22
Units 10/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD204, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD204
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 204
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Frankfurt Germany 1943-10-04 to 1943-10-04
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
406 aircraft- 162 Lancasters, 170 Halifaxes, 70 Stirlings, 4 Mosquitoes. 3 B-17s also took part. 10 aircraft - 5 Halifaxes, 3 Lancasters, 2 Stirlings - lost, 2.5 per cent of the force. 1 B-17 was also lost. This was the last R.A.F. night-bombing raid in which American aircraft took part, but individual B-17s occasionally carried out bombing flights in following weeks.
Clear weather and good Pathfinder marking produced the first serious blow on Frankfurt so far in the war, with extensive destruction being caused in the eastern half of the city and in the inland docks on the River Main; both of these areas are described in the Frankfurt report as having been a 'sea of flames'. Many city-centre¬type buildings are also mentioned as being hit; the new Rathaus had its roof burnt out. No overall figures are given for casualties, the only mention being a tragedy at an orphanage housed in the former Jewish hospital, where a bomb scored a direct hit on the basement shelter killing 90 children, 14 nuns and other members of the staff. In the following days, the main railway station was packed with people trying to leave Frankfurt.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Target - Frankfurt, Germany. Halifax aircraft JD 204 was enroute to the target and was some fifty miles east of Mannheim, Germany when it was attacked and set on fire by a German fighter aircraft. Flying Officer J.R. Dale, FSs E.H. Griffin and A. Bortolussi were also killed. One Canadian, Flying Officer Riley and two of the crew, not Canadians, bailed out and were taken Prisoners of War.
1943-October-05 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Frankfurt. 4 crew were killed and 3 POWs. 2019-08-20
1943-October-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Aldo Bortolussi 2024-08-23 1943-October-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Jack Ralph Dale 2024-08-23 1943-October-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Edward Herbert William Griffin 2024-08-23 1943-October-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Harry Hamilton 2024-08-23 1943-October-04 PoW RCAF Flt. Lieutenant Edward Lockhart Riley 2024-08-27 Halifax JD205, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD205
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 205
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD207, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD207
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 207
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD209, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD209
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 209
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-22 PoW RCAF Sergeant John Harold William Bishop 2024-07-14 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norman Kellner 2024-07-14 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Albert Bennett Lewis 2025-01-21 1943-June-22 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Edward Moorcroft 2024-07-14 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Gaudias Albert Patry 2024-07-14 Halifax JD210, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD210
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 210
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Mannheim Germany 1943-09-05 to 1943-09-06
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
605 aircraft - 299 Lancasters, 195 Halifaxes, r I I Stirlings. 34 aircraft - I 3 Halifaxes, 13 Lancasters, 8 Stirlings - lost, y6 per cent of the force.
The target area for this double attack was clear of cloud and the Pathfinder marking plan worked perfectly. Ground-markers were placed on the eastern side of Mannheim so that the bombing of the Main Force - approaching from the west - could move back across Mannheim and then into Ludwigshafen on the western bank of the Rhine. The creepback did not become excessive and severe destruction was caused in both targets.
Mannheim's normally detailed air-raid report does not give any specific details of property damage or casualties. It is probable that the raid was so severe that the normal report gathering and recording process broke down. The Mannheim records speak only of 'a catastrophe' and give general comments on the activities of the air-raid services and the behaviour of the population which are both described as 'vor- bildlich' (exemplary).
More detail is available from Ludwigshafen where the central and southern parts of the town were devastated. The fire department recorded 1,993 separate fires including 3 classed as 'fire areas' and 986 as large fires; 139 of the fires were in industrial premises. 1,080 houses, 6 military and 4 industrial buildings were destroyed and 8 more industrial buildings were seriously damaged, including the LG. Farben works. 127 people were killed and 568 were injured; 10 of the dead were Flak troops. A further 1,605 people are described as suffering from eye injuries. The relatively small number of deaths may be an indication that many of the German cities were evacuating parts of their population after the recent firestorm disaster at Hamburg and other heavy raids.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George, Halifax II aircraft JD 210 VR-S "Happy Valley Sally" was shot down nineteen miles south of the target, at Hattenheim, Baden, Germany on the north bank of the Rhine River, during a night raid against Mannheim, Germany
Flying Officer GA Shannon (RCAF), Flying Officer JA Studer (RCAF)(USA), Flying Officer HA Danninger (RCAF), FS GA Usher (RCAF), FS RD Hayes (RCAF), Sergeant RG James (RCAF), and Sergeant AW Hallworth (RAFVR) were all killed
There were two 419 Squadron Halifax II aircraft lost in the same area on this date. Please see Burke, RW for information regarding the crew of JD 410 VR-V
1943-September-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harry Allan Danniger 2024-10-31 1943-September-06 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Alan Walter Hallworth 2024-08-29 1943-September-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Russell Daniel Hayes 2024-05-29 1943-September-06 KIA RCAF Sergeant Russell George James 2024-06-01 1943-September-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Arnold Shannon 2024-06-28 1943-September-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Arthur Studer 2024-07-09 1943-September-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gregory Alphonse Usher 2024-07-10 Halifax JD212, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD212
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 212
Merlin XX/22
Units Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment/429/419/1666 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD213, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD213
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 213
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD214, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD214
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 214
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Wuppertal Germany 1943-06-24 to 1943-06-25
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St.George
Battle of the Ruhr
630 aircraft - 251 Lancasters, 171 Halifaxes, IOI Wellingtons, 98 Stirlings, 9 Mos-quitoes. 34 aircraft - IO Halifaxes, IO Stirlings, 8 Lancasters, 6 Wellingtons - lost, s- 4 per cent of the force.
This attack was aimed at the Elberfeld half of Wuppertal, the Barmen half of the town having been devastated at the end of May, The Pathfinder marking was accurate and the Main Force bombing started well but the creepback became more pronounced than usual. 30 aircraft bombed targets in more western parts of the Ruhr; Wuppertal was at the eastern end of the area. These bombing failures were probably a result of the recent run of intensive operations incurring casualties at a high level: However, much serious damage was again caused to this medium-sized Ruhr town. The post-war British survey estimated that 94 per cent of the Elberfeld part of Wuppertal was destroyed on this night and Wuppertal's own records show that more bombs fell in Elberfeld than had fallen in Barmen on the last raid. 171 industrial premises and approximately 3,000 houses -were destroyed; 53 industrial premises and 2,500 houses were severely damaged. Approximately 1,800 people were killed and 2,400 injured.
There was a dramatic incident in Gelsenkirchen, 20 miles north of Wuppertal, when an R.A.F. 4-engined bomber crashed into the hall of a building which had been taken over by the Wehrmacht. The bomber blew up 'with a terrific explosion'. A German officer, 13 soldiers, the caretaker of the building and 5 Dutch trainee postal workers were killed and 2 more soldiers died later.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George, Halifax BII aircraft JD 214 VR-U was claimed shot down by night fighter pilot Hauptmann Walter Milius of the Stab III./NJG 3 (detached to 2/NJG 1), flying a Bf 110 from Gilze-Rijen airfield, Netherlands. The Halifax force landed at Wageningen, Holland and the entire crew survived
There was a second 419 Squadron Halifax II lost on this operation. Please see Jost, BN for information on Halifax JD 147 VR-C
1943-June-25 PoW RAF Sergeant Reginald Alfred Cleaver 2024-02-29 1943-June-25 PoW RAF Sergeant Donald John Griffiths 2022-11-09 1943-June-25 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Milne Jaffray 2022-11-09 1943-June-25 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant David Edward Kenwell 2022-11-09 1943-June-25 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Ross Sheldon McLachlan 2022-11-09 1943-June-25 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William Patterson McLeod 2024-11-01 1943-June-25 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant George Victor Neale 2022-11-09 Halifax JD215, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD215
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 215
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Cologne Germany 1943-06-28 to 1943-06-29
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
608 aircraft - 267 Lancasters, 169 Halifaxes, 85 Wellingtons, 75 Stirlings, 12 Mos-quitoes. 25 aircraft- IO Halifaxes, 8 Lancasters, 5 Stirlings, 2 Wellingtons - lost, 4· I per cent of the force.
The circumstances of this raid did not seem promising. The weather forecast said that Cologne would probably be cloud-covered although there might be a break; the Pathfinders had to prepare a dual plan. The target was cloud-covered and the less reliable sky-marking system had to be employed. Only 7 of the 12 Oboe Mosquitoes reached the target and only 6 of these were able to drop their markers. The marking was 7 minutes late in starting and proceeded only intermittently. Despite all these setbacks, the Main Force delivered its most powerful blow of the Battle of the Ruhr. The result was Cologne's worst raid of the war. 43 industrial, 6 military and 6,368 other buildings were destroyed; nearly 15,000 other buildings were damaged. Listed as 'completely destroyed' were: 24 schools, 16 churches, 15 major administrative buildings, I1 hotels, 8 cinemas, 7 post offices, 6 large banks, 2 hospitals and 2 theatres. The cathedral was seriously damaged by high-explosive bombs. The casualties in Cologne were 4,377 people killed, approximately 10,000 injured and 230,000 forced to leave their damaged homes. The number of dead was greater than in any previous Bomber Command raid of the war on any target. The 'number of dead' record had thus increased nearly tenfold since the opening of the Battle of the Ruhr 3½ months earlier.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
1943-June-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer David Renwick Agnew 2024-10-20 1943-June-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Edwin Dickson 2024-10-20 1943-June-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harry Wilfred Fowler AFM 2024-10-20 1943-June-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Andrew Hood 2024-10-20 1943-June-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Warren Bretall Mayes 2024-10-20 1943-June-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William George Otterholm 2024-10-20 1943-June-29 KIA RCAF Flt. Lieutenant Almer Clement Raine 2024-10-20 Halifax JD216, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD216
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 216
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-July-10 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Hector Beattie Lancaster 2021-08-13 1943-July-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Henry Colin McClung 2021-08-17 1943-July-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Vivian Vincent Reid 2021-08-10 1943-July-10 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John William Richardson 2021-08-09 1943-July-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Johnnie James Stefanchuk 2021-07-22 Halifax JD244, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD244
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 244
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD248, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD248
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 248
Merlin XX/22
Units 51/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD249, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD249
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 249
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-11 KIA RAF Pilot Officer James Maxwell Brechin 2024-10-05 1943-August-11 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert William Dawe 2024-10-05 1943-August-11 KIA RAF Flying Officer Derick Jimenez 2024-10-05 1943-August-11 KIA RAF Sergeant Christopher John Lewingdon 2024-10-05 1943-August-11 PoW RAF Pilot Officer John Ernest Lynn 2024-10-05 1943-August-11 KIA RAF Flight Lieutenant Ian Fraser MacWatt 2024-10-05 1943-August-11 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Theodore Roach 2024-10-05 Halifax JD250, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD250
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 250
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD256, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD256
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 256
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Essen Germany 1943-07-25 to 1943-07-26
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Hamburg
705 aircraft - 294 Lancasters, 221 Halifaxes, 104 Stirlings, 67 Wellingtons, 19 Mosquitoes. 26 aircraft - 10 Halifaxes, 7 Stirlings, 5 Lancasters, 4 Wellingtons - lost, 3·7 per cent of the force. The commander of the American VIII Bomber Command, Brigadier-General Fred Anderson, observed this raid as a passenger in an 83 Squad-ron Lancaster.
This was an attempt to achieve a good raid on this major target while the effects of Window were still fresh. The raid was successful, with particular damage being recorded In Essen's industrial areas in the eastern half of the city, The Krupp's works suffered what was probably Its most damaging raid of the war. The next morning, Doktor Gustav Krupp had a stroke from which he never recovered; this saved him from being charged with war crimes after the war.* 51 other industrial buildings were destroyed and 83 seriously damaged. 2,852 houses were destroyed. 500 people were killed, 12 were missing and 1,208 were injured. The 500 dead are recorded as follows: I 65 civilian men, l l 8 women, 22 children, 22 servicemen, l 3 l foreign workers and 42 prisoners of war.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. The crew of Halifax II aircraft JD 256 VR-A had just completed their bomb run over Essen, Germany and entered the cloud cover when they suffered catastrophic damage the tail of their aircraft and went into an unrecoverable inverted dive, crashing at Bergeborbeck, Essen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. It is unclear whether the damage was from heavy flak, collision with another aircraft or from bombs dropped from above. There was only one survivor from this crew, on their seventh operation
1943-July-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George William Askew 2022-11-16 1943-July-26 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Leslie Chapman 2025-01-13 1943-July-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Stanley Willard Handforth 2022-11-16 1943-July-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lawrence Merwin Hill 2022-11-16 1943-July-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Owen Harvey Phoenix 2022-11-16 1943-July-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Allan Lloyd Porter 2022-11-16 1943-July-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Walter Eugene Ross 2022-11-16 1943-July-26 KIA RAF Sergeant James Stewart 2022-11-16 Halifax JD257, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD257
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 257
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Mannheim Germany 1943-08-09 to 1943-08-10
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
457 aircraft - 286 Lancasters and 171 Halifaxes. 9 aircraft - 6 Halifaxes and 3 Lancasters - lost, 2·0 per cent of the force.
The target area was mainly cloud-covered and the Pathfinder plan did not work well. The resulting bombing appeared to be scattered. Mannheim, whose wartime officials must have produced some of the best air-raid reports in Germany, sent 37 typed pages of details which showed that this raid caused considerable damage in and around the city. 1,316 buildings were classed as 'totally destroyed' or 'seriously damaged'. 42 industrial concerns, some of them being quite large ones, suffered loss of production. The compensation claims for 9 of the factories totaled 43,815,000 Reichsmarks (£4,381,500). 269 people were killed and 1,210 were injured. There were 1,528 fires: 133 large, 417 medium-sized and 978 small fires. 8 railway engines, 146 passenger carriages and 40 goods wagons were damaged. 144 farm animals were killed: 96 pigs, 18 goats, 15 cows, 12 horses, 2 oxen and a calf.
It is a measure of the increased striking power of Bomber Command that all of the damage and casualties quoted above was caused by a medium-sized raid which is described in the Bomber Command Operations Record Book as 'a scattered attack'.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
1943-August-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Daniel De Molitor 2024-10-08 1943-August-10 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Michael Thomas Ludlow 2024-10-08 1943-August-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alexander Stewart Maclaren 2024-10-08 1943-August-10 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Leslie Scott 2024-10-08 1943-August-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Douglas Raymond See 2024-10-08 1943-August-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Clarence Reginald Smyth 2024-10-08 1943-August-10 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Charles Austin Wright 2024-10-08 Halifax JD258, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD258
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 258
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Ellis Dean 2024-10-09 1943-June-25 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer William Archibald Donnelly 2024-10-26 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Reginald John Leake Fowler 2021-09-20 1943-June-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Clifford Gorton 2021-06-02 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Michael Patrick Kimber 2021-09-23 1943-June-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Peter Stephenson 2021-06-02 1943-June-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Whitfield 2021-06-02 Halifax JD259, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD259
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 259
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-23 KIA RAAF Flight Sergeant Leonard Ernest Cavanagh 2024-01-21 1943-June-23 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Daniel Valentine Elliot 2023-08-26 1943-June-23 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas Ridley Forster 2023-08-26 1943-June-23 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Walter Richard Green 2023-08-26 1943-June-23 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Ronald Albert Charles Maund 2023-08-27 1943-June-23 KIA RAF Sergeant Robert James Sage 2023-08-27 1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Oliver William Todd 2023-08-27 Halifax JD260, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD260
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 260
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD261, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD261
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 261
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD266, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD266
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 266
Merlin XX/22
Units 51/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD268, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD268
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 268
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1666HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD270, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD270
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 270
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-08-31 to 1943-09-01
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
622 aircraft - 33 I Lancasters, I 76 Halifaxes, I 06 Stirlings, 9 Mosquitoes. 47 aircraft·- 2 Halifaxes, 17 Stirlings, IO Lancasters - lost, 7·6 per cent of the force. The Stirling c sualties were 16·0 per cent! Approximately two thirds of the bombers lost were shot down by German fighters operating over or near Berlin. The use of 'fighter flares', dropped by German aircraft to 'mark' the bomber routes into and away from tho target, was noted for the first time in Bomber Command records.This raid was not successful. There was some cloud in the target area; this, together with difficulties with H2S equipment and probably the ferocity of the German defences, all combined to cause the Pathfinder markers to be dropped well south of the centre of the target area and the Main Force bombing to be even further away. The main bombing area eventually extended 30 miles back along the bombers' approach route. 85 dwelling-houses were destroyed in Berlin but the only industrial buildings hit were classed as damaged - 4 severely and 3 lightly. The only important public buildings hit were the headquarters of the Berlin inland canal and harbour system, the state police hospital and some market halls. 66 civilians and 2 soldiers were killed, 109 people were injured and 2,784 bombed out.
After this raid, Gauleiter Goebbels ordered the evacuation from Berlin of all children and all adults not engaged in war work to country areas or to towns in Eastern Germany where air raids were not expected.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Ernest Percy Birtch 2024-11-12 1943-September-01 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Edwin Boos 2024-08-01 1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William Donald Leslie Cameron 2025-01-20 1943-September-01 PoW RAFVR Flight Sergeant Leslie Howard Duggan 2024-08-01 1943-September-01 KIA RAF Sergeant John Thomas Mullany 2025-01-20 1943-September-01 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Beverley Wayne Scharf 2025-01-20 1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Victor Joseph August "Windy" Wintzer 2025-01-20 Halifax JD271, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD271
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 271
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429/428
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD273, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD273
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 273
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD274, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD274
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 274
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429/428/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD275, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD275
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 275
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Joseph Crawford 2024-09-29 1943-November-18 PoW RAF Sergeant Oswald John Davis 2024-10-01 1943-November-18 PoW RCAF Flying Officer James Bruce Findlay 2024-09-29 1943-November-18 PoW Died RCAF Sergeant Francis Kempton Morris 2024-09-29 1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Stanley Smith 2024-09-29 1943-November-18 PoW RCAF Sergeant Robert (Bob) G Stewart 2024-09-29 1943-November-18 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Charles Merrill Weicker 2024-09-29 Halifax JD276, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD276
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 276
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD278, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD278
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 278
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429/428/1662 Heavy Conversion Unit/1656HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD297, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD297
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 297
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD301, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD301
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 301
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD310, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD310
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 310
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD314, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD314
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 314
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD316, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD316
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 316
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD317, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD317
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 317
Merlin XX/22
Unit 408/429/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD318, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD318
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 318
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-December-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur Gordon Innes 2021-08-11 1943-December-29 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Robert Ormond Marrion 2023-09-10 1943-December-29 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Allen Leonard Merkley 2023-07-23 1943-December-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Charles Willcox Peasland 2021-08-16 1943-December-29 KIA RCAF Sergeant Richard James Hartland Walsh 2022-06-19 Halifax JD321, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD321
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 321
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD322, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD322
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 322
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-06 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Alan Astin 2024-10-10 1943-September-06 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Allen Cooper 2024-04-11 1943-September-06 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Denis Murray D'Eath 2024-10-10 1943-September-06 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Eric Hubert Dee 2024-10-10 1943-September-06 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Peter Heinig 2024-10-10 1943-September-06 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Thomas Harden Kearnes 2024-10-10 1943-September-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Coran Lyman McPherson 2024-10-10 Halifax JD323, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD323
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 323
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD325, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD325
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 325
Merlin XX/22
Units 419/429
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Willys Roland Bloch 2024-11-13 1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Earl Allen Burton 2024-11-25 1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Allan Hogg 2025-01-26 1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Peter Thompson McCallum 2025-01-26 1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Sergeant Donald James Metz 2025-01-26 Halifax JD326, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD326
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 326
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Malcolm Owen Morley Bell 2024-11-11 1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Charles Ward Blagborne 2024-11-12 1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George James Byers 2024-11-27 1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Sergeant Edward James Helm 2025-01-23 1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Douglas Arthur Naismith 2025-01-23 Halifax JD327, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD327
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 327
Merlin XX/22
Units408/429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD328, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD328
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 328
Merlin XX/22
Unit 419
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD331, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD331
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 331
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-08-31 to 1943-09-01
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
622 aircraft - 33 I Lancasters, I 76 Halifaxes, I 06 Stirlings, 9 Mosquitoes. 47 aircraft·- 2 Halifaxes, 17 Stirlings, IO Lancasters - lost, 7·6 per cent of the force. The Stirling c sualties were 16·0 per cent! Approximately two thirds of the bombers lost were shot down by German fighters operating over or near Berlin. The use of 'fighter flares', dropped by German aircraft to 'mark' the bomber routes into and away from tho target, was noted for the first time in Bomber Command records.This raid was not successful. There was some cloud in the target area; this, together with difficulties with H2S equipment and probably the ferocity of the German defences, all combined to cause the Pathfinder markers to be dropped well south of the centre of the target area and the Main Force bombing to be even further away. The main bombing area eventually extended 30 miles back along the bombers' approach route. 85 dwelling-houses were destroyed in Berlin but the only industrial buildings hit were classed as damaged - 4 severely and 3 lightly. The only important public buildings hit were the headquarters of the Berlin inland canal and harbour system, the state police hospital and some market halls. 66 civilians and 2 soldiers were killed, 109 people were injured and 2,784 bombed out.
After this raid, Gauleiter Goebbels ordered the evacuation from Berlin of all children and all adults not engaged in war work to country areas or to towns in Eastern Germany where air raids were not expected.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. Halifax BII aircraft JD 331 VR-K was over the Hanover area of Germany en-route to Berlin, Germany, when a JU-88 night fighter came up from below and raked the Halifax from nose to tail with cannon fire. After a second attack the entire Halifax was on fire, with the bombload still aboard. The bail-out signal was given and the four surviving crew abandoned the aircraft.
1943-September-01 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant David James Corcoran 2024-08-12 1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Hans D'Aperng 2024-08-12 1943-September-01 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Walter Eugene Greensides 2024-08-12 1943-September-01 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Albert Charles Harris 2024-08-12 1943-September-01 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Darrell Emmerson Larlee 2024-08-12 1943-September-01 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Alexander Gerald MacKenzie 2024-08-12 1943-September-01 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Dennis William Sweet 2024-08-12 Halifax JD332, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD332
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 332
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1943-10-22 to 1943-10-22
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Leeming
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR RETURNED AIRCREW
Loss of bomber aircraft
NUMBER. 1483501RANK. F/SgtNAME. Johnston J. F.SQUADRON. 429AIRCRAFT. JD-332 AL-UTYPE OF AIRCRAFT. Halifax IIDATE OF LOSS. 22/23.10.43TARGET. KasselHOW MANY OPS. 20DUTY. Bomb aimerDATE OF INTERROGATION. 31.5.45INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM. POW report
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS FROM TAKEOFF TO LANDING.
We had a very quite trip until the target was reached. Visibility was good and there was no moon. Going in on the run up, our starboard inner was hit but it did not effect the aircrafts performance. We bombed at approximately 2155 hours and set course for home. The flak was light but there were large numbers of fighter flares and fighters about. An ME-110 came in to the attack from the port quarter underneath. The rear gunner opened up and hits were observed. The fighter broke off the attack without firing but came in some minutes later from the starboard quarter underneath. We corkscrewed into him but he opened up and scored hits all along the aircraft. The cowling was shot from the starboard inner. The aircraft went into almost a vertical dive and I believed the elevator controls were damaged. The intercom and signalling lights were unserviceable, so by hand signals and signs we baled out. Action had to be taken immediately because the aircraft was going down very fast and rolling over to port. I do not remember anything until I hit the ground. I cannot remember the time of take off. The engineer informed me afterwards that the pilot was slumped in his seat and the stick was held back. He also informed me that the instrument panel was hit.
1943-October-23 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Kassel. 2019-08-20
1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Floyd Raymond Christenson 2024-02-26 1943-October-22 PoW RAF Sergeant Edward George Cotterill 2024-04-30 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Elfod Gwynne 2024-02-26 1943-October-22 PoW RAF Flight Sergeant James Faulkner Johnston 2024-02-28 1943-October-22 PoW RAF Sergeant Norman Percival Mallen 2024-02-26 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Robin Opal Patrick Joseph McCart 2024-02-29 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Kenneth Perram Mills 2024-02-26 Halifax JD333, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD333
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 333
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD361, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD361
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 361
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-December-04 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Howard MacNair Brown 2024-11-21 1943-December-04 PoW RCAF Sergeant Dennison Bruno 2024-11-23 1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Donald Grant Hamilton 2024-04-21 1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Edward Hampton 2021-10-10 1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Fayette Williams Brown George Hingston 2024-04-21 1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Sergeant George Robert Hooper 2024-04-21 1943-December-04 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant John Campbell Lochhead 2021-10-10 1943-December-04 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Richard Williams 2021-10-10 Halifax JD363, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD363
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 363
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Alexander Edward Beyak 2024-10-14 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Athanazie Chorneyko 2024-10-14 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Albert Henry Denton 2024-10-14 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Roger Moise Fournier 2024-10-14 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Graham Wilson Howard 2025-01-18 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant George Charles King 2024-10-14 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Charles Chester Smith 2024-10-14 Halifax JD365, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD365
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 365
Merlin XX/22
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD367, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD367
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 367
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD368, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD368
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 368
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD369, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD369
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 369
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD371, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD371
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 371
Merlin XX/22
Units 77/429/77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD372, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD372
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 372
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429/419/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-24 KIFA RCAF Flt. Sergeant Donald Franklin Dittmer 2024-10-21 1944-July-24 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Frank Harold Green 2024-10-21 1944-July-24 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer George Alexander Lewthwaite 2024-10-21 1944-July-24 KIFA RCAF Sergeant John Murray Ludlow 2024-10-21 1944-July-24 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Archibald Douglas Moffat 2024-10-21 1944-July-24 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Albert Chalmers Reynolds 2024-10-21 Halifax JD374, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD374
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 374
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-December-04 PoW RCAF Sergeant Karl Henry Buchholz 2024-11-23 1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Louis Etienne Cabana 2024-06-27 1943-December-04 PoW RCAF Sergeant Robert Huntley McDonald Grant 2024-06-27 1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Stuart Ross Kelso 2024-06-27 1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frank Peter Morro 2024-06-27 1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harvey Maurice Schade 2024-06-27 1943-December-04 PoW RAF Flight Sergeant Charles Henry Schofield 2024-06-27 Halifax JD378, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD378
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 378
Merlin XX/22
Units 77/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD380, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD380
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 380
Merlin XX/22
Units Bombing Development Unit/1658 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-September-13 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur George Mathews 2021-08-16 1944-September-13 KIFA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Robert Donald McLeod 2021-08-17 1944-September-13 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon Harvey Noble 2021-08-17 1944-September-13 KIFA RCAF Sergeant George Sidney Perry 2024-01-10 1944-September-13 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Victor Sobeski 2021-07-25 Halifax JD381, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD381
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 381
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD382, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD382
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 382
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Kassel Germany 1943-10-22 to 1943-10-22
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
569 aircraft - 322 Lancasters, 247 Halifaxes. The German controller was again successful in assessing the target and 43 aircraft- 25 Halifaxes, 18 Lancasters - were lost, 7·6 per cent of the force.
The initial 'blind' H2S marking overshot the target but 8 out of the 9 'visual' markers correctly identified the centre of Kassel and placed their markers accurately. Although German decoy markers may have drawn off part of the bomber force, the main raid was exceptionally accurate and concentrated. The result was the most devastating attack on a German city since the firestorm raid on Hamburg in July and the results at Kassel would not be exceeded again until well into 1944. The fires were so concentrated that there was a firestorm, although not as extensive as the Hamburg one.
It is impossible to list all the damage. 4,349 separate dwelling blocks containing 26,782 family living units (flats/apartments) were destroyed and 6,743 more blocks with 26,463 'units' were damaged. 63 per cent of all Kassel's living accommodation became unusable and 100,000-120,000 people had to leave their homes. The fire · services dealt with 3,600 separate fires. The intensity of the destruction is illustrated by the fact that more buildings were completely destroyed than those classed as 'lightly damaged' and there were more 'large' fires (1,600}than small ones (1,000); in most raids the lightly damaged buildings and small fires outnumbered serious incidents several times over. In addition to dwelling-houses, the following properties were destroyed or badly damaged: 155 industrial buildings, 78 public buildings, 38 schools, 25 churches, 16 police and military buildings (including the local Gestapo), 11 hospitals. The Kassel records do not provide any further detail about the industrial damage caused but R.A.F. photographic reconnaissance showed that the Kassel railway system and its installations were severely hit and all 3 Henschel aircraft factories seriously damaged; as these were making V-1 flying bombs at the time, this was a most useful result of the raid and had a major effect upon the eventual opening and scale of the V-1 campaign, comparable to the recent raid on Peenemimde which set back the V-2 rocket programme. The Kassel records give the number of dead recovered up to the end of November as 5,599, of which 1,817 bodies were unidentifiable and the records go on to add that the 'Missing Department' (the Vermisstensuchstelle) was still trying to trace 3,300 people. 459 survivors, however, had been recovered from ruined houses 'after many days of heavy work'. 3,587 people were injured - 800 seriously - and a further 8,084 people were treated for smoke and heat injury to their eyes.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moose Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. Halifax BII aircraft JD 382 VR-A was caught in the searchlights over the target and attacked by three enemy night fighter aircraft during a raid against Kassel, Germany. The Halifax was shot down, abandoned and crashed at Lauenforde, Germany
Squadron Leader GA McMurdy (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 FJ Yackison (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 AB Willson (RCAF), FS FW Peterkin (RCAF)(USA), and Sergeant T Rawlings (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Flight Lieutenant RK Shields (RCAF), Flying Officer WC Coleman (RCAF), and Sergeant RJ Woods (RAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
1943-October-23 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Kassel, shot down by a night fighter. 5 were killed and 3 POW. 2019-08-20
1943-October-22 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Carleton Coleman 2024-11-01 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Wing Commander Gordon Archibald McMurdy 2022-11-28 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Francis Weatherford Peterkin 2022-11-28 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas Rawlings 2022-11-28 1943-October-22 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant (Acting) Robert Kearney Shields 2022-11-28 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Arthur Bruce Willson 2022-11-28 1943-October-22 PoW RAF Sergeant Richard John Woods 2022-11-28 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Frank Joseph Yackison 2022-11-28 Halifax JD384, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD384
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 384
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD386, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD386
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 386
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429/428/429/428/1666 heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-29 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer John Burgess Eaton 2021-04-21 1944-February-29 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Joseph Michael Healey 2021-04-21 1944-February-29 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer George Lindley Muskett 2021-04-21 1944-February-29 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Johann Sigurdson 2024-06-26 1944-February-29 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Francis Elvin Wilt 2021-06-11 1944-February-29 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Peter Zayets 2021-04-21 Halifax JD405, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD405
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 405
Merlin XX/22
unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD406, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD406
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 406
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD408, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD408
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 408
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD410, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD410
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 410
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Mannheim & Ludwigshaven Germany 1943-09-05 to 1943-09-06
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
605 aircraft - 299 Lancasters, 195 Halifaxes, r I I Stirlings. 34 aircraft - I 3 Halifaxes, 13 Lancasters, 8 Stirlings - lost, y6 per cent of the force.
The target area for this double attack was clear of cloud and the Pathfinder marking plan worked perfectly. Ground-markers were placed on the eastern side of Mannheim so that the bombing of the Main Force - approaching from the west - could move back across Mannheim and then into Ludwigshafen on the western bank of the Rhine. The creepback did not become excessive and severe destruction was caused in both targets.
Mannheim's normally detailed air-raid report does not give any specific details of property damage or casualties. It is probable that the raid was so severe that the normal report gathering and recording process broke down. The Mannheim records speak only of 'a catastrophe' and give general comments on the activities of the air-raid services and the behaviour of the population which are both described as 'vor- bildlich' (exemplary).
More detail is available from Ludwigshafen where the central and southern parts of the town were devastated. The fire department recorded 1,993 separate fires including 3 classed as 'fire areas' and 986 as large fires; 139 of the fires were in industrial premises. 1,080 houses, 6 military and 4 industrial buildings were destroyed and 8 more industrial buildings were seriously damaged, including the LG. Farben works. 127 people were killed and 568 were injured; 10 of the dead were Flak troops. A further 1,605 people are described as suffering from eye injuries. The relatively small number of deaths may be an indication that many of the German cities were evacuating parts of their population after the recent firestorm disaster at Hamburg and other heavy raids.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George, Halifax aircraft JD 410 VR-V missing during an attack against Mannheim, Germany, believed shot down by flak and broken up in mid-air over target
Flying Officer RW Burke (RCAF)(USA), Pilot Officer FB Allan (RAAF), Sergeant H Hudson (RAF), Sergeant JHC Kilpatrick (RAF), Sergeant H Nuttall (RAF), and Sergeant AR Slaney (RAF) were killed. Flying Officer JR Harris (RCAF) was taken Prisoner of War
1943-September-06 KIA RAAF Pilot Officer Allan,Francis Barker Allan 2024-11-02 1943-September-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Weaver Burke 2024-11-24 1943-September-06 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Richard Harris 2022-11-28 1943-September-06 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Herbert John Hudson 2023-10-10 1943-September-06 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Henry Clark Kilpatrick 2023-10-10 1943-September-06 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Harry Nuttall 2023-10-10 1943-September-06 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Arthur Ronald Slaney 2023-10-10 Halifax JD411, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD411
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 411
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/429
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Harold James Langford Copping 2024-04-14 1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Allan Thomas Gardiner 2021-08-07 1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Victor Yelverton Haines 2021-11-07 1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Stanley Richard Moncrieff 2021-08-16 1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer David Gilbert Scott 2021-08-04 Halifax JD412, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD412
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 412
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD419, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD419
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 419
Merlin XX/22
Units 408/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD420, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD420
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 420
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Magdeburg Germany 1944-01-21 to 1944-01-21
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St.George
Battle of Berlin
648 aircraft- 42 I Lancasters, 224 Halifaxes, 3 Mosquitoes - on the first major raid to this target. The German controller again followed the progress of the bomber stream across the North Sea and many night fighters were in the stream before it crossed the German coast. The controller was very slow to identify Magdeburg as the target but this did not matter too much because most of the night fighters were able to stay in the bomber stream, a good example of the way the Tame Boar tactics were developing. 57 aircraft - 35 Halifaxes, 22 Lancasters - were lost, 8·8 per cent of the force; it is probable that three quarters of the losses were caused by German night fighters. The Halifax loss rate was 15·6 per cent.
·The heavy bomber casualties were not rewarded with a successful attack. Some of the Main Force aircraft now had H2S and winds which were stronger than forecast brought some of these into the target area before the Pathfinders' Zero Hour. The crews of 27 Main Force aircraft were anxious to bomb and did so before Zero Hour. The Pathfinders blamed the fires started by this early bombing, together with some very effective German decoy markers, for their failure to concentrate the marking. No details are available from Magdeburg but it is believed that most of the bombing fell outside the city. An R.A.F. man who was in hospital at Magdeburg at the time reports only, 'bangs far away'.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron Noosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. The crew of Halifax aircraft JD 420 VR-D had successfully bombed the target at Magdeburg, Germany and were homeward bound when they were hit by heavy flak as they approached the Bremen area, crashing at Neuenfelde, Elsfleth, Niedersachsen, Germany
FS WJK Fletcher (RCAF) was killed in action and the rest of the crew abandoned the aircraft, as it was losing altitude and barely under control
Warrant Officer Class 2 DR McDevitt (RCAF), Flying Officer FE Houison (RCAF), FS VL Hawkes (RCAF), Sergeant AM Bowman (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 WH Barnes (RCAF) and Sergeant DM Board (RAFVR) survived and were all taken as Prisoners of War
There were two 419 Squadron Halifax II aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Tobin, WB for information on Halifax JD 466 VR-E
1944-January-22 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Magdeburg, hit by flak, crew baled out. 1 killed & 6 POW. 2019-08-20
1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Wilfred Henry Barnes 2024-11-09 1944-January-21 PoW RAFVR Flight Sergeant Donald Maurice Board 2023-10-19 1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Sergeant Allan Murray Bowman 2024-11-16 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William Johnson Kennedy Fletcher 2024-12-21 1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Vernon Lorraine Hawkes 2024-12-21 1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Frank Elmer Houison 2024-12-21 1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Raymond McDevitt 2024-12-21 Halifax JD454, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD454
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 454
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD455, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD455
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 455
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD456, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD456
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 456
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-02-15 to 1944-02-15
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
After a rest of more than 2 weeks for the regular bomber squadrons, 891 aircraft - 561 Lancasters, 314 Halifaxes, 16 Mosquitoes -were dispatched. This was the largest force sent to Berlin and the largest non-1,000 bomber force sent to any target, exceeding the previous record of 826 aircraft (which included Stirlings and Wellings tons) sent to Dortmund on the night of 23/24 May 1943. It was also the first time that more than 500 Lancasters and more than 300 Halifaxes were dispatched. The quantity of bombs dropped, 2,642 tons, was also a record.
The German controllers were able to plot the bomber stream soon after it left the English coast but the swing north over Denmark for the approach flight proved too far distant for many of the German fighters. The German controller ordered the fighters not to fly over Berlin, leaving the target area free for the Flak, but mapy fighters ignored him and attacked bombers over the city. The diversion to Frankfurt¬on-Oder failed to draw any fighters: 43 aircraft - 26 Lancasters, 17 Halifaxes - were lost, 4·8 per cent of the force.
Berlin was covered by cloud for most of the raid. Heavy bombing fell on the centre and south-western districts but many places out in the country again re-corded bombs, with 59 people being killed there. Damage in Berlin was extensive with 599 large and 572 medium fires and nearly 1,000 houses and 526 temporary wooden barracks, of which there were now a large number in Berlin, destroyed. Some of Berlin's most important war industries were hit, including the large Sie-mensstadt area. 320 people were killed - 196 civilians, 34 service personnel, 9 air-raid workers, 80 foreign workers and 1 prisoner of war. The diminishing proportion of civilian casualties reflects the large-scale evacuation which had now taken place but a further 260 civilians were recorded as being 'buried alive' and it is not known how many of these survived,
This was really the end of the true 'Battle of Berlin'; only one more raid took place on the city in this period and that was not for more than a month.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Halifax aircraft JD 456 was shot down in the Baltic Sea off Denmark during a trip to Berlin, Germany. P/Os J.A. Parker, J.L. Donald, M.A. Fournier, Sergeant H.T. Raine, and two RAF members of the crew, FS. R.N. Ross and Sgt. D.A. Hopper.were also killed. This was the 10th operation for the entire crew and theirs was one of 42 allied aircraft lost on this night. Detail from 419 Squadron History.
1944-February-16 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Berlin. All were killed. 2019-08-20
1944-February-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Leo Donald 2024-10-26 1944-February-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Marc Alexander Gerard Fournier 2023-08-30 1944-February-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Hartnett 2022-12-07 1944-February-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Allen Parker 2022-12-07 1944-February-15 KIA RCAF Sergeant Harold Thomas Raine 2023-08-30 Halifax JD457, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD457
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 457
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD458, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD458
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 458
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Peenemunde Germany 1943-08-17 to 1943-08-18
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
596 aircraft - 324 Lancasters, 218 Halifaxes, 54 Stirlings. This was the first raid in which 6 (Canadian) Group operated Lancaster aircraft. 426 Squadron dispatched 9 Mark II Lancasters, losing 2 aircraft including that of the squadron commander, Wing Commander L. Crooks, D.S.O., D.F.C., an Englishman, who was killed
This was a special raid which Bomber Command was ordered to carry out against the German research establishment on the Baltic coast where V-2 rockets were being built and tested. The raid was carried out in moonlight to increase the chances of success. There were several novel features. It was the only occasion in the second half of the war when the whole of Bomber Command attempted a precision raid by night on such a small target. For the first time, there was a Master Bomber controlling a full-scale Bomber Command raid; Group Captain J, I·I. Searby, of 83 Squadron, 8 Group, carried out this task. There were three aiming points ~, the scientists and workers living quarters, the rocket factory and the experimental station and the Pathfinders employed a special plan with crews designated as 'shifters', who attempted to move the marking from one part of the target to another as the raid progressed. Crews of 5 Group, bombing in the last wave of the attack, had progressed the 'time and distance' bombing method as an alternative for their part of the raid.
The Pathfinders found Peenumunde without difficulty in the moonlight and the Master Bomber controlled the raid successfully throughout. A Mosquito diversion to Berlin drew off most of the German night-fighters for the first 2 of the raid's 3 phases. Unfortunately, the initial marking and bombing fell on a labour camp for forced workers which was situated rt miles south of the first aiming point, but the Master Bomber and the Pathfinders quickly brought the bombing back to the main targets, which were all bombed successfully. 560 aircraft dropped nearly ,800 tons of bombs; 85 per cent of this tonnage was high-explosive. The estimate has appeared in many sources that this raid set back the V-2 experimental programme by at least 2 months and reduced the scale of the eventual rocket attack. Approximately 180 Germans were killed at Peenemiinde, nearly all in the workers' housing estate, and 500,600 foreigners, mostly Polish, were killed in the workers' camp, where there were only flimsy wooden barracks and no proper air-raid shelters..
Bomber Command's losses were 40 aircraft- 23 Lancasters, 15 Halifaxes and 2 Stirlings. This represents 6·7 per cent of the force dispatched but was judged an acceptable cost for the successful attack on this important target on a moonlit night. Most of the casualties were suffered by the aircraft of the last wave when the German night fighters arrived in force; the groups involved in this were 5 Group, which lost 17 of its 109 aircraft on the raid (14·5 per cent) and the Canadian 6 Group which lost 12 out of 57 aircraft (19·7 per cent). This was the first night on which the Germans used their new schrage Musik weapons; these were twin upward-firing cannons fitted in the cockpit of Me 110s. Two schrage Musik aircraft found the bomber stream flying home from Peenemtinde and are believed to have shot down 6 of the bombers lost on the raid
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. The crew of Halifax BII aircraft JD 163 VR-N were returning from a raid against Peenemunde, Germany when they were forced to ditch in the North Sea twenty-four miles off the coast from Happisburgh, Norfolk, England. A full scale air/sea search found no trace of crew or aircraft
1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Herbert Charles Baker 2024-11-05 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Frederick Peter Davis 2024-10-31 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Kevin Gilvary 2022-11-20 1943-August-18 KIA RAAF Flight Sergeant Stanley Thomas Pekin 2022-11-20 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Henry Price 2022-11-20 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Ernest Charles Ramm 2024-05-01 1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Peter John Sparkes 2022-11-20 Halifax JD459, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD459
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 459
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD460, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD460
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 460
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD461, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD461
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 461
Merlin XX/22
Units 77/51/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD463, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD463
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 463
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Frankfurt Germany 1943-10-04 to 1943-10-04
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
406 aircraft- 162 Lancasters, 170 Halifaxes, 70 Stirlings, 4 Mosquitoes. 3 B-17s also took part. 10 aircraft - 5 Halifaxes, 3 Lancasters, 2 Stirlings - lost, 2.5 per cent of the force. 1 B-17 was also lost. This was the last R.A.F. night-bombing raid in which American aircraft took part, but individual B-17s occasionally carried out bombing flights in following weeks.
Clear weather and good Pathfinder marking produced the first serious blow on Frankfurt so far in the war, with extensive destruction being caused in the eastern half of the city and in the inland docks on the River Main; both of these areas are described in the Frankfurt report as having been a 'sea of flames'. Many city-centre¬type buildings are also mentioned as being hit; the new Rathaus had its roof burnt out. No overall figures are given for casualties, the only mention being a tragedy at an orphanage housed in the former Jewish hospital, where a bomb scored a direct hit on the basement shelter killing 90 children, 14 nuns and other members of the staff. In the following days, the main railway station was packed with people trying to leave Frankfurt.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Target - Frankfurt, Germany. Halifax aircraft JD 463 was returning from the target and was near Namur, Belgium when it was shot up and badly damaged by an enemy fighter aircraft. Sergeants G.H. Beach (RAF), W.J. Boyce (RAF), G.E. Chapman (RAF), C.R. Winterbottom (RAF), and Flying Officer A.R. Fare (RAF) were also killed. Sergeant Renner bailed out and evaded capture until rescued by the Allies as they advanced through Belgium.
1943-October-05 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Frankfurt. 6 crew were killed and 1 evaded capture. 2019-08-20
Halifax JD464, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD464
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 464
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-08-31 to 1943-08-31
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
622 aircraft - 33 I Lancasters, I 76 Halifaxes, I 06 Stirlings, 9 Mosquitoes. 47 aircraft·- 2 Halifaxes, 17 Stirlings, IO Lancasters - lost, 7·6 per cent of the force. The Stirling c sualties were 16·0 per cent! Approximately two thirds of the bombers lost were shot down by German fighters operating over or near Berlin. The use of 'fighter flares', dropped by German aircraft to 'mark' the bomber routes into and away from tho target, was noted for the first time in Bomber Command records.This raid was not successful. There was some cloud in the target area; this, together with difficulties with H2S equipment and probably the ferocity of the German defences, all combined to cause the Pathfinder markers to be dropped well south of the centre of the target area and the Main Force bombing to be even further away. The main bombing area eventually extended 30 miles back along the bombers' approach route. 85 dwelling-houses were destroyed in Berlin but the only industrial buildings hit were classed as damaged - 4 severely and 3 lightly. The only important public buildings hit were the headquarters of the Berlin inland canal and harbour system, the state police hospital and some market halls. 66 civilians and 2 soldiers were killed, 109 people were injured and 2,784 bombed out.
After this raid, Gauleiter Goebbels ordered the evacuation from Berlin of all children and all adults not engaged in war work to country areas or to towns in Eastern Germany where air raids were not expected.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Served with No. 419 Squadron, RCAF, coded "VR*N". May have been coded "VR*T" when lost. Failed to return from attack on Berlin on 31 August / 1 September 1943, shot down by a night fighter. 3 were killed and 4 POW. Sgt. A. Embly and Flight Sergeant D.H.A. Garland (tail gunner) jumped together, sharing Emblys parachute, after Garland was wounded and his parachute destroyed. Garland slipped from Embly during the descent and was never seen again. Embly was taken POW after landing in Black Forest near Weisenburg.
1943-August-31 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Vincent Alton Francis Cleveland 2024-03-04 1943-August-31 PoW RAF Sergeant Albert Embley 2022-11-24 1943-August-31 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Douglas Haig Armour "Doug" Garland 2022-11-24 1943-August-31 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Saul Erwin James 2022-11-24 1943-August-31 PoW RCAF Sergeant Leonard Northcliffe 2022-11-24 1943-August-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Stewart 2022-11-24 1943-August-31 PoW RAF Sergeant Henry Robert Tenny 2022-11-24 Halifax JD465, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD465
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 465
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD466, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD466
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 466
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Magdeburg Germany 1944-01-21 to 1944-01-21
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
648 aircraft- 42 I Lancasters, 224 Halifaxes, 3 Mosquitoes - on the first major raid to this target. The German controller again followed the progress of the bomber stream across the North Sea and many night fighters were in the stream before it crossed the German coast. The controller was very slow to identify Magdeburg as the target but this did not matter too much because most of the night fighters were able to stay in the bomber stream, a good example of the way the Tame Boar tactics were developing. 57 aircraft - 35 Halifaxes, 22 Lancasters - were lost, 8·8 per cent of the force; it is probable that three quarters of the losses were caused by German night fighters. The Halifax loss rate was 15·6 per cent.
·The heavy bomber casualties were not rewarded with a successful attack. Some of the Main Force aircraft now had H2S and winds which were stronger than forecast brought some of these into the target area before the Pathfinders' Zero Hour. The crews of 27 Main Force aircraft were anxious to bomb and did so before Zero Hour. The Pathfinders blamed the fires started by this early bombing, together with some very effective German decoy markers, for their failure to concentrate the marking. No details are available from Magdeburg but it is believed that most of the bombing fell outside the city. An R.A.F. man who was in hospital at Magdeburg at the time reports only, 'bangs far away'.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. Halifax BII aircraft JD 466 VR-E was hit by flak from the schwere Flak-Abteilung 539 and crashed at 1 km northwest of Borne, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany during a raid against Magdeburg, Germany
There were no survivors among this crew
Warrant Officer Class 2 TB Tobin (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant AG Hermitage (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 RH Walton (RCAF), Pilot Officer JB Chess (RCAF), Sergeant JA Wilson (RCAF), Sergeant RW Edwards (RCAF), and Sergeant R Shields (RAFVR) were all killed in action
This aircrew were initially buried in Borne, Germany, near the crash site, but later exhumed and all were re-buried in the 1939-1945 Berlin War Cemetery
There were two 419 Squadron Halifax II aircraft lost on this operation. See Fletcher, WJ for information on Halifax JD 420 VR-D
1944-January-22 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Magdeburg. All were killed. 2019-08-20
1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Barry Chess 2024-04-04 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Sergeant Robert William Edwards 2024-04-13 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Arthur George Hermitage 2024-04-21 1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Shields 2022-12-07 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Benedict Tobin 2024-05-03 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Roy Harold Walton 2024-05-03 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Sergeant James Archibald Wilson 2024-06-27 Halifax JD468, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD468
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 468
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD472, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD472
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 472
Merlin XX/22
Units 77/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JD474, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JD474
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
JD 474
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-December-20 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Sidney Albert Berry 2024-11-12 1943-December-20 PoW RAF Sergeant Wifred Thomas William Boughton 2025-01-17 1943-December-20 PoW RAF Sergeant John Charles Sidney Broad 2024-11-18 1943-December-20 PoW RAF Sergeant George Edward Gray 2025-01-17 1943-December-20 KIA RAF Flight Sergeant David Gwynne Morris 2025-01-17 1943-December-20 KIA RCAF Sergeant Edwin Smith 2025-01-17 1943-December-20 PoW RCAF Sergeant Aliston Leslie Staples 2025-01-17 Halifax JN886, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN886
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 886
Merlin XX/22
Units 158/1666 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JN888, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN888
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 888
Merlin XX/22
Halifax JN896, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN896
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 896
Merlin XX/22
Halifax JN901, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN901
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 901
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
1943-September-22 PoW RAFVR Flight Sergeant Charles Francis Dowlman 2024-10-28 1943-September-22 PoW RAF Sergeant Henry John Hawkins 2022-07-17 1943-September-22 PoW RAF Sergeant Stuart Hayes 2022-07-17 1943-September-22 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Thomas Allan Thomson 2022-07-17 1943-September-22 PoW RAF Sergeant Frederick George Ward 2022-07-17 1943-September-22 PoW RAF Sergeant Frank George Wells 2022-07-17 1944-March-31 PoW KIA RNZAF Flying Officer Porokoru Papatu John Pohe MiD 2022-07-17 Halifax JN903, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN903
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 903
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Halifax JN905, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN905
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 905
Merlin XX/22
Halifax JN909, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN909
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 909
Merlin XX/22
Halifax JN910, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN910
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 910
Merlin XX/22
Halifax JN920, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN920
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 920
Merlin XX/22
Halifax JN947, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN947
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 947
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Halifax JN948, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN948
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 948
Merlin XX/22
Halifax JN952, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN952
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 952
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Jack Frederick Blair 2025-01-23 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Michael Francis Headly 2025-01-23 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Orvin Kenneth Nelson 2025-01-23 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Sergeant Ross Harvey Stanley 2025-01-23 1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Earl Thomas Watt 2025-01-23 Halifax JN953, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN953
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 953
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JN954, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN954
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 954
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Montzen Belgium 1944-04-27 to 1944-04-28
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St.George
144 aircraft- 120 Halifaxes, 16 Lancasters, 8 Mosquitoes - of 4, 6 and 8 Groups. The bombing force, particularly the second of the 2 waves, was intercepted by German lighters and 14 Halifaxes and 1 Lancaster were shot down. Only one part of the railway yards was hit by the bombing.
The only Lancaster lost was that of Squadron Leader E. M. Blenkinsopp, a Canadian pilot of 405 Squadron who was acting as Deputy Master Bomber. Blenklnsopp managed to team up with a Belgian Resistance group and remained with them until captured by the Germans in December 1944. He was taken to Hamburg to work as a forced labourer and later died in Belsen concentration camp of "heart failure". He has no known grave.
419 Moose Sqn (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. Halifax II aircraft JN 954 VR-R shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Hans-Heinz Augenstein of the 12/NJG 1, who was flying a Bf 110 G-4 from St Trond (Sint-Truiden) airfield in Belgium
The Halifax crashed at Heer in the SE suburbs of Maastricht, Limburg, Holland on an operation to bomb the railyards at Montzen, Belgium
Pilot Officer KD Tucker (RCAF), Pilot Officer SH Goulding (RCAF), Pilot Officer ER Dujay (RCAF), Pilot Officer RA McIvor (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 JD Bremner (RCAF), Warrant Officer WT Claridge (RCAF), and Sergeant SJ Rigden (RCAF) were all killed in action
This was the last operation with Halifax aircraft for 419 Squadron
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
27/28.04.1944 No.419 Squadron Halifax II JN954 VR-R Pilot Officer Roderick...
1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Donald Bremner 2024-11-17 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer Class I William Thomas Claridge 2024-02-22 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edmund Ronald Dujay 2024-10-29 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Stanley Herbert Goulding 2023-03-22 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Roderick Austin McIvor 2023-03-22 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Sergeant Stanley James Rigden 2023-03-22 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth David Tucker 2023-03-22 Halifax JN955, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN955
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 955
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JN957, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN957
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 957
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Halifax JN958, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN958
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 958
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Halifax JN959, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN959
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 959
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Halifax JN960, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN960
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 960
Merlin XX/22
Units 1 Overseas aircraft Delivery unit/ 301 Ferry Transfer unit/Mediterranean Air Command
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-April-27 KIA RAFVR Sergeant David Gemmell 2023-12-29 1944-April-27 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant William Houghton 2021-08-11 1944-April-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Joffre Huddart 2021-08-11 1944-April-27 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Eric Furlow Hudson 2021-08-11 1944-April-27 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Andrew John Mitchell 2021-08-11 1944-April-27 KIA RAAF Pilot Officer Sydney Richard Stead 2021-08-11 1944-April-27 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Kenneth Norman Ward 2023-09-21 Halifax JN966, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN966
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 966
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JN967, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN967
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 967
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JN968, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN968
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 968
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JN969, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN969
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 969
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JN970, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN970
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 970
Merlin XX/22
Units 1659 Heavy conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JN971, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN971
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 971
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JN972, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN972
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 972
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Leipzig Germany 1944-02-20 to 1944-02-20
(B) Sqn (RAF) Pocklington
Battle of Berlin
Cummings with his complete original crew of McInerney, Lingley, Rees, Torrance, Giddings and Clarke took off ten minutes before midnight, climbing into a dark sky lit only by the blue exhaust flames of 102 Squadron Halifaxes. It was cloudy and snowing sporadically, but the visibility was generally good with light winds out of the north-northeast. There were 823 aircraft in the bomber stream this night.
Crews reported heavy engagement from night fighters along the route. It was a running fight to and from the target. Five 102 Squadron aircraft returned to base early with various technical problems that prevented them from reaching the target and releasing their bombs"” fuel flow, engine and radio problems and one because it was damaged by flak that had also their injured radio operator. Tail winds were stronger than had been predicted and many bombers arrived early and had to orbit the target awaiting the Pathfinders, further increasing the likelihood of being picked off, either by flak or fighters. In the end, 78 of the bombers were shot down this night, accounting for nearly 550 men. When the last Halifax chirped down on the Pocklington runway at 7:30 am that morning, two of the squadron aircraft were not among them"” "B" for Beer, Flying Officer W. Dean commanding and Ken Cummings' "H" for Harry (JN927).
Halifax JN972 was shot down and had crashed into a moor in the vicinity of Sulingen, Germany, about 40 kilometres south of Bremen. Of the crew of "H" for Harry, only two survived. What had happened wasn't known until Owen McInerney was interviewed following his release from a Prisoner of War camp in May of 1945. In addition to McInerney, the navigator, Les Giddings, the wireless operator survived both the crash and POW camp. The main escape hatch for the Halifax forward compartments was on the floor below the Navigator's seat, so it makes sense McInerney would be out quickly. The Wireless Operator was the next closest. The Pilot was above this level and needed to squeeze down a couple of steps to access the hatch. The Engineer's closest escape was aft through the crew door. Luckily for me as a researcher, McInerney was a Canadian so his post war account of the event was in Cummings' service file.
McInenery reported that the aircraft, hit by a night fighter or possibly flak, was spinning out of control and that Cummings had ordered the aircraft abandoned. He saw the Wireless Operator Lingley drop through the escape hatch, then followed him. Just before he went he looked up and saw that the Bomb Aimer Clarke was ready to follow him from his position in the nose and he saw Cummings coming down the steps as the aircraft began to spin more violently. And that was the last anyone ever saw of Ken Cummings, brother of the first Canadian to die in the war. As aircraft captain he was the last to attempt to get out of his dying aircraft.McInerney's account was to the point and unadorned as it should be for a humble and straight forward airman making a report, but it belies the utter chaos of the moment. Unspoken are the terrors of the engines howling, the claustrophobic and nearly pitch-black compartment lit only by a small task light, the choking smell of cordite, aluminum, smoke and fear, the massive pull of centrifugal force as the giant Halifax spiralled in the black void, the vibration so extreme that focus is impossible, the flying grit and maps, the dry mouth, the fumbling for hatch and parachute harness, the shriek of the icy slipstream through the open hatch, the muffled shouts of men attempting to save their lives.
The next day, a captured McInerney was reunited with Giddings who told him that he saw both gunners Torrance and Reese ready to follow him out of the rear door when he leapt free. They were unable to get out of the spinning aircraft however and they died when the aircraft hit the ground. Though Lingley had made it out, he was also killed "” perhaps his parachute failed to open.
source: from THE FIRST by Dave O'Malley of Vinatge Wings
Killed:Flight Sergeant George Charles Clark RAF KIA Hanover War Cemetery Ref: 12. C. 5.Pilot Officer Kenneth George Cummings RCAF J/19803 pilot KIA Hanover War Cemetery Ref: 12. C. 4.Sergeant Norman Frank Lingley RAF KIA Hanover War Cemetery Ref: Coll. grave 12. C. 6-8.Sergeant Robert Patrick Rees RAF KIA Hanover War Cemetery Ref: Coll. grave 12. C. 6-8.Sergeant John Torrance RAF KIA Hanover War Cemetery Ref: Coll. grave 12. C. 6-8.
POWs:Sergeant Leslie George Kingsley Giddings RAF POW Stalag 357 Kopernikus.Flying Officer Owen Patrick Joseph McInerney RCAF J/22486 POW Stalag Luft L3 Sagan and Belaria.
1944-February-20 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant George Charles Clark 2024-02-24 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth George Cummings 2024-06-28 1944-February-20 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Leslie George Giddings 2023-10-30 1944-February-20 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Norman Frank Lingley 2023-10-30 1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Owen Patrick Joseph McInerney 2023-10-30 1944-February-20 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Patrick Rees 2023-10-30 1944-February-20 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Torrance 2023-10-30 Halifax JN973, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN973
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 973
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Kemp Johnson 2023-01-08 1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon William Lillico 2021-08-13 1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John George Manson 2021-08-14 1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Wilfred Jamieson Olmsted 2021-08-18 1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Mitchell Westlake 2021-08-11 1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Tony Zbytnuik 2021-08-11 Halifax JN974, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JN974
London Passenger Transport Board
JN 974
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP111, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP111
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 111
Merlin XX/22
Units 419/3 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit/ 1 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit/301 Ferry Transfer Unit/614
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP112, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP112
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 112
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP113, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP113
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 113
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP114, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP114
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 114
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP115, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP115
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 115
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP116, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP116
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 116
Merlin XX/22
1659 Heavy conversion Unit/1664 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP119, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP119
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 119
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-01-28 to 1944-01-29
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
677 aircraft - 432 Lancasters, 241 Halifaxes, 4 Mosquitoes. Part of the German fighter force was drawn up by the early diversions and the bomber approach route over Northern Denmark proved too distant for some of the other German fighters. The German controller was, however, able to concentrate his fighters over the target and many aircraft were shot down there. 46 aircraft - 26 Halifaxes, 20 Lancasters - lost, 6·8 per cent of the force.
.The cloud over Berlin was broken and some ground-marking was possible but the Bomber Command claim that this was the most concentrated attack of this period is not quite fully confirmed by German records. The western and southern districts were hit but so too were 77 places outside the. city. The Berlin recording system was now showing an increasing deterioration. No overall figure for property damage was recorded; approximately 180,000 people were bombed out on this night. Although many industrial firms were again hit, the feature of this night is the unusually high proportion of administrative and public buildings appearing in the lists of buildings hit: the new Chancellery, 4 theatres, the 'French' cathedral, 6 hospitals, 5 embassies, the State Patent Office, etc. The report concludes with this entry: 'The casualties are still not known but they are bound to be considerable. It is reported that a vast amount of wreckage must still be cleared; rescue workers are among the mountains of it..
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. Halifax BII aircraft JP 119 VR-O was a attacked by a night fighter, possibly Oberfeldwebel Hans Berschwinger of the 4/NJG 2 before suffering a mid-air collision with 7 Squadron RAF Lancaster aircraft JA 718 during a raid on industrial targets in western and southern Berlin, Germany. Both aircraft crashed in the same area near Zuhlen, Rheinsberg, Brandenburg, Germany
The entire crew of Halifax JP 119 VR-O were lost. Two of seven crew on Lancaster III aircraft JA 718 MG-T were missing, presumed killed in action and three others killed in action. Two crew member from Lancaster JA 718 survived to become Prisoners of War
Pilot Officer F H Palmer (RCAF) and Pilot Officer E Milner (RCAF) on Halifax JP 119 were missing, presumed killed in action. The missing have no known grave and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial
The other crew members of Halifax JP 119: Flying Officer S J Gibson (RCAF), Flying Officer F Forrest (RCAF), Flying Officer G E Lemmerick (RCAF), Pilot Officer R Tarbet (RCAF), Sergeant J H Parrott (RAFVR) and Flight Sergeant F P Reilly (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Forrest 2024-04-13 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Stanwill John Gibson 2024-04-13 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Earl Lemmerick 2024-04-22 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Evan Milner 2023-12-22 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Freeman Henry Palmer 2023-12-22 1944-January-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Harrison Parrott 2024-04-24 1944-January-29 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Francis Patrick Reilly 2024-05-01 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Tarbet 2024-05-03 Halifax JP121, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP121
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 121
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP122, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP122
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 122
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP124, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP124
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 124
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP125, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP125
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 125
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP127, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP127
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 127
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP130, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP130
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 130
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP131, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP131
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 131
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP132, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP132
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 132
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP136, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP136
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 136
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Halifax JP137, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP137
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 137
Merlin XX/22
Units 1 Overseas Aircraft Delivery Unit/ 301 Ferry Transfer Unit/ 3 Overseas Aircraft Delivery unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP162, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP162
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 162
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
SOE 1944-08-04 to 1944-08-05
148 (SD) Sqn (RAF) Campo Casale, Brindisi, Italy
148 Squadron (Trusty) RAF, Campo Casale, Brindisi, Italy. Halifax II aircraft JP 162 FS-S was returning from a successful operation to drop supplies for the Polish Home Army at Miechoiwa near Krakow, Poland when it was attacked and shot down by a ME-110 night fighter flown by Fw Helmut Konter of INJG 100. The Halifax crashed near the village of Wojnarowa, Poland with the loss of three air crew
Sergeant C Aspinall (RAFVR), Flight Lieutenant JG McCall (RAFVR) and Sergeant JFC Rae (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Flying Officer PJ Anderson (RCAF), Sergeant RO Peterson (RCAF), Sergeant WC Underwood (RAFVR) and Sergeant A Jolly (RAFVR) survived and all evaded capture and joined the Partisans until liberated and returned to the UK in March of 1945
Flights of the Forgotten, Special Duties Operations in World War Two by KA Merrick, page 208 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
148 Squadron Halifax II JP162 FS-S Fl/Lt McCall Wojnarowa Poland...
Aircraft-lost-on-Allied-Forces-Special-Duty-Operations.pdf
75 rocznica zesterzelenia samolotu Halifax JP 162 Korzenna - YouTube
1944-August-05 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Phillip James Anderson 2024-11-02 1944-August-05 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Clifford Aspinall 2024-11-03 1944-August-05 Evader RAFVR Sergeant Alan Jolly 2023-06-12 1944-August-05 KIA RAFVR Flight Lieutenant James Girvan McCall 2023-06-12 1944-August-05 Evader RCAF Sergeant Robert Orlando Peterson 2023-06-12 1944-August-05 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Frederick Cairney Rae 2023-06-12 1944-August-05 Evader RAFVR Sergeant Walter Charles Underwood 2023-06-12 Halifax JP164, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP164
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 164
Merlin XX/22
Unit 502
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP168, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP168
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 168
Merlin XX/22
Unit 502
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP181, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP181
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 181
Merlin XX/22
Units 1 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit/301 Ferry Transfer Unit/ 1586 Flt
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP191, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP191
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 191
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP192, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP192
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 192
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP195, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP195
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 195
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP197, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP197
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 197
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP198, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP198
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 198
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP199, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP199
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 199
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP200, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP200
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 200
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP201, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP201
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 201
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP202, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP202
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 202
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Minelaying Fakse Bugt Denmark 1944-04-18 to 1944-04-19
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded VR*T. Failed to return from mining operation to Rostock, Fakse Bay, and Kiel Bay on 18 / 19 April 1944. All 7 crew were killed. Crashed near Nymindegab, Denmark.
1944-April-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Roy Orson Dwyer 2024-10-31 1944-April-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ernest Joseph Gares 2022-12-12 1944-April-19 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Desmond Loftus Lewis-Watts 2022-12-12 1944-April-19 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Michael Joseph Petrina 2023-08-30 1944-April-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Denis Quinn 2023-08-28 1944-April-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas Francis Christian Weeks 2022-12-12 Halifax JP203, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP203
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 203
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP204, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP204
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 204
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-October-02 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Gordon Farrell Cumming 2024-05-26 1944-October-02 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Maurice Jack Hamblin 2022-10-05 1944-October-02 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Clyde John Hogan 2021-08-10 1944-October-02 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Earl William Reid 2021-08-10 1944-October-02 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Roy Smith 2021-07-20 Halifax JP206, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP206
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 206
Merlin XX/22
units 1 Overseas aircraft Preparation Unit/ 301 Ferry Transfer Unit/ 624
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP232, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP232
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 232
Merlin XX/22
Units 1 Overseas aircraft Preparation Unit/ 614/ 1586 Flt/614
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP237, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP237
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 237
Merlin XX/22
units 1 Overseas aircraft Preparation Unit/ 301 Ferry Transfer unit/ 148
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP238, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP238
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 238
Merlin XX/22
Units 1 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit/ 301 Ferry Transfer unit/ 3 Overseas aircraft Delivery Unit/ 624
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP240, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP240
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 240
Merlin XX/22
1 overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit/ 301 Ferry Transfer Unit/ 3 Overseas Aircraft Delivery Unit/ 624
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-25 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Lloyd Weldon Burnside 2024-08-08 1944-June-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Francis Anthony Coady 2024-03-06 1944-June-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Dalton Morgan Corbett 2024-04-15 1944-June-25 KIA Army Captain Brian George Dalziel 2024-08-08 1944-June-25 KIA RCAF Sergeant William Charles Ellis 2024-08-08 1944-June-25 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Earl Duncan McDermid 2024-08-08 1944-June-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Howard Sneath 2024-08-08 1944-June-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert William Whitelam 2024-08-08 Halifax JP247, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP247
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 247
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
SOE 1944-07-04 to 1944-07-04
148 (SD) Sqn (RAF) Brindisi, Italy
148 Special Duties Squadron RAF (Trusty) Brindisi, Italy. Halifax aircraft JP 247 FS-E failed to return from Operation 106A, a supply-drop mission to partisans. The Halifax was shot down by a night fighter, crashing near Sombor, Yugoslavia
The pilot, Flight Lieutenant GR Wood (RAFVR) and Rear Air Gunner Flight Sergeant JW Hern (RAF) were killed in actionFlight Lieutenant NC MacPherson (RCAF), Warrant Officer 1st Class MD McDowell (RCAF), Flight Sergeant PH Hodgson (RAF), Flight sergeant JE Taylor (RAF) and Sergeant WB Urwin (RAF) all survived to be taken as Prisoners of War
{link,general,https://www.rafcommands.com/database/serials/details.php?uniq=JP247,Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database}}{link,general,https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/tracing-a-lost-aircraft.21546/,Tracing a lost aircraft I World War II - WW2Aircraft.net...}} 1944-July-04 KIA RAF Flight Sergeant James William Hern 2023-10-02 1944-July-04 PoW RAF Flight Sergeant Percival Hesketh Hodgson 2023-10-02 1944-July-04 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Neil Copeland MacPherson 2023-10-02 1944-July-04 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Manson Donald McDowell 2023-10-02 1944-July-04 PoW RAF Flight Sergeant John Ernest Taylor 2025-01-14 1944-July-04 PoW RAF Sergeant William Brady Urwin 2023-09-26 1944-July-04 KIA RAFVR Flight Lieutenant George Raymond Wood 2023-10-02 Halifax JP276, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP276
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 276
Merlin XX/22
Units 1 Overseas aircraft Preparation Unit/ Mediterranean Allied Air Forces/ 148
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-05 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Arnold Raymond Blynn 2025-01-26 1944-August-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harold Leonard Brown 2024-11-21 1944-August-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Alfred Chapman 2024-01-31 1944-August-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur George William Liddell 2025-01-26 1944-August-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Burton Wylie 2025-01-26 Halifax JP279, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP279
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 279
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP281, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP281
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 281
Merlin XX/22
Halifax JP284, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP284
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 284
Merlin XX/22
Units 1 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit/ 1 Ferry Unit/ 148
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP286, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP286
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 286
Merlin XX/22
Units 1 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit/ 1 Ferry Unit/ 148
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP292, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP292
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 292
Merlin XX/22
Units 1 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit/ 1 Ferry Unit/ 148
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax JP319, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP319
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 319
Merlin XX/22
Halifax JP330, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP330
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 330
Merlin XX/22
Unit 58
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-April-26 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Alan Burkitt 2024-11-24 1945-April-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Kenneth George William Henderson 2021-08-14 1945-April-26 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Ernest Leslie Holden 2023-07-23 1945-April-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Allan Francis Juby 2021-08-14 1945-April-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Meyrick Larkin 2021-08-14 1945-April-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Raymond Liddell 2021-08-14 1945-April-26 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Thomas Claude Robson 2021-08-14 Halifax JP336, B/GR.Mk.II
s/n JP336
London Passenger Transport Board
JP 336
Merlin XX/22
Units 502/58
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax L9500, B.Mk.I
s/n L9500
Handley Page Ltd
L 9500
Merlin X
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax L9503, B.Mk.I
s/n L9503
Handley Page Ltd
L 9503
Merlin X
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax L9509, B.Mk.I
s/n L9509
Handley Page Ltd
L 9509
Merlin X
Units 35/28 CF/35/ 28 CF/1652 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax L9532, B.Mk.I
s/n L9532
Handley Page Ltd
L 9532
Merlin X
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax L9560, B.Mk.I
s/n L9560
Handley Page Ltd
L 9560
Merlin X
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax L9562, B.Mk.I
s/n L9562
Handley Page Ltd
L 9562
Merlin X
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax L9563, B.Mk.I
s/n L9563
Handley Page Ltd
L 9563
Merlin X
unit 76/78 CF/1658 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax L9576, B.Mk.I
s/n L9576
Handley Page Ltd
L 9576
Merlin X
Unit 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax L9581, B.Mk.I
s/n L9581
Handley Page Ltd
L 9581
Merlin X
Units 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax L9582, B.Mk.I
s/n L9582
Handley Page Ltd
L 9582
Merlin X
unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax L9583, B.Mk.I
s/n L9583
Handley Page Ltd
L 9583
Merlin X
Units 76/78 CF
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax L9600, B.Mk.I
s/n L9600
Handley Page Ltd
L 9600
Merlin X
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax L9601, B.Mk.I
s/n L9601
Handley Page Ltd
L 9601
Merlin X
Unit 76/78 CF
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax L9602, B.Mk.I
s/n L9602
Handley Page Ltd
L 9602
Merlin X
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Dunkerque France 1941-10-30 to 1941-10-31
76 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Middleton St George
#76 Squadron RAF (Resolute) RAF Middleton St George. Halifax aircraft L 9602 MP-N failed to return from a bombing operation over Dunkerque, France, lost without a trace
Pilot Officer FC Brooks (RCAF), Sergeant JR Johnson (RCAF) (Jamaica), FS CS O'Brien (RCAF), Pilot Officer NF McLean (RNZAF), FS J Flannigan (RAFVR), Sergeant J Mycock (RAFVR) and Sergeant CE Wood (RAF) were all missing, presumed killed in action
The missing have no known grave and are all commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial
Halifax I L9602 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1941-October-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Conn Brooks 2024-11-20 1941-October-31 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant James Flannigan 2025-03-04 1941-October-31 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Rudolph Johnson 2025-03-04 1941-October-31 KIA RNZAF Pilot Officer Neil Frederick McLean 2025-03-04 1941-October-31 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Mycock 2025-03-04 1941-October-31 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Stuart O'Brien 2025-03-04 1941-October-31 KIA RAF Sergeant Charles Edward Wood 2025-03-04 Halifax L9621, B.Mk.II
s/n L9621
Handley Page Ltd
L 9621
Merlin XX/22
units 10/78 CF
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK626, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK626
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 626
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/431
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK627, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK627
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 627
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-December-21 PoW RCAF Sergeant Alan Clifford Barnes 2024-12-19 1943-December-21 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Laurie Cormier 2024-12-19 1943-December-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer James Roger Joseph Kiteley 2024-12-19 1943-December-21 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Rudolph Joseph Lacerte 2024-12-19 1943-December-21 PoW RCAF Sergeant George Harold Little 2024-12-19 1943-December-21 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Armand Joseph St Pierre 2024-12-19 Halifax LK628, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK628
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 628
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK629, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK629
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 629
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-31 KIA RCAF Sergeant William John Breen 2025-03-02 1943-August-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Clement Bernard Cahill 2025-03-02 1943-August-31 KIA RCAF Sergeant Robert Anton Fraser 2024-07-01 1943-August-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Harold Cruse Pithie 2025-03-02 1943-August-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 John Robertson 2025-03-02 Halifax LK632, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK632
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 632
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Ludwigshafen Germany 1943-11-17 to 1943-11-18
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholthorpe
Battle of Berlin
395 aircraft - 248 Halifaxes, 114 Stirlings, 33 Lancasters - of 3, 4, 6 and 8 Groups were on this major diversionary raid. German fighters successfully engaged the bomber force and 23 aircraft - 12 Halifaxes, 9 Stirlings, 2 Lancasters -were lost, 5·8 per cent of the force.
Cloud was present over the target area and much of the bombing was scattered. Mannheim reports that the majority of the damage was in the north of the city. 4 industrial buildings were destroyed and 11 seriously damaged, the most serious being the Daimler-Benz car factory which suffered a 90 per cent production loss for 'an unknown period'. 325 other buildings were destroyed and 335 seriously damaged, including 2 churches and 3 schools. 4 army barracks and the airfield at Sandhofen were all hit. 21 people were killed, 154 injured and 7,500 bombed out. Many bombs fell outside the city and the local report lists much damage and loss at farms.This was the last major raid on the much-bombed city of Mannheim for 15 months. ORB identifies the target as Ludwigshaven
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
This was the first operational flight for this crew
There were Two 432 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Carefoot, GO for information on Halifax LK 640 SE-Q1943-November-19 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Mannheim. All were killed. 2019-08-20
1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Sergeant Douglas Gordon Addison 2024-11-01 1943-November-18 KIA RAAF Flight Sergeant Walter Francis Burge 2024-11-23 1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Sergeant William Carter Gilchrist 2023-03-31 1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William James Murdoch Nickerson 2024-11-01 1943-November-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Brian Charles Paul 2023-03-31 1943-November-18 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer John William Potts 2023-03-31 1943-November-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas George Roberts 2023-03-31 Halifax LK633, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK633
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 633
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1943-10-23 to 1943-10-23
427 (B) BG (RCAF) Skipton on Swale
Battle of the Ruhr
On 1943-10-08, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, an Engineering Officer with 427 Sqn at Skipton-on-Swale, wrote in his diary:
"Well we were on tonight for a change after a two week stand-down [due to poor weather]. I thought I'd make an effort to make a good showing on my first real op on my own. The boys co-operated fine and we got a record 16 kites up each with 1882 gals of petrol, 6500 lbs of bombs, 1-2000 lb., 5 cans of 4-30 lb. incendiaries & 8 cans of 90- 4lb. as well as 14 bundles of "window" incendiaries, the metallic strips they shower down when over target to throw out & jam the jerry radio-location beams. It looked pretty good at take-off & although we had 2 go u/s [unserviceable] just before take-off we managed to shift the crews around to stand-by kites & so we got them all away.
I was feeling pretty good about this but soon things began to happen. First the weather closed in & it turned very cold with a sheet-like rain. Then one after another we got the news that seven aircraft were coming back on early returns never having reached the target. This was awful for my first "Ëœdo' but it seemed that 3 of the seven were due to very bad icing conditions, 2 were due to maintenance faults for which I had to take the blame. One was due to the pilot getting lost and getting too low down over the Ruhr where he got badly shot up with flak while the seventh never got back at all. He crashed down near Eastmoor somewhere & burned up. All crew were killed so I don't suppose we'll ever find out what happened. With Squadron Leader Ganderton I drove around & met each pilot and flight engineer as they got out of their kites, found out their story & made out my report to the station engineering officer. I was nearly 11:00 o'clock when they all got back & since the weather was duff I was getting a little apprehensive about how many of the rest would get back.
At 12:00 o'clock I went down to flying control to watch as the rest of the kites came in. It was very exciting hearing them talk them in one by one by radio and watching them land. We had two near accidents, one when he was swung & ground looped just after landing & the other when a few hung-up incendiaries fell out of a kite on the runway and went up with a terrific roar & bright flames. However, no one was hurt & we kept counting them one by one as they got down safely until there was only 4 more of ours to come in â€" we waited and waited but they didn't come & we finally had to give them up for lost. About 1:00am I went up to interrogation to find out from each pilot & flight engineer how the kite had functioned & what damage had been sustained. Finally after about an hour I went to the operations room to see if they had any word of our missing aircraft (& they hadn't). I finally got back to the Mess at 3:30am, had fried potatoes and sausages & went to bed.
Sat Oct 23, 1943: "Things were pretty grim here this morning with everyone worried about our big losses. 4 of ours & 2 from 429 making 6 out of 28 aircraft. Also my six early returns didn't make me feel any too happy. Fortunately we were stood down tonight. The target was Kassel last night & 42 were lost altogether. Mostly due to icing I imagine. Our K-Kitty which had several flak holes in it wasn't too bad although it needed and engine change. . . ."
1943-October-23 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class John Robert Thomas Cox 2024-05-09 1943-October-23 PoW RAF Sergeant Stanley Charles Edridge 2021-06-06 1943-October-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Robert Harrison 2022-01-27 1943-October-23 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Adam Henry Meyers 2021-05-17 1943-October-23 KIA RCAF Sergeant Harry Russell 2022-01-18 1943-October-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Roy Arthur Wells 2021-05-17 1943-October-23 PoW RAF Sergeant Harry Thomas Winter 2021-06-06 Halifax LK634, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK634
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 634
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK635, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK635
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 635
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK636, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK636
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 636
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK637, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK637
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 637
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/1662 Heavy conversion Unit/1667 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK638, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK638
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 638
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-October-03 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Frederick Gaffney Babington 2024-11-06 1943-October-03 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant George Theodore Berg 2024-09-04 1943-October-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Edward Vicary Davidson 2024-09-04 1943-October-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harold Wallace German AFM 2024-09-04 1943-October-03 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William Oliver Todd 2024-09-04 Halifax LK639, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK639
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 639
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Kassel Germany 1943-10-22 to 1943-10-22
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholtthorpe
Battle of Berlin
569 aircraft - 322 Lancasters, 247 Halifaxes. The German controller was again successful in assessing the target and 43 aircraft- 25 Halifaxes, 18 Lancasters - were lost, 7·6 per cent of the force.
The initial 'blind' H2S marking overshot the target but 8 out of the 9 'visual' markers correctly identified the centre of Kassel and placed their markers accurately. Although German decoy markers may have drawn off part of the bomber force, the main raid was exceptionally accurate and concentrated. The result was the most devastating attack on a German city since the firestorm raid on Hamburg in July and the results at Kassel would not be exceeded again until well into 1944. The fires were so concentrated that there was a firestorm, although not as extensive as the Hamburg one.
It is impossible to list all the damage. 4,349 separate dwelling blocks containing 26,782 family living units (flats/apartments) were destroyed and 6,743 more blocks with 26,463 'units' were damaged. 63 per cent of all Kassel's living accommodation became unusable and 100,000-120,000 people had to leave their homes. The fire · services dealt with 3,600 separate fires. The intensity of the destruction is illustrated by the fact that more buildings were completely destroyed than those classed as 'lightly damaged' and there were more 'large' fires (1,6oo}than small ones (1,000); in most raids the lightly damaged buildings and small fires outnumbered serious incidents several times over
. In addition to dwelling-houses, the following properties were destroyed or badly damaged: 155 industrial buildings, 78 public buildings, 38 schools, 25 churches, 16 police and military buildings (including the local Gestapo), I 1 hospitals. The Kassel records do not provide any further detail about the industrial damage caused but R.A.F. photographic reconnaissance showed that the Kassel railway system and its installations were severely hit and all 3 Henschel aircraft factories seriously damaged; as these were making V-1 flying bombs at the time, this was a most useful result of the raid and had a major effect upon the eventual opening and scale of the V-1 campaign, comparable to the recent raid on Peenemimde which set back the V-2 rocket programme.The Kassel records give the number of dead recovered up to the end of November as 5,599, of which 1,817 bodies were unidentifiable and the records go on to add that the 'Missing Department' (the Vermisstensuchstelle) was still trying to trace 3,300 people. 459 survivors, however, had been recovered from ruined houses 'after many days of heavy work'. 3,587 people were injured - 800 seriously - and a further 8,084 people were treated for smoke and heat injury to their eyes.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BV aircraft LK 639 SE-E missing during night operations, a raid against aircraft manufacturing plants and rail facilities in Kassel, Germany. The cause of the loss of this aircraft and crew is unknown, they were lost without a trace
FS LB Russell (RCAF), FS W Burns (RCAF), Sergeant JF Challis (RAFVR), FE Skinner (RAFVR), H Priestly (RAFVR), Flying Officer RP Wissler (RAFVR) and Sergeant DJ McCarthy (RAF) were all missing, presumed killed. They have no known graves and are all commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial
1943-October-23 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Kassel, no survivors. 2019-08-20
1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Burns 2024-11-25 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Frederick Challis 2024-01-25 1943-October-22 KIA RAF Sergeant Denis Joseph McCarthy 2023-03-31 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Harold Priestley 2023-03-31 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Leonard Bruce Russell 2023-03-31 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Frank Edward Skinner 2023-03-31 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Richard Peter Wissler 2023-03-31 Halifax LK640, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK640
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 640
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Ludwigshafen Germany 1943-11-18 to 1943-11-19
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholthorpe
Battle of Berlin
395 aircraft - 248 Halifaxes, 114 Stirlings, 33 Lancasters - of 3, 4, 6 and 8 Groups were on this major diversionary raid. German fighters successfully engaged the bomber force and 23 aircraft - 12 Halifaxes, 9 Stirlings, 2 Lancasters -were lost, 5·8 per cent of the force.
Cloud was present over the target area and much of the bombing was scattered. Mannheim reports that the majority of the damage was in the north of the city. 4 industrial buildings were destroyed and 11 seriously damaged, the most serious being the Daimler-Benz car factory which suffered a 90 per cent production loss for 'an unknown period'. 325 other buildings were destroyed and 335 seriously damaged, including 2 churches and 3 schools. 4 army barracks and the airfield at Sandhofen were all hit. 21 people were killed, 154 injured and 7,500 bombed out. Many bombs fell outside the city and the local report lists much damage and loss at farms.This was the last major raid on the much-bombed city of Mannheim for 15 months. ORB identifies the target as Ludwigshaven
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax V aircraft LK 640 SE-Q was returning from a mission to Mannheim, Germany when it was hit by flak over Abbeville, France. The Halifax crashed in the English Channel and the entire crew was lost
Flying Officer GO Carefoot (RCAF), Sergeant EE Case (RCAF), Pilot Officer CE McGillivray (RCAF), Sergeant RWM Cowan (RAFVR), Sergeant PS Lowry (RAFVR) and Sergeant JK Shipp (RAFVR) were killed in action
These air crew members are buried at various cemeteries in England and France, indicating that they drifted in the current and washed ashore in various locations after the crash
Sergeant AE Roden (RCAF),missing, believed killed in action and commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial
There was a second 431 Squadron Halifax V lost on this same operation. Please see Gilchrist, F for information on Halifax LK 632 SE-M
1943-November-19 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Garnet Oliver Carefoot 2024-12-23 1943-November-19 KIA RCAF Sergeant Emerson Earl Case 2024-01-16 1943-November-19 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert William McGavin Cowan 2024-05-06 1943-November-19 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Peter Sydney Lowry 2024-02-03 1943-November-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Craig Edward McGillivray 2023-03-31 1943-November-19 KIA RCAF Sergeant Albert Edward Roden 2023-03-31 1943-November-19 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Keith Shipp 2023-03-31 
Halifax LK643, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK643
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 643
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK644, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK644
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 644
Merlin XX/22
On 1943-11-25, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, a Technical Officer at Leeming, wrote in his diary:
Everything was proceeding nicely. We had 17 on & 429 had 16. About halfway through the take off 429 G edging out from a diagonal collided with our [sqdn427] G & locked the two kites together & blocked the track. On one side was a ditch so they could not get around there & on the other was fairly soft muddy ground with several 4 to 6 inch diameter trees in the way. Everyone was in a panic & the CO said we could not get the rest around & there were 18 more to come. Thought I might be able to do it so suggested chopping the trees down with the fire axes from the crashed aircraft. I collected a few of the boys, commandeered axes & flashlights, chopped down the trees and directed the other 18 kites around one after the other & not one got stuck although I never did so much running around, stumbling and floundering around in the pitch dark, through mud and water up to my knees . . . I got 16 of my 17 away. The one that tangled of course could not go.
Failed to return from attack on Frankfurt on 20/21 December 1943. All were killed. Came down near Weilmunster, locals speculated aircraft was after Goerings private train, parked in a nearby tunnel.
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-December-21 KIA RCAF Sergeant George William Briffett 2024-11-18 1943-December-21 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon Howard Dudley 2024-10-29 1943-December-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Melrose Grieve 2021-08-07 1943-December-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Gaston Hatchwell 2021-08-09 1943-December-21 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Svend Sondergaard 2021-07-25 1943-December-21 KIA RCAF Sergeant Thomas Walter Thompson 2021-07-17 Halifax LK645, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK645
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 645
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK647, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK647
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 647
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-October-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Wallace Bruce Ballantyne 2024-11-05 1943-October-09 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Duncan Hildrain MacDonald 2024-12-07 1943-October-09 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frederick George Small 2024-12-07 1943-October-09 KIA RCAF Sergeant Alvin Joseph Steinacker 2024-12-07 1943-October-09 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Joseph Francois Emilien Turcotte 2024-12-07 Halifax LK648, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK648
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 648
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Jean Galt De Sieyes 2024-10-08 1943-September-28 KIA RAAF Flight Sergeant John William Hallas 2024-10-08 1943-September-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Benjamin Stanley Jones 2024-10-08 1943-September-28 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Frederick Charles Lord 2024-10-08 1943-September-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Basil Morgan O'Hara 2024-10-08 1943-September-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer David James Sinclair 2024-10-08 1943-September-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Noble Wallace 2024-10-08 1943-September-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Stanley Alan Walter 2024-10-08 Halifax LK649, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK649
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 649
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/431/434
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-01-28 to 1944-01-29
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
Battle of Berlin
434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Croft. Halifax BV aircraft LK 649 WL-X failed to return from a raid against targets in Berlin, Germany, shot down by night fighter pilot Oblt. Heinz Ferger of 3/NJG3. The Halifax crashed near Canow, Germany. The entire crew was lost
Flight Sergeant R H Stanley (RCAF), Flying Officer R C Crompton (RCAF), Flight Sergeant D I Rose (RCAF), Sergeant J J B L Leduc (RCAF), Sergeant J C W Olliffe (RAFVR), Sergeant D L Silverman (RAFVR), and Sergeant S J Groucott (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Four other 434 Squadron Halifax V aircraft were lost on this operation. Please see Halifax aircraft serials EB 256 WL-S, LK 740 WL-V, LK 916 WL-P and LL 134 WL-U for additional information on these aircraft and crews
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
434 Squadron Halifax V LK649 WL-X Fl/Sergeant Stanley, RAF Croft, Canow,...
1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Richard Clifford Crompton 2024-05-19 1944-January-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Stanley Joseph Groucott 2024-04-13 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Jean Baptiste Laurier Leduc 2024-04-22 1944-January-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Jack Charles William Olliffe 2024-04-24 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Donald Irwin Rose 2024-05-01 1944-January-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant David Louis Silverman 2024-05-03 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Russell Henry Stanley 2024-05-03 Halifax LK652, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK652
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 652
Merlin XX/22
units 298
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK656, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK656
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 656
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/429/434
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-21 Survived RCAF Sergeant James D Campbell 2023-12-13 1944-January-21 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Robert W Davis 2024-10-01 1944-January-21 Survived RAFVR Flying Officer Arthur Hession 2022-04-18 1944-January-21 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant F W Johnson 2022-04-19 1944-January-21 Survived RAFVR Pilot Officer Sydney Charles Frederick Phillips 2022-04-18 1944-January-21 Survived RCAF Sergeant Donald M Tofflemire 2022-04-18 1944-January-21 Survived RCAF Sergeant William George Whitton 2022-04-18 Halifax LK657, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK657
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 657
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Hannover Germany 1943-10-08 to 1943-10-09
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholtthorpe
Battle of Berlin
504 aircraft- 282 Lancasters, 188 Halifaxes, 26 Wellingtons, 8 Mosquitoes. This was the last Bomber Command raid in which Wellingtons took part. 300 (Polish) and 432 (Canadian) Squadrons provided the 26 Wellingtons which operated on this night; they all returned safely. The German controller guessed correctly that Hannover was the target and many night fighters arrived before the attack was over. 27 aircraft- 14 Lancasters and 13 Halifaxes - were lost, 5·4 per cent of the force.
Conditions over Hannover were clear and the Pathfinders were finally able to mark the centre of the city accurately; a most concentrated attack followed with a creepback of only 2 miles, all within the built-up area. This was probably Hannover's worst attack of the war. The local report describes extensive damage in the centre of. the city and in many other parts except the west. The telephone system and electricity supply failed at the beginning of the raid and many water mains were quickly broken. A large area of fire quickly developed in the centre and south-central districts. Acting upon instructions from the Party Headquarters and from district air-raid posts, the population were shepherded to collecting places in open areas between the fires. This action is believed to have saved many lives but 1,200 people were killed and 3,345 were injured, 449 seriously so. A further 6,000-8,000 people received eye injuries because of smoke and heat. 3,932 buildings were completely destroyed and more than 30,000 were damaged in varying degree, but no individual buildings are named. R.A.F. reconnaissance, however, showed that the important Continental rubber factory and the Hanomag machine works were badly hit.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft LK 657 Took off from Tholthorpe at 22:43 in Halifav Mk V (Sqn code SE-K Bomber Command) on an operation to Hannover Germany. The aircraft was shot down (unknown means) near Hannover. Rollack was the only crewman to survive the crash.Killed: Sergeant Donald Albert Adams RAF pilot KIA Hanover War Cemetery grave 3. D. 16. Sergeant Thomas Alfred Ashcroft RAF KIA Hanover War Cemetery grave 3. D. 18. Flying Officer Robert Edward Baker RAF KIA Hanover War Cemetery grave 3. D. 14. Flying Officer Ronald Victor Fisher RAF KIA Hanover War Cemetery grave 3. D. 11. W/O Peter John Hay RAF KIA Hanover War Cemetery grave 3. D. 17. Sergeant Francis Rudd RCAF R/187471 KIA Hanover War Cemetery grave 3. D. 15. W/O1 John Edward Ryan RCAF pilot R/67919 KIA Hanover War Cemetery grave 3. D. 19.
There were two 431 Sqdn. aircraft lost on this date. Please see Sergeant W.A. Hamil for information regarding the other aircraft and crew.
1943-October-09 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Donald Albert Adams 2024-12-04 1943-October-09 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas Alfred Ashcroft 2024-12-04 1943-October-09 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Robert Edward Baker 2024-12-04 1943-October-09 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Ronald Victor Fisher 2024-12-04 1943-October-09 KIA RAFAAF Warrant Officer Peter John Hay 2024-12-04 1943-October-09 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Albin Rollack 2024-12-04 1943-October-09 KIA RCAF Sergeant Francis Rudd 2024-12-04 1943-October-09 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 John Edward Ryan 2024-12-04 Halifax LK658, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK658
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 658
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/431/1667 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK659, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK659
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 659
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/431
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-12-29 to 1943-12-29
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Berlin
712 aircraft - 457 Lancasters, 252 Halifaxes, 3 Mosquitoes. A long approach route from the south, passing south of the Ruhr and then within 20 miles of Leipzig, together with Mosquito diversions at Diisseldorf, Leipzig and Magdeburg, caused the German controller great difficulties and there were few fighters over Berlin. Bad weather on the outward route also kept down the number of German fighters finding the bomber stream. 20 aircraft - I I Lan casters, 9 Halifaxes - were lost, 2 · 8 per cent of the force.
Berlin was again cloud-covered. The Bomber Command report claiming a concentrated attack on sky-markers is not confirmed by the local report. The heaviest bombing was in the southern and south-eastern districts but many bombs also fell to the east of the city. 388 houses and other mixed property were destroyed but no item of major interest is mentioned. I 82 people were killed, more than 600 were injured and over 10,000 were bombed out.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft LK 659 missing during operations against Berlin, Germany. Flight Lieutenant J.N.Nelson, Sergeant J. Ruthven and five RAF members of the crew were killed.
1943-December-30 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Berlin. All were killed. 2019-08-20
Halifax LK661, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK661
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 661
Merlin XX/22
Units 428/429/1664 heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK662, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK662
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 662
Merlin XX/22
Units 428/429
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Flt. Sergeant Victor Augustus Barton 2024-12-30 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Leslie Bernard Fincham 2024-12-30 1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Sergeant Lester Roy Martin 2023-11-22 1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Maurice Frederick Meech 2024-12-30 1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Stanley Lloyd Mingle 2024-12-30 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Oscar Langdon Morrison 2024-04-23 Halifax LK663, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK663
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 663
Merlin XX/22
Unit 427/434
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-October-23 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Kassel. 4 crew were killed and 3 POW. 2019-08-20
1943-October-22 PoW RAF Pilot Officer Robert Frederick Bellingham 2024-11-11 1943-October-22 PoW RAF Sergeant J S Malcolm 2025-01-13 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ronald William Miller 2025-01-13 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ernest John Cecil Plouffe 2025-01-13 1943-October-22 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Russell Frederick Purdy 2025-01-13 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Clarence Cecil Reynolds 2025-01-13 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader William Nairne Thomson 2025-01-13 Halifax LK666, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK666
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 666
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Arthur Cassell 2024-01-17 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Herbert Wilfred Cudney 2024-05-23 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Arthur Charles Dupont 2024-10-30 1943-October-22 PoW RCAF Flying Officer H H Lee 2023-09-04 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Antoine Maurice Nadeau 2021-05-18 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Henry Newlove 2021-06-03 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Donald Wesley Wilson 2021-07-07 Halifax LK667, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK667
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 667
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76/77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK680, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK680
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 680
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Magdeburg Germany 1944-01-21 to 1944-01-21
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Berlin
648 aircraft - 421 Lancasters, 224 Halifaxes, 3 Mosquitoes - on the first major raid to this target. The German controller again followed the progress of the bomber stream across the North Sea and many night fighters were in the stream before it crossed the German coast. The controller was very slow to identify Magdeburg as the target but this did not matter too much because most of the night fighters were able to stay in the bomber stream, a good example of the way the Tame Boar tactics were developing, 57 aircraft - 35 Halifaxes, 22 Lancasters - were lost, 8·8 per cent of the force; it is probable that three quarters of the losses were caused by German night fighters: The Halifax loss rate was 15·6 per cent!
The heavy bomber casualties were not rewarded with a successful attack. Some of the Main Force aircraft now had H2S and winds which were stronger than forecast brought some of these into the target area before the Pathfinders' Zero Hour. The crews of 27 Main Force aircraft were anxious to bomb and did so before Zero Hour. The Pathfinders blamed the fires started by this early bombing, together with some very effective German decoy markers, for their failure to concentrate tho marking. No details are available from Magdeburg but it is believed that most of tho bombing fell outside the city. An R.A.F. man who was in hospital at Magdeburg at the time reports only, 'bangs far away'.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BV aircraft LK 680 SE-R was shot down by night fighter pilot Major Heinrich Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein of the Stab/NJG 2, who was flying Ju 88 C-6 R4+XM from Deelen airfield in the Netherlands, during a night raid to Magdeburg, GermanyThe Halifax "crashed in a gigantic ball of fire" at the railway station of Imsum, Geestland, Niedersachsen Germany, according to the radio operator on board of the Junkers, Feldwebel Friedrich Ostheimer
Only one crew member survived the crash
Flying Officer JA Linde (RCAF), Pilot Officer WJ Louth,Warrant Officer JP McLeod, Sergeant JH Di Pinto, Sergeant C Gilroy (RAFVR), and Sergeant W Kingham (RAFVR) were all killed in action
FS H Krentz (RCAF), the sole survivor from his crew, was taken Prisoner Of War
1944-January-22 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Magdeburg, shot down by flak. 6 crew were killed and 1 POW. 2019-08-20
1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Henry Di Pinto 2024-10-17 1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Clive Gilroy 2023-04-13 1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Kingham 2023-04-13 1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Herbert Krentz 2023-04-13 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Alexander Linde 2023-04-13 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William James Louth 2023-04-13 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 John Pickles Shaw McLeod 2024-11-01 Halifax LK681, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK681
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 681
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK682, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK682
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 682
Merlin XX/22
Struck off charge, 8.11.45
Units 434/1 Ferry Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK683, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK683
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 683
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-December-04 Rescued RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Trask Beech 2022-03-31 1943-December-04 Rescued RCAF Pilot Officer Mike Habiluk 2022-01-26 1943-December-04 Rescued RCAF Pilot Officer Philip Alan Kingston 2021-10-12 1943-December-04 Rescued RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas Fraser McAllister 2022-01-20 1943-December-04 Rescued RCAF Flying Officer William Melvin McQueen 2022-01-20 1943-December-04 Rescued RAFVR Pilot Officer William Gordon Pearcey 2021-10-12 1943-December-04 Rescued RAFVR Pilot Officer Arthur Warrington 2021-10-12 Halifax LK684, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK684
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 684
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/429/1666 Heavy conversion Unit/1659 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK685, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK685
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 685
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Leipzig Germany 1943-12-03 to 1943-12-04
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholthorpe
Battle of Berlin
527 aircraft - 307 Lancasters, 220 Halifaxes. Despite the loss of two pressmen on the previous night, the well-known American broadcaster, Ed Murrow, flew on the raid with a 619 Squadron Lancaster crew. He returned safely.
The bomber force took another direct route towards Berlin before turning off to bomb Leipzig. German fighters were in the bomber stream and scoring successes before the turn was made but most of them were then directed to Berlin when the Mosquito diversion opened there. There were few fighters over Leipzig and only 3 bombers are believed to have been lost in the target area, 2 of them being shot down by Flak. A relatively successful raid, from the point of view of bomber casualties, was spoiled when many aircraft flew by mistake into the Frankfurt defended area on the long southern withdrawal route and more than half of the bombers shot down on this night were lost there. 24 aircraft- 15 Halifaxes, 9 Lancasters -were lost, 4·6 per cent of the force.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BV aircraft LK 685 SE-C missing during a night operation against Leipzig, Germany, the cause of loss undetermined. The aircraft was abandoned and crashed near Bremen, Germany with all but one of the aircrew surviving to become POWs
Pilot Warrant Officer Class 2 Ritchie maintained control of the aircraft long enough for his crew to all bail out, but was unable to get out and went down with his aircraft
FS SJ Fulham (RCAF), Flying Officer JB Shannon (RCAF), Sergeant JD MacMullin (RCAF), Sergeant B Hornung (RCAF), Sergeant V Jenkins (RAF) and Sergeant D Lyford-Pike (RAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
There were four 431 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Heider, G for information on Halifax EB 137 SE-N, Edgar, AW for information on Halifax LK 968 SE-P and Cook, RG for information on Halifax LK 898 SE-O
In Enemy Hands - Canadian Prisoners of War 1939-45 1943-December-04 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Stanley Joseph Arthur Fulham 2023-04-04 1943-December-04 PoW RCAF Sergeant Bernard Hornung 2023-04-04 1943-December-04 PoW RAF Sergeant Victor Jenkins 2023-04-04 1943-December-04 PoW RAF Sergeant David Lyford-Pike 2023-04-04 1943-December-04 PoW RCAF Sergeant John Duncan MacMullin 2023-04-04 1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Robert William Ritchie 2023-04-04 1943-December-04 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant James Balfour Shannon 2023-04-04 Halifax LK686, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK686
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 686
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Combat Frankfurt Germany 1943-12-20 to 1943-12-20
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF)
Failed to return from night operations, a raid against Frankfurt, Germany. Last position report received at 21:51. Austin and Marshall's bodies washed ashore and were buried in the Hague. Taylor, Fischer, Ferrier, Pridham and Pilkey are memorialized at Runnymeade.
1943-December-21 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Frankfurt. All were killed. 2019-08-20
1943-December-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Walter Robert Ferrier 2022-06-30 1943-December-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Alfred Austin Fischer 2022-06-30 1943-December-20 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Walter Farquhar Marshall 2022-06-30 1943-December-20 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class John David Pilkey 2022-06-30 1943-December-20 KIA RCAF Sergeant Edward Stanley Pridham 2024-11-14 1943-December-20 KIA RCAF Sergeant Sydney Stuart Smith 2022-06-30 1943-December-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Malcolm Stout Taylor 2022-06-30 Halifax LK687, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK687
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 687
Merlin XX/22
Units 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK688, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK688
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 688
Merlin XX/22
Unit 518
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK693, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK693
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 693
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-November-18 PoW RAF Sergeant Harry William Bull 2024-11-23 1943-November-18 PoW RAF Sergeant Charles James Hoare 2021-06-08 1943-November-18 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant William (Bill) E Rowbotham 2021-06-08 1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Kenneth Cunliffe Smith 2021-06-08 1943-November-18 PoW RAF Sergeant Sydney Thomas Keith Smith 2021-06-08 1943-November-18 PoW RAF Sergeant Humphrey James Turner 2021-06-08 1943-November-18 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Lloyd Morely Wheatley 2021-06-08 Halifax LK694, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK694
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 694
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/429/434/1664 Heavy Conversion unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK696, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK696
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 696
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK697, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK697
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 697
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/429
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-01-28 to 1944-01-29
429 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
Battle of Berlin
429 Bison Squadron (Fortunae Nihil) RAF Leeming. Halifax BV aircraft LK 697 AL-D was lost during night operations against industrial targets in Berlin, Germany. The cause of loss was not determined but the Halifax is believed to have crashed near Guelitz, Germany
Flying Officer T Siltala (RCAF), Flying Officer W A Cook (RCAF), Flying Officer A C McKenzie (RCAF), Flying Officer K B Malcolm (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class II E A Cornfield (RCAF), Sergeant H Howson (RAFVR) and Sergeant E C Richards (RAFVR) were all killed in action
There were two 429 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial LK 746 for casualty list and additional flight detail
1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Arthur Cook 2024-04-04 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer Class II Edward Albert Cornfield 2024-04-21 1944-January-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Herbert Howson 2024-04-21 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth Bruce Malcolm 2024-04-22 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Alexander Caird McKenzie 2024-04-22 1944-January-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Ernest Charles Richards 2024-05-01 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Torsti Siltala 2024-05-03 Halifax LK698, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK698
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 698
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Operational 1944-01-05 to 1944-01-05
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Halifax aircraft LK 698 SE-W returning to base from a training exercise, emerged from the clouds at 1,300 feet and pitched up sharply. The aircraft stalled, rolled over and crashed before it could recover, two miles north-east of Middleton St George, Durham, EnglandFlying Officer GA Shank (RCAF), FS AL Schoenthaler (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 HP Morrison (RCAF), Sergeant JA Lamontagne (RCAF), Sergeant KH Greenwood (RAFVR), and Sergeant ES Barlow (RAFVR) were all killed in this flying accident
The seventh crew member, rear gunner Sergeant JR Bothwell (RAFVR) s/n 1566670, was not aboard the flight, having been excused for the day by the Medical Officer
1944-January-05 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Edward Stanley Barlow 2024-11-09 1944-January-05 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Kenneth Hartley Greenwood 2024-12-18 1944-January-05 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Albert Yvon Lamontagne 2024-12-18 1944-January-05 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Hugh Patrick Morrison 2024-12-18 1944-January-05 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur Leopold Schoenthaler 2024-12-18 1944-January-05 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer George Albert William Shank 2024-12-18 Halifax LK699, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK699
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 699
Merlin XX/22
unit 434
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Frederick Wood Crossley 2024-10-26 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Michal Gerald Edmond Donoghue 2024-10-26 1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Galloway 2024-10-26 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Albert Glover 2024-10-26 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Richard Alexander Kerr 2024-10-26 1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas Robson Lee 2024-10-26 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Sydney Gordon Stephenson 2024-10-26 Halifax LK700, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK700
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 700
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/1658 Heavy conversion Unit/1663 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK701, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK701
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 701
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-12-29 to 1943-12-29
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Berlin
712 aircraft - 457 Lancasters, 252 Halifaxes, 3 Mosquitoes. A long approach route from the south, passing south of the Ruhr and then within 20 miles of Leipzig, together with Mosquito diversions at Diisseldorf, Leipzig and Magdeburg, caused the German controller great difficulties and there were few fighters over Berlin. Bad weather on the outward route also kept down the number of German fighters finding the bomber stream. 20 aircraft - I I Lan casters, 9 Halifaxes - were lost, 2 · 8 per cent of the force.
Berlin was again cloud-covered. The Bomber Command report claiming a concentrated attack on sky-markers is not confirmed by the local report. The heaviest bombing was in the southern and south-eastern districts but many bombs also fell to the east of the city. 388 houses and other mixed property were destroyed but no item of major interest is mentioned. I 82 people were killed, more than 600 were injured and over 10,000 were bombed out.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft LK 701 did not return from night operations, an attack against Berlin, Germany. F/Os R.A.Holtby, G.E. Bishop, Sergeants J.J. Whelan, G.D. Kehoe, and FS G. Cummine were killed. There were two 431 Sqdn. aircraft lost in the same area on this date. The following RAF personnel were also killed; Sergeants A.H.R. Fielding, F.G. Goodall, L.C. Nosworthy, P. Walker, and Pilot Officer A.E.F. Banning.
1943-December-30 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Berlin. 6 crew were killed and 1 POW. 2019-08-20
1943-December-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Eugene Bishop 2024-11-12 1943-December-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon Cummine 2024-05-26 1943-December-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Armstrong Holtby 2025-01-20 1943-December-29 KIA RCAF Sergeant Gerald Desmond Kehoe 2025-01-20 1943-December-29 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Joseph Whelan 2025-01-20 Halifax LK702, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK702
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 702
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK703, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK703
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 703
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit/1659 HCU/ 1664 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK704, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK704
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 704
Merlin XX/22
Units 518
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Vladimir Adamic 2024-10-05 1944-January-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Edgar Dawson 2024-10-05 1944-January-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Norman Glyn Gzowski 2024-10-05 1944-January-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Clarence Loree Scott 2024-10-05 1944-January-23 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Lloyd Joyce Upshall 2024-10-05 Halifax LK705, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK705
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 705
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Minelaying Bay of Kiel Germany 1944-02-25 to 1944-02-26
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Berlin
Halifax aircraft LK 705 missing whilst engaged in a night mine-laying operation in the Baltic Sea. P/Os E.G. Howey, A.M. Munro, Sergeant L.T. Wardell, W/O 2nd Class G.E.Stevenson, Sergeants R.L. Bates (RAF), A.D Macgillivray and E.R. Metcalf (RAF) were killed.
Shot down by a night fighter of IV./NJG 3, while flying at 18,000 feet and crashed at 23:43 in the Klelund plantation, Denmark. All 7 crew were killed.
1944-February-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edward Clayton Howey 2023-08-28 1944-February-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alexander Milton George Munro 2023-08-28 1944-February-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class George Edward Stevenson 2023-08-28 1944-February-26 KIA RCAF Sergeant Leo Thompson Wardell 2023-08-28 Halifax LK706, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK706
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 706
Merlin XX/22
Units 518/517/518
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK708, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK708
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 708
Merlin XX/22
Units 431/434/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1669 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK709, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK709
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 709
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK711, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK711
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 711
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK731, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK731
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 731
Merlin XX/22
Units 431/429/427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK734, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK734
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 734
Merlin XX/22
Units 431/429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK735, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK735
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 735
Merlin XX/22
Units 431/429/427/1659 heavy Conversion Unit/1669 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK738, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK738
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 738
Merlin XX/22
Unit 161
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK739, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK739
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 739
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/428
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-20 Evader RAFVR Sergeant William Thomas Banner 2024-11-07 1944-January-20 Evader RCAF Sergeant William Edward Fell 2024-12-09 1944-January-20 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Alvin Robert Fisher 2024-12-09 1944-January-20 Evader RCAF Sergeant Leo R Fryer 2024-12-09 1944-January-20 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Yves Lavoie 2024-12-09 1944-January-20 Evader RCAF Flight Sergeant Frederick Fortesque Edmund Reain 2024-12-09 1944-January-20 PoW RCAF Sergeant William Richard Wynveen 2024-12-09 Halifax LK740, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK740
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 740
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-01-28 to 1944-01-29
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
Battle of Berlin
434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Croft. Halifax BV aircraft LK 740 WL-V was shot down by flak or possibly night fighter, crashing twenty-eight miles north by north-west of Berlin, near Linde, Germany during a night raid on Berlin, Germany. The entire crew was lost
Squadron Leader L M Linnell (RCAF), Pilot Officer A K Heaton (RCAF), Pilot Officer A W Hornby (RCAF), Pilot Officer F J Elms (RCAF), Sergeant P F Wicks (RCAF), Sergeant O D Culverwell DFM (RAFVR) and Pilot Officer S W H Taylor (RAFVR) were all killed in action
There were four other 434 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials EB 256 WL-S, LK 649 WL-X, LK 916 WL-P and LL 134 WL-U for further information on these aircraft and crews
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
434 Squadron Halifax V LK 740 WL-V Sq/Ldr. Linnell, RAF Croft, Flak,...
Last Flight to Berlin: The Search for a Bomber Pilot - YouTube
Warriors of the Night: The Big City - Air War over Germany - YouTube
1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis John Elms 2024-04-13 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Albert Kencil Heaton 2024-04-21 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Albert William Hornby 2024-04-21 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Lloyd Martin Linnell 2024-04-22 1944-January-29 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Sydney William Herbert Taylor 2024-05-03 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Sergeant Philip Francis Wicks 2024-05-03 Halifax LK746, B/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK746
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 746
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/429
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-01-28 to 1944-01-29
429 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
Battle of Berlin
429 Bison Squadron (Fortunae Nihil) RAF Leeming. Halifax BV aircraft LK 746 AL-K was shot down by night fighter pilot Hauptmann Paul Semrau of the Stab III/NJG 2, who was flying a Ju 88 from Gilze-Rijen airfield in the Netherlands, during an operation against targets in Berlin, Germany. The Halifax crashed near Berlin, at Kieckebusch, Germany
Pilot Officer H C Clay (RCAF), Flying Officer W G Hicks (RCAF)(USA), Flight Sergeant J Begg (RAFVR), Sergeant R E Drewett (RAFVR) and Sergeant J W Ward (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Flight Sergeant L W Wilkinson (RCAF) and Sergeant E S Green (RAFVR) both survived and were captured to become Prisoners of War
There were two 429 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial LK 697 AL-D casualty list and additional information
Allied Losses and Incidents: All Commands
Halifax LK746 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1944-January-29 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant James Begg 2024-03-31 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harry Charles Clay 2024-04-04 1944-January-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Ronald Edwin Drewett 2024-04-13 1944-January-29 PoW RAF Sergeant Richard Swindon Green 2023-12-24 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Winford Gordon Hicks 2024-04-21 1944-January-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James William Ward 2024-05-03 1944-January-29 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Lorne Wilkinson 2023-12-24 Halifax LK752, B.Mk.III
s/n LK752
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 752
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-03-24 to 1944-03-25
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
427 Lion Squadron (Ferte Manus Certas) RAF Leeming. Halifax BIII aircraft LK 752 ZL-V did not return from night operations against Berlin, Germany
The cause of loss was not established, but the Halifax crashed near Munchen-Gladbach, Germany
Pilot Officer JP Papineau (RCAF), Pilot Officer JV Roberts (RCAF), Pilot Officer LC Glasser (RCAF) and Pilot Officer CM Fugere (RCAF) were all killed in action
Flying Officer RA Parry (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 1 WF Magdalinski (RCAF) and Sergeant VC Guilder (RAFVR) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
There were three 427 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials LW 574 ZL-J and LW 577 ZL-K for additional information
Footprints on the Sands of Time, RAF Bomber Command Prisoners of War in Germany 1939-45 by Oliver Clutton-Brock pages 307,351,377 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Claude Mercier Fugere 2022-09-23 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lloyd Charles Glasser 2022-09-23 1944-March-25 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Peter Vincent Guilder 2022-10-04 1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer William Frederick Magdalinski 2022-10-04 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Paul Papineau 2022-10-18 1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert Alan Parry 2022-10-04 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Victor Roberts 2022-09-23 Halifax LK753, B.Mk.III
s/n LK753
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 753
Hercules XVI
Units 51/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK754, B.Mk.III
s/n LK754
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 754
Hercules XVI
Units 432/76/518
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Schweinfurt Germany 1944-02-24 to 1944-02-24
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
734 aircraft - 554 Lancasters, 169 Halifaxes, r r Mosquitoes - carried out the first Bomber Command raid on this target, home of Germany's main ball-bearing factor¬ies. 266 American B-r7s had raided the factories the previous day
Bomber Command introduced a novel tactic on this night. The Schweinfurt force was split into two parts - 392 aircraft and 342 aircraft, separated by a 2-hour interval. Part of the German fighter force was drawn up by earlier diversions. The first wave of the Schweinfurt bombers lost 22 aircraft, 5-6 per cent; the second wave lost only 11 aircraft, 3·2 per cent, and it is believed that only 4 bombers from the second wave were shot down by night fighters. Total losses were 33 aircraft - 26 Lancasters, 7 Halifaxes - 4·5 per cent of the force.Both phases of the bombing suffered from undershooting by some of the Pathfinder backers-up and by many of the Main Force crews. Schweinfurt records refer to 'nominal damage' in the R.A.F. night raid and give a combined figure of 362 people killed by the American raid the previous day and by this R.A.F. raid. No breakdown of this figure is available.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BIII aircraft LK 754 QO-Z swung on take-off for a raid on the ball bearing factories in Schweinfurt, Germany and came to rest in the trees on the airfield perimeter. The crew escaped serious injury. This was this bomber's first operational sortie with 432 Squadron
Sergeant JJ Barr (RCAF), Flying Officer EK Reid (RCAF), 2nd Pilot FS A Clarke (RCAF), Flying Officer JT Smith (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 VC MacDonald (RCAF), FS GG Maguire (RCAF), Sergeant RL Clarkson (RCAF) and Sergeant JA May (RAF) all survived
Several from this crew would be shot down 1944-03-31 on 432 Squadron Halifax MZ 504 QO-C on a raid over Nuremberg, Germany
Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire
1944-February-24 Survived RCAF Sergeant Joseph James Barr 2024-12-23 1944-February-24 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Kenneth Clarke 2024-02-26 1944-February-24 Survived RCAF Warrant Officer II Vincent Charles MacDonald 2022-11-16 1944-February-24 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant George Glen Maguire 2022-11-16 1944-February-24 Survived RAF Sergeant John Albert May 2022-11-16 1944-February-24 Survived RCAF Flying Officer Earle Kerr Reid 2021-10-01 1944-February-24 Survived RCAF Flying Officer James Talbot Smith 2021-05-19 Halifax LK755, B.Mk.III
s/n LK755
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 755
Hercules XVI
Units 427/432426/415/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK758, B.Mk.III
s/n LK758
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 758
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-07 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Donald William Howard 2021-08-15 1944-February-07 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Albert William Nicol 2021-08-17 1944-February-07 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Vincent Ronald Polowy 2021-08-15 1944-February-07 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Joseph Wilfrid Henri Vidal 2021-08-15 Halifax LK759, B.Mk.III
s/n LK759
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 759
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK761, B.Mk.III
s/n LK761
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 761
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Operational 1944-02-16 to 1944-02-16
(B) Sqn (RCAF)
Halifax aircraft LK 761 on a night cross country, crashed between Stillington and Huby, Yorkshire. Squadron Leader W.W.Strachan DFC, P/Os M.A. Martin, H.M. Stewart, J. Gilliard (RAF), F/Os N.J. Baron, R.C. Stuart, 1st L A.L.Rourke (USAAF were killed.
1944-February-16 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Nick John Baron 2024-11-09 1944-February-16 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Maurice Allan Martin 2024-12-21 1944-February-16 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Howard Murray Stewart 2024-12-21 1944-February-16 KIFA RCAF Squadron Leader William Watson Strachan DFC 2024-12-21 1944-February-16 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Claire Stuart 2024-12-21 Halifax LK763, B.Mk.III
s/n LK763
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 763
Hercules XVI
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK764, B.Mk.III
s/n LK764
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 764
Hercules XVI
Unit 432/434/1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK765, B.Mk.III
s/n LK765
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 765
Hercules XVI
Unit 432/415/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK766, B.Mk.III
s/n LK766
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 766
Hercules XVI
Units 432/415/187
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK779, B.Mk.III
s/n LK779
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 779
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Frankfurt Germany 1944-03-22 to 1944-03-22
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
Battle of Berlin
81(5.aircraft- 620 Lancasters, 184 Halifaxes, 12 Mosquitoes. Again, an indirect route was employed, this time crossing the Dutch coast north of the Zuider Zee and then flying almost due south to Frankfurt. This, and the Kiel minelaying diversion, confused the Germans for some time; Hannover was forecast as the main target. Only a few fighters eventually found the bomber stream. 33 aircraft - 26 Lancasters, 7 Halifaxes - were lost, 4·0 per cent of the force.
,p>The marking and bombing were accurate and Frankfurt suffered another heavy blow; the city's records show that the damage was even more severe than in the raid carried out 4 nights earlier. Half of the city was without gas, water and electricity 'for a long period'. All parts of the city were hit but the greatest weight of the attack fell in the western districts. The report particularly mentions severe damage to the industrial areas along the main road to Mainz. The report also has long lists of historic buildings, churches and hospitals destroyed and statistics for the destruction of property. Mention is made of 5 important and 26 lesser Nazi Party buildings hit. 948 people were killed, 346 seriously injured and 120,000 bombed out.162 B-17s of the Eighth Air Force used Frankfurt as a secondary target when they could not reach Schweinfurt 36 hours after this R.A.F. raid and caused further damage. The Frankfurt diary has this entry:
The three air raids of 18th, 22nd and 24th March were carried out by a combined plan of the British and American air forces and their combined effect was to deal the worst and most fateful blow of the war to Frankfurt, a blow which simply ended the existence of the Frankfurt which had been built up since the Middle Ages.*
One result of these heavy raids was that recently captured R.A.F. men often had to be protected by their guards from the assaults of angry civilians when they passed through Frankfurt to reach the nearby Oberursel interrogation and transit camp.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft LK 779 was shot down by a German night fighter aircraft during night operations to Frankfurt, Germany. Flight Lieutenant D.E.Cawker, P/O. H.A. Frizzell, FS. A. Beaumont (RAF), Sgt.s J. Campbell (RAF), and H.V.Thome (RAF) were killed. Two Canadians, F/O. Storen and Sgt.McNeill were taken Prisoners Of War.
F/L. Cawker kept the aircraft under control long enough for his crew to bail out but he went down with the aircraft.
There were two 432 Sqn. aircraft lost in the same area on this date. Please see P/O. D.A. Laird for information regarding the other aircraft and crew.
1944-March-23 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Frankfurt, shot down by a night fighter. 5 crew were killed and 2 POW. 2019-08-20
Halifax LK783, B.Mk.III
s/n LK783
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 783
Hercules XVI
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK784, B.Mk.III
s/n LK784
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 784
Hercules XVI
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK786, B.Mk.III
s/n LK786
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 786
Hercules XVI
Units 158/640/462/1658 Heavy Conversion Unit//1652HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-17 Rescued RCAF Flight Sergeant J Archibald 2024-11-02 1944-August-17 Rescued RAF Pilot Officer Victor Cameron 2023-12-09 1944-August-17 Rescued RCAF Flight Sergeant Henry Karl Kaufman DFM 2021-08-15 1944-August-17 Rescued RCAF Sergeant H McMillan 2021-08-15 1944-August-17 Rescued RCAF Sergeant W Odegaard 2021-11-02 1944-August-17 Rescued RCAF Flying Officer John Wagman DFC 2021-08-15 Halifax LK787, B.Mk.III
s/n LK787
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 787
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK790, B.Mk.III
s/n LK790
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 790
Hercules XVI
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK791, B.Mk.III
s/n LK791
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 791
Hercules XVI
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK792, B.Mk.III
s/n LK792
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 792
Hercules XVI
Units 427/434
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Trask Beech 2024-11-10 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Mike Habiluk 2025-01-07 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Philip Alan Kingston 2025-01-07 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas Fraser McAllister 2025-01-07 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Melvin McQueen 2025-01-07 1944-June-17 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer William Gordon Pearcey 2025-01-07 1944-June-17 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Arthur Warrington 2025-01-07 Halifax LK793, B.Mk.III
s/n LK793
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 793
Hercules XVI
Units 640/466/347/1663 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK794, B.Mk.III
s/n LK794
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 794
Hercules XVI
Unit 578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK796, B.Mk.III
s/n LK796
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 796
Hercules XVI
Units 425/434
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK798, B.Mk.III
s/n LK798
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 798
Hercules XVI
According to Halifax File, failed to return, Haine St Pierre, 9.5.44
Unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-May-09 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Arthur Adelard Aubry 2023-11-06 1944-May-09 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Eustache Marcel Beluse 2025-01-13 1944-May-09 Evader RCAF Sergeant R C Brown 2024-11-21 1944-May-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Walter Raymond Lefebvre 2025-01-13 1944-May-09 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Ross McConnell 2023-11-06 Halifax LK799, B.Mk.III
s/n LK799
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 799
Hercules XVI
Units 429/434
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK800, B.Mk.III
s/n LK800
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 800
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-March-31 PoW RAAF Pilot Officer Keith Hamilton Bowly 2024-10-05 1944-March-31 PoW RAF Sergeant John William Clowes 2024-03-06 1944-March-31 Evader RAF Flight Sergeant Ronald Dawson 2024-10-05 1944-March-31 PoW RAF Flying Officer John Dougall 2024-10-27 1944-March-31 Evader RAFVR Flight Sergeant Donald David Finlay DFM 2024-10-05 1944-March-31 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William McMahon 2024-10-05 1944-March-31 PoW RAF Flight Sergeant John William Arthur Myers 2024-10-05 Halifax LK801, B.Mk.III
s/n LK801
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 801
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-17 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Gregory Armen Chapman 2024-01-31 1944-June-17 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Kenneth James Donaldson 2024-10-26 1944-June-17 Evader RAFVR Sergeant Edward Jack Druett 2024-10-29 1944-June-17 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Michael Alexander Laffin 2024-10-26 1944-June-17 PoW RCAF Flying Officer James Hugh Martin 2024-10-26 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Clarence Vernon Soderstrom 2024-10-26 1944-June-17 Evader RCAF Sergeant Clifford W Wentworth 2024-10-26 Halifax LK802, B.Mk.III
s/n LK802
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 802
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alexander Achtymichuk 2024-11-01 1944-April-23 PoW KIA RCAF Flying Officer Percy Bruce Crosswell 2024-05-20 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Francis Fennessey 2022-08-07 1944-April-23 PoW USAAF Master Sergeant Arthur Fred 'Limey' Kempton 2023-08-29 1944-April-23 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert Bruce Low 2023-09-05 1944-April-23 PoW RCAF Sergeant W J Miller 2023-07-25 Halifax LK803, B.Mk.III
s/n LK803
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 803
Hercules XVI
Units 429/432/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK804, B.Mk.III
s/n LK804
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 804
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-March-31 Rescued RAF Pilot Officer Douglas Finlay 2022-04-07 1944-March-31 Rescued RCAF Pilot Officer Harry Glass DFM 2022-04-07 1944-March-31 Rescued RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Cecil Hall DFC 2022-04-07 1944-March-31 Rescued RCAF Sergeant H J Robinson 2022-04-07 1944-March-31 Rescued RAF Sergeant S C Sharp 2022-04-07 1944-March-31 Rescued RAF Flying Officer Cyril William Way 2022-04-07 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Henry Wilson 2022-04-07 Halifax LK805, B.Mk.III
s/n LK805
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 805
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-03-24 to 1944-03-25
429 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
429 Bison Squadron (Fortunae Nihil) RAF Leeming. Halifax BIII aircraft LK 805 AL-H missing during a night raid against targets in Berlin, Germany. The cause of loss and crash site for this Halifax was not established
Pilot Officer SA Wick (RCAF), Flying Officer JH Warkentin (RCAF), Pilot Officer LJ Keely (RCAF) and Sergeant H Hull (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Sergeant RL Kift (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 RS Clendinneng (RCAF) andWarrant Officer S Bousted (RAFVR) survived to be taken as Prisoners of War
There were three 429 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials LW 688 AL-J and LV 914 AL-V for additional information
Footprints on the Sands of Time, RAF Bomber Command Prisoners of War in Germany 1939-45 by Oliver Clutton-Brock pages 249,267,355 1944-March-25 PoW RAFVR Warrant Officer Class I Stanley Bousted 2023-11-17 1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Roy Sinclair Clendinneng 2025-02-03 1944-March-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Henry Hull 2025-02-03 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Louis John Keely 2025-02-03 1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert Lascelles Kift 2025-02-03 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Howard Warkentin 2025-02-03 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Stanley Arthur Wick 2025-02-03 Halifax LK806, B.Mk.III
s/n LK806
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 806
Hercules XVI
Unit 429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK807, B.Mk.III
s/n LK807
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 807
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Montzen Belgium 1944-04-27 to 1944-04-27
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
144 aircraft- 120 Halifaxes, 16 Lancasters, 8 Mosquitoes-of 4, 6 and 8 Groups. The bombing force, particularly the second of the 2 waves, was intercepted by German fighters and 14 Halifaxes and I Lancaster were shot down. Only one part of the railway yards was hit by the bombing. The only Lancaster lost was that of Squadron Leader E. M. Blenkinsopp, a Canadian pilot of 405 Squadron who was acting as Deputy Master Bomber. Blenkinsopp managed to team up with a Belgian Resistance group and remained with them until captured by the Germans in December 1944. He was taken to Hamburg to work as a forced labourer and later died in Belsen concentration camp 'of heart failure'. He has no known grave.
432 Leaside Squadron (Saeviter ad Lucem) RAF East Moor. Halifax BIII aircraft LK 807 QO-J was shot down returning from an operation to bomb the railyards at Montzen, Belgium by night fighter pilot Leutnant Ewald-Werner Hittler of the 3/NJG 1, who was flying an He 219 from Venlo airfield in the Netherlands. The Halifax crashed near Hanneche, Burdinne, Liege, Belgium
Rear Air-Gunner Sergeant RDA Harmsworth (RAFVR) was killed in action
Bomb Aimer Warrant Officer Class II (RCAF) and Flight Engineer S Musgrove (RAFVR) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
The remaining four crew members, Flying Officer APG Holmes (RCAF), Flying Officer DM MacAulay (RCAF), Flight Sergeant G Millar (RCAF) and Sergeant GEH Flather (RAFVR) all survived and became Evaders
There were three 432 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials LW592 QO-A and MZ 588 QO-W for additional information on those aircraft and crews
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
"Belgians Remember Them": RAF aircraft's crash sites: Hanneche
Hanneche - Halifax III LK807 QO-J 432 Squadron RAF - Halifax JD371...
1944-April-28 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on the rail yards at Montzen. 1 killed 2 POW 4 evaded. 2019-08-20
1944-April-27 Evader RAFVR Sergeant George Edward H Flather 2023-03-25 1944-April-27 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Royce Desmond Aubrey Harmsworth 2023-03-25 1944-April-27 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Peter Rogerson Holmes 2023-03-25 1944-April-27 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Duncan Morrison MacAulay 2023-03-25 1944-April-27 Evader RCAF Warrant Officer Class II Warren Ballantyne MacPherson 2023-03-25 1944-April-27 Evader RCAF Flight Sergeant Gilbert Millar 2023-03-25 1944-April-27 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Stanley Musgrove 2023-03-25 Halifax LK810, B.Mk.III
s/n LK810
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 810
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Arthur Laing 2023-11-28 1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Edmond Elie Laporte 2021-05-21 1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Jean Marie Levasseur 2023-11-28 1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Raoul Henri Bernard Clovis Mallette 2023-11-28 1944-May-23 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Robert McGowan 2023-07-19 1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Octave Arthur Remi Tetrault 2023-11-28 Halifax LK811, B.Mk.III
s/n LK811
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 811
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Bourg-Leopold Belgium 1944-05-27 to 1944-05-28
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
331 aircraft - 267 Halifaxes, 56 Lancasters, 8 Mosquitoes - to attack the military camp. 9 Halifaxes and I Lancaster lost, 3·0 per cent of the force.
Oboe-aimed target indicator fell right on the target and the bombing which followed caused severe damage to the camp. No further details are available.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft LX 811 missing during night ops. against Bourg-Leopold, Belgium. Pilot Officer Menzies maintained control of the aircraft so that his crew could bail out; he went down with the aircraft. Pilot Officer H.H. Rodgers, Sergeants J. Clarke (RAF), and T.F. McClay (RAF) were also killed. Three Canadians, Sergeant Hall, F/Os Gouinlock, and Rutherford, were either Evaders or were taken Prisoners of War. One other member of the crew, not Canadian, missing believed killed.
1944-May-28 Evader RCAF Flying Officer J Gouinlock 2023-02-06 1944-May-28 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Seymour Hall 2023-02-06 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Howard John Menzies 2023-02-06 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Herbert Henry Rodgers 2023-02-06 1944-May-28 Evader RCAF Flying Officer D E Rutherford 2023-02-06 Halifax LK828, B.Mk.III
s/n LK828
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 828
Hercules XVI
Units 431/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK833, B.Mk.III
s/n LK833
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 833
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1944-07-28 to 1944-07-29
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Normandy
307 aircraft - 187 Halifaxes, ro6 Lancasters, 14 Mosquitoes - from 1, 6 and 8 Groups. German fighters again appeared, this time on the homeward flight, and 18 Halifaxes and 4 Lancasters were lost, 7·2 per cent of the force. The Halifax casualties were 9·6 per cent; 431 (Canadian) Squadron, flying from Croft airfield in Co. Durham, lost 5 of its 17 aircraft on the raid.
·This was the first heavy raid on Hamburg since the Battle of Hamburg just a year earlier. The bombing on this raid was not well concentrated. The Germans estimated that only 120 aircraft bombed in the city area, with no recognizable aiming point, though western and harbour areas received the most bombs. A large proportion of the attack fell on areas devastated in 1943 but 265 people were killed and more than 17,000 had to be evacuated from homes damaged in this raid, many of which were probably only temporary wooden accommodation at this stage of the war. Brunswig (p. 339) describes how a panic developed at the large Reeperbahn air-raid shelter when a lone aircraft came in to bomb after the all clear had sounded and nearby Flak guns opened fire. 2 women were trampled to death and others were badly hurt.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax III aircraft LK 833 SE-R was shot down by a night fighter at Hohenaspe, Germany during a night raid over Hamburg, GermanyPilot Officer WM Aldred (RCAF), Pilot Officer DJ Miller (RCAF), Pilot Officer KJ Murray (RCAF), Pilot Officer C Karrel (RCAF), Pilot Officer J Eadinger (RCAF) and Sergeant EW Prosser (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Flying Officer SS Redmond (RCAF) survived and was taken as Prisoner of War
There were four other 431 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost in the same area on this date. Please see Sidebottom, GE for information on Halifax MZ 859 SE-A, Mills, AM for information on Halifax MZ 597 SE-B, Miller, RJ for information on Halifax LK 845 SE-J and Sorel, WG for information on Halifax MZ 589 SE-H
Twenty-two 6 Group aircraft and crews failed to return from this operation
1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Murray Aldred 2024-10-31 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Martin Eadinger 2024-10-31 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Curdis Karrel 2024-10-31 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas John Miller 2024-10-31 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth James Murray 2024-10-31 1944-July-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Edward Prosser 2024-10-31 1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Samuel Sylvester Redmond 2024-10-31 Halifax LK835, B.Mk.III
s/n LK835
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 835
Hercules XVI
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK836, B.Mk.III
s/n LK836
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 836
Hercules XVI
Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK837, B.Mk.III
s/n LK837
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 837
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Sterkrade Germany 1944-06-16 to 1944-06-17
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Normandy
321 aircraft- 162 Halifaxes, 147 Lancasters, 12 Mosquitoes - of 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups to attack the synthetic-oil plant despite a poor weather forecast.
The target was found to be covered by thick cloud and the Pathfinder markers quickly disappeared. The Main Force crews could do little but bomb on to the diminishing glow of the markers in the cloud. R.A.F. photographic reconnaissance and German reports agree that most of the bombing was scattered, although some bombs did fall in the plant area, but with little effect upon production. 21 Germans and 6 foreigners were killed and 18 houses in the vicinity were destroyed
.Unfortunately, the route of the bomber stream passed near a German night-fighter beacon at Bocholt, only 30 miles from Sterkrade. The German controller had chosen this beacon as the holding point for his night fighters. Approximately 21 bombers were shot down by fighters and a further Io by Flak. 22 of the lost aircraft were Halifaxes, these losses being 13 ·6 per cent of the 162 Halifaxes on the raid. 77 Squadron, from Full Sutton near York, lost 7 of its 23 Halifaxes taking part in the raid.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BIII aircraft LK 837 SE-H, was outward-bound on an operation to bomb the synthetic oil plants at Sterkrade/Holton, Germany when it was shot down by German night fighter Ace Hauptmann Heinz Struning
Only one crew member managed to bale before the Halifax crashed at Meijel, Limburg, Netherlands
Pilot Officer EO Johnson (RCAF), Pilot Officer EC Green (RCAF), Pilot Officer VP O'Bright (RCAF), Pilot Officer WR Chapman (RAFVR), Flying Officer RW Jones (RAFVR) and Pilot Officer D Shenton (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Flying Officer RCB Garrity (RCAF) survived and avoided capture as an Evader with the help of the Dutch Resistance. He was liberated by Allied forces and returned to England 1944-09-07
There were three other 431 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation on this date. Please see Carter, RE for information on Halifax NA 514 SE-B, Fairless, AG for information on Halifax MZ 520 SE-O and Johnstone, MM for information on Halifax MZ 537 SE-L
431 Squadron Halifax III LK837 SE-L F/O. Johnson RAF Croft...
1944-June-17 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer William Risden Chapman 2024-02-01 1944-June-17 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Richard Charles B Garrity 2023-04-18 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edward Calvin Green 2023-04-18 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Elmer Orville Johnson 2023-04-18 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Vernon Patrick O'Bright 2023-04-18 1944-June-17 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Donald Shenton 2023-04-18 Halifax LK838, B.Mk.III
s/n LK838
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 838
Hercules XVI
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Keith Bishop Brooks 2025-03-05 1944-November-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Keith Clayton Collins 2024-04-29 1944-November-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Norman Francis Jodrell 2025-03-05 1944-November-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Edwin Albert Love 2025-03-05 1944-November-04 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant A J Roach 2025-03-05 Halifax LK839, B.Mk.III
s/n LK839
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 839
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edwin George Beard 2025-01-18 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Keith Thomas Bielby 2024-11-12 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frederick William Crawley 2024-05-14 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Joseph Grant 2025-01-18 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Walter Bigelow Rosen 2025-01-18 Halifax LK840, B.Mk.III
s/n LK840
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 840
Hercules XVI
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK841, B.Mk.III
s/n LK841
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 841
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK842, B.Mk.III
s/n LK842
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 842
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing 1944-04-27 to 1944-04-28
431 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
431 Iroquois Squadron (The Hatiten Ronteriios) RAF Croft. Halifax BIII aircraft LK 842 SE-N missing during night operations against the railyards at Montzen, Belgium. Homeward-bound, the Halifax was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Hermann Greiner, Staffelkapitan of the 11/NJG 1, who was flying a Bf 110 G-4 from St Trond (Sint-Truiden) airfield, Belgium. The bomber was abandoned and crashed at Houthalen-Helchteren, Limburg, Belgium
Pilot Officer JJ Cooke (RCAF), Flying Officer HW Pond (RCAF), 1st Lieutenant JM Earman (USAAF) and Sergneat J Graham (RAFVR) were killed in action
Flying Officer WG Dudley (RCAF), Flying Officer DM King (RCAF) and Sergeant WJ Perry (RCAF) survived and were taken Prisoners of War
There were four 431 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials MZ 522 SE-U, MZ 529 SE-E and MZ 536 SE-F for additional information on these crew and aircraft
Daily Operations 6bombergroup.ca
431 Squadron Halifax III LK842 SE-N 1sr.Lt. Earman, RAF Croft, Yorkshire,...
"Belgians Remember Them": RAF aircraft's crash sites: Houthalen
1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Joseph Cooke 2024-04-06 1944-April-28 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William George Dudley 2023-03-22 1944-April-28 KIA USAAF 1st Lieutenant John Miller Earman PH 2023-08-26 1944-April-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Graham 2023-03-22 1944-April-28 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Douglas Malcolm King 2023-03-22 1944-April-28 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Francis Lloyd Perry 2023-03-22 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Hubert William Pond CDGBP 2023-03-22 Halifax LK843, B.Mk.III
s/n LK843
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 843
Hercules XVI
Units 51/578/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK845, B.Mk.III
s/n LK845
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 845
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1944-07-28 to 1944-07-29
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Normandy
307 aircraft - 187 Halifaxes, ro6 Lancasters, 14 Mosquitoes - from 1, 6 and 8 Groups. German fighters again appeared, this time on the homeward flight, and 18 Halifaxes and 4 Lancasters were lost, 7·2 per cent of the force. The Halifax casualties were 9·6 per cent; 431 (Canadian) Squadron, flying from Croft airfield in Co. Durham, lost 5 of its 17 aircraft on the raid.
·This was the first heavy raid on Hamburg since the Battle of Hamburg just a year earlier. The bombing on this raid was not well concentrated. The Germans estimated that only 120 aircraft bombed in the city area, with no recognizable aiming point, though western and harbour areas received the most bombs. A large proportion of the attack fell on areas devastated in 1943 but 265 people were killed and more than 17,000 had to be evacuated from homes damaged in this raid, many of which were probably only temporary wooden accommodation at this stage of the war. Brunswig (p. 339) describes how a panic developed at the large Reeperbahn air-raid shelter when a lone aircraft came in to bomb after the all clear had sounded and nearby Flak guns opened fire. 2 women were trampled to death and others were badly hurt.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Edward Gardner 2021-05-27 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Kenneth Gustafson 2021-05-27 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Cecil Howard McBrien 2021-05-27 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Earl McDonald 2021-05-27 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth Roland Miller 2023-08-30 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Joseph Miller 2021-05-27 1944-July-29 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Richard John Stone 2021-06-03 Halifax LK848, B.Mk.III
s/n LK848
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 848
Hercules XVI
Units 78/297
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK863, B.Mk.III
s/n LK863
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 863
Hercules XVI
Unit 158 (no indication of unit 431 in Halifax File)
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK865, B.Mk.III
s/n LK865
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 865
Hercules XVI
Unit 640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK866, B.Mk.III
s/n LK866
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 866
Hercules XVI
Unit 640
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Versailles France 1944-06-08 to 1944-06-08
640 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Leconfield
640 Squadron RAF Leconfield. Halifax III aircraft LK 866 C8-L was engaged in an operation to bomb rail facilities around Versailles France when it was shot down by Lt Heinz Reuter of 7/NJG2 about 70 km South-West of Paris, crashing at Soulaires, Eure-et-Loire France
The pilot, Flying Officer Ian MacKenzie Hamilton (RCAF) and Sergeant John William Lane (RAFVR) were both killed in action
Flying Officer Harold Denis Bastable (RCAF), Sergeant Ivan Leslie Horler (RAFVR), Sergeant Alexander Campbell Noble (RAFVR) and Flight Sergeant Andrew Rowe (RAFVR) all evaded for a time until being betrayed and arrested. Sergeants Horler and Noble were sent to Stalag Luft 1. Flying Officer Bastable and Flight Sergeant Rowe were held at Fresnes Prison in France before being deported to Buchenwald Concentration Camp. The German Luftwaffe intervened on behalf of 168 Allied Prisoners of War deported to Buchenwald and was able to transfer all but two, who sadly died in Buchenwald to Luftwaffe controlled POW camps. Bastable and Rowe were eventually both sent on to Stalag Luft 3
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
07/08 06 1944 640 Squadron Halifax LK866 Plt Off Ian M Hamilton RAF...
1944-June-08 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Harold Denis Bastable 2024-12-30 1944-June-08 Evader RAFVR Sergeant Leopold Louis De Vetter 2024-06-20 1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ian Mackenzie Hamilton 2024-06-20 1944-June-08 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Ivan Leslie Horler 2024-10-08 1944-June-08 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John William Lane 2024-06-18 1944-June-08 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Alexander Campbell Noble 2024-10-08 1944-June-08 PoW RAFVR Flight Sergeant Andrew Rowe 2024-06-20 Halifax LK868, B.Mk.III
s/n LK868
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 868
Hercules XVI
Units 432/431/171
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK871, B.Mk.III
s/n LK871
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 871
Hercules XVI
Units 426/434/1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK874, B.Mk.III
s/n LK874
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 874
Hercules XVI
Units 192/171
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK875, B.Mk.III
s/n LK875
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 875
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK877, B.Mk.III
s/n LK877
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 877
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Trappes France 1944-06-02 to 1944-06-03
158 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Lissett
D-Day
158 Squadron RAF (Strength in Unity) RAF Lissett. Halifax III aircraft LK 877 NP-A was shot down by Hauptmann Werner Hoffman, Staffelkapitan of 1/NJG-5 during an operation to bomb the railyards at Trappes, France, in preparation for the D-Day landings in Normandy. The Halifax crashed near Beaumont-le-Roger, Eure, France
The pilot, Flying Officer George Harold Dalton (RAFVR) survived and was taken as a Prisoner of War
The rest of the crew: Sergeant Stanley Bernard Jones (RCAF), Flying Officer Robert Maurice Farnbank (RAFVR), Flying Officer Walter Leigh Jones (RAFVR), Sergeant Henry William Chowne (RAFVR), Sergeant George William Heaton (RAFVR) and Sergeant Herbert Matthews (RAFVR) all survived and avoided capture as Evaders
Nachtjager Luftwaffe Night fighter Units 1939-1945 by David P Williams
1944-June-03 Evader RAFVR Sergeant Henry William Chowne 2024-10-03 1944-June-03 PoW RAFVR Flying Officer George Harold Dalton 2024-10-03 1944-June-03 Evader RAFVR Flying Officer Robert Maurice Farnbank 2024-10-03 1944-June-03 Evader RAFVR Sergeant George William Heaton 2024-10-03 1944-June-03 Evader RCAF Sergeant Stanley Bernard Jones 2024-10-03 1944-June-03 Evader RAFVR Flying Officer Walter Leigh Jones 2024-10-03 1944-June-03 Evader RAFVR Sergeant Herbert Matthews 2024-10-03 Halifax LK878, B.Mk.III
s/n LK878
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 878
Hercules XVI
Halifax Mk.III serial number LK878 was one of 200 aircraft built by Fairey Aviation Stockport, under Contract No.ACFT/891 and Requisition No.HA1/E11/41 and delivered to No. 426 (Thunderbird) Squadron RCAF, No.62 (Beaver) Base based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire, and part of No.6 (RCAF) Bomber Group on Sunday 23rd April 1944. On Tuesday 20thJune 1944 the aircraft was taken on charge by No. 434 (Bluenose) Squadron RCAF based at RAF Croft, Yorkshire, the satellite Station to the Main Station at Middleton St. George, Co. Durham, No.64 Bomber Base part of No.6 (RCAF) Bomber Group" On Wednesday 13th September 1944 the aircraft was categorized as "Ac' and was beyond the repair of the Unit? The aircraft was repaired and returned to No.434 (Bluenose Squadron on Thursday 5th October 1944. Ten days later the aircraft was transferred and taken on charge by No.1659 Heavy Conversion Unit based at RAF Station Topcliffe Yorkshire on Sunday 15thOctober 1944
last update: 2025-February-05Operational 1945-01-15 to 1945-01-15
() HCU (RCAF) Topcliffe
David Thompson - "˜and in the morning"¦'
On Monday 15th January 1945 the aircraft was allocated to Flying Officer F.W. Mooney RCAF and his crew of eight other airmen to carry out circuits and landings, taking off at 20:55 hours. It is important to note the crew had been involved just over two hours previously at 18:50 hours in an aborted take-off when the aircraft Halifax Mk.III LK871 was damaged beyond economical repair having it swung violently to starboard on take-off for the second time, the starboard wheel left the metalled runway and dug in causing the aircraft to ground loop, the port tyre then burst and the port undercarriage collapse. Without being medically checked the crew were assigned to Halifax Mk.III serial number LK878 and ordered to carry on with the exercise! Taking off for the second time the aircraft in less than three minutes flew into high ground at Catcliffe Wood near Felixkirk, 4 miles NE of Thirsk, Yorkshire at roughly 20:59 hours. The aircraft initially struck the ground of a snow-covered field near the village of Felixkirk, immediately bounced across a narrow lane and into an area of woodland and broke up on impact, the rear turret coming adrift. When rescuers arrived at the scene the Rear Gunner was still alive but succumbed to his injures. Northallerton Military Hospital records record that at 22:15 hours the "Mobile Surgical unit proceeded to Felixkirk at the request of RCAF Topcliffe." The injured airman was removed from the car and transferred to the ambulance. "He was in a very poor condition and died immediately after admission to hospital (at Northallerton) from multiple injuries". The Humber (vehicle) had to be abandoned half a mile from the scene of the crash owing to deep snow. Personnel walked through the snow to the crash. The surgical unit returned to Northallerton at 00:15 hours".
Halifax LK878 was the 64th aircraft from the Unit to become non effective and struck off charge (S.O.C. on Saturday 20th January 1945) All nine members on board perished!
The average age of the crew was 20 years 204 days, the average age of the those that died on No.1659 Heavy Conversion Unit was 23 years 37 days and the average age of those that died on a Heavy Conversion Unit 23 years 183 days.
(Photographs "“ (internet) Left to right, McGregor, Stavenow, MacDonell, Mooney, Savy & McCrea: Sergeant Richard (Michael) Sullivan the Extra F/E (in Civilian clothes)., Sergeant Robson F/E Halifax LK878 and Flight Sergeant Walton the Extra Pilot)
Lest we forget"¦
(Information from "˜and in the morning"¦' Database, Information can be verified using MOD documentation and the CWGC Register"¦ No.1659 HCU and Volumes of the H.C.U's to be released)
1945-January-15 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Angus John MacDonell 2023-01-16 1945-January-15 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer James Alexander McCrea 2023-01-16 1945-January-15 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Duncan Pearson McGregor 2023-01-16 1945-January-15 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Frank William Mooney 2023-01-16 1945-January-15 KIFA RAFVR Michael O'Sullivan 2024-01-10 1945-January-15 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Albert Russel Robson 2023-01-16 1945-January-15 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Aloysius Savy 2023-01-16 1945-January-15 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Leonard Charles Stavenow 2023-01-16 1945-January-15 KIFA RAFVR Geoffrey Walton 2023-01-16 Halifax LK879, B.Mk.III
s/n LK879
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 879
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Donald Carson 2024-01-10 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harry Doggett 2024-06-15 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Leonard George Hill 2024-06-15 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Edmund McQueen 2024-06-15 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Eugene Niles 2024-06-15 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Roland Gillies Shannon 2024-06-15 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Francis Edward Tabor 2024-06-15 Halifax LK880, B.Mk.III
s/n LK880
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 880
Hercules XVI
Unit 426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK883, B.Mk.III
s/n LK883
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 883
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-May-13 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Howard Black 2024-11-12 1944-May-13 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Ross Hubert Doubt 2024-10-27 1944-May-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth Wesley Drumm 2025-01-22 1944-May-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Joseph Fitzpatrick 2025-01-22 1944-May-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Howard Jones 2025-01-22 1944-May-13 Evader RCAF Flying Officer John William Van Marion 2025-01-22 Halifax LK884, B.Mk.III
s/n LK884
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 884
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Haine-Saint-Pierre Belgium 1944-05-09 to 1944-05-09
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
123 aircraft - 62 Halifaxes, 53 Lancasters, 8 Mosquitoes of 6 and 8 Groups. 6 Halifaxes and 3 Lancasters lost. Severe damage was caused to half of the railway yards and to locomotive sheds.
.source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft LK 884 Shot down by a night-fighter (Lt Georg Fengler 1V. near Gosselies during a night raid against Haine St Pierre, Belgium. FL. R.F. Mead, F/Os L.C.E.Webley, A. Girolami, P/Os J.A. Ouimet, J.V. Gravel, Sergeant D.V. Guttridge (RAF), and one other of the crew, not Canadian, were killed.
1944-May-09 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Adriano Richard Girolami 2023-08-09 1944-May-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Jospeh Victor Jacques Gravel 2023-08-09 1944-May-09 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Robert Frazer Mead 2023-08-09 1944-May-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Albert Bastien Ouimet 2023-08-09 1944-May-09 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Leslie Charles Edgar Webley 2023-08-09 Halifax LK885, B.Mk.III
s/n LK885
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 885
Hercules XVI
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Sergeant Stanley Percy Beech 2024-11-10 1944-May-25 PoW RCAF Sergeant Bruce Alexander Monson Fraser 2025-01-07 1944-May-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Wifred Arnold Gosnay 2025-01-07 1944-May-25 Evader RCAF Sergeant J Hooks 2025-01-07 1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Wilfred Carroll Lawson 2025-01-07 1944-May-25 PoW RCAF Sergeant Kenneth Claude Minifie 2025-01-07 1944-May-25 PoW RCAF Sergeant John Harold Noel 2025-01-07 Halifax LK886, B.Mk.III
s/n LK886
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 886
Hercules XVI
Units 426/434/1659 Heavy conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK887, B.Mk.III
s/n LK887
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
LK 887
Hercules XVI
Units 426/434
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK893, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK893
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 893
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-November-18 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth Ora Burns 2024-10-10 1943-November-18 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Frederick Arthur Davis 2024-10-10 1943-November-18 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Robert Joseph Decorby 2024-10-10 1943-November-18 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Edward Harry Ells 2024-10-10 1943-November-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Jeffrey Charles Hinks 2024-10-10 1943-November-18 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant James Elgar Spears 2024-10-10 1943-November-18 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 David Earl Watson 2024-10-10 Halifax LK894, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK894
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 894
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1943-08-30 to 1943-08-31
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Tholthorpe
434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Tholthorpe. Halifax BV aircraft LK 894 WL-K was shot down over Belgium by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Heinz Struning of the 3/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Venlo airfield, the Netherlands during a raid against targets in Monchengladbach, Germany. The Halifax is believed to have crashed NNE of Maaseik, Belgium with the loss of the entire crew
Pilot Officer FH Leaver (RCAF), Pilot Officer LW Kerr (RCAF), Pilot Officer SG Young (RCAF), Flying Officer MW Howard (RCAF), FS LC Patrick (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 JA Box (RCAF), Sergeant FA Bartlett (RAFVR), and Pilot Officer CS Burgess (RAFVR) were all killed in action
1943-August-31 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Frank Arthur Bartlett 2023-08-22 1943-August-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 John Alexander Box 2024-11-16 1943-August-31 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Charles Sidney Burgess 2022-10-21 1943-August-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Maurice William Howard 2022-10-21 1943-August-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lloyd Wilson Kerr 2022-10-21 1943-August-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Henry Leaver 2022-10-21 1943-August-31 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Leslie Cayless Patrick 2022-10-21 1943-August-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Stanford Grant Young 2022-10-21 Halifax LK895, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK895
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 895
Merlin XX/22
Unit 431
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK896, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK896
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 896
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK897, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK897
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 897
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK898, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK898
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 898
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Leipzig Germany 1943-12-03 to 1943-12-04
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholthorpe
Battle of Berlin
527 aircraft - 307 Lancasters, 220 Halifaxes. Despite the loss of two pressmen on the previous night, the well-known American broadcaster, Ed Murrow, flew on the raid with a 619 Squadron Lancaster crew. He returned safely.
The bomber force took another direct route towards Berlin before turning off to bomb Leipzig. German fighters were in the bomber stream and scoring successes before the turn was made but most of them were then directed to Berlin when the Mosquito diversion opened there. There were few fighters over Leipzig and only 3 bombers are believed to have been lost in the target area, 2 of them being shot down by Flak. A relatively successful raid, from the point of view of bomber casualties, was spoiled when many aircraft flew by mistake into the Frankfurt defended area on the long southern withdrawal route and more than half of the bombers shot down on this night were lost there. 24 aircraft- 15 Halifaxes, 9 Lancasters -were lost, 4·6 per cent of the force.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BV aircraft LK 898 SE-O lost during a night trip against war industry targets at Leipzig, Germany. Cause of loss not determined, but most likely due to flak. The entire crew was lost
Squadron Leader RG Cook DFC (RCAF), Flying Officer MV Snow (RCAF), Sergeant WJ Rattigan (RCAF), Sergeant J Williamson (RCAF), Sergeant HJR Brookman (RAFVR), Flight Lieutenant EL Lister (RAFVR) and Sergeant G Wood (RAFVR) were all killed in action
There were four 431 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Ritchie, RW for information on Halifax LK 685 SE-C, Heider, G for information on Halifax EB 137 SE-N and Edgar, AW for information on Halifax LK 968 SE-P
431 Squadron Halifax V LK898 SE-O Sq/Ldr. Cook, RAF Tholthorpe,...
1943-December-04 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Herbert John Redrup Brookman 2024-11-20 1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Robert Geoffrey Cook DFC 2024-04-04 1943-December-04 KIA RAFVR Flight Lieutenant Eric Leslie Lister 2025-03-04 1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Sergeant Wilfred James Rattigan 2025-03-04 1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Morley Vivian Snow 2025-03-04 1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Sergeant Jack Williamson 2025-03-04 1943-December-04 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Galen Wood 2025-03-04 Halifax LK900, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK900
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 900
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hanover Germany 1943-10-08 to 1943-10-09
427 () Sqn (RCAF) Skipton on Swale
On 1943-10-08, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, an Engineering Officer with 427 Sqn at Skipton-on-Swale, wrote in his diary:
". . .The weather was pretty duff right up until the last minute & there was a great chance of it being scrubbed but the take-off was ok. We had 11 kites on & had them marshalled and ready to go at 5:00pm. Takeoff was 10:30 with 1875 lbs of bombs & incendiaries as the load, 1 2000lb bomb was the big item: 429 had 13 [aircraft] on & it was very interesting as it was the first night take-off I had witnessed. . . . Those of us on interrogation stretched out on chairs in the Mess & went to sleep. At 1:30 I got a phone call that H was in the circuit on an early return . . .By this time it was nearly 4am so I went to bed when I heard that the rest of our aircraft were being diverted due to heavy ground fog at our station."
Sat Oct 9, 1943: " . . . We located all of our kites down in the south of England and sent crew down to get them fixed up.D Donald [LK900] is missing so I've now lost my first kite directly due to enemy action. It was the pilot and crew's first trip which is really too bad. 429 had one too making 2 out of 24 kites which isn't bad. Hanover was the target and from all reports they really pranged it properly"
Halifax LK901, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK901
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 901
Merlin XX/22
Units 428/1662 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK902, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK902
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 902
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax Lk903, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n Lk903
Rootes Securities Ltd
Lk 903
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK905, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK905
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 905
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Leipzig Germany 1944-02-19 to 1944-02-20
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Berlin
823 aircraft- 56 I Lancasters, 255 Halifaxes, 7 Mosquitoes. 78 aircraft- 44 Lancasters and 34 Halifaxes - lost, 9·5 per cent of the force. The Halifax loss rate was 13·3 per cent of those dispatched and 14·9 per cent of those Halifaxes which reached the enemy coast after 'early returns' had turned back. The Halifax IIs and Vs were permanently withdrawn from operations to Germany after this raid.
This was an unhappy raid for Bomber Command. The German controllers only sent part of their force of fighters to the Kiel minelaying diversion. When the main bomber force crossed the Dutch coast, they were met by a further part of the German fighter force and those German fighters which had been sent north to Kiel hurriedly returned. The bomber stream was thus under attack all the way to the target. There were further difficulties at the target because winds were not as forecast and many aircraft reached the Leipzig area too early and had to orbit and await the Pathfinders. 4 aircraft were lost by collision and approximately 20 were shot down by Flak.
Leipzig was cloud-covered and the Pathfinders had to use sky-marking. The raid appeared to be concentrated in its early stages but scattered later. There are few details of the effects of the bombing. No report is available from Germany and there was no immediate post-raid reconnaissance flight. When photographs were eventually taken, they included the results of an American raid which took place on the following day.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax V aircraft LK 905 SE-D was shot down by a night fighter (either Oberleutnant Josef Kraft of the 4/NJG 5 or Oberleutnant Paul Zorner of the 8/NJG 3, claim not determined) on a sortie to bomb the aircraft assembly plants at Leipzig, Germany. The Halifax crashed at Ipse near Gardelegan, Germany
Flying Officer M Sonshine (RCAF), Flying Officer RJ Kee (RCAF), Flying Officer JA Houston (RCAF), Pilot Officer DA McKerry (RCAF), Flying Officer RE Gillanders (RCAF), and FS AC Twitchett (RAFVR) were killed
FS AG Harvey (RCAF), was taken Prisoner of War
There were two 431 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Rowell LG for casualty list on LG 964 SE-T.
1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Edward Gillanders 2024-04-13 1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer A G Harvey 2023-08-24 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Alan Houston 2024-04-21 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ross James Kee 2024-04-21 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer David Anthony Gregory McKerry 2024-04-22 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Murray Sonshine 2024-05-03 Halifax LK906, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK906
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 906
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK907, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK907
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 907
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK908, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK908
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 908
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK909, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK909
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 909
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK912, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK912
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 912
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK913, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK913
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 913
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-16 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Edward Norman Bell 2025-01-09 1943-September-16 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Harry Dereniuk 2024-10-14 1943-September-16 Evader RCAF Flight Lieutenant J M Forman 2024-10-14 1943-September-16 Evader RCAF Flight Lieutenant E B Mason 2024-10-14 1943-September-16 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer J M Nelmes 2024-10-14 1943-September-16 PoW RAF Wing Commander Donald William McKay Smith 2024-10-14 Halifax LK914, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK914
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 914
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK915, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK915
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 915
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Charles Merton Butcher 2024-11-26 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Sergeant Edgar Smith Driscoll 2024-10-28 1943-September-27 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Basil Lorraine Higgins 2021-06-10 1943-September-27 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Frank Charles Jackson 2021-06-10 1943-September-27 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Ivor Jones 2021-06-10 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Murray Morrison 2022-06-04 1943-September-27 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Michael George Whalley 2021-06-10 Halifax LK916, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK916
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 916
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-01-28 to 1944-01-29
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
Battle of Berlin
434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Croft. Halifax BV aircraft LK 916 WL-P was lost on a night bombing operation when it blew up over the target of Berlin, Germany, cause unknown
Pilot Officer E P Devaney (RCAF), Pilot Officer C T E Lee (RCAF), Pilot Officer W H Martin (RCAF), Pilot Officer W K Maxwell (RCAF), Pilot Officer V H McKeown (RCAF), Sergeant E Parker (RAFVR) and Flight Sergeant K J Scales (RAFVR) were all missing, presumed killed in action. The missing have no known grave and all are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial
The Squadron Operations Record Book (ORB) refers to the operation as "Black Thursday". There were four other 434 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation, EB 256 WL-S, LK 649 WL-X, LK 740 WL-V and LL 134 WL-U
1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edward Phillip Devaney 2024-10-16 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Carl Thomas Edward Lee 2024-10-16 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Henry Martin 2024-10-16 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Wallace Kingdon Maxwell 2024-10-16 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Victor Herbert McKeown 2024-10-16 1944-January-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Ernest Parker 2024-10-16 1944-January-29 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Kenneth James Scales 2024-10-16 Halifax LK917, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK917
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 917
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-27 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Maurice Dudley Chasmar 2024-02-08 1943-September-27 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Edward Vladimir Austin Elder 2021-06-12 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harry Ernest Hansell 2021-09-21 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Anthony Leach 2021-06-12 1943-September-27 KIA RAF Sergeant Harold Lindsay 2021-06-12 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Orville Lytle 2022-01-23 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Herbert Tweedale Monteith 2021-06-12 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Robert Clinton Pedlar 2021-06-12 Halifax LK918, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK918
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 918
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1944-01-28 to 1944-01-29
431 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
431 Iroquois Squadron (The hatiten ronterrios) RAF Croft. Halifax V aircraft LK 918 SE-F, while returning to base from a bombing operation against targets in Berlin, Germany, short of fuel, the bomber diverted to RAF Dishforth. While attempting to land, the Halifax skidded off the runway and was severely damaged. Fortunately the entire crew survived without injury
Pilot Officer J K Gustafson (RCAF), Pilot Officer J B A Lamoureux DFC (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant J C King DFC (RAAF), Pilot Officer A Barnes DFC (RAFVR), Pilot Officer J T H Beech DFC (RAFVR), Flying Officer I H Black DFC (RAFVR), Flight Lieutenant O M Gilmour DFC (RAFVR) and Pilot Officer F D Pym DFC (RAFVR) all survived without injury
There were three more 431 Squadron Halifax V aircraft and crews lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials LL 150 SE-N, LK 963 SE-H and LL 181 SE-Q for additional information
1944-January-29 Survived RAFVR Pilot Officer Arthur Barnes DFC 2024-12-19 1944-January-29 Survived RAFVR Pilot Officer John Thomas Henry Beech DFC 2024-12-19 1944-January-29 Survived RAFVR Flying Officer Ivor Howard Black DFC 2024-12-19 1944-January-29 Survived RAFVR Flight Lieutenant Oswald Merwin Gilmour DFC 2024-12-19 1944-January-29 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer John Kenneth Gustafson 2024-12-19 1944-January-29 Survived RAAF Flight Lieutenant James Cyril King DFC 2024-12-19 1944-January-29 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Benoit Aristide Lamoureux DFC 2024-12-19 1944-January-29 Survived RAFVR Pilot Officer Frederick Daniel Pym DFC 2024-12-19 Halifax LK919, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK919
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 919
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-27 KIA RAF Sergeant Robert Ormond Evans 2021-06-12 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Maurice Patrick Halpin 2021-06-12 1943-September-27 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Edward Thomas Guy Moody 2021-06-12 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Henri Fernand Rousseau 2021-06-12 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Russell Harry Smith 2021-06-12 1943-September-27 KIA RAFVR Sergeant George Todkill 2021-06-12 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Michael Nancy Vitch 2021-07-12 Halifax LK920, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK920
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 920
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-October-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Ellwin Clair Champion 2024-01-28 1943-October-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Elmer Paquet 2023-08-22 1943-October-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class John Lyle Perrin 2023-08-22 1943-October-04 KIA RCAF Sergeant Pierre Louis Joseph Marie Quenet 2023-08-23 1943-October-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Raymond Ranger 2023-08-23 Halifax LK921, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK921
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 921
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK923, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK923
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 923
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Ralph Alexander Carson 2024-01-09 1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Reginald Fuller 2021-06-21 1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William John Ogilvie 2021-06-21 1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Richards 2024-05-01 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Sergeant Norman Smith 2024-05-03 1944-January-21 PoW RAF Sergeant Frederick Spence 2021-06-21 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Gordon William Chester Toal 2021-06-21 Halifax LK924, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK924
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 924
Merlin XX/22
Units 428/429/434/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit/48 Maintenance Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK925, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK925
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 925
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Kassel Germany 1943-10-03 to 1943-10-03
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholthorpe
Battle of Berlin
547 aircraft- 223 Halifaxes, 204 Lancasters, I 13 Stirlings, 7 Mosquitoes. 24 aircraft- 14 Halifaxes, 6 Stirlings, 4 Lancasters - lost, 4·4 per cent of the force.
This raid did not proceed according to plan. The H2S 'blind marker' aircraft overshot the aiming point badly and the 'visual markers' could not correct this because their view of the ground was restricted by thick haze. German decoy markers may also have been present. The main weight of the attack thus fell on the western suburbs and outlying towns and villages. But, even so, large fires were started at both the Henschel and Fieseler aircraft factories, at the city's main hospital and at several other important buildings. The eastern suburb of Wolfshanger was devastated, Kassel's casualties were 118 dead - 68 civilians, 12 military and 38 foreigners - and 304 injured. Musgrove, in his excellent book Pathfinder Force,* records that a large ammunition dump at Ihringshausen, just north of Wolfshanger, was hit by a chance bomb load and the resulting explosions attracted further bombs; photographs taken later showed 84 buildings at the military location destroyed and a great mass of craters. The outlying townships of Bettenhausen and Sandershausen were also severely hit but details for these places are not available.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft LK925 lost during operations against Kassel, Germany. W/O 2nd cl, G.J.Crebbin, Sergeant C. Wardrope and Pilot Officer L.C. Main were killed. Three Canadians, WOs. Reynoldson, Cudmore, and Sergeant Depape taken Prisoners of War, one of the crew, not Canadian, missing believed killed.
1943-October-04 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Kassel, shot down by a night fighter. 3 crew were killed, 3 POW. 2019-08-20
1943-October-03 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Gordon James Crebbin 2024-10-08 1943-October-03 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Lester Royce Cudmore 2024-10-08 1943-October-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lennox Cameron Main 2024-10-08 1943-October-03 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Reynoldson 2024-10-08 1943-October-03 KIA RCAF Sergeant Calvin Hudson Wardrope 2024-10-08 Halifax LK926, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK926
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 926
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-December-20 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Herbert Cyril Cohen 2024-03-13 1943-December-20 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Leslie Frederick Gillingham 2022-01-20 1943-December-20 KIA RNZAF Flight Sergeant John Alexander Lamb 2022-01-20 1943-December-20 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Charles William Matthews 2022-01-20 1943-December-20 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant David Stuart McClelland 2022-01-20 1943-December-20 KIA RAAF Flight Sergeant Lorin James Sheean 2022-01-20 1943-December-20 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Ronald Frederick Taylor 2022-01-20 Halifax LK927, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK927
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 927
Merlin XX/22
Units 428/431/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1666HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK928, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK928
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 928
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-December-20 KIA RCAF Sergeant George Herkis Jessiman 2021-08-15 1943-December-20 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Joseph Lawrance Keighan 2021-08-15 1943-December-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Keith Maxwell Mosher 2021-08-16 1943-December-20 PoW Died RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Elmer Lawrence Tycoles 2022-04-27 Halifax LK930, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK930
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 930
Merlin XX/22
Units 428/429/1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK931, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK931
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 931
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK945, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK945
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 945
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Lloyd Henry Cameron 2024-07-31 1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer George Norton Ferrier 2024-07-31 1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant John Peter Walter Gilman 2024-07-31 1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer William Gilbert Norman Raymond 2024-07-31 1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Daniel James Rioux 2024-07-31 Halifax LK946, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK946
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 946
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK947, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK947
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 947
Merlin XX/22
Units 428/429/434/1659 Heavy conversion Unit/1669 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK948, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK948
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 948
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK950, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK950
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 950
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Leverkusen Germany 1943-11-19 to 1943-11-19
428 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Middleton St George
428 Ghost Squadron (Usque Ad Finem) RAF Middleton-St-George. Halifax BV aircraft LK 950 NA-T was hit by flak during an operation against targets in Leverkusen, Germany but managed to get back over the UK. The aircraft was abandoned after suffering multiple engine failures and crashed in a cemetery near Canterbury, Kent, England
Sergeant JA McEwen (RCAF) bailed out at 15,000 feet, the first crew member out of the aircraft and was missing, presumed killed in action. The remaining crew all survived, uninjured
Sergeant K Hawthorne (RCAF), Flying Officer FR Storen, (RCAF) Flight Sergeant DLG Smith (RCAF), Warrant Officer 1st Class LL Fournier (RCAF), Sergeant LJ Oshowy (RCAF) and Sergeant CHA Kirtland (RAFVR) all survived, safe
There were two 428 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial LK 956 NA-S for additional information on this aircraft and crew
1943-November-20 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Leverkusen, see comments 2019-08-20
1943-November-19 Survived RCAF Warrant Officer Class I L L Fournier 2023-06-06 1943-November-19 Survived RCAF Sergeant K Hawthorne 2023-06-06 1943-November-19 Survived RAFVR Flight Lieutenant Charles Henry Albert Kirtland DFC 2023-06-06 1943-November-19 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Alexander McEwen 2023-06-06 1943-November-19 Survived RCAF Sergeant L J Oshowy 2023-06-06 1943-November-19 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant D L G Smith 2023-06-06 1943-November-19 Survived RCAF Flight Lieutenant Frank Robert Storen 2023-06-06 Halifax LK952, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK952
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 952
Merlin XX/22
Units 428/431/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1667HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK953, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK953
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 953
Merlin XX/22
Units 428/434/427/434
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-November-22 PoW RCAF Flying Officer James Alexander Higgins 2021-03-01 1943-November-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Rob Roy MacGregor 2021-08-16 1943-November-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant George Laing Mackay 2021-08-16 1943-November-22 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Rowland Savage 2023-09-28 1943-November-22 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Jay Edmond Wheeler 2023-08-17 Halifax LK954, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK954
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 954
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert George Eaton 2021-08-05 1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Bruce Alan Elmore 2021-08-06 1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Allen Keith Hodgkinson 2021-09-21 1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alan Edward Mackenzie 2021-09-23 1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Lester Lyle Whitham 2021-07-09 Halifax LK956, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK956
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 956
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Leverkusen Germany 1943-11-19 to 1943-11-20
428 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Middleton St George
428 Ghost Squadron (Usque ad Finem) RAF Middleton St George. Halifax BV aircraft LK 956 NA-S was severely damaged by Flak near Bonn during a night operation to Leverkusen, Germany, then attacked by night fighter pilot Hauptmann Paul Forster of the 2/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Venlo airfield. The crew eventually abandoned the aircraft before it crashed in hamlet Olen, near Son, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands. The entire crew survived
Flying Officer DR Knight (RCAF), Sergeant DFC Walker (RAF), Sergeant SJ Stevens (RAF) all survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
Flight Sergeant Shepherd (RCAF) evaded for a time but was arrested in Brussels, Belgium 1944-01-26 and taken as Prisoner of War
Flight Sergeant DK MacGillivray (RCAF), Sergeant NH Michie (RCAF) and Sergeant s Munns (RAF) all survived as Evaders and avoided capture to return to the UK
There was a second 428 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial LK 950 NA-T for additional information
1943-November-20 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant David Roy Knight 2023-06-06 1943-November-20 Evader RCAF Flight Sergeant Donald Keith MacGillivray MiD 2023-06-06 1943-November-20 Evader RCAF Sergeant Norman Huntley Michie 2023-06-06 1943-November-20 Evader RAF Sergeant Stanley Munns 2023-06-06 1943-November-20 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Harold Calvin Shepherd 2023-06-06 1943-November-20 PoW RAF Sergeant Sidney James Stevens 2023-06-06 1943-November-20 PoW RAF Sergeant John Monatgue Carlton Walker 2023-06-06 Halifax LK959, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK959
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 959
Merlin XX/22
Units 428/427
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1943-10-21 to 1943-10-22
427 (B) BG (RCAF) Skipton on Swale
On 1943-10-08, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, an Engineering Officer with 427 Sqn at Skipton-on-Swale, wrote in his diary:
"Well we were on tonight for a change after a two week stand-down [due to poor weather]. I thought I'd make an effort to make a good showing on my first real op on my own. The boys co-operated fine and we got a record 16 kites up each with 1882 gals of petrol, 6500 lbs of bombs, 1-2000 lb., 5 cans of 4-30 lb. incendiaries & 8 cans of 90- 4lb. as well as 14 bundles of "window" incendiaries, the metallic strips they shower down when over target to throw out & jam the jerry radio-location beams. It looked pretty good at take-off & although we had 2 go u/s [unserviceable] just before take-off we managed to shift the crews around to stand-by kites & so we got them all away.
I was feeling pretty good about this but soon things began to happen. First the weather closed in & it turned very cold with a sheet-like rain. Then one after another we got the news that seven aircraft were coming back on early returns never having reached the target. This was awful for my first "do" but it seemed that 3 of the seven were due to very bad icing conditions, 2 were due to maintenance faults for which I had to take the blame. One was due to the pilot getting lost and getting too low down over the Ruhr where he got badly shot up with flak while the seventh never got back at all. He crashed down near Eastmoor somewhere & burned up. All crew were killed so I don't suppose we'll ever find out what happened. With Squadron Leader Ganderton I drove around & met each pilot and flight engineer as they got out of their kites, found out their story & made out my report to the station engineering officer. I was nearly 11:00 o'clock when they all got back & since the weather was duff I was getting a little apprehensive about how many of the rest would get back.
At 12:00 o'clock I went down to flying control to watch as the rest of the kites came in. It was very exciting hearing them talk them in one by one by radio and watching them land. We had two near accidents, one when he was swung & ground looped just after landing & the other when a few hung-up incendiaries fell out of a kite on the runway and went up with a terrific roar & bright flames. However, no one was hurt & we kept counting them one by one as they got down safely until there was only 4 more of ours to come in. We waited and waited but they didn't come & we finally had to give them up for lost. About 1:00am I went up to interrogation to find out from each pilot & flight engineer how the kite had functioned & what damage had been sustained. Finally after about an hour I went to the operations room to see if they had any word of our missing aircraft (& they hadn't). I finally got back to the Mess at 3:30am, had fried potatoes and sausages & went to bed.
Sat Oct 23, 1943: "Things were pretty grim here this morning with everyone worried about our big losses. 4 of ours & 2 from 429 making 6 out of 28 aircraft. Also my six early returns didn't make me feel any too happy. Fortunately we were stood down tonight. The target was Kassel last night & 42 were lost altogether. Mostly due to icing I imagine. Our K-Kitty which had several flak holes in it wasn't too bad although it needed and engine change. . . ."
1943-October-23 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Kassel. All were killed. 2019-08-20
1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon Edward Aitken 2024-11-01 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Gilbert Crain 2024-05-12 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Sydney Howell Hopson 2021-06-06 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Omer Andre Lapointe 2021-05-22 1943-October-22 KIA RAF Sergeant Peter Howard Maudling 2021-06-06 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edwin Terrance McDermott 2021-05-22 1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Charles Edward Oakley 2021-06-06 1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant William James Weston 2021-05-22 Halifax LK963, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK963
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 963
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-01-28 to 1944-01-29
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Berlin
677 aircraft - 432 Lancasters, 241 Halifaxes, 4 Mosquitoes. Part of the German fighter force was drawn up by the early diversions and the bomber approach route over Northern Denmark proved too distant for some of the other German fighters. The German controller was, however, able to concentrate his fighters over the target and many aircraft were shot down there. 46 aircraft - 26 Halifaxes, 20 Lancasters - lost, 6·8 per cent of the force.
.The cloud over Berlin was broken and some ground-marking was possible but the Bomber Command claim that this was the most concentrated attack of this period is not quite fully confirmed by German records. The western and southern districts were hit but so too were 77 places outside the. city. The Berlin recording system was now showing an increasing deterioration. No overall figure for property damage was recorded; approximately 180,000 people were bombed out on this night. Although many industrial firms were again hit, the feature of this night is the unusually high proportion of administrative and public buildings appearing in the lists of buildings hit: the new Chancellery, 4 theatres, the 'French' cathedral, 6 hospitals, 5 embassies, the State Patent Office, etc. The report concludes with this entry: 'The casualties are still not known but they are bound to be considerable. It is reported that a vast amount of wreckage must still be cleared; rescue workers are among the mountains of it.".
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax V aircraft LK 963 SE-H missing during night operations over the target Berlin, Germany. Homeward-bound, the aircraft was shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Bruno Heilig of the Stab/NJG 2, who was flying a Ju 88 from Deelen airfield in the Netherlands. The Halifax crashed 500 meters southwest of the outskirts of Webelsfelde Muhlen Eichsen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
Sergeant BS Rowe (RCAF), Pilot Officer D Bonokoski (RCAF) and Sergeant JR Bothwell (RAFVR) were killed in action
Flying Officer AF Davis (RCAF) and FS JJ Maher (RCAF), Sergeant T Boyd (RAF) and Sergeant DH Lockyer (RAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
There were two other 431 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation, on this date. Please see Thompson, AC for information on Halifax LL 181 SE-Q and Raymond, JP for information on Halifax LL 150 SE-N
Sergeant Rowe and Sergeant Maher had both previously survived the crash landing of 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit Halifax II JB 893 with slight injuries on 1943-10-12. While on a cross-country flight, the aircraft had lost three engines, was abandoned and crashed at Lower Brailes, Warwickshire, England
1944-February-20 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Leipzig. All were killed. 2019-08-20
1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Daniel Bonokoski 2024-11-14 1944-January-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Roger Bothwell 2024-11-15 1944-January-29 PoW RAF Pilot Officer Thomas Boyd 2023-10-23 1944-January-29 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Mervyn Davis 2024-09-30 1944-January-29 PoW RAF Sergeant Douglas Henry Lockyer 2025-01-27 1944-January-29 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Joseph Maher 2025-01-27 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Sergeant Bruce Sherwin Rowe 2025-01-27 Halifax LK964, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK964
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 964
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Leipzig Germany 1944-02-19 to 1944-02-20
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Berlin
823 aircraft- 56 I Lancasters, 255 Halifaxes, 7 Mosquitoes. 78 aircraft- 44 Lancasters and 34 Halifaxes - lost, 9·5 per cent of the force. The Halifax loss rate was 13·3 per cent of those dispatched and 14·9 per cent of those Halifaxes which reached the enemy coast after 'early returns' had turned back. The Halifax IIs and Vs were permanently withdrawn from operations to Germany after this raid.
This was an unhappy raid for Bomber Command. The German controllers only sent part of their force of fighters to the Kiel minelaying diversion. When the main bomber force crossed the Dutch coast, they were met by a further part of the German fighter force and those German fighters which had been sent north to Kiel hurriedly returned. The bomber stream was thus under attack all the way to the target. There were further difficulties at the target because winds were not as forecast and many aircraft reached the Leipzig area too early and had to orbit and await the Pathfinders. 4 aircraft were lost by collision and approximately 20 were shot down by Flak.
Leipzig was cloud-covered and the Pathfinders had to use sky-marking. The raid appeared to be concentrated in its early stages but scattered later. There are few details of the effects of the bombing. No report is available from Germany and there was no immediate post-raid reconnaissance flight. When photographs were eventually taken, they included the results of an American raid which took place on the following day
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax V aircraft LK 964 SE-T failed to return, lost on night bombing operations against the aircraft assembly plants at Leipzig, Germany, cause not determined
Pilot Officer LG Rowell (RCAF), Flying Officer JH Cunningham (RCAF), Pilot Officer JD Bates (RCAF), Pilot Officer EH Cutler (RCAF), Pilot Officer J Howell (RCAF), Pilot Officer SJ Vernon (RCAF) and FS DJ Rawlinson (RAFVR) were killed
There was a second 431 Sqn Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Sonshine, M for casualty list on LK 905 SE-D. The Halifax loss rate was 14.9% on this operation. As a result, Halifax Mks II and V were permanently withdrawn from service over Germany
1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Donald Bates 2024-12-31 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Hill Cunningham 2024-05-30 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Eric Herrington Cutler 2024-04-04 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Howell 2024-04-21 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lloyd George Rowell 2024-05-01 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Stanley James Vernon 2024-05-03 Halifax LK965, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK965
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 965
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/429/434/1659Heavy conversion Unit/1669HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK967, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK967
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 967
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Frankfurt Germany 1943-11-25 to 1943-11-26
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholthorpe
Battle of Berlin
262 aircraft - 236 Halifaxes and 26 Lancasters - of 4, 6 and 8 Groups. As on the previous night, there were no major diversions and the bomber force took a relatively direct route to the target. The German controller did not, at first, know whether Mannheim or Frankfurt was the real objective but he eventually chose Frankfurt, where the Flak was restricted to 15,000 ft. 12 bombers- 1 I Halifaxes and I Lancaster - lost, 4·6 per cent of the force.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
1943-November-26 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer P Bauset 2024-11-09 1943-November-26 PoW RAF Sergeant William Henry Bennett 2023-10-16 1943-November-26 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Douglas Wesley Burleigh 2024-11-24 1943-November-26 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Jean Marcel David Joseph Dugas 2024-10-29 1943-November-26 Evader RCAF Warrant Officer 1 R A Jones 2025-01-01 1943-November-26 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Basil Norman Passant 2025-01-01 Halifax LK968, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK968
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 968
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Leipzig Germany 1943-12-03 to 1943-12-04
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholthorpe
Battle of Berlin
527 aircraft - 307 Lancasters, 220 Halifaxes. Despite the loss of two pressmen on the previous night, the well-known American broadcaster, Ed Murrow, flew on the raid with a 619 Squadron Lancaster crew. He returned safely.
The bomber force took another direct route towards Berlin before turning off to bomb Leipzig. German fighters were in the bomber stream and scoring successes before the turn was made but most of them were then directed to Berlin when the Mosquito diversion opened there. There were few fighters over Leipzig and only 3 bombers are believed to have been lost in the target area, 2 of them being shot down by Flak. A relatively successful raid, from the point of view of bomber casualties, was spoiled when many aircraft flew by mistake into the Frankfurt defended area on the long southern withdrawal route and more than half of the bombers shot down on this night were lost there. 24 aircraft- 15 Halifaxes, 9 Lancasters -were lost, 4·6 per cent of the force.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BV aircraft LK 968 SE-P lost during night operations, most likely to flak during an attack against war industry targets in Leipzig, Germany. The Halifax crashed near Hannover, Germany
Flying Officer AW Edgar (RCAF), Sergeant NT Anderson (RCAF), and Sergeant MV Phillips (RAFVR) were killed. in action
Sergeant JD Arsenault (RCAF)(USA), Warrant Officer Class 2 MO Dechambeau (RCAF), FS RJ Henry (RCAF) and Pilot Officer AE Freeman (RCAF), survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
There were four 431 squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Ritchie, RW for information on Halifax LK 685 SE-C, Heider, G for information on Halifax EB 137 SE-N and Cook, RG for information on Halifax LK 898 SE-O
1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Sergeant Norman Thomas Anderson 2023-11-05 1943-December-04 PoW RCAF Sergeant Joseph Cyrus Arsenault 2024-10-10 1943-December-04 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Maynard Oliver Dechambeau 2024-10-10 1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Alexander William Edgar 2023-11-05 1943-December-04 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Arthur Edwin Freeman 2025-02-20 1943-December-04 PoW RCAF Flt. Sergeant Ronald Jarvis Henry 2024-10-10 1943-December-04 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Mansel Vernal Phillips 2024-10-10 Halifax LK969, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK969
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 969
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Frankfurt Germany 1943-11-25 to 1943-11-26
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
262 aircraft - 236 Halifaxes and 26 Lancasters - of 4, 6 and 8 Groups. As on the previous night, there were no major diversions and the bomber force took a relatively direct route to the target. The German controller did not, at first, know whether Mannheim or Frankfurt was the real objective but he eventually chose Frankfurt, where the Flak was restricted to r 5,000 ft. 12 bombers - 11 Halifaxes and 1 Lancaster - lost, 4·6 per cent of the force.
Cloud covered the target area and the bombing appeared to be scattered. Frank¬furt's report confirms this, the number of bombs recorded suggesting that fewer than roo aircraft managed to hit the city. A moderate amount of housing was destroyed, 80 people were killed and 3,500 were bombed out. The report states that some fires in granaries and cattle sheds in outlying farms were blamed, not on the bombing but on sabotage, presumably by foreign workers.
Halifax aircraft LK 969 lost during a trip to Frankfurt, Germany. One Canadian taken Prisoner of War stated that FS Barske was the only casualty as all other members of the crew bailed out.
1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Paul Jack Barske 2024-12-26 1943-November-26 PoW RCAF Squadron Leader John Robert Beggs 2024-12-26 1943-November-26 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Percy McMaster 2024-12-26 1943-November-26 PoW RCAF Sergeant Frank Moore 2024-12-26 1943-November-26 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Geoffrey Morby Ruff 2024-12-26 Halifax LK970, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK970
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 970
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-December-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Bertrand Gerard Barrette 2023-11-15 1943-December-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert Warren Dixon 2024-10-22 1943-December-21 PoW RCAF Flt. Lieutenant Anthony Haddon Mackay 2024-10-22 1943-December-21 PoW RCAF Flt. Sergeant Chester George McClure 2024-10-22 1943-December-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John David McConnell 2024-10-22 1943-December-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Pressly Scott 2024-10-22 Halifax LK971, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK971
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 971
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Jerome Blanchard 2025-01-25 1944-February-15 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Frank Ernest Carter 2024-01-11 1944-February-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Grant Goodfellow 2025-01-25 1944-February-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Spurgeon Delma Jenkins 2025-01-25 1944-February-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Hugh McPherson 2025-01-25 1944-February-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Walter Everitt Rood 2025-01-25 1944-February-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Walter Wheeler 2025-01-25 Halifax LK972, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK972
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 972
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/429/431/1664 Heavy Conversion unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK973, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK973
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 973
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Frankfurt Germany 1943-11-25 to 1943-11-26
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholthorpe
Battle of Berlin
262 aircraft - 236 Halifaxes and 26 Lancasters - of 4, 6 and 8 Groups. As on the previous night, there were no major diversions and the bomber force took a relatively direct route to the target. The German controller did not, at first, know whether Mannheim or Frankfurt was the real objective but he eventually chose Frankfurt, where the Flak was restricted to 15,000 ft. 12 bombers- 1 I Halifaxes and I Lancaster - lost, 4·6 per cent of the force.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Cloud covered the target area and the bombing appeared to be scattered. Frankfurt's report confirms this, the number of bombs recorded suggesting that fewer than 100 aircraft managed to hit the city. A moderate amount of housing was destroyed, 80 people were killed and 3,500 were bombed out. The report states that some fires in granaries and cattle sheds in outlying farms were blamed, not on the bombing but on sabotage, presumably by foreign workers,
Halifax LK974, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK974
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 974
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Walter Gibbons 2024-04-13 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Paul Alvin McIntyre 2024-04-22 1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Wilfred Harold Eugene Ostlund 2023-07-31 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Sergeant Victor Earl Reed 2024-05-01 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant John James Stephen 2024-05-03 Halifax LK975, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK975
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 975
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/429/434/1667 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK976, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK976
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 976
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-November-19 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Dixon 2024-10-22 1943-November-19 KIA RCAF Sergeant Arthur Frederick Gander 2024-10-22 1943-November-19 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Geoffrey Cyril Harper 2024-10-22 1943-November-19 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Percy George Jolliffe 2024-10-22 1943-November-19 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Patrick Kennedy 2024-10-22 1943-November-19 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Walter Riddell 2024-10-22 1943-November-19 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Francis William Winter 2024-10-22 Halifax LK989, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK989
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 989
Merlin XX/22
On 1943-11-25, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, a Technical Officer at Leeming, wrote in his diary:
Everything was proceeding nicely. We had 17 on & 429 had 16. About halfway through the take off 429 G edging out from a diagonal collided with our [sqdn427] G & locked the two kites together & blocked the track. On one side was a ditch so they could not get around there & on the other was fairly soft muddy ground with several 4 to 6 inch diameter trees in the way. Everyone was in a panic & the CO said we could not get the rest around & there were 18 more to come. Thought I might be able to do it so suggested chopping the trees down with the fire axes from the crashed aircraft. I collected a few of the boys, commandeered axes & flashlights, chopped down the trees and directed the other 18 kites around one after the other & not one got stuck although I never did so much running around, stumbling and floundering around in the pitch dark, through mud and water up to my knees . . . I got 16 of my 17 away. The one that tangled of course could not go.
Struck off charge, 1.11.45
Units 427/431/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK990, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK990
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 990
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Leverkusen Germany 1943-11-19 to 1943-11-19
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Tholthorpe
434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Tholthorpe. Halifax BV aircraft LK 990 IP-X was lost during a raid against targets in Leverkusen, Germany, repeatedly hit by Flak and shot down by Oberleutnant Peter Ehrhardt of the 8/NJG 5, flying a Bf 110 G-4. The aircraft was abandoned and crashed near Dorstfeld, Dortmund, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Flying Officer WF Winning (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant BA Caplan (RCAF), Warrant Officer 1st Class MA Beaton (RCAF), Warrant Officer 2nd Class GN Saunders (RCAF), Warrant Officer 1st Class SG Erickson (RCAF), Sergeant MR Hutton (RAF) and Flight Sergeant EV Matthews (RAF) all survived to be taken as Prisoners of War
Sadly, the wounded Flying Officer Winning would die in hospital as a PoW on December 4, 1943
There were two 434 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial EB 254 IP-D for additional information on this aircraft and crew
1943-November-20 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Leverkusen. 1 killed & 6 crew were POW. 2019-08-20
1943-November-19 Evader RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Malcolm Andrew Beaton 2025-01-04 1943-November-19 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Barry Aaron Caplan 2025-01-04 1943-November-19 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Stanley Gordon Erickson 2025-01-04 1943-November-19 PoW RAF Sergeant Maurice Reginald Hutton 2025-01-04 1943-November-19 PoW RAF Flight Sergeant Edward Victor Matthews 2025-01-04 1943-November-19 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Gordon Neil Saunders 2025-01-04 1943-November-19 PoW Died RCAF Flying Officer Walter Fry Winning 2023-06-05 Halifax LK991, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK991
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 991
Merlin XX/22
Units 431/1667 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK992, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK992
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 992
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK993, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK993
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 993
Merlin XX/22
Units 431/429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LK995, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK995
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 995
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/429
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Henry Davis 2024-10-01 1943-November-26 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Douglas Rae Nelson 2024-06-06 1943-November-26 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Manuel Rabinovitch 2023-08-03 1943-November-26 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class D MacMaster Smith DFM 2024-06-06 1943-November-26 Evader RCAF Flying Officer John Jacob Thurmeier 2024-06-06 Halifax LK998, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK998
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 998
Merlin XX/22
Unit 517
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-24 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant William Scott Beevers 2022-01-19 1944-February-24 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Earl Theodore Bell 2025-01-09 1944-February-24 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Kendall Goodfellow 2025-01-09 1944-February-24 KIFA RAFVR Flight Lieutenant George Proudfoot Irvine 2022-01-19 1944-February-24 KIFA RAF Flight Sergeant William Thomas Martin 2022-01-19 1944-February-24 KIFA RAFVR Flying Officer William Bryce McLaren 2022-01-19 1944-February-24 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William Thomas Gudlaugur Robinson 2025-01-08 1944-February-24 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Robert William Taylor 2025-01-08 Halifax LK999, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LK999
Rootes Securities Ltd
LK 999
Merlin XX/22
Units 76/77/346/347/1659Heavy conversion Unit/1666HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL113, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL113
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 113
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/1659Heavy Conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL114, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL114
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 114
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL115, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL115
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 115
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL116, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL116
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 116
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL122, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL122
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 122
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL129, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL129
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 129
Merlin XX/22
Unit 298
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL131, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL131
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 131
Merlin XX/22
Units 76/346/347/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1666HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL132, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL132
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 132
Merlin XX/22
Units 192/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1669HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL134, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL134
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 134
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-01-28 to 1944-01-29
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
Battle of Berlin
434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Croft. Halifax BV aircraft LL134 WL-U was attacked by a night fighter 21,000 feet over the target area of Berlin Germany and abandoned by the crew
The entire crew survived the crash
Squadron Leader J E Hockey (RCAF), Flying Officer L C Bannister (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant J Ferguson (RCAF), Warrant Officer S Saprunoff (RCAF), Pilot Officer J Acquier (RAFVR), Pilot Officer G Borrett (RAFVR), Pilot Officer F G Hearsey (RAFVR) and Flying Officer G B Poad (RAFVR) all became Prisoners of War
There were four other 434 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Halifax aircraft serials EB 256 WL-S, LK 649 WL-X, LK 740 WL-V and LK 916 WL-P for further information on these aircraft and crews
1944-January-29 PoW RAF Flying Officer John Francis Acquier 2023-12-16 1944-January-29 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Lorne Crosby Bannister 2024-07-14 1944-January-29 PoW RAF Pilot Officer George Borrett 2023-12-16 1944-January-29 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Jock Ferguson 2024-07-14 1944-January-29 PoW RAF Pilot Officer Frederick George Hearsey 2023-12-16 1944-January-29 PoW RCAF Squadron Leader John Eric Hockey 2024-07-14 1944-January-29 PoW RAF Flying Officer George Brian Poad 2023-12-16 1944-January-29 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Stephen Saprunoff 2024-07-14 Halifax LL135, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL135
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 135
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Clarence Samuel Brest 2024-10-23 1944-January-20 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Leslie Hubert Doe 2024-10-23 1944-January-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Mike Gnius 2024-10-23 1944-January-20 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Henry Bolton Hill 2024-10-23 1944-January-20 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Wilfred Mervyn Kipp 2024-10-23 1944-January-20 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Robert Morgan 2024-10-23 1944-January-20 PoW RCAF Flying Officer James Snowsell 2024-10-23 Halifax LL136, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL136
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 136
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1666HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL137, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL137
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 137
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-15 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Neville Joseph Anderson 2024-11-02 1944-November-15 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Jack Edward Armstrong 2025-01-16 1944-November-15 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Gilbert Louis Oscar Berg 2025-01-16 1944-November-15 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Norman Holmes Boss 2024-11-14 1944-November-15 KIFA RCAF Sergeant John Gamborski 2025-01-16 1944-November-15 KIFA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Robert Leslie Garvie 2025-01-16 1944-November-15 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Gerald Frederick Higgins 2025-01-16 1944-November-15 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Ernest James Pridham 2025-01-16 Halifax LL138, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL138
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 138
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL139, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL139
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 139
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Magdeburg Germany 1944-01-21 to 1944-01-22
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Leeming
Battle of Berlin
648 aircraft- 42 I Lancasters, 224 Halifaxes, 3 Mosquitoes - on the first major raid to this target. The German controller again followed the progress of the bomber stream across the North Sea and many night fighters were in the stream before it crossed the German coast. The controller was very slow to identify Magdeburg as the target but this did not matter too much because most of the night fighters were able to stay in the bomber stream, a good example of the way the Tame Boar tactics were developing. 57 aircraft - 35 Halifaxes, 22 Lancasters - were lost, 8·8 per cent of the force; it is probable that three quarters of the losses were caused by German night fighters. The Halifax loss rate was 15·6 per cent!
The heavy bomber casualties were not rewarded with a successful attack. Some of the Main Force aircraft now had H2S and winds which were stronger than forecast brought some of these into the target area before the Pathfinders' Zero Hour. The crews of 27 Main Force aircraft were anxious to bomb and did so before Zero Hour. The Pathfinders blamed the fires started by this early bombing, together with some very effective German decoy markers, for their failure to concentrate the marking. No details are available from Magdeburg but it is believed that most of the bombing fell outside the city. An R.A.F. man who was in hospital at Magdeburg at the time reports only, 'bangs far away'
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
427 Lion Squadron (Ferte Manus Certas) RAF Leeming. Halifax BV aircraft LL 139 ZL-D missing during night operations against Magdeburg, Germany. The aircraft was attacked by a German night fighter while leaving Magdeburg at 19,500 feet. The aircraft was severely damaged and the order to bale out was given at 14,000 feet, but the bomber exploded almost immediately, before most crew members could react. The bomber crashed 3 km east of Unseburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
Pilot, Squadron Leader DM Arnott DFC (RCAF), second pilot W/C AN Martin (RCAF), Pilot Officer LWW Jones (RCAF), Pilot Officer LS Gray (RCAF), Pilot Officer RO Nickerson (RCAF), Pilot Officer R Dawson (RAFVR) and Pilot Officer RAN Rondelet (RAF) were all killed in action
Pilot Officer Nickerson was killed in the air and the rest of the crew were found dead in the wreckage.
The bomb aimer Flying Officer WV Thom (RCAF), was blown clear, the only crew member to survive and was taken Prisoner of War
There were four 427 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Toal, GWC for information on Halifax LK 923 ZL-B, Martin, N for information on Halifax LL 169 ZL-L and Warwick, VM for information on Halifax LL 176 ZL-Q
Daily Operations 6bombergroup.ca
21/22.01.1944 427 Squadron Halifax III LL139 ZL-D Sqn.Ldr. Arnott, DFC, ...
1944-January-22 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Donald Mackenzie Arnot DFC 2024-10-05 1944-January-22 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Raymond Dawson 2024-10-05 1944-January-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Leonard Samuel Gray 2024-10-05 1944-January-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lloyd William Wesley Jones 2024-10-05 1944-January-22 KIA RCAF Wing Commander Arthur Norman Martin 2024-10-05 1944-January-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Roland Otis Nickerson 2024-10-05 1944-January-22 KIA RAF Pilot Officer Reve Achille Nicholas Rondelet 2024-10-05 1944-January-22 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Victor Thom 2024-10-05 Halifax LL141, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL141
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 141
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Victor George Baker 2024-11-01 1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Colin Campbell Cassy 2024-12-04 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Thomas Clinkskill 2024-12-04 1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant David James Gillam 2024-12-04 1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Charles John Jones 2024-12-04 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Sergeant Edward William Harold McCaffrey 2024-12-04 1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Russell Sloan 2024-12-04 Halifax LL142, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL142
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 142
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/431/1659 heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL150, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL150
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 150
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-01-28 to 1944-01-29
431 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
Battle of Berlin
677 aircraft - 432 Lancasters, 241 Halifaxes, 4 Mosquitoes. Part of the German fighter force was drawn up by the early diversions and the bomber approach route over Northern Denmark proved too distant for some of the other German fighters. The German controller was, however, able to concentrate his fighters over the target and many aircraft were shot down there. 46 aircraft - 26 Halifaxes, 20 Lancasters - lost, 6.8 per cent of the force.
.The cloud over Berlin was broken and some ground-marking was possible but the Bomber Command claim that this was the most concentrated attack of this period is not quite fully confirmed by German records. The western and southern districts were hit but so too were 77 places outside the. city. The Berlin recording system was now showing an increasing deterioration. No overall figure for property damage was recorded; approximately 180,000 people were bombed out on this night. Although many industrial firms were again hit, the feature of this night is the unusually high proportion of administrative and public buildings appearing in the lists of buildings hit: the new Chancellery, 4 theatres, the 'French' cathedral, 6 hospitals, 5 embassies, the State Patent Office, etc. The report concludes with this entry: 'The casualties are still not known but they are bound to be considerable. It is reported that a vast amount of wreckage must still be cleared; rescue workers are among the mountains of it.".
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt, page 468
431 Iroquois Squadron (The hatiten ronterios) RAF Croft. Halifax V aircraft LL 150 SE-N was hit by flak returning an operation against targets in Berlin, Germany and lost the port-inner engine and sustained a fuel leak. The pilot managed to fly back close to the Lincolnshire, England coast where the order to bale was given. Three crew members were lost including pilot, Warrant Officer Class II J T R Corriveau (RCAF), killed in action, whose body was recovered and buried in England
Pilot Officer J D Barrie (RCAF) and Sergeant J P Raymond (RCAF) were missing presumed killed in action. The missing have no known grave and both are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial
The remaining four crew members: Flight Sergeant M J Charlebois (RCAF), Pilot Officer R S Cole (RCAF), Pilot Officer S C B Parker (RAFVR) and Pilot Officer G S Webber (RAFVR) all survived and were rescued shortly after baling into the water of the English channel by a of minesweepers: HMS VARANGA, HMS PROSPECT, HMS PROPERTY and HMS PENNYSLADE and taken in to Grimsby, Lincolnshire
Three other 431 Squadron Halifax V aircraft were lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials LK 918 SE-F, LK 963 SE-H and LL 181 SE-Q for additional information
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
1944 Lincolnshire aviation Incident Logs (World War 2) - BCAR.org.uk
1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Donald Barrie 2024-12-25 1944-January-29 Rescued RCAF Flight Sergeant M J Charlebois 2024-04-25 1944-January-29 Rescued RCAF Pilot Officer Ralph Stewart Cole 2024-04-25 1944-January-29 Rescued RCAF Pilot Officer Ralph Stewart Cole 2023-04-13 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer Class II Joseph Thomas Raymond Corriveau 2024-04-25 1944-January-29 Rescued RAFVR Pilot Officer Stanley Charles Brian Parker 2023-12-31 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Sergeant Jean-Paul Raymond 2024-04-25 1944-January-29 Rescued RAFVR Pilot Officer George Samuel Webber 2023-12-31 Halifax LL151, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL151
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 151
Merlin XX/22
Units 431/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL152, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL152
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 152
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Amiens France 1944-03-15 to 1944-03-15
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Berlin
After attack on rail yards at Amiens on 15/16 March 1944 where 15 French civilians were killed, Halifax Mk.V LL 152, , had a 500 lb bomb load hung up. The bomb dropped and exploded at the end of the runway during landing on the aerodrome at Croft, England. Pilot Officer L.R. Barker and four crew members, not Canadians, were also killed.
Halifax LL153, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL153
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 153
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/429/431/1667 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL167, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL167
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 167
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/429/434/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL168, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL168
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 168
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/429/434/431/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL169, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL169
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 169
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL170, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL170
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 170
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/429/434/431/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL171, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL171
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 171
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/429/434/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL172, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL172
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 172
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/429/431/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1669HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL173, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL173
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 173
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL174, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL174
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 174
Merlin XX/22
Units 431/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL175, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL175
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 175
Merlin XX/22
Unit 431/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL176, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL176
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 176
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Ivor Jones 2024-04-21 1944-January-22 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Raphael Nicholas Lehman 2021-06-21 1944-January-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ian Lloyd MacKeigan 2024-04-22 1944-January-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Thomas Morgan 2024-04-23 1944-January-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Charles Patrick Ryan 2024-05-01 1944-January-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Vincent Maurice Warwick 2024-05-03 1944-January-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Norman Weir 2024-05-03 Halifax LL177, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL177
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 177
Merlin XX/22
Units 431/434/1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL178, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL178
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 178
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/429/434
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-March-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Edson Gilroy Armour 2024-11-03 1944-March-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Elmer Ballentine 2024-11-05 1944-March-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Walter Cotton 2024-04-30 1944-March-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer David Carson Evans 2022-08-05 1944-March-18 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Geoffrey Hutt 2021-06-27 1944-March-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Edward Jackson 2022-12-31 1944-March-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Simon Sleigher 2021-06-27 1944-March-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas Andrew Thicke 2021-06-27 Halifax LL179, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL179
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 179
Merlin XX/22
Units 431/434
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-20 PoW RAF Sergeant Ronald Thomas Cox 2024-08-08 1944-January-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Philip Robert Arthur Dack 2024-08-08 1944-January-20 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Warren Clarence Drumm 2024-10-29 1944-January-20 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Andrew McKenna 2022-04-18 1944-January-20 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon Charles Mould 2022-04-16 1944-January-20 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Edward Joseph Charles Porter 2022-04-16 1944-January-20 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Albert Mowat Wilson 2024-08-08 Halifax LL180, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL180
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 180
Merlin XX/22
Units 431/428/431/434/1667 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL181, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL181
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 181
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-01-28 to 1944-01-29
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Berlin
677 aircraft - 432 Lancasters, 241 Halifaxes, 4 Mosquitoes. Part of the German fighter force was drawn up by the early diversions and the bomber approach route over Northern Denmark proved too distant for some of the other German fighters. The German controller was, however, able to concentrate his fighters over the target and many aircraft were shot down there. 46 aircraft - 26 Halifaxes, 20 Lancasters - lost, 6·8 per cent of the force.
.The cloud over Berlin was broken and some ground-marking was possible but the Bomber Command claim that this was the most concentrated attack of this period is not quite fully confirmed by German records. The western and southern districts were hit but so too were 77 places outside the. city. The Berlin recording system was now showing an increasing deterioration. No overall figure for property damage was recorded; approximately 180,000 people were bombed out on this night. Although many industrial firms were again hit, the feature of this night is the unusually high proportion of administrative and public buildings appearing in the lists of buildings hit: the new Chancellery, 4 theatres, the 'French' cathedral, 6 hospitals, 5 embassies, the State Patent Office, etc. The report concludes with this entry: 'The casualties are still not known but they are bound to be considerable. It is reported that a vast amount of wreckage must still be cleared; rescue workers are among the mountains of it.".
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax V aircraft LL 181 SE-Q was missing east of Zinndorf, Germany, near the target of Berlin, Germany. The Halifax was likely shot down by a night fighter, but the cause of loss and crash location could not be determined
Pilot Officer AC Thompson (RCAF), Flying Officer R MacLean (RCAF), Pilot Officer WR Hewetson, Sergeant NA Bell (RCAF), Sergeant GF Carter (RAFVR), FS GT Moody (RAFVR) and Sergeant J McIver (RAFVR) were killed in action
There were two other Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation, on this date. Please see Rowe, BS for information on Halifax LK 963 SE-H and Raymond, JP for information on Halifax LL 150 SE-N
1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Sergeant Norman Andrew Bell 2024-11-11 1944-January-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant George Frederick Carter 2025-01-13 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Russell Hewetson 2025-01-13 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Roy Maclean 2025-01-13 1944-January-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James McIver 2025-01-13 1944-January-29 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant George Thomas Moody 2025-01-13 1944-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Cameron Thompson 2025-01-13 Halifax LL183, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL183
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 183
Merlin XX/22
Unit 161
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL184, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL184
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 184
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76/77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL185, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL185
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 185
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL191, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL191
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 191
Merlin XX/22
Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-20 Survived RCAF Sergeant G L Bernier 2025-01-17 1944-January-20 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Laurence George Biddiscombe 2025-01-17 1944-January-20 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer William Arthur Cozens 2024-05-10 1944-January-20 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John McGowan 2025-01-17 1944-January-20 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Leslie Stockford 2025-01-17 1944-January-20 Survived RAFVR Sergeant HP Whittaker 2025-01-17 Halifax LL192, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL192
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 192
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL194, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL194
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 194
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/429/77/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL196, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL196
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 196
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL197, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL197
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 197
Merlin XX/22
Units 427/429
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Audrey Allen Ayres 2024-11-04 1944-January-20 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant William Henry Bryant 2024-11-23 1944-January-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norman Edward Carter 2024-04-04 1944-January-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Benjamin Nelson Forster 2024-04-13 1944-January-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harold Douglas Paddison 2024-04-24 1944-January-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Jack McAllister Ramsay 2024-05-01 1944-January-20 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Ralph Alexander Saffran 2022-04-15 Halifax LL225, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL225
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 225
Merlin XX/22
Units 431/434
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL229, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL229
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 229
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL230, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL230
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 230
Merlin XX/22
Units 431/1667 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL231, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL231
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 231
Merlin XX/22
Units 431/1667 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL232, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL232
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 232
Merlin XX/22
Units 431/434/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL233, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL233
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 233
Merlin XX/22
Units 431/434/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1664 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL239, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL239
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 239
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL240, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL240
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 240
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-October-17 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer John Frederick Landsky 2021-08-13 1944-October-17 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William John Lee 2022-01-23 1944-October-17 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Elmer John Neumann 2021-08-17 1944-October-17 KIFA RCAF Sergeant James Lee Powell 2021-08-12 1944-October-17 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Gordon Leonard Spencer 2021-07-23 1944-October-17 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer George John Strickland 2021-07-21 
Halifax LL241, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL241
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 241
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/1659 heavy conversion Unit/1669 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL243, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL243
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 243
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Montzen Belgium 1944-04-27 to 1944-04-28
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Croft. Halifax BV aircraft LL 243 WL-U named "The Bluenose Outlaw" was shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Georg Fengler of the Stab IV/NJG 1, who had taken off from Sint-Truiden airfield, Belgium in Bf 110 G-4 G9+CF during an operation on the rail yards at Montzen, Belgium. The Halifax crashed at Cartilserveldweg Road, Eys, Limburg, Netherlands
Pilot Officer GW Snow CG(Belgium) w/palm (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant GF Maffre CG(Belgium) w/palm (RCAF), Flight Sergeant RA Meek CG(Belgium) w/palm (RCAF) and Pilot Officer VJ Cownden CG(Belgium) w/palm (RCAF) were all killed in action
Sergeant AW Fuller (RAFVR) survived and was taken Prisoner of War
Flying Officer AG Stacey (RCAF) and Flying Officer JEJ Arscott (RAFVR) survived and escaped capture as Evaders
There were two 434 Squadron Halifax v aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial LL 258 WL-N for additional information
RCAF Halifax LL-243-Oorlog in Limburg
Memorial Royal Canadian Airforce Halifax LL243-Wittem-...
link,general,http://www.rafcommands.com/database/serials/details.php?uniq=LL243,[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...}}
1944-April-28 Evader RAFVR Flying Officer John Edward James Arscott 2023-03-26 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Vincent Joseph Cownden CDGBP 2024-05-07 1944-April-28 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Allan William Fuller 2023-03-26 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Gerald Frederick Maffre CDGBP 2023-03-26 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Alexander Meek CDGBP 2023-03-27 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Grenfell William Snow CDGBP 2024-06-27 1944-April-28 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Gordon Stacey 2023-03-26 Halifax LL245, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL245
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 245
Merlin XX/22
units 431/1664 Heavy Conversion unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL247, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL247
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 247
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/1659 Heavy conversion Unit/1669HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL248, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL248
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 248
Merlin XX/22
Failed to Return, Special Operations Executive,5.8.44, crashed 3 miles southwest of Vitry-le-Francois
Units 161
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL249, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL249
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 249
Merlin XX/22
Units 161/138/1 Ferry Unit/2 Oversea Aircraft Delivery Unit/148/1 Ferry Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL252, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL252
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 252
Merlin XX/22
Units 161/138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL255, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL255
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 255
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Clifford Mcneil Broadfoot 2024-11-18 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James William Donnelly 2024-10-26 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Douglas Hayter 2024-04-21 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Edward McGregor 2024-04-22 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Charles Leonard Murray 2024-04-23 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Archibald Gordon Pearce 2024-05-01 Halifax LL257, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL257
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 257
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Henry Denys Beames 2024-11-09 1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant William James Gallagher 2021-02-16 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Charles Hatch 2022-10-22 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Reginald George Jennings 2023-01-05 1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Dalton Leonard Temple 2023-08-13 Halifax LL258, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL258
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 258
Merlin XX/22
Units 431/434
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Montzen Belgium 1944-04-27 to 1944-04-28
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Croft. Halifax BV aircraft LL 258 WL-W was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer of Stab IV/NJG 1 from Sint-Truiden, Belgium in Bf 110 G-4 G9+DF. The Halifax was on an operation against the rail yards at Montzen, Belgium and crashed near Teuven, Voeren, Limburg, Belgium
Pilot Officer DA Pastorius (RCAF), Flying Officer AE Young (RCAF), Flying Officer WR Ellwood (RCAF), Pilot Officer HAA Breeze (RCAF), Pilot Officer EA Vigor (RCAF), Flight Sergeant CH Havill (RCAF) and Sergeant AB Randall (RAFVR) were all killed in action
There were two 434 squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial LL 243 WL-U for additional information
Oberleutnant Schnaufer was one of the top German night fighter pilots, who shot down 121 Allied bombers during the war. The Imperial War Museum in London has part of his aircraft on display. He was killed in a car accident in France in 1950
"Belgians Remember Them": The Airmen fallen in action in WW2 in...
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
Luftwaffe Lovers: "The Night Ghost of St Trond" - the terror of the nigh...
1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harold Arthur Alexander Breeze 2023-03-27 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Ralph Ellwood 2023-03-27 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Henry Havill 2023-03-27 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Arthur Pastorius 2023-03-27 1944-April-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Arthur Bernard Randall 2023-03-27 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edmund Arthur Vigor 2025-02-02 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Albert Edward Young 2023-03-27 Halifax LL276, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL276
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 276
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL279, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL279
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 279
Merlin XX/22
Units 138
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-March-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Roy Dutton 2024-10-31 1944-March-04 PoW RCAF Sergeant Earl Foster Gillcash 2021-02-01 1944-March-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Charles Kingsley 2023-09-24 1944-March-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Albert Roberts 2023-09-24 1944-March-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Edgar Wright 2023-09-24 Halifax LL280, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL280
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 280
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL283, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL283
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 283
Merlin XX/22
Units 429/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL285, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL285
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 285
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1666 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL286, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL286
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 286
Merlin XX/22
Unit 429/1659 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-May-28 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William Blair 2025-01-24 1944-May-28 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Jonathan Riley Bradley 2024-11-16 1944-May-28 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Paul Gagnebin 2025-01-24 1944-May-28 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Gordon Howard Nelson 2025-01-24 1944-May-28 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Thomas Fairfax Scott 2025-01-24 1944-May-28 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Frank Charles Stevens 2025-01-24 Halifax LL287, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL287
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 287
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL288, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL288
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 288
Merlin XX/22
Units 434/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL293, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL293
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 293
Merlin XX/22
Unit 298
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL296, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL296
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 296
Merlin XX/22
Unit 518
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL334, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL334
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 334
Merlin XX/22
Unit 298
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL343, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL343
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 343
Merlin XX/22
Unit 298
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL346, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL346
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 346
Merlin XX/22
Unit 644
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL356, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL356
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 356
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL358, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL358
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 358
Merlin XX/22
Unit 161
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL364, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL364
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 364
Merlin XX/22
Units 161/138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL365, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL365
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 365
Merlin XX/22
unit 1659 Heavy Conversion unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL387, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL387
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 387
Merlin XX/22
Units 161/138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL400, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL400
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 400
Merlin XX/22
Unit 644
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL406, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL406
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 406
Merlin XX/22
Unit 298
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL407, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL407
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 407
Merlin XX/22
Hit by flak and abandoned over Normandy, 6.6.44Unit 298. Piloted by Pilot Officer Charles Edward Anderson of Winnipeg who evaded capture and retuned to Britain.
Anderson was KIA, 1944-08-05 in Halifax LL334
last update: 2025-February-05Halifax LL409, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL409
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 409
Merlin XX/22
Units 138/298/296
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL414, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL414
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 414
Merlin XX/22
Units 1667 Heavy conversion unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-01 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William Campbell 2024-08-05 1944-June-01 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Trevor Dean 2024-10-09 1944-June-01 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Thomas Goldie 2024-08-05 1944-June-01 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 James Stuart MacDonald 2024-08-05 1944-June-01 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Vernon Thomas Sherven 2024-08-05 1944-June-01 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Leslie Llewellyn Williams 2024-08-05 Halifax LL416, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL416
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 416
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Hamilton 2024-01-29 1944-June-08 Evader RCAF Sergeant A McC Hinds 2024-01-30 1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Harold Lyne 2023-11-16 1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Sergeant William Howard Moffat 2021-08-16 1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Arthur Roy Smith 2023-11-17 1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ralph William Westergard 2023-11-17 Halifax LL417, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL417
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 417
Merlin XX/22
Unit 1667 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL463, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL463
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 463
Merlin XX/22
Units 346/347/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1652 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL464, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL464
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 464
Merlin XX/22
Units 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/ 1659 HCU/1674 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL466, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL466
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 466
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL497, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL497
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 497
Merlin XX/22
Unit 1667 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL501, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL501
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 501
Merlin XX/22
Unit 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL504, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL504
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 504
Merlin XX/22
Unit 347/1658 Heavy Conversion Unit 1652 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL505, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL505
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 505
Merlin XX/22
Unit 1659 Heavy Conversion unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-October-22 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Aubrey Bell 2024-11-11 1944-October-22 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer John Armstrong Johnston 2025-01-09 1944-October-22 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Harvey Ellsworth Pyche 2025-01-09 1944-October-22 KIFA RCAF Sergeant George Riddoch 2025-01-09 1944-October-22 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Donald Fraser Titt 2025-01-09 1944-October-22 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Newton Whitley 2025-01-09 1944-October-22 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Calvin George Whittingstall 2025-01-09 Halifax LL519, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL519
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 519
Merlin XX/22
Unit 1666 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL520, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL520
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 520
Merlin XX/22
Unit 1666 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL536, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL536
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 536
Merlin XX/22
Unit 1666 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL538, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL538
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 538
Merlin XX/22
Unit 1664 Heavy conversion unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL539, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL539
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 539
Merlin XX/22
Unit 1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL540, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL540
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 540
Merlin XX/22
Unit 1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL541, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL541
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 541
Merlin XX/22
Unit 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/ 1664 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-December-12 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Ernest Henry Brautigam 2024-11-17 1944-December-12 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Gordon Grant Goehring 2025-03-01 1944-December-12 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant David Levine 2025-03-01 1944-December-12 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Gerald Lawrence Lister 2025-03-01 1944-December-12 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Allan Fairbairn McMurtry 2025-03-01 1944-December-12 KIFA RCAF Sergeant John Sven Overland 2025-03-01 1944-December-12 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Harold Preece 2025-03-01 1944-December-12 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Frank Willmek 2025-03-01 Halifax LL542, B/A/Met.Mk.V
s/n LL542
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 542
Merlin XX/22
Units 1659 Heavy conversion Unit/ 1664 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL547, B.Mk.III
s/n LL547
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 547
Hercules XVI
Units 432/429/425/644/Earl's Colne/ Operational and Refresher Trainer Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL550, B.Mk.III
s/n LL550
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 550
Hercules XVI
Unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL574, B.Mk.III
s/n LL574
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 574
Hercules XVI
Units 420/1666 heavy conversion Unit/1664 HCU/ 1659 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL575, B.Mk.III
s/n LL575
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 575
Hercules XVI
units 420/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/1664 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL576, B.Mk.III
s/n LL576
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 576
Hercules XVI
Units 425/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL578, B.Mk.III
s/n LL578
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 578
Hercules XVI
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL579, B.Mk.III
s/n LL579
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 579
Hercules XVI
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL580, B.Mk.III
s/n LL580
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 580
Hercules XVI
Unit 420/1659 heavy Conversion Unit/ 1664 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL582, B.Mk.III
s/n LL582
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 582
Hercules XVI
units 102/346/347
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL589, B.Mk.III
s/n LL589
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 589
Hercules XVI
Units 420/ 1666 Heavy conversion Unit/ 1664 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL591, B.Mk.III
s/n LL591
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 591
Hercules XVI
Units 425/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL592, B.Mk.III
s/n LL592
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 592
Hercules XVI
Unit 420/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL593, B.Mk.III
s/n LL593
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 593
Hercules XVI
Units 415/1665 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL594, B.Mk.III
s/n LL594
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 594
Hercules XVI
Unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Brown Gracie 2023-10-26 1944-August-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Edwin Lee 2024-01-25 1944-August-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer G L Milliard 2023-07-23 1944-August-05 Evader RCAF Squadron Leader G B Philbin 2021-05-22 1944-August-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Raymond Alexander Reed 2023-10-26 Halifax LL595, B.Mk.III
s/n LL595
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 595
Hercules XVI
Units 425/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit/1659hCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL596, B.Mk.III
s/n LL596
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 596
Hercules XVI
Units 425/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL605, B.Mk.III
s/n LL605
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 605
Hercules XVI
units 420/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit/1659HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LL615, B.Mk.III
s/n LL615
Rootes Securities Ltd
LL 615
Hercules XVI
Units 466/158/ Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV772, B.Mk.III
s/n LV772
Handley Page Ltd
LV 772
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV773, B.Mk.III
s/n LV773
Handley Page Ltd
LV 773
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV774, B.Mk.III
s/n LV774
Handley Page Ltd
LV 774
Hercules XVI
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV778, B.Mk.III
s/n LV778
Handley Page Ltd
LV 778
Hercules XVI
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV780, B.Mk.III
s/n LV780
Handley Page Ltd
LV 780
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1944-04-22 to 1944-04-23
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
596 aircraft- 323 Lancasters, 254 Halifaxes, 19 Mosquitoes - of all groups except 5 Group. 29 aircraft- 16 Halifaxes and 13 Lancasters - lost, 4·9 per cent of the force.
2,150 tons of bombs were dropped in this old-style heavy attack on a German city which caused much destruction but also allowed the German night-fighter force to penetrate the bomber stream. The attack fell mostly in the northern districts of Diisseldorf. Widespread damage was caused. Among the mass of statistics· in the local report are: 56 large industrial premises hit (of which 7 were completely destroyed), more than 2,000 houses destroyed or badly damaged. Casualties recorded by 2.0 p.m. on 25 April were 883 people killed, 593 injured and 403 still to be dug out of wrecked buildings; at least three quarters of this last figure would have been dead.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft LV 780 was shot down at Goirle, near Tilburg, Holland during a night attack trip to Dusseldorf, Germany. P/O.s J.S.Laird, W.F. Vornbrock, F.A. Cammaart, and J.J. Renning were killed. One Canadian, FS. F.P. Morrisey, was taken Prisoner Of War.
1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frederick Peter Cammaart 2023-12-10 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Seddon Laird 2023-01-08 1944-April-23 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Frank Patrick Morrisey 2023-09-18 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John James Renning 2023-01-08 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Wilfred Ferdinand Vornbrock 2023-01-08 Halifax LV782, B.Mk.III
s/n LV782
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LV 782
Hercules XVI
Unit 35/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV783, B.Mk.III
s/n LV783
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LV 783
Hercules XVI
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV787, B.Mk.III
s/n LV787
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LV 787
Hercules XVI
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV789, B.Mk.III
s/n LV789
Handley Page Ltd
LV 789
Hercules XVI
Unit427
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Clifford Harvey Coathup 2024-10-12 1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Francis Basil Dennis 2024-10-12 1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edward William Eppler 2024-10-12 1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Henry Mills 2024-10-12 1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Arthur Whittaker 2024-10-12 Halifax LV797, B.Mk.III
s/n LV797
Handley Page Ltd
LV 797
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gerald Ernest Hagerman 2024-04-21 1944-January-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Kenneth Hargreaves 2024-04-21 1944-January-30 PoW RCAF Flying Officer M Don Parke-Taylor 2021-05-02 1944-January-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Cecil Phillips 2024-05-01 1944-January-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Francis Watters 2024-05-03 Halifax LV798, B.Mk.III
s/n LV798
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LV 798
Hercules XVI
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV816, B.Mk.III
s/n LV816
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LV 816
Hercules XVI
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV818, B.Mk.III
s/n LV818
Handley Page Ltd
LV 818
Hercules XVI
Units 51/35/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV820, B.Mk.III
s/n LV820
Handley Page Ltd
LV 820
Hercules XVI
Units 51/578/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV821, B.Mk.III
s/n LV821
Handley Page Ltd
LV 821
Hercules XVI
Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Bilbe 2024-10-19 1944-August-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert James Burns 2024-10-19 1944-August-13 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Peter Hume Cronyn DFC 2024-05-19 1944-August-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harvey Gordon Davey 2024-10-19 1944-August-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alfred John Dickinson 2024-10-19 1944-August-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Frank Gordon Murray 2024-10-19 Halifax LV822, B.Mk.III
s/n LV822
Handley Page Ltd
LV 822
Hercules XVI
Units 35/10/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV828, B.Mk.III
s/n LV828
Handley Page Ltd
LV 828
Hercules XVI
Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-01 Survived RCAF Flying Officer M M Albers 2024-11-01 1944-February-01 Survived RAFVR Sergeant G W Colman 2024-03-21 1944-February-01 Survived RCAF Sergeant D W Frayling 2021-08-16 1944-February-01 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer William Churchill Hall 2021-08-16 1944-February-01 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant C Herring 2021-08-16 1944-February-01 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Jones Monroe Matherly 2021-08-16 1944-February-01 Survived RCAF Warrant Officer I G T Stephenson 2021-08-16 Halifax LV829, B.Mk.III
s/n LV829
Handley Page Ltd
LV 829
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Gerard Burke 2024-11-24 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer David Herman Jonasson 2024-04-21 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Patrick McKenzie 2024-04-22 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer David Osborne Olsvik 2024-04-24 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Pierre Fernand Richard 2024-05-01 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Alphonse Gaston Taillon 2024-05-03 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Robert Tobin 2024-05-03 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Reginald Lloyd Warren 2024-05-03 Halifax LV830, B.Mk.III
s/n LV830
Handley Page Ltd
LV 830
Hercules XVI
Units 427/429/187
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV831, B.Mk.III
s/n LV831
Handley Page Ltd
LV 831
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Francis Brown 2024-10-17 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frank Gerrard Devereaux 2024-10-17 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Roy Douglas Ford 2024-10-17 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth Lorne Patience 2024-10-17 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norman David Lesley Stephenson 2024-10-17 Halifax LV836, B.Mk.III
s/n LV836
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LV 836
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV839, B.Mk.III
s/n LV839
Handley Page Ltd
LV 839
Hercules XVI
Unit 433/517
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV840, B.Mk.III
s/n LV840
Handley Page Ltd
LV 840
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1944-04-22 to 1944-04-23
433 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale
433 Porcupine Squadron (Qui s'y frotte, s'y pique) RAF Skipton-on-Swale. Halifax BIII aircraft LV 840 BN-E was hit by flak and then attacked and shot down by a Dornier night fighter during an operation against targets in Dusseldorf, Germany. On fire and with the loss of an engine, pilot Pilot Officer Bourgeault gave the order to abandon the aircraft. The crew managed to escape but sadly, Pilot Officer Bourgeault was unable to get out and went down with the Halifax when it crashed near the village of Walheim, 10 km southwest of Aachen/Aix-La-Chapelle, Germany
Pilot Officer JA Bourgeault (RCAF) was killed in action
Sergeant JJ Plante (RCAF), Flying Officer JW Guignion (RCAF), Sergeant JE Laframboise (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 TA Miller (RCAF) and Sergeant DR Bowerman (RAFVR) survived and all were taken as Prisoners of War
Warrant Officer Class 2 WG Dennstedt (RCAF) survived and became an Evader until liberated by American Forces, 1944-09-08
There were three 433 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials HX 291 BM-W and LV 990 BM-J for additional information
1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Arthur Bourgeault 2025-02-03 1944-April-23 Evader RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William George Dennstedt 2024-10-13 1944-April-23 PoW RCAF Flying Officer James William Guignion 2024-07-15 1944-April-23 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Edouard Charles Roland Laframboise 2024-07-15 1944-April-23 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Alder Miller 2024-07-15 1944-April-23 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Jean Wilfrid Lucien Plante 2024-07-15 Halifax LV841, B.Mk.III
s/n LV841
Handley Page Ltd
LV 841
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-03-24 to 1944-03-25
433 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale
433 Porcupine Squadron (Qui S'y Frotte S'y Pique) RAF Skipton-on-Swale. Halifax BIII aircraft LV 841 BM-H was lost on the return leg of an operation against targets in Berlin, Germany. The Halifax is believed to have been shot down by a night fighter, probably Oblt. Heinz Rokker of 2/NJG2. The Halifax crashed at Sandersleben, 18 KM SW of Bernburg, Germany. The entire crew was lost
FS GA Dancey (RCAF), Pilot Officer HW Lossing (RCAF), Flying Officer DA Robinson (RCAF), FS LG Davey (RCAF), Sergeant E Osborne (RAFVR), Sergeant FE Simons (RAFVR), and Sergeant OW Sporne (RAFVR) were all killed in action
There were two 433 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial HX 284 BM-B
24/25.03.1944 433 Squadron Halifax II LV841 BM-H Plt.Off. Lossing
1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Glen Allen Dancey 2024-08-08 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Leslie Gerald Davey 2024-04-04 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Howard Walter Lossing 2024-04-22 1944-March-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Ernest Osborne 2024-04-24 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Alfred Robinson 2024-05-01 1944-March-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Frank Edward Simons 2024-05-03 1944-March-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Oscar William Sporne 2024-05-03 Halifax LV842, B.Mk.III
s/n LV842
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LV 842
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV857, B.Mk.III
s/n LV857
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LV 857
Hercules XVI
Units 35/10/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV860, B.Mk.III
s/n LV860
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LV 860
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV864, B.Mk.III
s/n LV864
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LV 864
Hercules XVI
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV866, B.Mk.III
s/n LV866
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LV 866
Hercules XVI
units 35/10/429/520/518
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV871, B.Mk.III
s/n LV871
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LV 871
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV873, B.Mk.III
s/n LV873
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LV 873
Hercules XVI
Units 76/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV877, B.Mk.III
s/n LV877
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LV 877
Hercules XVI
units 76/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV879, B.Mk.III
s/n LV879
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LV 879
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Nuremberg Germany 1944-03-30 to 1944-03-31
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
Battle of Berlin
This would normally have been the moon stand-down period for the Main Force, but raid to the distant target of Nuremberg was planned on the basis of an early recast that there would be protective high cloud on the outward route, when the moon would be up, but that the target area would be clear for ground-marked robing. A Meteorological Flight Mosquito carried out a reconnaissance and reported that the protective cloud was unlikely to be present and that there could be cloud over the target, but the raid was not cancelled.
795 aircraft were dispatched- 572 Lancasters, 214 Halifaxes and 9 Mosquitoes. The German controller ignored all the diversions and assembled his fighters at 2 radio beacons which happened to be astride the route to Nuremberg. The first fighters appeared just before the bombers reached the Belgian border and a fierce battle in the moonlight lasted for the next hour. 82 bombers were lost on the outward route and near the target. The action was much reduced on the return flight, when most of the German fighters had to land, but 95 bombers were lost in all - 64 Lancasters and 31 Halifaxes, l l ·9 per cent of the force dispatched. It was the biggest Bomber Command loss of the war.
Most of the returning crews reported that they had bombed Nuremberg but subsequent research showed that approximately 120 aircraft had bombed Schweinfurt, 50 miles north-west of Nuremberg. This mistake was a result of badly forecast winds causing navigational difficulties. 2 Pathfinder aircraft dropped markers at Schweinfurt. Much of the bombing in the Schweinfurt area fell outside the town and only 2 people were killed in that area.
The main raid at Nuremberg was a failure. The city was covered by thick cloud and a fierce cross-wind which developed on the final approach to the target caused many of the Pathfinder aircraft to mark too far to the east. A to-mile-long creep back also developed into the countryside north of Nuremberg. Both Pathfinders and Main Force aircraft were under heavy fighter attack throughout the raid. Little damage was caused in Nuremberg: 69 people were killed in the city and surrounding villages
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Warrant Officer Class 2 Crosland was on his second operation when his Halifax BIII aircraft LV 879 QB-A was attacked by night fighter pilot Lt Klaus Bretschneider of 6/JG300 over Giessen, Germany, crashing near Alten-Buseck during an operation against Nuremberg, Germany
This Halifax was one of 108 Allied aircraft lost on this raidWarrant Officer Class 2 AH Crosland (RCAF), Flying Officer J Doig (RCAF), Pilot Officer RJ Atkins (RCAF), Sergeant JS Bolton (RAFVR), Sergeant TJ Rogers (RAFVR), and Sergeant D Stewart (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Flying Officer John Ross Mason (RCAF) baled and was the only survivor of his crew. Flying Officer Mason sustained leg injuries during his parachute jump, was captured and taken Prisoner of War
There were two 424 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Paquin, FF for information on Halifax LV 944 QB-U
Daily Operations 6bombergroup.ca
424 Squadron Halifax III LV879 QB-A Fg.Off. John Doig, RAF Skipton-o...
1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert James Atkins 2024-10-24 1944-March-31 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Stanley Bolton 2024-10-24 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Alfred Hirst Crosland 2024-10-24 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Doig 2024-10-24 1944-March-31 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Ross Mason 2024-10-24 1944-March-31 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas James Rogers 2024-11-16 1944-March-31 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Donald Stewart 2024-11-16 Halifax LV880, B.Mk.III
s/n LV880
Handley Page Ltd
LV 880
Hercules XVI
Units 35/10/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Tergnier France 1944-04-10 to 1944-04-11
51 (B) Sqn (RAF) Snaith
aircraft LV880 missing during night operations against Tergnier, France.
Additional Crew:
- RAAF
- Pilot Officer Horace Mervyn Hall - KIA
- Flight Sergeant Mervyn James Fairclough - PoW
- Flying Officer Frederick Godfrey Kirkwood - Evader
- Warrant Officer John Bruce Osborn - KIA
- RAF
- Sergeant Gordon Joseph William Peck - KIA
- Sergeant Patrick William Hegarty - PoW
The aircraft was attacked by a night fighter and the port wing set on fire. The Pilot attempted to blow out the fire by diving steeply but this was unsuccessful and moments after the order was given for the crew to put on chutes. The aircraft then exploded and crashed at Davenscourt (Sornme), 7 krn NNE of Montdidier.
Four of the crew were killed and Flight Sergeant Fairclough and Sergeant Hegarty were PoWs whilst Flying Officer Kirkwood evaded capture.
Those killed are buried in the Davenscourt Communal Cemetery.
Flight Sergeant Fairclough later reported: "We were attacked by a night fighter from below. The port wing was set on fire and the Captain tried to put it out by diving the aircraft. He also ordered put on chutes. I went forward to see if the abandon order had been given as I couldn't make contact. I was thrown to the floor and couldn't get up, but finally blown out when the aircraft exploded. Later learnt that the abandon order had been given. Captured a few months late by the Grestapo"
Source: AWM 237 (65) NAA A705, 166/17/526 Micro Film 463 0A_FH
Commonwealth War Graves Records, W R Chorley, RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 168 Volume 1944.
Halifax LV881, B.Mk.III
s/n LV881
Handley Page Ltd
LV 881
Hercules XVI
Units 35/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV882, B.Mk.III
s/n LV882
Handley Page Ltd
LV 882
Hercules XVI
Units 35/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV883, B.Mk.III
s/n LV883
Handley Page Ltd
LV 883
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV898, B.Mk.III
s/n LV898
Handley Page Ltd
LV 898
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Jack Montgomery Bissett DFM, MiD 2024-11-12 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Churchill Hall 2025-01-21 1944-March-31 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Vincent Sydney Holloway 2025-01-21 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Jacques Hermenegilde Guy Leclaire 2025-01-21 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Albert Shannon DFM 2025-01-21 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Kenneth Frank Shoener 2025-01-21 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert John White DFM 2025-01-21 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Franklin Roy Zulauf DFM 2025-01-21 Halifax LV899, B.Mk.III
s/n LV899
Handley Page Ltd
LV 899
Hercules XVI
Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV902, B.Mk.III
s/n LV902
Handley Page Ltd
LV 902
Hercules XVI
Units 427/517/519
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV903, B.Mk.III
s/n LV903
Handley Page Ltd
LV 903
Hercules XVI
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV905, B.Mk.III
s/n LV905
Handley Page Ltd
LV 905
Hercules XVI
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV910, B.Mk.III
s/n LV910
Handley Page Ltd
LV 910
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Metz France 1944-06-28 to 1944-06-29
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
Battle of Normandy
202 Halifaxes of 4 and 6 Groups with 28 Pathfinder Lancasters attacked yards at Blainville and Metz. Both targets were hit. 20 aircraft were lost, 1 I Halifaxes of 4 Group and I Lancaster from the Blainville raid and 7 Halifaxes of 6 Group and 1 Lancaster from Metz. The combined loss rate was 8·7 per cent.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Crashed near Bermricourt, near Reims, during mission to Metz on 28 / 29 June 1944.
1944-June-29 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Howard John Branch 2024-07-15 1944-June-29 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Eric C Brown 2024-07-15 1944-June-29 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer G W Johnston 2024-07-15 1944-June-29 Evader RCAF Sergeant M S Lindsay 2024-07-15 1944-June-29 Evader RCAF Flying Officer V W McCreight 2024-07-15 1944-June-29 PoW RCAF Flying Officer H R Weller 2024-07-15 Halifax LV911, B.Mk.III
s/n LV911
Handley Page Ltd
LV 911
Hercules XVI
Unit 433
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV912, B.Mk.III
s/n LV912
Handley Page Ltd
LV 912
Hercules XVI
units 35/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV913, B.Mk.III
s/n LV913
Handley Page Ltd
LV 913
Hercules XVI
Unit 429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV914, B.Mk.III
s/n LV914
Handley Page Ltd
LV 914
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-03-24 to 1944-03-24
429 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
429 Bison Sqn (Fortunae Nihil) RAF Leeming. Halifax III aircraft LV 914 AV-L lost during a night trip against targets in Berlin, Germany. Extremely strong winds on this night caused major difficulties for aircrews, scattering the bomber stream, especially on the homeward flight. Of the 811 aircraft involved in this operation, 72 aircraft and crews (8.9%) were lost to flak and night fighters. This was the last major RAF raid on Berlin during the war
The cause of loss was not established, but pilot Flying Officer RF Conroy (RCAF) maintained control of his aircraft and stayed at the controls while the crew abandoned the Halifax. He was unable to get clear himself and was killed in action
Squadron Leader JW Bell DFC (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant GW McIntyre (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant AP Smith (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 OD McLean (RCAF), Sergeant LCP Spencer (RCAF) and Sergeant G Wilton (RAFVR) survived and all were taken as Prisoners of War
Previously, as a Flight Sergeant, Conroy had survived two events in 1943. He had been injured when 429 Squadron Wellington X aircraft BJ 755 AL-Z had crashed during take-off from RAF East Moor for an operation to Essen, Germany, 1943-03-05. Three months later, Flying Officer Conroy had been the sole survivor of 429 Squadron Wellington X aircraft HE 593 AL-Z shot down by a night fighter 1943-06-12 on a raid to Dusseldorf, Germany. Flying Officer Conroy survived as an Evader and with the help of various people in the Bourgogne Escape Line made his way to Gibraltar, returning to the UK and his unit 1943-10-02
An article by his niece on Flying Officer Conroy and his loss appears in the June 2018 issue of Airforce magazine
There were three 429 squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials LK 805 AL-H and LW 688 AL-J for additional information
Footprints on the Sands of Time, RAF Bomber Command Prisoners of War in Germany 1939-45 by Oliver Clutton-Brock pages 243,358,359,405,408,437The Bomber Command War Diaries, by Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
The Battle of Berlin, Bomber Command Over the Third Reich 1943-1945 by Martin W Bowman page 329
Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire
Flying Officer Gerald Conroy, 429 sqn, Berlin raid-24 Mar 44 I WW2Talk
1944-March-25 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Berlin. 1 crew killed and 6 POW. 2019-08-20
1944-March-24 PoW RCAF Squadron Leader Jerrold Walton Bell DFC 2025-01-09 1944-March-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Fitzgerald Conroy 2024-04-04 1944-March-24 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant George Wesley McIntyre 2025-01-09 1944-March-24 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Oliver Douglas McLean 2025-01-09 1944-March-24 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Andrew Payton Smith DFC 2025-01-09 1944-March-24 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Lambert Charles Patrick Spencer 2025-01-09 1944-March-24 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Gerald Wilton 2025-01-09 Halifax LV915, B.Mk.III
s/n LV915
Handley Page Ltd
LV 915
Hercules XVI
units 76/78
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Edward Byers 2024-09-12 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Mungo William Couper 2024-05-04 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas Idris Davies 2024-09-12 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Kenneth Lancaster 2024-09-12 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Samuel Ritchie 2024-09-12 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Frederick Wyllie 2024-09-12 Halifax LV918, B.Mk.III
s/n LV918
Handley Page Ltd
LV 918
Hercules XVI
unit,158
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Aachen Germany 1944-05-24 to 1944-05-25
158 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Lissett
158 Squadron RAF (Strength in unity) RAF Lissett. Halifax BIII aircraft LV 918 NP-O was coned by searchlights (Flakscheinw Regiment 113) and hit by heavy flak (3-6/schw Flak Abt 514, 2/schw Abt 525 (Eisb) and Schw Flak Battery z b v 5780). The Halifax exploded over the targets and crashed in Aachen, Germany
Four crew members were killed in action and three survived to become Prisoners of War
Flight Lieutenant R Reavill (RAFVR), Flight Lieutenant C C Fox DFM (RAFVR), Flying Officer W J Rogers RAF and Flight Sergeant R E Hardwick (RAFVR) were killed in action
Flying Officer D A Stewart (RCAF), Flying Officer J E Hounam DFM (RAFVR) and Sergeant F A Spriggs (RAFVR) survived to become Prisoners of War
Four other 158 Squadron Halifax II aircraft and crews were lost on this operation: LW 118 NP-X, HX 320 NP-A, LW 653 NP-T and LW 720 NP-W
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
24/25 05 1944 158 Squadron Halifax III LV918 NP:O Flt Lt Ralph Reavill
1944-May-25 KIA RAFVR Flight Lieutenant Cedric Charles Fox DFM 2024-06-28 1944-May-25 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Robert Edward Hardwick 2024-01-06 1944-May-25 PoW RAFVR Flying Officer Joseph Edward Hounam DFM 2024-01-06 1944-May-25 KIA RAFVR Squadron Leader Ralph Reavill 2024-01-06 1944-May-25 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Walter James "Wally" Rogers 2024-01-06 1944-May-25 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Frank Albert Spriggs 2024-01-06 1944-May-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Donald Alexander Stewart 2024-01-06 Halifax LV920, B.Mk.III
s/n LV920
Handley Page Ltd
LV 920
Hercules XVI
unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV921, B.Mk.III
s/n LV921
Handley Page Ltd
LV 921
Hercules XVI
unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV922, B.Mk.III
s/n LV922
Handley Page Ltd
LV 922
Hercules XVI
Units 427/1663 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV923, B.Mk.III
s/n LV923
Handley Page Ltd
LV 923
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-March-31 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant William Paterson Clapham 2024-02-22 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Charles Corbally 2024-04-14 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader George Johnstone "Turkey" Laird DFC 2022-04-05 1944-March-31 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer John Moffat 2022-04-05 1944-March-31 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer John Morrison DFC 2022-04-05 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lloyd Henry Smith 2023-08-23 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Ernest Paul Soeder 2022-04-04 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur John Stainton 2022-04-04 Halifax LV935, B.Mk.III
s/n LV935
Handley Page Ltd
LV 935
Hercules XVI
Units 433/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-April-08 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Arthur Rosaire Gaetan Heroux 2021-08-10 1945-April-08 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Claude Paul Andre Laferriere 2021-03-01 1945-April-08 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Joseph Adrian Leo Potvin 2021-08-12 1945-April-08 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Louis Philippe Routhier 2021-08-06 1945-April-08 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Georges Louis Raymond Sicotte 2021-03-01 1945-April-08 KIFA RCAF Sergeant John Stevenson 2022-01-18 1945-April-08 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer John Earl Stillings 2021-07-22 1945-April-08 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Claude Valiquette 2021-07-13 Halifax LV938, B.Mk.III
s/n LV938
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LV 938
Hercules XVI
Units 433/427
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer David Neville Cotton 2024-04-30 1944-June-29 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Alfred James King 2021-05-21 1944-June-29 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer W M Pookay 2021-05-21 1944-June-29 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Stuart Kenneth Vallieres 2023-08-15 1944-June-29 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant W A Wilson 2023-10-04 Halifax LV939, B.Mk.III
s/n LV939
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LV 939
Hercules XVI
Units 78/520
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV941, B.Mk.III
s/n LV941
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LV 941
Hercules XVI
Units 433/429/425/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV942, B.Mk.III
s/n LV942
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LV 942
Hercules XVI
units Royal Aircraft Establishment/407/429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV944, B.Mk.III
s/n LV944
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LV 944
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Nuremberg Germany 1944-03-30 to 1944-03-31
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
Battle of Berlin
This would normally have been the moon stand-down period for the Main Force, but raid to the distant target of Nuremberg was planned on the basis of an early recast that there would be protective high cloud on the outward route, when the moon would be up, but that the target area would be clear for ground-marked robing. A Meteorological Flight Mosquito carried out a reconnaissance and reported that the protective cloud was unlikely to be present and that there could be cloud over the target, but the raid was not cancelled.
795 aircraft were dispatched- 572 Lancasters, 214 Halifaxes and 9 Mosquitoes. The German controller ignored all the diversions and assembled his fighters at 2 radio beacons which happened to be astride the route to Nuremberg. The first fighters appeared just before the bombers reached the Belgian border and a fierce battle in the moonlight lasted for the next hour. 82 bombers were lost on the outward route and near the target. The action was much reduced on the return flight, when most of the German fighters had to land, but 95 bombers were lost in all - 64 Lancasters and 31 Halifaxes, l l ·9 per cent of the force dispatched. It was the biggest Bomber Command loss of the war.
Most of the returning crews reported that they had bombed Nuremberg but subsequent research showed that approximately 120 aircraft had bombed Schweinfurt, 50 miles north-west of Nuremberg. This mistake was a result of badly forecast winds causing navigational difficulties. 2 Pathfinder aircraft dropped markers at Schweinfurt. Much of the bombing in the Schweinfurt area fell outside the town and only 2 people were killed in that area.
The main raid at Nuremberg was a failure. The city was covered by thick cloud and a fierce cross-wind which developed on the final approach to the target caused many of the Pathfinder aircraft to mark too far to the east. A to-mile-long creep back also developed into the countryside north of Nuremberg. Both Pathfinders and Main Force aircraft were under heavy fighter attack throughout the raid. Little damage was caused in Nuremberg: 69 people were killed in the city and surrounding villages
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BIII aircraft LV 944 QB-U was shot down by flak and crashed near Falkenstein, Werolzhofen, Germany during night operations against Nuremberg, Germany
The entire crew was lost
Flying Officer FFF Paquin (RCAF), Squadron Leader HW Metzler (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant RJ Digney (RCAF), PO JL Berry (RCAF), Pilot Officer JB Allen (RCAF), Flying Officer NA MacAulay (RCAF), and Pilot Officer G Myles (RAFVR) were all killed in action
This was one of 108 Allied aircraft that were lost this night
There were two 424 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Crosland, AH for information on Halifax LV 879 QB-A
1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Jack Beatty Allen 2024-10-20 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John LaPointe Berry 2024-10-20 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Roderick Joseph Digney 2024-10-20 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Norman Alexander MacAulay 2024-10-20 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Harry Warren Metzler 2024-10-20 1944-March-31 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer George Myles 2024-10-20 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Felix Frederic Florent Paquin 2024-10-20 Halifax LV945, B.Mk.III
s/n LV945
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LV 945
Hercules XVI
Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV946, B.Mk.III
s/n LV946
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LV 946
Hercules XVI
units 466/640/158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV947, B.Mk.III
s/n LV947
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LV 947
Hercules XVI
Units 431/424/433/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV950, B.Mk.III
s/n LV950
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LV 950
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Hugh Boyd Gilmore 2024-03-14 1944-August-01 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Ernest Gloeckler 2024-03-14 1944-August-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Roy Irish 2024-03-14 1944-August-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon Leroy Lindensmith 2024-03-14 1944-August-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Alexander Santo 2024-03-14 1944-August-01 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William John Louis Wright 2024-03-14 Halifax LV951, B.Mk.III
s/n LV951
Handley Page Ltd
LV 951
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Brunswick Germany 1944-08-12 to 1944-08-13
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
Battle of Normandy
242 Lancasters and 137 Halifaxes. 17 Lancasters and 10 Halifaxes lost, 7·1 per cent of the force. This was an experimental raid. No Pathfinder aircraft took part and there was no marking. The intention was to discover how successfully a force of aircraft could carry out a raid with each crew bombing on the indications of its own H2S set. The raid was not successful and there was no concentration of bombing, The Brunswick report calls it a heavy raid but only states that bombs fell In the central and Statdtpark area and that 99 people were killed. Other towns, up to 20 miles distant were mistaken for Brunswick and were also bombed.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
. Halifax aircraft missing during night operations against Brunswick, Germany. Pilot Officer W. L. Harris was killed, F/Os W.H. Cram, W.C. Barrett, Campbell, Sergeants . Harvey, and R.A. Austin were taken Prisoners of War. One Canadian, Sergeant Maki, was an Evader
1944-August-13 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Roy William Austen 2023-11-11 1944-August-13 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Charles Barrett 2024-11-09 1944-August-13 PoW RCAF Flying Officer George Duncan Campbell 2024-12-25 1944-August-13 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Hugh Cram 2024-08-01 1944-August-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Lane Harris 2023-11-25 1944-August-13 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Edward Gordon Harvey 2023-11-07 1944-August-13 Evader RCAF Sergeant Leo Raffael Maki 2024-12-25 
Halifax LV953, B.Mk.III
s/n LV953
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LV 953
Hercules XVI
Units 431/424/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV955, B.Mk.III
s/n LV955
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LV 955
Hercules XVI
Units 466/462/192
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV957, B.Mk.III
s/n LV957
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LV 957
Hercules XVI
units 76/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV958, B.Mk.III
s/n LV958
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LV 958
Hercules XVI
Units 76/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV959, B.Mk.III
s/n LV959
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LV 959
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Bois-de-Cassan France 1944-08-04 to 1944-08-04
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
Battle of Normandy
FLYING-BOMB STORAGE SITES
291 aircraft - 169 Halifaxes, 112 Lancasters, I0 Mosquitoes - of 6 and 8 Groups attacked the Bois-de- Cassan and Trossy-St-Maxim sites in clear visibility. 2 Halifaxes of 6 Group were lost on the Bois-de- Cassan raid and 2 Lancasters on the Trossy-St-Maxim raid.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BIII aircraft LV 959 QB-R did not return from a raid against the V-1 rocket storage sites in Bois-de-Casson, France, cause unknown. The aircraft crashed near Boran-sur-Oise, WSW of Chantilly, France.
Flying Officer DG Stevenson (RCAF), Flying Officer PE Cronin (RCAF), Flying Officer WR Heuchert (RCAF), Pilot Officer CB Sutton (RCAF), Pilot Officer SL Peters (RCAF) and Pilot Officer VC Gerrie were killed. One of the crew, Sergeant E Rogers (RAF) was taken Prisoner of War.
Squadron Leader I W Bazalgette (RCAF) of 635 Pathfinder Sqn was posthumously awarded a VC for his devotion to duty on this raid
1944-August-05 Failed to Return Failed to return from mission to V-1 sites at Bois de Cassan. 6 Killed, 1 POW. 2019-08-20
1944-August-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Patrick Edmund Cronin 2024-05-19 1944-August-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Vernon Chester Gerrie 2023-09-24 1944-August-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Rudolph Heuchert 2023-09-24 1944-August-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Samuel Leonard Peters 2023-09-24 1944-August-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Gerald Stevenson 2023-09-24 1944-August-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Cyril Bertie Sutton 2023-09-24 Halifax LV960, B.Mk.III
s/n LV960
Handley Page Ltd
LV 960
Hercules XVI
According to Halifax File, collided with aircraft while ascending after takeoff and crashed 1 mile from Goole, Yorks and burnt out, 9.4.44.
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV961, B.Mk.III
s/n LV961
Handley Page Ltd
LV 961
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Metz France 1944-06-28 to 1944-06-29
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
Battle of Normandy
202 Halifaxes of 4 and 6 Groups with 28 Pathfinder Lancasters attacked yards at Blainville and Metz. Both targets were hit. 20 aircraft were lost, 1 I Halifaxes of 4 Group and I Lancaster from the Blainville raid and 7 Halifaxes of 6 Group and 1 Lancaster from Metz. The combined loss rate was 8·7 per cent.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft LV 961 crashed ten miles south-east of Beauvais, France during night operations against Metz, France. F/Os G.W. Johnson, E.W. Folliott, R.H. Dickinson, P/Os J.B.Patterson, G.H. Isaac, F.E. Joynson, and FS T. Davies (RAF) were killed. One of the crew, not Canadian, missing believed killed.
1944-June-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Harry Dickinson 2024-10-20 1944-June-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Eric Walter Folliott 2024-10-19 1944-June-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Herbert Isaac 2024-10-19 1944-June-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gwynn Wray Johnson 2024-10-19 1944-June-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Edward Joynson 2024-10-19 1944-June-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Burton Patterson 2024-10-19 Halifax LV962, B.Mk.III
s/n LV962
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LV 962
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Karlsruhe Germany 1944-04-24 to 1944-04-25
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
637 aircraft - 369 Lancasters, 259 Halifaxes, 9 Mosquitoes - of all groups except 5 Group. 19 aircraft - 11 Lancasters, 8 Hallfaxes - lost, 3·0 per cent of the force,
Cloud over the target und n strong wind which pushed the Pathfinders too far north spoiled this attack. Only the northern part of Karlsruhe was seriously damager und most of the bombs fell outside the city. It has been difficult to obtain details from this target. One report says that 23 people were killed, 133 were injured and mon than 900 houses were destroyed or badly damaged, but another report gives the number of people killed as I 18. Mannheim, 30 miles to the north, recorded a raid by approximately 100 aircraft on this night and Darmstadt, Ludwigshafen and Heidelberg were also hit by aircraft which failed to find the main target. It must be assumer that many bombs fell in open country between Karlsruhe and Mannheim; another German report says that bombs fell in 120 parishes.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BIII aircraft LV 962 QB-X was returning from night operations over Karlsruhe, Germany when it was intercepted and shot down by the night fighter crew of Oberleutnant Werner Baake & Unteroffizier Rolf Bettaque of the 2/NJG 1 from Venlo airfield, Netherlands in He 219 A-0 G9+BK
The bomber crashed west of the Draepkilweg road at Werkendam, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
Flying Officer JE Tinline (RCAF), Flying Officer DA Crosbie (RCAF), Pilot Officer LJH Boudreau (RCAF), Pilot Officer ZR Trudeau (RCAF) and Pilot Officer PM Maloney (RAAF) were all killed in action
Pilot Officer RW Brown (RCAF) and FS CA Phyall (RAFVR) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
FS Phyall was severely injured and would be a POW for eleven months before being repatriated to England but succumbed to his injuries and died 1945-03-21There were two 424 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Hughi,Warrant Officer for information regarding Halifax HX 318 QB-O
1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lawrence Joseph Henry Boudreau 2024-11-15 1944-April-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Watson Brown 2024-11-21 1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Douglas Alexander Crosbie 2024-05-19 1944-April-25 KIA RAAF Pilot Officer Patrick Murray Moloney 2025-02-02 1944-April-25 PoW Early Release RAFVR Flight Sergeant Charles Alfred Phyall 2025-01-16 1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Evan Tinline 2025-02-02 1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Zenon Romeo Trudeau 2025-02-02 Halifax LV963, B.Mk.III
s/n LV963
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LV 963
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Robert Adlard 2024-10-24 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Donald Stewart Brillinger 2024-10-24 1944-April-23 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Ronald Chamberlain 2024-01-28 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harley William Doiron 2024-10-24 1944-April-23 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Harold Arnold Findlater 2024-10-24 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Flt. Sergeant James Osborne Young 2024-10-24 Halifax LV964, B.Mk.III
s/n LV964
Handley Page Ltd
LV 964
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Norman Brown 2024-11-21 1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Alfred Gabriel 2021-08-07 1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Hay 2020-09-12 1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Lionel Misael Raymond Savard 2021-08-04 1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Jacques Joseph Maxime Tremblay 2021-07-15 Halifax LV965, B.Mk.III
s/n LV965
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LV 965
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV966, B.Mk.III
s/n LV966
Handley Page Ltd
LV 966
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV967, B.Mk.III
s/n LV967
Handley Page Ltd
LV 967
Hercules XVI
Units 433/429/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit.
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV968, B.Mk.III
s/n LV968
Handley Page Ltd
LV 968
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-April-25 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Mahlon Franklin Beach 2024-11-09 1944-April-25 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Horace Gordon Carpenter 2025-01-02 1944-April-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer William Albert Crowe 2024-05-21 1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Draganiuk 2024-10-28 1944-April-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Mervyn Jack Hicks 2025-01-02 1944-April-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Joseph James William MacLeod 2025-01-02 1944-April-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Hartley Frank Purvis 2025-01-02 Halifax LV969, B.Mk.III
s/n LV969
Handley Page Ltd
LV 969
Hercules XVI
Units 429/520
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV970, B.Mk.III
s/n LV970
Handley Page Ltd
LV 970
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Villeneuve-Saint-Georges France 1944-07-04 to 1944-07-05
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
Battle of Normandy
282 Lancasters and 5 Mosquitoes of 1, 6 and 8 Groups attacked railway yards at Orleans and Villeneuve. Both targets were accurately bombed. 14 Lancasters were lost, 11 from the Villeneuve raid and 3 from Orleans.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BIII aircraft LV 970 QB-T missing during an operation to bomb the railyards at Villeneuve St Georges, France, believed shot down on the return flight by a night fighter
Pilot Officer AG Sinclair (RCAF), Flying Officer PNT Van Alstyne (RCAF), Flying Officer LT Sykes (RCAF)(USA), Flying Officer LF O'Brien (RCAF), Pilot Officer JA Buckham (RCAF), Pilot Officer D More (RCAF) and Sergeant CF Wilson (RAFVR) were all killed in action
1944-July-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Alexander Buckham 2024-11-23 1944-July-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald More 2024-02-21 1944-July-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Lawrence Francis O'Brien 2024-02-21 1944-July-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alexander Gunn Sinclair 2024-02-21 1944-July-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Leonard Taylor Sykes 2024-02-21 1944-July-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Philip Nairn Thompson Van Alstyne 2024-02-21 1944-July-05 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Colin Francis Wilson 2024-02-21 Halifax LV971, B.Mk.III
s/n LV971
Handley Page Ltd
LV 971
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer David Beatty Carter 2024-01-10 1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Gerald Boyd Edmonds 2023-10-11 1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edwin Arthur Lansdowne 2023-10-11 1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Michael Ryan 2023-10-11 1944-April-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harold Keith Tole 2021-07-17 Halifax LV972, B.Mk.III
s/n LV972
Handley Page Ltd
LV 972
Hercules XVI
Unit 433/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV973, B.Mk.III
s/n LV973
Handley Page Ltd
LV 973
Hercules XVI
Unit 429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV985, B.Mk.III
s/n LV985
Handley Page Ltd
LV 985
Hercules XVI
Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Wallace Blair 2024-11-13 1944-July-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas Alexander Carson 2024-01-09 1944-July-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Wilbur St Clair Haley 2025-01-23 1944-July-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Raymond Kelly 2025-01-24 1944-July-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Victor Allison Unruh 2025-01-24 1944-July-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer David Gordon Willson 2025-01-24 Halifax LV986, B.Mk.III
s/n LV986
Handley Page Ltd
LV 986
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV987, B.Mk.III
s/n LV987
Handley Page Ltd
LV 987
Hercules XVI
Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Acheres France 1944-06-07 to 1944-06-08
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
427 Lion Squadron (Ferte Manus Certe) RAF Leeming. Halifax BIII aircraft LV 987 ZL-K, while on a raid to bomb the railyards at Acheres, France in support of the coming D-Day Landings. The Halifax was attacked and shot down by night fighter pilot Hptm Kurt Fladrich of 9 /NJG 9 at 01:26 hours. The entire crew abandoned the aircraft before it crashed near Gaillon-sur-Montcient, Yvelines, France
Flying Officer Edward Carter-Edwards (RCAF) and Sergeant Charles Walter Ford (RCAF) both survived and were captured to become Prisoners of War
Flying Officer Charles Walter Farr (RCAF), Flying Officer Gordon McTavish Waddell, Sergeant Martin Donnan (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 David F Foster (RCAF) and Sergeant George William Philliskirk (RAFVR) all survived and avoided capture as Evaders. Aided by the French Resistance these four crewmates ended up together near Paris, France, sheltering there until liberated by advancing American Forces 1944-08-29
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
07/08061944 427 (Lion) Squadron RCAF Halifax III LV987 Warrant Officer Class 2 David F...
1944-June-08 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Edward Carter-Edwards 2024-10-23 1944-June-08 Evader RCAF Sergeant Martin Donnan 2024-08-20 1944-June-08 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Thomas William Farr 2024-10-23 1944-June-08 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Charles Walter Ford 2024-10-26 1944-June-08 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer David Frank Foster 2024-11-19 1944-June-08 Evader RAF Sergeant George William Philliskirk 2024-10-26 1944-June-08 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Gordon McTavish Waddell 2024-10-26 Halifax LV988, B.Mk.III
s/n LV988
Handley Page Ltd
LV 988
Hercules XVI
Unit424/427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV989, B.Mk.III
s/n LV989
Handley Page Ltd
LV 989
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Alan Francis Brown 2024-11-20 1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William George Hunter 2025-03-06 1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John William Leitch 2025-03-06 1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Sergeant Lawrence Edward Morris 2025-03-06 1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Earl Scott 2025-03-06 Halifax LV990, B.Mk.III
s/n LV990
Handley Page Ltd
LV 990
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1944-04-22 to 1944-04-23
433 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale
433 Porcupine Squadron (Qui S'y Frotte S'y Pique) RAF Skipton-on-Swale. Halifax BIII aircraft LV 990 BM-J missing during night operations, a raid against Dusseldorf, Germany. The cause of loss was not established
Flying Officer GC Burns MiD (RCAF), Pilot Officer ASF Holmes (RCAF), Pilot Officer DC MacDougall (RCAF), Sergeant JJ Bedard (RCAF) and Sergeant JW Dunford (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Pilot Officer JP Desroches (RCAF) was missing, presumed killed in action
Pilot Officer Desroches Has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede MemorialSergeant TN Morris (RAFVR) was the only survivor from his crew and was taken as Prisoner of War
There were three 433 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials HX 291 BM-W and LV 840 BM-E for additional information
6 Group Bomber Command, An Operational Record by Chris Ward page 244 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
Halifax LV990 433 Squadron - Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces...
Philip F Plant's Contribution - John Austin's fourteenth operation I ...
1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Jean Paul Marcel Bedard 2022-11-24 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gerald Charles Burns MiD 2022-11-24 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Paul Lucien Wilfrid Leon Desroches 2024-10-16 1944-April-23 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John William Dunford 2022-11-24 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Sidney Fraser Holmes 2022-11-24 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Daniel Craig MacDougall 2022-11-24 1944-April-23 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Thomas Nathaniel Morris 2022-11-24 Halifax LV991, B.Mk.III
s/n LV991
Handley Page Ltd
LV 991
Hercules XVI
Units 424/518
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV992, B.Mk.III
s/n LV992
Handley Page Ltd
LV 992
Hercules XVI
Units 433/518
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV993, B.Mk.III
s/n LV993
Handley Page Ltd
LV 993
Hercules XVI
Units 429/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit/462
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV994, B.Mk.III
s/n LV994
Handley Page Ltd
LV 994
Hercules XVI
Units 427/429/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit.
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LV995, B.Mk.III
s/n LV995
Handley Page Ltd
LV 995
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Arras France 1944-06-12 to 1944-06-13
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
427 Lion Squadron (Ferte Manus Certas) RAF Leeming. Halifax III aircraft LV 995 ZL-Y was shot down by flak during a night operation to bomb railyards at Arras, France, crashing near Maquise, Pas-de-Calais, France
Flying Officer FH Lang (RCAF), Pilot Officer NF Fitton (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant LB Thistle (RCAF) and Sergeant DA Bristow (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Pilot Officer EL Wilson (RCAF), Flying Officer K Patrick (RCAF) and Flying Officer JDL Fulton (RCAF) avoided capture and were Evaders
There were two more 427 aircraft lost on the operation this night. Please see aircraft serials LW 165 ZL-M and LW135 ZL-R for additional information
1944-June-13 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Donald Alexander Bristow 2023-05-06 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norman Frederick Fitton 2023-05-06 1944-June-13 Evader RCAF Flying Officer James Donald Leslie Fulton 2023-05-08 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Francis Henry Lang 2023-05-06 1944-June-13 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Keith Patrick 2023-05-06 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Lawrence Bruce Thistle 2023-05-06 1944-June-13 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer Elmer Lyall "Bunny" Wilson 2023-05-08 Halifax LV996, B.Mk.III
s/n LV996
Handley Page Ltd
LV 996
Hercules XVI
Units 429/427 per Halifax File
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Andrew Glen Caldwell 2024-07-07 1945-March-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Philip Felix Gonroski 2024-07-16 1945-March-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Adrian Steve Leroux 2024-07-16 1945-March-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Paul Nault 2024-07-16 1945-March-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Henry Nixon Prince 2024-07-07 1945-March-06 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Mardyth Wesley Sanderson 2024-07-16 1945-March-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Russell Strand 2024-07-16 Halifax LV997, B.Mk.III
s/n LV997
Handley Page Ltd
LV 997
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1944-07-28 to 1944-07-29
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
Battle of Normandy
307 aircraft - 187 Halifaxes, ro6 Lancasters, 14 Mosquitoes - from 1, 6 and 8 Groups. German fighters again appeared, this time on the homeward flight, and 18 Halifaxes and 4 Lancasters were lost, 7·2 per cent of the force. The Halifax casualties were 9·6 per cent; 431 (Canadian) Squadron, flying from Croft airfield in Co. Durham, lost 5 of its 17 aircraft on the raid.
·This was the first heavy raid on Hamburg since the Battle of Hamburg just a year earlier. The bombing on this raid was not well concentrated. The Germans estimated that only 120 aircraft bombed in the city area, with no recognizable aiming point, though western and harbour areas received the most bombs. A large proportion of the attack fell on areas devastated in 1943 but 265 people were killed and more than 17,000 had to be evacuated from homes damaged in this raid, many of which were probably only temporary wooden accommodation at this stage of the war. Brunswig (p. 339) describes how a panic developed at the large Reeperbahn air-raid shelter when a lone aircraft came in to bomb after the all clear had sounded and nearby Flak guns opened fire. 2 women were trampled to death and others were badly hurt.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BIII aircraft LV 997 QB-E was shot down during an operation to Hamburg, Germany by night fighter crew of Oberleutnant Schmidt, Fw Schönfeld & Fw Schlosser of the 8/NJG 1, who had taken off from Twente airfield in the Netherlands in Bf 110 G-4 G9+AS. The Halifax crashed onto the mud flats at Hillgroven, near Wesselburen, Schleswig-Holstein, GermanyPilot Officer JR Power (RCAF) and Squadron Commanding Officer W/C JD Blane (RCAF) were killed in action
Warrant Officer Class 2 JD Burns (RCAF), Flying Officer RV Smyth (RCAF), FS WE Mylchreest (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant CG Kerr DFC (RCAF) and Sergeant W McAlpine (RAF) survived to be taken as Prisoners of War
On VE Day, 1945-05-08, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 424/433 Sqds at Skipton on Swale, went to Brussels as part of a fleet of 26 aircraft to pick up released POW's. He wrote in his diary: "The war is definitely over now with complete surrender all round " cease fire is at 1 minute after midnight tonight. . . Got everything organised for the other kites to take off at 12:40 & we got airborne at 10:30 am . . we finally found our aerodrome B58 at a little town called Melsbrock . . . We reached our parking strip & got out to be confronted with approx.. 3000 POWs of all nationalities. . . There were Assies & New Zealanders, Canadians & Americans, English, Poles, Russians etc. Several Canadians came up to speak to us having recognised our a/c letters. Even some from our own Sqdn were there with a Nav [Navigator] from G/C Wray's crew [HX282} & a F/Eng from W/C Blane's crew [LV997]. Also one from 433 "M" which was shot down in February when I was there. . . The POWs all had marvellous experiences to relate."
Twenty-two 6 Group aircraft and crews failed to return from this bombing raid
1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Wing Commander John Donald Blane 2024-11-13 1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Daniel Burns 2024-11-25 1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Clifford Gordon Kerr DFC 2025-01-25 1944-July-29 PoW RAF Sergeant William McAlpine 2025-01-25 1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Wilfred Edward Mylchreest 2025-01-25 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Roderique Power 2025-01-25 1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Reginald Vincent Smyth 2025-01-25 Halifax LV998, B.Mk.III
s/n LV998
Handley Page Ltd
LV 998
Hercules XVI
Served with No. 424 (B) Squadron, RCAF, from Skipton-on-Swale, UK. Coded "QB*H". Reported as missing on mining operation on 12/13 January 1945. Not supported by ORB which reports Halifax NP 947 QB "Y" as the missing aircraft.
(RAF Commands and Walker both report the A/C as LV 998 in error)
last update: 2025-February-05Halifax LW113, B.Mk.III
s/n LW113
Handley Page Ltd
LW 113
Hercules XVI
Units 426/424/520/518
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW114, B.Mk.III
s/n LW114
Handley Page Ltd
LW 114
Hercules XVI
Units 426/427
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-May-12 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Armagh Charles Brown 2024-11-21 1944-May-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Stanley Frederick Ellis 2023-12-15 1944-May-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Collin Bruce Lamb 2023-12-15 1944-May-12 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant David Hamilton Perry 2023-12-15 1944-May-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Edward Sinclair 2023-12-15 Halifax LW115, B.Mk.III
s/n LW115
Handley Page Ltd
LW 115
Hercules XVI
Unit 433
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-14 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer John Taylor Evans 2024-06-12 1944-July-14 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Ronald Loughton Movold 2024-06-12 1944-July-14 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class James Malcolm Murie 2024-06-12 1944-July-14 KIFA RCAF Sergeant George Walker Pidgeon 2024-06-12 1944-July-14 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Bruce Edwin Tees 2024-06-12 1944-July-14 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William Matthew Wallace 2024-06-12 Halifax LW117, B.Mk.III
s/n LW117
Handley Page Ltd
LW 117
Hercules XVI
Units 426/424
On 1944-09-17, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 424/433 Sqns at Skipton on Swale, wrote in his diary:
"Got up at 6:00 am this morning for take-off at 6:45. Fog & ground mist was terrific & it was touch & go for a while whether the whole op was scrubbed or not. However, they decided to take a chance & sent them away. We had 16 from 424 & 11 from 433 detailed & they started taking off in between fog swirls. It was really nerve-wracking since each & every one that trundled off down the runway everyone fully expected to crash & that isn't much fun either when we had a maximum capacity of bombs up, 11,324 lbs of HE [high explosives] which is really something, 9 x 1000 & 4 x 500's. Finally 424 Sqdn "K" LW117 started to swing on its takeoff & as we were very near the full all-up wt of 65000 lbs he couldn't hold it & crash he did, giving us our one & only early return However, luckily enough it didn't catch on fire & the bombs didn't go up."
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW119, B.Mk.III
s/n LW119
Handley Page Ltd
LW 119
Hercules XVI
Unit 424/187
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW120, B.Mk.III
s/n LW120
Handley Page Ltd
LW 120
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Gracie 2023-10-22 1944-July-05 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Leon Thomas Grenon 2022-06-04 1944-July-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Stanley George Hetherington 2024-07-16 1944-July-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Patrick Scullion 2024-07-22 1944-July-05 PoW RAFVR Sergeant George Frank Watmough 2022-02-27 1944-July-05 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Michael Wiome 2022-02-27 1944-July-05 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Bernard Yunker 2023-10-22 Halifax LW121, B.Mk.III
s/n LW121
Handley Page Ltd
LW 121
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Cambrai France 1944-06-14 to 1944-06-15
424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale
424 Tiger Squadron (Castigandos castigamus) RAF Skipton-on-Swale. Halifax III aircraft LW 121 QB-X was shot down by night fighter pilot Uffz Kurt Leitner of 2/NJG4 during an operation to bomb rail facilities at Cambrai, France in support of the D-Day landings.The Halifax was abandoned by the crew at 11,000 feet and crashed near Cambrai.
Warrant Officer Class 1 George Alexander Edwin Compton (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant Peter Cameron Hamilton (RCAF), Pilot Officer Calvin Becker Cornelius (RCAF), Flying Officer Charles Gordon Pallett (RCAF) and Sergeant Walter Lawrence Cousins (RAFVR) all survived to become Prisoners of War
Flying Officer Donald Robert McCormick (RCAF) and Warrant Officer 2nd Class Robert Charles McCubbin (RCAF) both survived and avoided capture as Evaders
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
14/15 06 1944 424 (Tiger) Squadron RCAF Halifax III LW 121 Flt Lt Peter C....
330 aircraft - 61 Lancasters, 255 Halifaxes, 14 Mosquitoes - of 4, 6 and 8 Groups attacked railways al Cambrai, Douai and St-Pol. All of the targets were either partially cloud-covered or affected by haze and the bombing was not completely concentrated or accurate. 3 Halifaxes and 1 Lancaster were lost, the Lancaster being the Master Bomber's aircraft at Douai.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Failed to return from attack on the rail yards at St. Pol and Cambrai, shot down by a night fighter, 15 June 1944. 2 killed 5 POW.
1944-June-15 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class George Alexander Edwin Compton 2024-10-23 1944-June-15 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Calvin Becker Cornelius 2024-10-22 1944-June-15 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Walter Lawrence Cousins 2024-10-22 1944-June-15 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Peter Cameron Hamilton 2024-10-22 1944-June-15 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Donald Robert McCormick 2024-11-28 1944-June-15 Evader RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Robert Charles McCubbin 2024-10-22 1944-June-15 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Charles Gordon Pallett 2024-10-22 Halifax LW122, B.Mk.III
s/n LW122
Handley Page Ltd
LW 122
Hercules XVI
Struck off charge, 16.5.45
Units 433/415/420/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW123, B.Mk.III
s/n LW123
Handley Page Ltd
LW 123
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Gordon Baird 2024-11-28 1944-July-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Dalton Harvie 2024-11-28 1944-July-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Corson Jenkins 2024-11-28 1944-July-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Thomas William Longley 2024-11-28 1944-July-05 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Henry Marler 2024-11-28 1944-July-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Frederick Wilson 2024-11-28 1944-July-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Henry "Billy" Winder 2024-11-28 Halifax LW124, B.Mk.III
s/n LW124
Handley Page Ltd
LW 124
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Aachen Germany 1944-05-24 to 1944-05-25
429 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
429 Bison Squadron (Fortunae Nihil) RAF Leeming, Halifax III aircraft LW 124 AL-N missing during night operations against Aachen, Germany. Homeward-bound, the aircraft was intercepted and shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer of the Stab IV/NJG 1,flying in Bf 110 G-4 G9+DF. The aircraft was abandoned and crashed at Erica farm between Tilburg and Dongen, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
Pilot Officer RF Christie (RCAF), Pilot Officer WM Stewart (RCAF) and Pilot Officer MA Fernandez de Leon (RCAF)(Gautemala) were all killed in action
Pilot Officer KH Jackson (RAFVR) was missing, presumed killed in action. Pilot Officer Jackson has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial
Flying Officer RB Rudd(RCAF) and Flight Sergeant H Dawson (RAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War. Warrant Officer Class 2 LM Shelter (RCAF) survived evaded until being captured 1944-06-15 in Antwerp to became a Prisoner of War
There were three 429 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials HX 352 AL-L and LW 137 AL-K for additional information
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Foster Christie 2024-10-05 1944-May-25 PoW RAFVR Flight Sergeant Herbert Dawson 2024-10-05
1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer De Leon Mario Alfred Fernandez 2024-10-05 1944-May-25 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Kenneth Hawley Jackson 2024-10-05 1944-May-25 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Ronald Beattie Rudd 2024-06-20 1944-May-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Lorne Melvin Shelter 2024-10-05 1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William McGill Stewart 2024-10-05 Halifax LW127, B.Mk.III
s/n LW127
Handley Page Ltd
LW 127
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Caen France 1944-07-18 to 1944-07-18
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Leeming
Took off from Leeming at 03:31 in Halifax Mk III (Sqn code: AL-F Bomber Command) in support of Operation Goodwood.
Aircraft lost half its tailplane to bombs dropped from a Hali above. It later crashed in the target area.
Killed:Pilot Officer John Meynell Cunningham RAF KIA Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian Cemetery Grave VII. E. 16.Flying Officer Ronald Gordon Ellis RCAF J/28202 KIA Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian Cemetery Grave VI. E. 16.Pilot Officer William Leaman Gillespie RCAF J/90090 KIA Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian Cemetery Grave VI. E. 12.
POWs including McNiffe:Flying Officer Joseph Jean Chrysostome Philippe Brunet RCAF J/23357 POW Stalag Luft L1 Barth Vogelsang.F/Lt George William Gardiner RCAF J/9557 POW Stalag Luft L1 Barth Vogelsang.Evader:Sergeant E W McGregor RCAF R/197908 Evader.
In Enemy Hands - Canadian Prisoners of War 1939-45 1944-July-18 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Jean Chrysostome Philippe Brunet 2024-11-23 1944-July-18 KIA RAF Pilot Officer John Maynell Cunningham 2024-05-30 1944-July-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ronald Gordon Ellis 2024-02-01 1944-July-18 PoW RCAF Gardiner,George William Gardiner 2024-02-01 1944-July-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Leaman Gillespie 2024-02-01 1944-July-18 Evader RCAF Sergeant E W McGregor 2024-02-01 1944-July-18 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Frederick Alexander McNiffe 2023-09-16 
Halifax LW128, B.Mk.III
s/n LW128
Handley Page Ltd
LW 128
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW129, B.Mk.III
s/n LW129
Handley Page Ltd
LW 129
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1944-10-06 to 1944-10-06
433 (B) BG (RCAF) Skipton on Swale
On 1944-10-07, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 424/433 Sqns at Skipton on Swale, wrote in his diary:
"Things went very quietly today while we . . licked our wounds so to speak after yesterday's large scale effort. The a/c kept dribbling in, off and on, all day except G of 433 which went missing last night,our first one in about a month and a half. Another kite, X of 433, landed down south in Woodbridge badly damages by flak and night fighters. Then to make matters worse somebody dropped a load of incendiaries through the nose seriously wounding the bomb aimer & made the kite a Cat AC. At 3 o'clock word came through of another all-out effort for early tomorrow morning . . ."
1944-October-06 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Henry Raymond Lee English 2021-04-09 1944-October-06 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Patrick Lee 2021-04-09 1944-October-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Anthony Emsley McGraw 2021-04-09 1944-October-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Wenford Maxwell Ritchie 2024-06-27 1944-October-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Edward Tazuk 2021-04-09 1944-October-06 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Victor Gilbert Buchan Valentine 2023-10-03 Halifax LW130, B.Mk.III
s/n LW130
Handley Page Ltd
LW 130
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW131, B.Mk.III
s/n LW131
Handley Page Ltd
LW 131
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1944-11-02 to 1944-11-03
424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
992 aircraft - 561 Lancasters, 400 Halifaxes, 31 Mosquitoes. II Halifaxes and 8 Lancasters were lost, 4 of the losses being crashes behind Allied lines in France and Belgium.
This heavy attack fell mainly on the northern half of Diisseldorf. More than 5,000 houses were destroyed or badly damaged. 7 industrial premises were destroyed and 18 were seriously damaged, including some important steel firms. At least 678 people were killed and more than 1,000 were injured. This was the last major Bomber Command raid of the war on Diisseldorf
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BIII aircraft LW 131 QB-J missing during a night trip to Dusseldorf, Germany. The cause of loss and crash location were not determined
Pilot Officer AT Keeping (RCAF), Pilot Officer AJW Cayer (RCAF), Flying Officer WSP Bonar (RCAF) and Pilot Officer W Galbraith (RAFVR) were all killed in action
FS JAJ Lambert (RCAF), FS AE McMullen (RCAF) and Pilot Officer JEBA Cote (RCAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
On 1944-11-02, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 424/433 Sqns at Skipton on Swale, wrote in his diary:
"No rest again today & had bags of panic getting 16 from 424 & 17 from 433 away to Dusseldorf with 10,110 lbs of bombs up. We seem to be getting along all right these days with no non-starters or early returns again. It seems they more we fly these things the better they operate. We lost two tonight, both from 424. Flying Officer Bonar in "J" Johnny & Flying Officer King in "F" Freddy but got some good news too when word came through that Flying Officer King and his crew who went missing tonight were picked up ok when they bailed out safely behind our lines. Poor old 424 however seems to be taking quite a beating & we only have 18 kites left ion the squadron."
1944-November-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Selby Pace Bonar 2024-11-14 1944-November-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Albert Jean William Cayer 2024-01-23 1944-November-03 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Egide Bernardin Arthur Cote 2024-04-28 1944-November-03 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer William Galbraith 2025-01-27 1944-November-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Thomas Keeping 2025-01-27 1944-November-03 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Antoine Jacques Lambert 2025-01-27 1944-November-03 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Albert Edmund McMullen 2025-01-27 Halifax LW132, B.Mk.III
s/n LW132
Handley Page Ltd
LW 132
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harry Glass DFM 2022-04-07 1944-August-08 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant James Donald Blanchard Hall 2022-04-07 1944-August-08 Rescued RCAF Flight Sergeant R V Harrod 2022-04-07 1944-August-08 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas A Jackman 2022-12-30 1944-August-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Murray 2022-04-07 1944-August-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Winston Spencer Moyses Phillips 2022-04-07 1944-August-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lorston Ross Syme 2022-04-07 Halifax LW133, B.Mk.III
s/n LW133
Handley Page Ltd
LW 133
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW135, B.Mk.III
s/n LW135
Handley Page Ltd
LW 135
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Arras France 1944-06-12 to 1944-06-13
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
427 Lion Squadron (Ferte Manus Certas) RAF Leeming. Halifax III aircraft LW 135 ZL-R failed to return from a night operation against rail yards in Arras, France. Shot down by flak, the Halifax crashed at Foncquevillers, Pas-de-Calais, France
Flying Officer RC Pearson, (RCAF), Flying Officer LW Cartwright, (RCAF), Pilot Officer ED Dubeau, (RCAF), Pilot Officer G Parsons (RCAF) and Pilot Officer ER Duffin (RCAF) were all killed in action
Flying Officer FM Beaton (RCAF) survived and was taken Prisoner of War, but the flight engineer, Sergeant KG Bulow (RAF) survived, evaded capture and was returned to the UK
Flying Officer Pearson was BROTHER of Pilot Officer DH Pearson killed in action 1943-08-22 in 252 Squadron RAF Beaufighter JL 523 during an anti-shipping attack off the coast of Greece
There were three 427 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation on this date. Please aircraft serials LV 995 ZL-Y and LW 165 ZL-M for additional information
Search for France-Crashes 39-45
Halifax BIII LW135 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1944-June-13 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Edwin Malcolm Beaton 2023-11-16 1944-June-13 Evader RAF Sergeant Kenneth Gordon Bulow 2024-11-23 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Laird Wallace Cartwright 2025-01-04 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edward David Dubeau 2024-10-29 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edward Roy Duffin 2024-10-29 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon Parsons 2025-01-04 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Charles Pearson 2025-01-04 Halifax LW136, B.Mk.III
s/n LW136
Handley Page Ltd
LW 136
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW137, B.Mk.III
s/n LW137
Handley Page Ltd
LW 137
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Aachen Germany 1944-05-24 to 1944-05-25
429 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
429 Bison Squadron (Fortunae Nihil) RAF Leeming. Halifax BIII aircraft LW 137 AL-K went down near Emilia Polder, Holland during night operations against rail yards in Aachen, Germany. The bomber was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberfeldwebel Karl-Heinz Scherfling of the 12/NJG 1, who was flying a Bf 110 G-4 from St Trond (Sint-Truiden) airfield in Belgium
Pilot Officer AJ Murphy (RCAF), Pilot Officer JRH Cochrane (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant T Rawlinson DFC (RAFVR) and Pilot Officer A Bates (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Pilot Officer AC Shierlaw (RCAF) Pilot Officer WJ Bush (RAF) and Pilot Officer GL Caunt (RAF) survived and evaded for a time but all were captured and taken as Prisoners of War
There were three 429 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials HX352 AL-L and LW124 AL-N for additional information
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
429 Squadron Halifax III LW137 AL:K Flt Lt Thomas Rawlinson DFC RAF...
5f14544e3b3c4f0791fec445_NCA1944
Neergestorte vliegtuigen 1940-1945 in Made en Dremmelen - BHIC
1944-May-25 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Albert Bates 2024-12-31 1944-May-25 PoW RAF Pilot Officer Walter James Bush 2023-03-29 1944-May-25 PoW RAF Pilot Officer Gilbert Lee Caunt 2024-01-21 1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Raymond Henry Cochrane 2024-03-07 1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur John Murphy 2024-12-31 1944-May-25 KIA RAFVR Flight Lieutenant Thomas Rawlinson DFC 2023-03-29 1944-May-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Allan Charles Shierlaw 2023-03-29 Halifax LW139, B.Mk.III
s/n LW139
Handley Page Ltd
LW 139
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-February-23 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Einar Casher 2024-01-17 1945-February-23 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Herbert Henry Hockley 2021-08-19 1945-February-23 KIFA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Donald Scott MacNabb 2021-08-19 1945-February-23 KIFA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Peter Franklin Robb 2021-08-19 Halifax LW140, B.Mk.III
s/n LW140
Handley Page Ltd
LW 140
Hercules XVI
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW143, B.Mk.III
s/n LW143
Handley Page Ltd
LW 143
Hercules XVI
unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW157, B.Mk.III
s/n LW157
Handley Page Ltd
LW 157
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Aachen Germany 1944-05-24 to 1944-05-25
424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale
442 aircraft - 264 Lancasters, 162 Halifaxes, 16 Mosquitoes - of all groups except 5 Group to attack 2 railway yards at Aachen -Aachen-West and Rothe Ertle (east of the town), These were important links in the railway system between Germany and France, 18 Halifaxes and 7 Lancasters lost, 5.7 per cent of the force.
The Aachen report duly records that the 2 railway yards were the targets attacked, with the railways to the cast of Aachen being particularly hard hit. But, because this was a German town, Bomber Command sent more aircraft than normal for railway raids and many bombs fell in Aachen itself and in villages near the railway yards. The Monheim war-industry factory and the town's gasworks were among many buildings destroyed. 207 people were killed in Aachen and 121 were seriously injured. 14,800 people were bombed out. Several villages near the railway yards also incurred casualties; Eilendorf, near the Rothe Ertle yards, had 52 people killed.
The Aachen report comments on the great number of high-explosive bombs and the small number of incendiaries dropped. There were only 6 large fires. 288 high¬explosive bombs were found to be duds, approximately IO per cent of those dropped.424 Tiger Squadron (Castigandos Castigamus) Halifax BIII aircraft LW 157 QB-S lost during a night trip to attack rail targets in Aachen, Germany. Homeward-bound, the aircraft was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Peter Ehrhardt of the 9/NJG 5, who was flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Mainz-Finthen airfield in Germany. The Halifax crashed into the North Sea off Ouddorp, Zuid-Holland with the loss of the entire crew
Pilot Officer NA. Wilson (RCAF), Pilot Officer JN.Almond (RCAF), Pilot Officer JW Kellie (RCAF), Pilot Officer FW Dolter (RCAF), Pilot Officer GA. Wilson (RCAF), and Sergeant M Rume (RAFVR) were all missing, presumed killed in action
The missing have no known grave and all are commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Neville Almond 2024-10-24 1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Wilfred Dolter 2024-10-24 1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James William Kellie 2024-10-24 1944-May-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Myer Rume 2024-10-26 1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon Alexander Wilson 2024-10-24 1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harold Kenneth Wilson 2024-10-24 1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norman Andison Wilson 2024-10-24 Halifax LW159, B.Mk.III
s/n LW159
Handley Page Ltd
LW 159
Hercules XVI
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW161, B.Mk.III
s/n LW161
Handley Page Ltd
LW 161
Hercules XVI
Unit 429/1665 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW162, B.Mk.III
s/n LW162
Handley Page Ltd
LW 162
Hercules XVI
Unit 429/187
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW163, B.Mk.III
s/n LW163
Handley Page Ltd
LW 163
Hercules XVI
On 1944-08-05, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, a Technical Officer at Allerton Hall, wrote in his diary:
Charley & I had a trip laid on for today . . . to Leeming . . Inspected a kite which had been hit by some of our own bombs on the effort yesterday. Apparently a kite above released his bombs with the other lad right below him. One 500 pounder went through the port M/p just outside the P.O. engine & left a big gaping hole Also took the aileron controls with it. Another 500 hit his port flap & a third one passed directly thru the centre of the fuselage from top to bottom just aft of the M/U turret leaving two gaping holes. If this one had not hit dead centre but had been an inch or two either way it would have chopped thru the side of the fuselage & the tail would have been chopped right off, however he made his bombing run ok & got home safe and sound after a miraculous escape.
Struck off charge, 5.6.47
Unit 429/427/518
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW164, B.Mk.III
s/n LW164
Handley Page Ltd
LW 164
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1945-01-28 to 1945-01-28
424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale
424 Tiger Squadron (Castigandos castigamus) RAF Skipton-on-Swale. Halifax BIII aircraft LW 164 QB-C swung on take-off for an operation against targets in Stuttgart, Germany, crashed and exploded, killing all members of the crew with the exception of the rear air-gunner, who was thrown clear. Flying Officer J E H B Tremblay (RCAF) survived, severely injured
Wing Commander E M Williams AFC (RCAF), Pilot Officer R E Chatfield (RCAF), Pilot Officer D J Doyle (RCAF), Flying Officer w Fleming (RCAF), Pilot Officer R J Nicolls (RCAF) and Sergeant L Tongue (RAFVR) were all killed in action in the crash
Royal Air Force serial and Image Database
Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire
On 1945-01-28, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 424/433 Sqns at Skipton on Swale, wrote in his diary:
Warning: The following material contains graphic content that may not be suitable for all readers
"Well, we had quite an exciting day (and tragic too) as seems to happen quite frequently on Sundays. We got 8 a/c from 424 & 6 from 433 all ready to go on an op to Stuttgart. The bomb load, 1 2000 pounder plus 12 500 lb clusters of incendiaries; 10% of these being the explosive type. Everything was shaping up well just before take off at 7:15 pm & all the kites were lined up raring to go. Old Sanders was off first in 424 in "O" for Oboe & then W/C Clyde Marshall in "T" Tare. The runway was pretty icy but it didn't seem to bother them much. I was up in the Control tower as per usual checking the kites as they took off. W/C Ted Williams who was to take over 424 Sqdn from Marshall when he finished his tour was third off in S for Sugar. I watched his lights down the runway & thought he was safely airborne when for some unaccountable reason the lights didn't seem to lift as they should & the thought flashed through my mind Oh oh, here it comes! Sure enough it did! If it hadn't been so horrible it might have been very pretty. A great blinding flash of flame rose up followed by thick billowing clouds of black smoke right at the intersection of the two runways. At intervals of a second or so the pyrotechnics were going off in all colours of the rainbow & then the incendiaries started with their vivid white flames interspersed with the occasional explosive one which sent up streamers of white fire in all directions & silhouetted against the black clouds of smoke & reddened by the flames underneath. It looked very much like the Toronto Ex. fireworks especially with the sharp chattering of the machine gun ammunition going off in the background.
"The crash trucks & ambulance raced out immediately while we endeavored to think out a way of getting the other 11 a/c away on the op which of course always comes first. Unfortunately the crash blocked off the only two cleared runways while the third hadn't been cleared of snow yet so we were stuck & cancelled the rest of the op for good.
"When the crash occurred, it shook the building a little but not as much as if a big bomb had gone off so we decided that the 2000 pounder hadn't gone off yet. We knew from experience that it takes almost 1/2 hour for a 2000 pounder to heat up enough to blow up in a fire so we had to work fast to prevent any more damage to the aircraft parked near the crash. W/C Tambling & I raced out in his car to see what we could do with 15 minutes of our 1/2 hour grace already gone. We picked up Squadron Leader Stinson on the way & decided to start up and taxi the two nearest kites away from the vicinity. I climbed in with Tambling first to get him started & noticed he was so excited he tried starting the engines without turning on the fuel cocks nor his booster mag switches. For some reason or other I hadn't got too excited yet & fixed him up ok. The minutes just seem to tear by before we got him started up & away he went. I hopped out then to get Stinson going. He hadn't even got his engines started yet & there was less than 5 minutes to go! I had to make up my mind whether to start running for safety or go to help him which of course didn't leave much choice. Exactly on the 1/2 hour mark we got two of the four engines going but to get out of the dispersal area we had to taxi up nearer the blazing wreckage than ever; about 50' or so between me & a 2000 pounder ready to go up at any second; more darn fun. Anyway, after what seemed ages & ages we made it out ok & got well away from the crash.
Back at the control tower the crash truck had returned to say that there was one survivor; the tail gunner who was only slightly bruised but was quite dazed from shock & found wandering around on his feet amongst the debris. By the time an hour was up the fire almost out & still no bomb gone off, we ventured out to find a great crater about 20 feet deep & 40' across; it had gone off the moment of impact! All our taxiing a/c to safety was for nothing but still exciting enough when we didn't know what was going to happen. Blasts always seems to work in peculiar ways & what seemed to us like a very small explosion from petrol tanks from the comparatively close vicinity of the control tower shook everything up as far away as Leeming & threw people out of bed a few miles away. The bodies were all recovered finally in pieces & so we packed up for the night to get some sleep. As a slight aftermath, when I got to my billet all the parcels & groceries which I had sitting on a shelf in my room had been blown off on to the floor including my nice birthday cake; candles & all which I hadn't eaten yet; the one Mrs. Mac sent me." Note: This is the event that Squadron Leader Dawson believes was the reason he received an MBE.
Despite the loss of Halifax BIII LW164 and her crew, the operation ahead: 602 aircraft - 316 Halifaxes, 258 Lancasters, 28 Mosquitoes - of 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups. 11 aircraft - 6 Lancasters, 4 Halifaxes, I Mosquito - lost.
This raid was split into 2 parts, with a 3-hour interval. The first force - of 226 aircraft - was directed against the important railway yards at Kornwestheim, a town lo the north of Stuttgart, and the second was against the north-western Stuttgart suburb of Zuffenhausen, where the target is believed to have been the Hirth aero-engine factory. The target area was mostly cloud-covered for both raids and the bombing, on sky-markers, was scattered.
There are some interesting local reports. Bombs fell in many parts of Stuttgart's northern and western suburbs. The important Bosch works, in the suburb of Feuer-bach, was hit. The attack on Kornwestheim was the worst suffered by that town during the war; the Kornwestheim local report shows that the local people felt they had been bombed by mistake and that the main target was in Stuttgart. 14 high, explosive bombs fell in the industrial area of the town and in the railway yards. Fires burned for up to 12 hours. 123 people were killed in Stuttgart and 41 in Kornwest-. heim. A large number of bombs fell outside Stuttgart, particularly in the east around a decoy fire site which was also firing dummy target-indicator rockets into the air. The village of Weilimdorf, situated not far away, complained bitterly about its damage and casualties!
Our local expert, Heinz Bardua, also tells the story of the newly promoted Flak Leutnant at his battery position at Vaihingen, situated just south of the decoy fire site. With bombs falling all around his position, the Leutnant thought that the raid was directed against the Flak positions. He ignored regulations about conservation of ammunition and shot his entire stock at the radar echoes of the attacking bombers, 2 Lancasters and a Halifax crashed in the immediate vicinity, much to the relief of the officer, who had feared a court martial because of his prodigious use of ammunition.
This was the last large R.A.F. raid on Stuttgart. Herr Bardua says that the city had endured 53 major raids, most of them by the R.A.F., during which 32,549 blocks of flats or houses were destroyed (67 per cent of the total). After the war, 49 million cubic metres of rubble had to be cleared. 4,562 people died in the air raids, among them 770 prisoners of war or foreign workers. Stuttgart's experience was not as severe as other German cities. Its location, spread out in a series of deep valleys, had consistently frustrated the Pathfinders and the shelters dug into the sides of the surrounding hills had saved many lives
1945-January-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Russell Edmund Chatfield 2024-03-07 1945-January-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon James Doyle 2024-10-28 1945-January-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Wallace Fleming 2024-03-07 1945-January-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert James Nicolls 2024-03-07 1945-January-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Leslie Tongue 2024-03-07 1945-January-28 Survived RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Edouard Henri Bernard Tremblay 2024-03-07 1945-January-28 KIA RCAF Wing Commander Edwin Mountford Williams AFC 2024-03-07 Halifax LW165, B.Mk.III
s/n LW165
Handley Page Ltd
LW 165
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Arras France 1944-06-12 to 1944-06-13
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
427 Lion Squadron (Ferte Manus Certas) RAF Leeming. Halifax III aircraft LW 165 ZL-M was shot down by night fighters during an operation against rail yards in Arras, France. The Halifax crashed near Ecurie, Pas-de-Calais, France
Flying Officer WW Proudfoot (RCAF), Flying Officer AE Hall (RCAF), Flying Officer P Koleda (RCAF), Flying Officer JA Murphy (RCAF), Flying Officer EJ Pawlitza (RCAF), Pilot Officer EJ Simonato (RCAF) and Sergeant MJ Taylor (RAFVR) were all killed in action
A memorial to the crew was unveiled at Ecurie, France 2012-11-03
There were two more 427 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation on this date. Please see aircraft serials LV 995 ZL-Y and LW 135 ZL-R for additional information
1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Albert Edward Hall 2022-10-25 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Peter Koleda 2022-10-25 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Arthur Murphy 2022-10-25 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Elvyn Joseph Pawlitza 2022-10-25 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Wallace Proudfoot 2022-10-25 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Enrico Simonato 2022-10-25 1944-June-13 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Maurice John Taylor 2025-01-14 Halifax LW166, B.Mk.III
s/n LW166
Handley Page Ltd
LW 166
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Combat 1944-07-04 to 1944-07-05
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
427 Lion Squadron (Ferte Manus Certas) RAF Leeming. Halifax BIII aircraft LW166 ZL-S was missing from night operations to bomb the rail yards at Villeneuve St Georges, France. The Halifax was shot down by a night fighter after completing its bombing run and crashed at Obville, Yvelines, France. There are multiple claims for this loss but it was most likely shot down by Hptm Fritz Sothe of 4/NJG4
The pilot, Flying Officer Claude Alexander "Bud" Moss (RCAF) and Flight Engineer, Sergeant William Arthur Steel (RAFVR) were both killed in action
Flight Sergeant Grant George Cunningham Brown (RCAF) and Flying Officer James Erlund Finnie (RCAF) survived and captured to become Prisoners of War
Flight Sergeant Harold Atkin survived and evaded for a time with the aid if the French Resistance until he was betrayed and arrested. Atkin was one of 168 Allied Airmen deported to Germany and sent to Buchenwald Concentration Camp. The German Luftwaffe intervened on behalf of these airmen and they were transferred to Luftwaffe controlled POW camps
Flying Officer John David Siddall (RCAF) and Flying Officer John Francis Bester (RCAF) survived and avoided capture as Evaders
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
Search for France-Crashes 39-45
04/05 07 1944 427 (Lion) Squadron RCAF Halifax III LW166 Fg Off Claud...
Cimetiere d'Allainville-aux-Bois (78) I Ils venaient du ciel...
1944-July-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Harold Atkin 2024-10-09 1944-July-05 Evader RCAF Flying Officer John Francis Bester 2024-11-12 1944-July-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer George Grant Cunningham Brown 2024-07-11 1944-July-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer James Erlund Finnie 2025-01-17 1944-July-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Claude Alexander Moss 2025-01-17 1944-July-05 Evader RCAF Flying Officer John David Siddall 2024-07-11 1944-July-05 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Arthur Steel 2024-07-11 Halifax LW167, B.Mk.III
s/n LW167
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LW 167
Hercules XVI
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW168, B.Mk.III
s/n LW168
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LW 168
Hercules XVI
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW169, B.Mk.III
s/n LW169
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LW 169
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Siracourt France 1944-07-06 to 1944-07-06
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
Battle of Normandy
551 aircraft - 314 Halilaxers 210 Lancasters, 26 Mosquitoes, 1 Mustang - attacked 5 targets, Only I aircraft was lost, a 6 Group Halifax from a raid on Siracourt flying¬bomb store. Four of the targets were clear of cloud and were believed to have been bombed accurately but no results were seen at the Foret-de-Croc launching site.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Failed to return from mission to V-1 sites at Siracourt on 6 July 1944, shot down by flak. Crashed near St-Pol in the Pas-de-Calais. No survivors.
1944-July-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Huston Bannihr 2024-11-07 1944-July-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Alan Edward May 2024-06-10 1944-July-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Houseal Morrison 2024-06-10 1944-July-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Stanley James Queen 2024-06-10 1944-July-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Walter Harold Tomlinson 2024-06-10 1944-July-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Raymond Gerald Viau 2024-06-10 Halifax LW170, B.Mk.III
s/n LW170
Handley Page Ltd
LW 170
Hercules XVI
Units 434/424/518
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW171, B.Mk.III
s/n LW171
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LW 171
Hercules XVI
units 434/520/517
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW173, B.Mk.III
s/n LW173
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LW 173
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Arras France 1944-06-12 to 1944-06-13
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Croft. Halifax BIII aircraft LW 173 WL-K was attacked by a night fighter and then involved in a mid-air collision with probably the same night fighter. Both aircraft exploded and crashed twenty miles east of Lille, at Givenchy-en-Gohelle, France, during an operation to bomb targets in Arras, France
Squadron Commanding Officer W/C CS Bartlett DFC & Bar (RAFVR)(Can), Flying Officer RG Kelso (RCAF), Flying Officer JR Alexander (RCAF), Flying Officer RB Learn (RCAF), Pilot Officer RE Campbell (RCAF) and Pilot Officer CH Kyle (RCAF) were all killed in action
Flight Lieutenant DH Crawford (RCAF) baled and survived to be taken as Prisoner of War
Flight Lieutenant Crawford, of Port Arthur, Ontario had this to report, "We were hit with a couple of engines on fire when Chris ordered a fast bail out. As the rear air gunner, I got out, and just as my chute opened there was a terrific explosion. An enemy fighter aircraft had collided with our Hallie and both blew up"
W/C Bartlett had been awarded his first DFC for flying a demolition team to destroy a bridge in Syria May 24, 1941 while serving with 216 Squadron RAF in Egypt flying Vickers Valencia aircraft and the Bar to his DFC was earned during an attack on Arras, France. He was on his fiftieth operation when he was killed
B. Barry notes his brother, Sub Lt(A) RE Bartlett (RNFAA), was shot down in Norway 1940-06-13, spent the rest of the war as a Prisoner of War and served post war in the RCN aviation section (see June 13 and Aug 31, 1940) (referenced in S Hadaway)
There were three 434 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials MZ 293 WL-S and LW 713 WL-P for additional information
12/13 June 1944 434 Squadron Halifax III LW173 W/Cdr. Bartlett...
1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Richard Alexander 2024-11-02 1944-June-13 KIA RAFVR Wing Commander Christopher Smales Bartlett DFC & Bar 2024-11-09 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Richard Edward John Campbell 2023-12-14 1944-June-13 PoW RCAF Flt. Lieutenant Dorcas Herbert Crawford 2024-12-29 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Roger Gordon Kelso 2024-12-29 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Harrison Kyle 2024-12-29 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Bradford Learn 2024-12-29 Halifax LW174, B.Mk.III
s/n LW174
Handley Page Ltd
LW 174
Hercules XVI
Units 434/192
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW175, B.Mk.III
s/n LW175
Handley Page Ltd
LW 175
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-12 PoW RAFVR Flying Officer Robert Lawrence Giblett 2024-01-25 1944-August-13 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Russell Gilbert Chalk 2024-01-25 1944-August-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Edward Daniel Birch Jolley 2024-01-25 1944-August-13 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth Ross Lowe 2024-01-25 1944-August-13 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Donald Anderson McIntyre 2024-01-25 1944-August-13 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Irwin Isaac Wall 2024-01-25 1944-August-13 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Wilson 2024-01-25 Halifax LW176, B.Mk.III
s/n LW176
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LW 176
Hercules XVI
unit 434
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW179, B.Mk.III
s/n LW179
Handley Page Ltd
LW 179
Hercules XVI
Units 77/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW194, B.Mk.III
s/n LW194
Handley Page Ltd
LW 194
Hercules XVI
Units 433/424/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW197, B.Mk.VII
s/n LW197
Handley Page Ltd
LW 197
Hercules XVI
Units 420/426
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-September-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Turner Frederickson 2024-04-18 1944-September-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Verne Alexander McPhee 2021-08-17 1944-September-30 PoW Early Release RCAF Flying Officer Angus Nichol Nicholson 2024-12-13 1944-September-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ignatius Thomas Pelechaty 2021-08-16 1944-September-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gerald Ernest Ryan 2021-08-05 1944-September-30 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Sullivan 2024-04-18 1944-September-30 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas Ernest Turnquist 2023-08-14 Halifax LW198, B.Mk.VII
s/n LW198
Handley Page Ltd
LW 198
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-29 Evader RCAF Flying Officer S W Gerard 2021-05-21 1944-June-29 Evader RCAF Flying Officer W Lastuk 2021-05-21 1944-June-29 Evader RCAF Flight Sergeant D A MacInnis 2021-05-21 1944-June-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Aubrey Rogers 2023-10-26 1944-June-29 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer K L D Sam 2021-05-21 1944-June-29 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer R J Wilkie 2021-05-21 Halifax LW199, B.Mk.VII
s/n LW199
Handley Page Ltd
LW 199
Hercules XVI
#426 Thunderbird Squadron (On Wings of Fire) RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Halifax BVII aircraft #LW 199 OW-C was hit by flak over the target Bochum, Germany, October 10 1944. The aircraft returned safely but Mid-Upper Air Gunner Pilot Officer RB Scott (RCAF) had been wounded by the flak and died from head injuries the next morning as he was being transferred from the Military Hospital at York to a hospital at Sheffield, England
Served with No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*C". Failed to return from raid on Dusseldorf, 2/3 November 1944. Unit 420 per Halifax File
last update: 2025-February-05Bombing Bochum Germany 1944-10-09 to 1944-10-10
426 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Linton-on-Ouse
426 Thunderbird Squadron (On Wings of Fire) RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Halifax BVII aircraft LW 199 OW-C was hit by flak over the target during an operation against targets in Bochum, Germany. The aircraft returned to base safely but Mid-Upper Air Gunner Pilot Officer Robert Burns Scott (RCAF) had been wounded by the flak and died from head injuries the next morning as he was being transferred from the Military Hospital at York to another hospital at Sheffield, England
Flight Lieutenant Eric Thomas Garrett (RCAF), Flying Officer John Leslie Atkinson (RCAF), Flying Officer Kenneth George Parker (RCAF), Pilot Officer William Gordon Miller (RCAF), Sergeant Eric Stanley Jerome (RAFVR) and Pilot Officer Joseph Granville Barber (RAFVR) all survived, safe
Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1944-11-01 to 1944-11-02
426 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Linton-on-Ouse
426 Thunderbird Squadron (On Wings of Fire) RAF Linton-on -Ouse. Halifax BVII aircraft LW 199 OW-C was shot down by the night fighter crew of Leutnant Barthel/ Feldwebel Rupprecht/ Unteroffizier Mennen of the 6/NJG 1 from Dusseldorf in a Bf 110 G-4. during an operation against targets in Dusseldorf, Germany. The Halifax crashed near Strump, Meerbusch, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Flying Officer Robert William Harrison (RCAF), Pilot Officer Clifden Homer Foch Campton (RCAF) and Sergeant Elson Holland Grundy (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Flight Lieutenant Charles Wesley Boddington (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 1 Robert Yarnell Hodgson (RCAF), Flying Officer Roy Mitchell (RCAF), and Flight Sergeant Joseph John Lawlor (RCAF) survived and were all taken as Prisoners of War
There were three 426 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials NP 696 OQ-M and NP 686 OW-T for additional information on these aircraft and crews
Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1944 Part 5 16 October - 31 December by Theo Boiten, page 22
1944-October-10 Survived RCAF Flying Officer John Leslie Atkinson 2025-01-26 1944-October-10 Survived RAFVR Flying Officer Joseph Granville Barber 2025-01-26 1944-October-10 Survived RCAF Squadron Leader Eric Thomas Garrett 2021-11-11 1944-October-10 Survived RAFVR Pilot Officer Eric Stanley Jerome 2025-01-26 1944-October-10 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer William Gordon Miller 2024-12-18 1944-October-10 Survived RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth George Parker 2021-11-11 1944-October-10 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Burns Scott 2025-01-26 1944-November-02 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Charles Wesley Boddington 2024-12-18 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Clifden Homer Foch Campton 2024-12-18 1944-November-02 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Elson Holland Grundy 2024-12-18 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert William Harrison 2024-12-18 1944-November-02 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Yarnell Hodgson 2025-01-26 1944-November-02 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph John Lawlor 2024-12-18 1944-November-02 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Roy Mitchell 2024-12-18 Halifax LW200, B.Mk.VII
s/n LW200
Handley Page Ltd
LW 200
Hercules XVI
Used by No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, from Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire, coded "OW*N". Collided with Lancaster KB768 of No. 428 Squadron over Yelvertoft, Northhamptonshire on night of 5/6 December 1944. All 14 aircrew killed, wreckage came down in Yelvertoft and nearby Winwick. Came down close to Rugby, Warks and burnt per Halifax File. Also unit 420 PER HF
. last update: 2025-February-05
Sywell Aviation Museum 1944-December-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Albert Victor Carter 2024-01-10 1944-December-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Richard Boyd Dowding 2024-10-28 1944-December-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Albert Edward Downing 2024-10-28 1944-December-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edward James Francis Harwood 2021-08-09 1944-December-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William James Murrell 2021-08-16 1944-December-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ian Thomas Myron 2021-08-16 Halifax LW201, B.Mk.VII
s/n LW201
Handley Page Ltd
LW 201
Hercules XVI
Units 420/426/408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW202, B.Mk.VII
s/n LW202
Handley Page Ltd
LW 202
Hercules XVI
Units 420/426
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Roland Walter John Cuff 2024-07-22 1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Flying Officer George Harry Fewtrell 2021-05-26 1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Peter Heron 2021-05-26 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Charles Woodrow Hostetler 2024-07-22 1944-July-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas Lock 2024-07-22 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Cecil Glen Merritt 2024-08-23 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Leslie Alfred Tarpley 2021-05-26 1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Maurice Leonard Thompson 2021-05-26 Halifax LW203, B.Mk.VII
s/n LW203
Handley Page Ltd
LW 203
Hercules XVI
Units 420/426/408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW204, B.Mk.VII
s/n LW204
Handley Page Ltd
LW 204
Hercules XVI
units 420/426
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Soest Germany 1944-12-05 to 1944-12-05
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Linton-on-Ouse
Took off from Linton-on-Ouse at 17:53 in Halifax Mk VIII (Sqn code: OW-K Bomber Command) on an operation to Soest Germany.
Shot down and crashed near Rheinberg Germany.
Sergeant Knoke RCAF was initially buried in Lohne Communal Cemetery. Reinterred 15 August 1947.(CWGC)
Sergeant McLaren RCAF and Flt Sergeant Popadiuk RCAF were part of Trupp 57. They arrived at Bankau on 3 January 1945. (The Long Road - Oliver Clutton-Brock)
Flt Lt Percy Gilbert Chipman RCAF - PoW/Stalag Luft 1 Barth Vogelsang/PoW Number 6640.
Fg Off Charles Leslie Shipman RCAF - PoW/Stalag Luft 1 Barth Vogelsang/PoW Number 6729
Fg Off Percy Harold Harris RCAF - PoW/Stalag Luft 1 Barth Vogelsang/PoW Number 6641.
Sergeant Donald Neil McLaren RCAF - PoW/Stalag Luft 7 Bankau near Kreuzburg Upper Silesia/Stalag 3A Luckenwalde/PoW Number 1339.
Flt Sergeant John Popadiuk RCAF - PoW/Stalag Luft 7 Bankau near Kreuzburg Upper Silesia/Stalag 3A Luckenwalde/PoW Number 1342
1944-December-05 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Percy Gilbert Chipman 2024-10-23 1944-December-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Percy Harold Harris 2024-10-23 1944-December-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Knoke 2021-08-12 1944-December-05 PoW RCAF Sergeant Donald Neil McLaren 2024-10-23 1944-December-05 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant John Popadiuk 2024-10-09 1944-December-05 PoW RAF Sergeant Henry Rhodes 2024-10-23 1944-December-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Charles Leslie Shipman 2024-10-23 Halifax LW205, B.Mk.VII
s/n LW205
Handley Page Ltd
LW 205
Hercules XVI
Units 420/426/1665 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW206, B.Mk.VII
s/n LW206
Handley Page Ltd
LW 206
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1944-09-03 to 1944-09-03
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Linton-on-Ouse
426 Thunderbird Squadron (On Wings Of Fire). The crew of Halifax aircraft LW 206 were en route to the target at Volkel, Holland when the aircraft went into a spin at 14,000 feet. They crashed at Sawston near Duxford, Cambridge, England, killing a number of American service personnel on the ground.
In addition to the four crew members killed, Pilot Officer RKB Hallalue, Navigator; Flight Sergeant RM Kipfor, Wireless Operator and Flying Officer H T Longley the Bomb Aimer, baled out safely
Published in RAF Commands "Another non-combat tragedy struck the Group on September 3, 1944."
Allan Cowan: I saw a British Halifax bomber (LW206), in a flat spin from the tower, and then the smoke of its crashing into the ground not too far from us down toward Wing headquarters at Pampisford on the edge of Sawston. First Lieutenant William Shoemaker, our Engineering Fire-Fighting Platoon commander was with me in the tower at the time. Super guy that he was, he got into his jeep and took his fire-fighting crew down to the crash site. While it was spinning down we had the glasses on it and we could make out the markings on it. I got on the phone to RAF Flight Operations to find out if the plane was operational with a bomb load, and the answer came back that it was not loaded but only on a training flight. had Shoemaker been there I would have told him this, but in fact it really was on and operations mission.
"Just about 1645 hours he got there and was trying to locate survivors, when the plane exploded its bombload. He was killed instantly in an act of bravery that so frequently goes unnoticed because the visibility of his action was just not there. Also killed in the explosion were our base Provost Marshal , First Lieutenant Louis Streb, 989th M.P.Company, and his driver, Sergeant Wayne Marsh, as well as Major Clyde Kennedy, 66th Fighter Wing Headquarters. Three others were struck by a flying tree trunk, but escaped serious injury. Five [sic] members of the plane's crew perished in the crash." (pp.78-9)
Appendix 4 - Personnel Losses.
9-3-44. Marsh,Wayne T. Sgt. 989th M.P.Co. Killed on Duty. At Pampisford, Sawston. Went to crash site of an RAF Halifax bomber to assist in rescue. Was killed when its bombload detonated.
9-3-44. Shoemaker,William M. 1Lt. 2027th. Engineering Fire-Fighting Platoon. Killed on Duty. Pampisford, Sawston, Cambs., UK. See above.
9-3-44. Streb,Louis F. 1 Lt. 989th MP Co. Killed on Duty. 78FG Provost Marshal. See above. (p.138).
See:Eagles Of Duxford - The 78th Fighter Group in World War II. Fry, Gary L.. St. Paul:Phalanx Publishing Co.,1991. pp.78-9 & 138.
Also killed assisting in the rescue was, Civilian/Home Guard Frederick Stanley Teversham.
1944-September-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Arthur Lamb 2024-07-22 1944-September-03 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Norman Kingley Robinson 2024-07-22 1944-September-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Albert Anthony Joseph Willis 2024-07-22 1944-September-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Baker Wright 2024-07-22 Halifax LW207, B.Mk.VII
s/n LW207
Handley Page Ltd
LW 207
Hercules XVI
Units 420/426/408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW208, B.Mk.VII
s/n LW208
Handley Page Ltd
LW 208
Hercules XVI
Units 420/426
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Eric Leonard Colp 2024-07-12 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Philip Brenton Eagles 2024-10-31 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alexander James Jackson 2024-07-22 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Morton Albert Lowick 2024-07-22 1944-July-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Ridley 2024-09-15 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Arnold Spearin 2024-09-15 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Richard Robert Vatcher 2021-07-13 Halifax LW209, B.Mk.VII
s/n LW209
Handley Page Ltd
LW 209
Hercules XVI
units 420/426
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Duisburg Germany 1944-12-18 to 1944-12-18
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Linton-on-Ouse
426 Thunderbird Squadron (On Wings of Fire). Halifax aircraft LW 209 took off from Linton-on-Ouse at 02:46 in Halifax Mark VII (Sqn code: OW-Y Bomber Command) on an operation to Duisburg Germany. Shot down by flak, crash site not found.
Killed: Flying Officer Edward George Fox RCAF J/40225 KIA Reichswald Forest War Cemetery grave 13. G. 15. Pilot Officer John Isaac Hoyle RAF KIA Reichswald Forest War Cemetery grave 13. G. 16.
Fg Off Thomas Lawrence Layman RCAF was captured on 21 December 1944 at Wesel.- PoW/Stalag Luft 1 Barth Vogelsang/PoW Number?
Fg Off Gordon Wilson Law RCAF -was captured on 18 December 1944 at Dinslaken near Duisburg. PoW/Stalag Luft 1 Barth Vogelsang/PoW Number 6883.
Fg Off John Patrick Mahoney RCAF - was captured on 18 December 1944 at Duisburg. PoW/Holmark Hospital near Frankfurt/ Stalag IX-C Obermassfield Reserve Lazaret/Stalag VII-B Memmingen/PoW Number?
Flt Sergeant Hugh Thomson Campbell RCAF was captured on 23 December 1944 at Wesel. - PoW/Stalag Luft 7 Bankau near Kreuzburg Upper Silesia/Stalag 3A Luckenwalde/PoW Number?
Flt Sergeant Willard Calvin Downey RCAF - PoW/Stalag Luft 7 Bankau near Kreuzburg Upper Silesia/Stalag 3A Luckenwalde/PoW Number 1360
1944-December-18 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Hugh Thomson Campbell 2024-11-24 1944-December-18 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Willard Calvin Downey 2024-11-24 1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Edward George Fox 2024-11-24 1944-December-18 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer John Isaac Hoyle 2024-11-24 1944-December-18 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Wilson Law 2024-12-03 1944-December-18 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Thomas Lawrence Layman 2024-11-24 1944-December-18 PoW RCAF Flying Officer J P Mahoney 2024-11-24 Halifax LW210, B.Mk.VII
s/n LW210
Handley Page Ltd
LW 210
Hercules XVI
Units 420/426
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Marnoch Campbell 2023-12-14 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Ivor Emerson 2021-12-18 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Alick Matheson Hutchison 2021-12-18 1945-March-05 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer John Low 2021-12-20 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Neil MacDougall 2021-12-18 1945-March-05 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Walter Thomas Symes 2021-12-18 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Raymond Hilton Turner 2021-12-20 Halifax LW228, B.Mk.II
s/n LW228
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 228
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW229, B.Mk.II
s/n LW229
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 229
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW231, B.Mk.II
s/n LW231
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 231
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-11-22 to 1943-11-22
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St George
Battle of Berlin
764 aircraft - 469 Lancasters, 234 Halifaxes, 50 Stirlings, 11 Mosquitoes. This was the greatest force sent to Berlin so far but it was also the last raid in which Stirlings were sent to Germany. Bad weather again kept most of the German fighters on the ground and the bomber force was able to take a relatively 'straight in, straight out' route to the target without suffering undue loss. 26 aircraft - II Lancasters, ro Halifaxes, 5 Stirlings - were lost, 3·4 per cent of the force.
Berlin was again completely cloud-covered and returning crews could only esti¬mate that the marking and bombing were believed to be accurate. In fact, this was the most effective raid on Berlin of the war, A vast area of destruction stretched from the central districts westwards across the mainly residential areas of Tiergarten and Charlottenburg to the separate suburb city of Spandau. Because of the dry weather conditions, several 'firestorm' areas were reported and a German plane next day measured the height of the smoke cloud as 6,000 metres (nearly 19,000 ft).
It is impossible to give anything like full details of the damage or to separate completely details from this raid and a smaller one on the next night. At least 3,000 houses and 23 industrial premises were completely destroyed, with several thousands of other buildings damaged. It was estimated that 175,000 people were bombed out. More than 50,000 soldiers were brought in to help from garrisons up to roo km distant; these were equivalent to nearly 3 army divisions taken from their normal duties. Interesting entries among the lists of buildings destroyed or severely damaged are: the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedachtniskirche (the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church which is now, half ruined, half restored, a major attraction in West Berlin), the Charlottenburg Castle, the Berlin Zoo, much of the Unter den Linden, the British, French, Italian and Japanese embassies, the Ministry of Weapons and Munitions, the Waffen S.S. Administrative College, the barracks of the Imperial Guard at Span¬dau and, among many industrial premises, 5 factories of the Siemens electrical group and "the Alkett tank works which had recently moved from the Ruhr.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
It is difficult to give exact casualty figures: an estimated 2,000 people were killed, including 500 in a large· shelter in Wilmersdorf which received a direct hit, and ro5 people were killed in another shelter which was next to the Neukoln gasworks, where there was a huge explosion.
1943-November-23 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Berlin, shot down by a night fighter. All were killed. 2019-08-20
1943-November-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant George Alexander Howitson 2022-12-06 1943-November-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Langenbeck Hunter 2022-12-06 1943-November-22 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Joseph Alexander Lesage 2022-12-06 1943-November-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant George Alexander May 2022-12-06 1943-November-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Malcolm Archie McKellar 2022-12-06 1943-November-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Richard John Newman 2022-12-06 Halifax LW235, B.Mk.II
s/n LW235
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 235
Merlin XX/22
Units 78/102/1666 heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW238, B.Mk.II
s/n LW238
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 238
Merlin XX/22
Unit 419/1658 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW239, B.Mk.II
s/n LW239
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 239
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Mannheim Germany 1943-11-18 to 1943-11-18
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
395 aircraft - 248 Halifaxes, 114 Stirlings, 33 Lancasters - of 3, 4, 6 and 8 Groups were on this major diversionary raid. German fighters successfully engaged the bomber force and 23 aircraft- 12 Halifaxes, 9 Stirlings, 2 Lancasters -were lost, y8 per cent of the force.
Cloud was present over the target area and much of the bombing was scattered. Mannheim reports that the majority of the damage was in the north of the city. 4 industrial buildings were destroyed and 11 seriously damaged, the most serious being the Daimler-Benz car factory which suffered a 90 per cent production loss for 'an unknown period'. 325 other buildings were destroyed and 335 seriously damaged, including 2 churches and 3 schools. 4 army barracks and the airfield at Sandhofen were all hit. 21 people were killed, 154 injured and 7,500 bombed out. Many bombs fell outside the city and the local report lists much damage and loss at farms.This was the last major raid on the much-bombed city of Mannheim for 15 months.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. Halifax BII aircraft LW 239 VR-K missing during an attack against Mannheim, Germany, shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Albert Walter of the 1/NJG 6, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Mainz-Finthen airfield. The bomber crashed east of Brodenbach, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany
Flying Officer JS Smith (RCAF), Flying Officer ED Fogg (RCAF), Flying Officer GL McLaughlin (RCAF), Sergeant DJ MacDonald (RCAF), Sergeant WJ Gerow (RCAF), Sergeant KA Farmer (RCAF), and Sergeant FJ Davidson (RAFVR) were all killed in action
The bodies of this crew were not located until four years after they were lost, in November 1947
There were two 419 Squadron Halifax II aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Sedgwick, AL for information on Halifax LW 328 VR-L
1944-November-19 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Mannheim. All were killed. 2019-08-20
1943-November-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Francis Joseph Davidson 2024-10-31 1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Sergeant Kenneth Albert Farmer 2022-12-01 1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Edgar Delyra Fogg 2022-12-01 1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Sergeant Wilbur John Gerow 2022-12-01 1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Sergeant Donald John MacDonald 2022-12-01 1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Lloyd McLaughlin 2022-12-01 1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Scott Smith 2022-12-01 Halifax LW240, B.Mk.II
s/n LW240
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 240
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Combat Modane France 1943-09-16 to 1943-09-17
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middelton St George
340 aircraft of 3, 4, 6 and 8 Groups - 170 Halifaxes, 127 Stirlings, 43 Lancasters - to attack the important railway yards at Modane on the main railway route from France to Italy. 5 American B-17s also took part. The marking of the target, situated in a steep valley, was not successful and the bombing was not accurate. No report is available from France. 2 Halifaxes and I Stirling lost.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
1943-September-17 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Lawrence Eugene Aspinall 2024-11-03 1943-September-17 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Ernest Edward Bowden 2024-11-16 1943-September-17 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer G T Graham 2025-02-04 1943-September-17 Evader RAF Sergeant Leonard Frank Martin 2024-06-27 1943-September-17 Evader RCAF Flying Officer H F E Smith 2023-11-06 Halifax LW242, B.Mk.II
s/n LW242
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 242
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1943-11-26 to 1943-11-26
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Halifax aircraft LW 242 missing whilst engaged in a night raid against Stuttgart, Germany. This was the second trip for this crew.
1943-November-27 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Berlin. All were killed. 2019-08-20
1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Sergeant Everett William Chalk 2024-01-25 1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Samuel Edward Clarke 2024-10-20 1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Vinton Dillon 2024-10-20 1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Sergeant James Lyall Truax 2024-10-20 1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Lloyd Pierson Webster 2024-10-20 Halifax LW243, B.Mk.II
s/n LW243
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 243
Merlin XX/22
Units 419/Controller of Research and Development
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW244, B.Mk.II
s/n LW244
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 244
Merlin XX/22
Units 419/ Controller of Research and Development
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW245, B.Mk.II
s/n LW245
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 245
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW261, B.Mk.II
s/n LW261
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 261
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW265, B.Mk.II
s/n LW265
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 265
Merlin XX/22
Unit77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW266, B.Mk.II
s/n LW266
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 266
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW269, B.Mk.II
s/n LW269
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 269
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW270, B.Mk.II
s/n LW270
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 270
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW273, B.Mk.II
s/n LW273
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 273
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW274, B.Mk.II
s/n LW274
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 274
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW275, B.Mk.II
s/n LW275
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 275
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW277, B.Mk.II
s/n LW277
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 277
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158/78/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW279, B.Mk.II
s/n LW279
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 279
Merlin XX/22
Unit 429/428/419/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Conversion 1944-06-08 to 1944-06-09
1666 (B) HCU (RCAF)
On 1944-04-27, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 1664/1679 HCU at Wombleton, wrote in his diary:
"Well we had our first fatal prang last night in a long, long time & our second so far this month. Nobody seems to know quite what happened & I guess they never will since all the crew were killed. It was QY-A for Apple LW279 and what a crash! I went down to investigate it this morning & it sure was an awful mess. He had apparently spun in out-of-control on his way home from a cross-country last night & landed right smack in the middle of a farmer's field. It was one of those fields covered with a few inches of earth & a layer of hard rock underneath & he hit so hard it practically disintegrated the whole aircraft. All the engines were burst open like rose petals & it was hard to recognise anything. It would be a quick and merciful death at any rate . . . They are holding an official investigation but I can tell them right now it won't do any good."
1944-June-09 KIFA RCAF Sergeant William Wallington Astles 2024-11-03 1944-June-09 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant William James Banner 2024-12-09 1944-June-09 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Taylor Gill 2024-12-09 1944-June-09 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William Bennett Hawkins 2024-12-09 1944-June-09 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Richard Robert Norman 2024-12-09 1944-June-09 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Rudolph Filmore Warne 2024-12-09 1944-June-09 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Harvey Wilson 2024-12-09 Halifax LW281, B.Mk.II
s/n LW281
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 281
Merlin XX/22
Unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW282, B.Mk.II
s/n LW282
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 282
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-12-29 to 1943-12-30
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
,p>712 aircraft - 457 Lancasters, 252 Halifaxes, 3 Mosquitoes. A long approach route from the south, passing south of the Ruhr and then within 20 miles of Leipzig, together with Mosquito diversions at Diisseldorf, Leipzig and Magdeburg, caused the German controller great difficulties and there were few fighters over Berlin. Bad weather on the outward route also kept down the number of German fighters finding the bomber stream. 20 aircraft - I I Lancasters, 9 Halifax es - were lost, 2 · 8 per cent of the force.Berlin was again cloud-covered. The Bomber Command report claiming a concentrated attack on sky-markers is not confirmed by the local report. The heaviest bombing was in the southern and south-eastern districts but many bombs also fell to the east of the city. 388 houses and other mixed property were destroyed but no item of major interest is mentioned. I 82 people were killed, more than 600 were injured and over 10,000 were bombed out.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
1943-December-30 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William John Barry 2024-11-09 1943-December-30 PoW RCAF Sergeant Albert Sutton Carroll 2024-12-26 1943-December-30 PoW RCAF Sergeant Simon Joseph Maloney 2023-11-22 1943-December-30 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Leslie Thompson 2024-12-26 1943-December-30 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Francis Herbert Webb 2024-12-26 Halifax LW285, B.Mk.II
s/n LW285
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 285
Merlin XX/22
Units 429/428
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW287, B.Mk.II
s/n LW287
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 287
Merlin XX/22
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW290, B.Mk.II
s/n LW290
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 290
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW291, B.Mk.II
s/n LW291
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 291
Merlin XX/22
Unit 77/158/51/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW293, B.Mk.II
s/n LW293
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 293
Merlin XX/22
unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW296, B.Mk.II
s/n LW296
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 296
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW297, B.Mk.II
s/n LW297
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 297
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW300, B.Mk.II
s/n LW300
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 300
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW313, B.Mk.II
s/n LW313
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 313
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW315, B.Mk.II
s/n LW315
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 315
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW321, B.Mk.II
s/n LW321
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 321
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW323, B.Mk.II
s/n LW323
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 323
Merlin XX/22
Units 428/35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW325, B.Mk.II
s/n LW325
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 325
Merlin XX/22
Units 419/428/1666 heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW326, B.Mk.II
s/n LW326
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 326
Merlin XX/22
Units 428/35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW327, B.Mk.II
s/n LW327
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 327
Merlin XX/22
Units 428/419
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Leipzig Germany 1944-02-19 to 1944-02-20
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
823 aircraft- 56 I Lancasters, 255 Halifaxes, 7 Mosquitoes. 78 aircraft- 44 Lancasters nnd 34 Halifaxes - lost, 9·5 per cent of the force. The Halifax loss rate was 13·3 per cent of those dispatched and 14·9 per cent of those Halifaxes which reached the enemy coast after 'early returns' had turned back. The Halifax IIs and Vs were permanently withdrawn from operations to Germany after this raid.
This was an unhappy raid for Bomber Command. The German controllers only sent part of their force of fighters to the Kiel minelaying diversion. When the main bomber force crossed the Dutch coast, they were met by a further part of the German fighter force and those German fighters which had been sent north to Kiel hurriedly returned. The bomber stream was thus under attack all the way to the target. There were further difficulties at the target because winds were not as forecast and many aircraft reached the Leipzig area too early and had to orbit and await the Pathfinders. 4 aircraft were lost by collision and approximately 20 were shot down by Flak.
Leipzig was cloud-covered and the Pathfinders had to use sky-marking. The raid appeared to be concentrated in its early stages but scattered later. There are few details of the effects of the bombing. No report is available from Germany and there was no immediate post-raid reconnaissance flight. When photographs were eventually taken, they included the results of an American raid which took place on the following day.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Halifax aircraft LW 327 was past the last turning point and was heading directly toward the target, Leipzig, Germany, when it was shot up by German night fighter aircraft. The wing tanks and the fuselage were set on fire and the controls were damaged, bail out was necessary. Pilot Officer J.F. Dehoux, and one RAF crew member were killed during the attack, Flying Officer Davies was killed after leaving the aircraft. Four Canadians, Flight Lieutenant L.T. Lucas, FSs J.P. Hairsine, J. Pluto, and Sergeant C.R. Herriot bailed out and were taken Prisoners of War.
1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Paul Davies 2024-10-11 1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Fernand Gustave Rene Dehoux 2024-10-11 1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Edwin Hairsine 2024-10-11 1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Charles Robert Herriot 2024-10-11 1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Leslie Treweek Lucas 2024-10-11 1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Jack Pluta 2024-10-11 Halifax LW328, B.Mk.II
s/n LW328
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 328
Merlin XX/22
Unit 419
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Mannheim Germany 1943-11-18 to 1943-11-18
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of Berlin
395 aircraft - 248 Halifaxes, 114 Stirlings, 33 Lancasters - of 3, 4, 6 and 8 Groups were on this major diversionary raid. German fighters successfully engaged the bomber force and 23 aircraft- 12 Halifaxes, 9 Stirlings, 2 Lancasters -were lost, y8 per cent of the force.
Cloud was present over the target area and much of the bombing was scattered. Mannheim reports that the majority of the damage was in the north of the city. 4 industrial buildings were destroyed and 11 seriously damaged, the most serious being the Daimler-Benz car factory which suffered a 90 per cent production loss for 'an unknown period'. 325 other buildings were destroyed and 335 seriously damaged, including 2 churches and 3 schools. 4 army barracks and the airfield at Sandhofen were all hit. 21 people were killed, 154 injured and 7,500 bombed out. Many bombs fell outside the city and the local report lists much damage and loss at farms.This was the last major raid on the much-bombed city of Mannheim for 15 months.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. Halifax BII aircraft LW 328 VR-L went down shortly after leaving the target, hit by heavy flak. FS Sedgwick stayed at the controls to allow his crew to bale out and was the only casualty when the bomber crashed at Frechen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
The aircraft was at a low altitude when all four engines cut out, all six members of the crew were able to get out because of FS Sedgwick's sacrifice. His crew recommended him for a medal
Sergeant N McVicar (RCAF)(USA), Sergeant J Pappas (RCAF), Sergeant DM Johnston (RCAF), Flying Officer ER Hoe (RCAF), Sergeant KW Dingley (RAF) and Sergeant EK Canny (RAF) survived and were all taken as Prisoners of War
There was a second 419 Squadron Halifax II lost on this operation. Please see Smith, JS for information on Halifax LW 239 VR-K
1943-November-19 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Mannheim, ran out of fuel. 1 killed and 6 POW. 2019-08-20
1943-November-18 PoW RAF Sergeant Edward Kenneth Canny 2024-10-21 1943-November-18 PoW RAF Sergeant Kenneth Walter Dingley 2024-10-21 1943-November-18 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Edgar Robert Hoe 2024-10-21 1943-November-18 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Douglas Murray Johnston 2024-10-21 1943-November-18 PoW RCAF Flt. Sergeant Neil McVicar 2024-10-21 1943-November-18 PoW RCAF Flt. Sergeant James Pappas 2024-10-21 1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Flt. Sergeant Arthur Louis Sedgwick 2024-10-21 Halifax LW330, B.Mk.II
s/n LW330
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 330
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW331, B.Mk.II
s/n LW331
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 331
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102/78/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW333, B.Mk.II
s/n LW333
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 333
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW334, B.Mk.II
s/n LW334
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 334
Merlin XX/22
Crashed into hillside at Black Hambleton, near Osmotherley, Yorkshire, in fog 18.1.44Unit 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit, Topcliffe.
The weather had been poor this same week back in 1944 and low cloud had hampered flying training with crews instructed not to descend below 3,000 feet if the ground was not visible and to ensure that they remained above the high ground of the North York Moors . Just after 10:00 the crew were instructed to return to base and were probably letting down to land at Topcliffe when for reasons we will never know the Halifax struck Black Hambleton killing the crew of 6 young Canadian airmen who now lay together , as they flew , in Stonefall Cemetery .(Source David Thompson "and in the morning")
last update: 2025-February-05 1944-January-18 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Wilfred Leger Boisvert 2024-11-14 1944-January-18 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 George Ernest Giff 2025-01-26 1944-January-18 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Guy Henry Hivon 2025-01-26 1944-January-18 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Richard George Kimball 2025-01-26 1944-January-18 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Pierre Lavallee 2025-01-26 1944-January-18 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Walter Phillips 2025-01-26 Halifax LW337, B.Mk.II
s/n LW337
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 337
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-January-20 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Bremner 2024-11-17 1944-January-20 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Horace Lionel Bushell 2024-11-26 1944-January-20 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Eric Arthur Church 2024-04-04 1944-January-20 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Charles Gordon Dupueis 2024-10-30 1944-January-20 PoW RAFVR Flying Officer George Albert Griffiths DFM 2022-03-27 1944-January-20 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Kenneth Frederick Stanbridge 2024-05-03 1944-January-20 PoW RAFVR Flying Officer Lawrence Arthur Underwood 2022-03-27 1944-January-20 PoW RAFVR Pilot Officer Reginald C Wilson 2022-03-27 Halifax LW339, B.Mk.II
s/n LW339
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 339
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW341, B.Mk.II
s/n LW341
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 341
Merlin XX/22
Units Pocklington/77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW343, B.Mk.II
s/n LW343
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 343
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW347, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW347
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 347
Hercules XVI
Units 424/578/424
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW361, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW361
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 361
Hercules XVI
units 433/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW364, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW364
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 364
Hercules XVI
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW365, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW365
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 365
Hercules XVI
Units 429/427
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Jacques Bruno Cardinal 2024-01-04 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Norman Gilbert Nahu 2021-08-17 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Benjamin Cyrus Scobie 2021-08-04 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Allan Gorrie Smith 2021-07-28 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gerard Frederick Vinett 2021-07-12 Halifax LW366, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW366
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 366
Hercules XVI
Units 420
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-29 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Ronald Everett Cunnings 2024-06-02 1944-February-29 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harry Skeet Hardy 2021-08-19 1944-February-29 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer John Hedrich 2021-08-19 1944-February-29 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Lloyd George Johnston 2023-01-08 1944-February-29 KIFA RCAF Sergeant John Leonard Nixon 2021-08-19 Halifax LW367, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW367
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 367
Hercules XVI
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW368, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW368
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 368
Hercules XVI
Units 433/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW370, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW370
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 370
Hercules XVI
Units 433/424/429/427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW373, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW373
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 373
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-03-24 to 1944-03-25
420 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Tholthorpe
420 Snowy Owl Squadron (Pugnamus Finitum) RAF Tholthorpe. Halifax BIII aircraft LW 373 PT-W failed to return from a bombing mission to Berlin, Germany, believed shot down by a night fighter. The crash location in Germany, was not determined
Flying Officer HW Rice (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant NI Altic (RCAF), Sergeant JD Boire (RCAF), FS CG Fraser (RCAF), Pilot Officer G Renwick (RCAF), Sergeant FG Bushell (RAFVR) and 2Lt JH Thomson (USAAF) all survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
Footprints on the Sands of Time, RAF Bomber Commands Prisoners of War in Germany 1939-45 by Oliver Clutton-Brock pages 234,248,258,296,390,419 July I 2020 I RCAF 420 Snowy Owl
Halifax BIII LW373 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image database]...
1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Flt. Lieutenant Norman Irwin Altic 2024-11-02 1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Sergeant Joseph Daniel Boire 2024-11-14 1944-March-25 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Frank Geoffrey Bushell 2024-11-26 1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Carmen Grant Fraser 2025-01-26 1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer George Renwick 2025-01-26 1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Howard Wray Rice 2025-01-26 1944-March-25 PoW USAAF Second Lieutenant J H Thomson 2025-01-26 Halifax LW374, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW374
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 374
Hercules XVI
unit 433
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW375, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW375
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 375
Hercules XVI
Units 425/296/1355 Heavy Transport Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW377, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW377
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 377
Hercules XVI
Units 420/426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW378, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW378
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 378
Hercules XVI
Unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-March-02 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Herve Theodore Robert Bertrand 2024-11-12 1944-March-02 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Elbert Cyril Bousquet 2024-11-15 1944-March-02 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Charles Edouard Cote 2022-05-28 1944-March-02 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Jacques Laurier Goudreau 2021-08-19 1944-March-02 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas Noel Hay 2021-08-19 1944-March-02 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Roland Joseph Trudel 2021-08-19 Halifax LW379, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW379
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 379
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing 1944-11-02 to 1944-11-02
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholthorpe
288 aircraft - 202 Halifaxes, 74 Lancasters, 12 Mosquitoes - of 6 and 8 Groups, 3 Halifaxes and I Lancaster lost.
The target area was cloud-covered and the bombing was not concentrated, 36 houses were destroyed in Oberhausen and 4 people were killed but other places in lthe Ruhr may have been hit as well.source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Took off from Tholthorpe at 16:56 in Halifax Mark III LW239 (Sqn code: KW-D Bomber Command) on an operation to Oberhausen Germany.
Shot down by a night fighter, out-bound and crashed at Labbeck, Sonsbeck, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany.
Claim by Lt Kurt Matzak Stab IV/NJG1 - near Bonninghardt - Geldern (KN 9): 3,000m at 20:41. (Crashed Labbeck in Grid Square KN 41 at 20:41) (Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1944 Part 5 - Theo Boiten)
Killed: Pilot Officer Joseph William Savoie RCAF J/92471 KIA Reichswald Forest War Cemetery grave 25. G. 16.
POWs: Flight Sergeant J Alfred Marcel Robert Carrier RCAF R/180936 POW Stalag Luft 7 Bankau. Pilot Officer Jean Paul Crispin RCAF J/89603 POW Stalag Luft 3 Sagan & Belaria PoW Number 8933.. F/Lt Maurice Joseph Dugas RCAF J/12555 POW Stalag Luft 1 Barth Vogelsang/PoW Number 6363.. Flight Sergeant Joseph Sebastian Federico RCAF R/151371 POW Stalag Luft 7 Bankau . Flight Sergeant Frederick George Hull RCAF R/206354 POW camp not listed. Warrant Officer Class 2 Joseph Alban Ranger RCAF R/158728 POW Stalag Luft 7 Bankau . Flying Officer Joseph Geoffrey St. Arnaud RCAF J/28698 POW Stalag Luft L3 Sagan and Belaria. F/Lt Harry James Goodwin RAF POW Stalag Luft L3 Sagan and Belaria.source: John Jones
One Soldiers Tale "“ Bankau Stalag Luft 7 Diary
1944-November-02 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer J Alfred Marcel Robert Carrier 2024-09-16 1944-November-02 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Jean Paul Crispin 2024-05-16 1944-November-02 PoW RCAF Flt. Lieutenant Maurice Joseph Dugas 2024-10-29 1944-November-02 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Sebastien Federico 2024-09-16 1944-November-02 PoW Escaper RAFVR Harry James Goodwin DFC, DFM 2024-09-16 1944-November-02 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Frederick George Hull 2023-08-26 1944-November-02 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Joseph Sebastian Ranger 2023-09-26 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph William Savoie 2021-08-31 1944-November-02 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Emil St Arnaud 2021-08-31 Halifax LW380, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW380
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 380
Hercules XVI
units 420/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/1664HCU/1666HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW381, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW381
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 381
Hercules XVI
units 425/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW382, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW382
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 382
Hercules XVI
Unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Francis Terence Beesley 2024-11-11 1944-June-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Roy Frank Carol 2024-01-06 1944-June-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Graham William Durnin 2024-10-31 1944-June-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Morris Soren Forsberg 2025-01-07 1944-June-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Richard Reginald Irvine 2025-01-07 1944-June-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Roy Hudson Tranter 2025-01-07 Halifax LW383, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW383
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 383
Hercules XVI
Units 420/578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW384, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW384
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 384
Hercules XVI
Units 424/426/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW385, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW385
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 385
Hercules XVI
Units 431/434/190/RAE
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW386, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW386
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 386
Hercules XVI
Unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW387, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW387
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 387
Hercules XVI
Units 425/1666 heavy Conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW388, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW388
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 388
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW389, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW389
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 389
Hercules XVI
Units 420/434
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW390, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW390
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 390
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-21 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Glenn Thornley Gibson 2021-08-19 1944-February-21 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer William Robert McDougall 2023-07-19 1944-February-21 Evader RCAF Flight Sergeant E A Powell 2021-08-19 1944-February-21 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Neil Gilbert Redman 2023-09-26 1944-February-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Allan Halford Waite 2023-09-12 Halifax LW391, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW391
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 391
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW392, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW392
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 392
Hercules XVI
Units 420/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW393, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW393
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 393
Hercules XVI
Units 420/1666 heavy Conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW394, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW394
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 394
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW395, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW395
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 395
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-11 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Henry Yvon Albert 2024-11-01 1944-February-11 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Gilbert Dollard Aubin 2024-11-03 1944-February-11 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer William Edmond Dubroy 2024-10-29 1944-February-11 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Oscar Roland Fleury 2021-08-20 1944-February-11 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Fernand Mayville 2021-08-20 Halifax LW396, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW396
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 396
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW397, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW397
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 397
Hercules XVI
Unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW412, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW412
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 412
Hercules XVI
Units 429/431/432/1666 heavy Conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW413, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW413
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 413
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW414, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW414
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 414
Hercules XVI
Units 420/425/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW415, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW415
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 415
Hercules XVI
Units 425/429
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-May-02 KIA RCAF Sergeant Earl Freiman Baldry 2024-11-05 1944-May-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Elie Frederick Hawke 2024-12-04 1944-May-02 Evader RCAF Flying Officer S M Leslie 2024-12-04 1944-May-02 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Garnet McCann 2024-12-04 1944-May-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Graham Vipond 2024-12-04 1944-May-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert James Webster 2024-12-04 Halifax LW416, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW416
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 416
Hercules XVI
Units 424/426/420/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW417, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW417
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 417
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-March-22 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Edward Brine 2024-11-18 1944-March-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth Victor Duffield 2024-10-29 1944-March-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Clarence Walter Hay 2024-05-06 1944-March-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Walter Pulham 2024-05-06 1944-March-22 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Raymond George Quinlan 2023-09-25 1944-March-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Charles Edward Tindall 2024-05-06 Halifax LW418, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW418
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 418
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW419, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW419
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 419
Hercules XVI
Units 158/640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW420, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW420
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 420
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frank Arthur Arnston 2025-01-17 1944-February-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon Macmillan Bessette 2025-01-17 1944-February-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Lester Ferguson Blakeney 2025-01-17 1944-February-26 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 William Lloyd Bourdat 2024-07-24 1944-February-26 KIA RCAF Sergeant Henry Christian Oswald 2025-01-17 1944-February-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Edward Douglas Patterson 2025-01-17 Halifax LW421, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW421
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 421
Hercules XVI
unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW422, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW422
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 422
Hercules XVI
units 158/640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW423, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW423
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 423
Hercules XVI
Unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW424, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW424
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 424
Hercules XVI
Unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW425, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW425
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 425
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-03-24 to 1944-03-24
425 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Tholthorpe
425 Alouette Squadron (Je Te Plumerai) RAF Tholthorpe. Halifax BIII aircraft LW 425 KW-V crashed near Seyda, Germany during operations over Berlin, Germany, believed shot down by a night fighter operating in the Wilde Sau role (Schrage Musik)
Flying Officer JALL Renaud (RCAF), Flying Officer RFJP Brazeau (RCAF), Pilot Officer MW Boyer (RCAF), Pilot Officer JJBB Huot (RCAF), Pilot Officer CS Turner (RCAF)(USA), Pilot Officer RA Hanks (RAFVR) and Sergeant JR Nutman (RAFVR) were all killed in action
There were two 425 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please aircraft serial LW 428 KW-C for additional information
1944-March-25 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Berlin, shot down by a night fighter. All were killed. 2019-08-20
1944-March-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Maurice William Boyer 2025-03-02 1944-March-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Philipe Rene Fernand Brazeau 2024-11-17 1944-March-24 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Reginald Alfred Hanks 2025-03-02 1944-March-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Jean Baptiste Benoit Huot 2025-03-02 1944-March-24 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Runniff Nutman 2025-03-02 1944-March-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Alphonse Leon Louis Renaud 2025-03-02 1944-March-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Claude Sydney Turner 2025-03-02 Halifax LW426, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW426
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 426
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-March-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Douglas Hector Calder 2024-07-04 1944-March-16 KIA RCAF Sergeant William Parker Dunbar 2024-07-04 1944-March-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Clarence Irving Elsley 2024-07-04 1944-March-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Wilbert Henry Oliver Heidman 2024-07-04 1944-March-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Harold Jackson 2024-07-04 1944-March-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Alexander Ritchie 2024-07-04 Halifax LW427, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW427
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 427
Hercules XVI
Unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-25 KIA RCAF Sergeant David Crawley 2024-05-25 1944-February-25 KIA USAAF Technical Sergeant Ray Jay Gile 2024-06-26 1944-February-25 KIA RCAF Sergeant Harvey Ellis Hirst 2024-05-29 1944-February-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Martin Allan Knight 2024-06-04 1944-February-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Henry Maynard Long 2024-06-05 1944-February-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant David Ballantine Richardson 2024-07-12 Halifax LW428, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW428
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 428
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Ferry Flight Berlin Germany 1944-03-24 to 1944-03-25
425 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Tholthorpe
425 Alouette Squadron (Je Te Plumerai) RAF Tholthorpe. Halifax BIII aircraft LW 428 KW-C was hit by flak and exploded over the mouth of the Elbe River during a mission to Berlin, Germany. The entire crew was lost
Pilot Officer MH MacLeod (RCAF), Pilot Officer MC Latornell (RCAF) and Pilot Officer JE Bouchard (RCAF) were all killed in action
These aircrew members bodies were recovered and were buried in Germany
Pilot Officer NH Jones (RCAF), Pilot Officer JA Laviolette (RCAF), Pilot Officer JC Tracey (RCAF), and Sergeant GWC Mabbott (RAFVR) were missing presumed killed in action
The missing have no known grave and are all commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial
There was a second 425 squadron Halifax lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial LW 425 KW-V for additional information
Google books "Through Footless Halls of Air: The Stories of a Few of the Many Who Failed...by Floyd Williston page 109-110 wireless air gunner I RCAF 425 Alouettes
Halifax BIII LW428 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Edmond Yvon Bouchard 2024-11-15 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norval Hodges Jones 2025-02-02 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Maurice Coupland Latornell 2025-02-02 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Alexandre Laviolette 2025-02-02 1944-March-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Gerald Walter Charles Mabbott 2025-02-02 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Malcolm Hinds MacLeod 2025-02-02 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Chalmers Tracey 2025-02-02 Halifax LW429, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW429
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 429
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Melvin Dewitt 2024-10-17 1944-March-31 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Peter Furlong 2024-10-17 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frank Robert Majchrowicz 2024-10-17 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Percy Lawrence Mitchell 2024-10-17 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Edmund Munro 2024-10-17 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Joseph Harold Sheahan 2024-10-17 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Roy Taylor 2024-10-17 Halifax LW431, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW431
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 431
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-26 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon Thomas Dinsmore 2024-10-21 1944-February-26 PoW RCAF Flying Officer R Friskey 2024-10-21 1944-February-26 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Joseph Eugene Marcel Fullum 2024-10-21 1944-February-26 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Wesley Robert Skerik 2024-10-21 1944-February-26 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Charles Henry Stowell 2024-10-21 Halifax LW432, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW432
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 432
Hercules XVI
Units 424/431
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW433, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW433
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 433
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Leipzig Germany 1944-02-19 to 1944-02-20
424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
Halifax BIII aircraft LW 433 QB-W, taxiing before take-off for an operation to Leipzig, Germany was involved a runway collision, struck in the rear by another taxiing Halifax HX 316 QB-D
Rear Gunner Pilot Officer GA Bottrell (RCAF) was killed by the propeller of the other aircraft, the only casualty from either aircraft
1944-February-19 KIFLA RCAF Pilot Officer Gerald Alphonse Bottrell 2025-02-02 1944-February-19 Survived RCAF Sergeant Edward Gomer Evans 2025-02-02 1944-February-19 Survived RCAF Sergeant Leroy George Jewell 2025-02-02 1944-February-19 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer William Gerard Tillman 2025-02-02 1944-February-20 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Alexander Gale Fleming 2021-10-23 1944-February-20 Survived RCAF Flying Officer William Ernest Krampe 2021-10-23 1944-February-20 Survived RAFVR Sergeant James Law MacKintosh 2021-10-23 1944-June-17 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Peter Dennis Victor Ager 2024-11-01 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Albert Edward Charles Boehmer 2024-11-14 1944-June-17 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Hanham Dougherty 2024-10-27 1944-June-17 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Edmund James Downing 2024-10-28 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Adrian Good 2025-02-02 1944-June-17 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Frederick James Haldenby 2025-02-02 1944-June-17 Evader RCAF Sergeant Thomas Inverarity 2025-02-02 Halifax LW434, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW434
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 434
Hercules XVI
Units158/640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW435, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW435
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 435
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-03-24 to 1944-03-25
424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale
Halifax BIII aircraft LW 435 QB-R failed to return from an operation against targets in Berlin, Germany, shot down by a night-fighter between Olfen and Datteln, Germany
FS WG Tilman (RCAF) and Flying Officer WE Krampe (RCAF) were killed in action
Flying Officer AG Fleming (RCAF), FS LG Jewell (RCAF), Sergeant EG Evans (RCAF), Sergeant RD Wilson (RCAF) and Sergeant JL MacKintosh (RAFVR) survived and all were taken as Prisoners of War
Halifax BIII LW435 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Edward Gomer Evans 2022-10-18 1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Alexander Gale Fleming 2022-10-18 1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Leroy George Jewell 2022-10-18 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Ernest Krampe 2022-10-18 1944-March-25 PoW RAFVR Sergeant James Law MacKintosh 2022-10-18 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Gerard Tillmann 2022-10-18 1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Ralph Donald Wilson 2024-11-01 Halifax LW436, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW436
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 436
Hercules XVI
Units 424/426/434
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Bois-de-Cassan France 1944-08-04 to 1944-08-04
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF)
Aircraft lost during an daylight sortie to the V-1 launch sites at Bois-de-Cassan, France. The aircraft was shot down by Hmtm Gustav Tham, flying an Me110, crashing at Drosay, Seine-Maritime, France.Kelly, Bruegeman, Perkins and Marley were killed.
Lang Donovan and Boyle evaded capture.
Complete story of this crew in "We Will Remember Them" ISBN 0-9699343--0
1944-August-04 Evader RCAF Sergeant A N Boyle 2024-10-26 1944-August-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Raymond Glenn Bruegeman 2025-02-17 1944-August-04 Evader RCAF Sergeant Gerald Henry Donovan 2024-10-26 1944-August-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Jack Arthur Kelly 2025-02-17 1944-August-04 Evader RCAF Flying Officer R J Lang 2024-10-26 1944-August-04 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Norman Marley 2025-02-17 1944-August-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Gordon Perkins 2025-02-17 Halifax LW437, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW437
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 437
Hercules XVI
Units 424/432/434
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Nicholas Edgar John Cowan 2024-05-06 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harry Richard Mason 2021-08-16 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Francis Murphy 2021-05-27 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harold McCosh Patterson 2021-05-27 1944-July-29 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Frederick Charles Archibald Sawyer 2021-06-10 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Douglas Wallace 2021-10-02 1944-July-29 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Russell George Whybro 2021-06-10 Halifax LW438, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW438
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 438
Hercules XVI
Units 424/346
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW440, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW440
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 440
Hercules XVI
Units 424/78/462/1663 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW444, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW444
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 444
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Operational 1944-01-22 to 1944-01-22
424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
Crashed during an overshoot at Skipton-on-Swale while on a local flying exercise on 22 January 1944. The starboard engine failed and the aircraft descended too fast on the approach to the aerodrome. FS Zacharias was the only casualty.
Halifax LW459, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW459
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 459
Hercules XVI
Units 158/640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW460, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW460
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 460
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Frankfurt Germany 1944-03-18 to 1944-03-19
424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
Battle of Berlin
846 aircraft - 620 Lancasters, 209 Halifaxes, 17 Mosquitoes. The German fighter force was again split. One part was lured north by the Heligoland mining operation but the second. part waited in Germany and met the bomber stream just before the target was reached, although cloud made it difficult for these fighters to achieve much success. 22 aircraft- 12 Halifaxes, I0 Lancasters -were lost, 2·6 per cent of the force.
The Pathfinders marked the target accurately and this led to heavy bombing of eastern, central and western districts of Frankfurt. The later phases of the bombing were scattered but this was almost inevitable with such a large force; new crews were usually allocated to the final waves. Extensive destruction was caused in Frankfurt. The local report gives a long list of 'cultural buildings', including the Opera House and the preserved medieval quarter, destroyed. Most of the report consists of statistics: 5,495 houses, 99 industrial firms, 412 small businesses, 56 public buildings= all destroyed or seriously damaged; many other buildings were lightly damaged. 421 civilians were killed and 55,500 were bombed out. A military train was hit and 20 soldiers in it were killed and 80 wounded but this may have been by the action of a Fighter Command Intruder aircraft; the Frankfurt report says that the train was shot up by cannon-fire
424 Tiger Squadron (Castigandos Castigamus) RAF Skipton on Swale. Halifax BIII aircraft LW 460 QB-U, on a raid against targets in Frankfurt, Germany was hit by flak and abandoned. The Halifax crashed at Wolf, Germany on the Mosel River
Flying Officer RA Turner (RCAF), Flying Officer JCG Barry (RCAF), Pilot Officer JRA Bedard (RCAF), Pilot Officer JM Dalgleish (RCAF), Flying Officer JA Dwyer (RCAF), Sergeant WE Addison (RAF) and Sergeant DJ Clouston (RAF) all survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
1944-March-19 PoW RAF Sergeant William Ernest Addison 2024-08-08 1944-March-19 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Charles Gaston Benoit Raymond Barry 2024-12-26 1944-March-19 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Jacques Robert Andre Bedard 2023-11-28 1944-March-19 PoW RAF Sergeant David James Clouston 2024-08-08 1944-March-19 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John McDonald Dalgleish 2024-08-08 1944-March-19 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Anthony Dwyer 2024-10-31 1944-March-19 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Ronald Alfred Turner 2024-12-26 Halifax LW461, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW461
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 461
Hercules XVI
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW462, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW462
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 462
Hercules XVI
Units 424/431/297/ORTU/1385 Heavy Transport conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW463, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW463
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 463
Hercules XVI
units 158/640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW466, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW466
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 466
Hercules XVI
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW467, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW467
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 467
Hercules XVI
Units 425/297/21 Heavy Glider conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW472, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW472
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 472
Hercules XVI
Units 51/578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW476, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW476
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 476
Hercules XVI
Units 158/640/426
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-May-01 KIA RCAF Sergeant Lloyd Stuart Franklin 2022-08-24 1944-May-01 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Alfred Henry Benbow Hall 2024-03-15 1944-May-01 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Charles Henry Lines 2021-09-08 1944-May-01 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frederick William Morrison 2023-10-11 1944-May-01 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Edward Northern DFC 2021-09-08 1944-May-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Nick Venber 2021-09-08 1944-May-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Harold Young 2021-09-08 Halifax LW477, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW477
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 477
Hercules XVI
Units 158/640/426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW479, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW479
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 479
Hercules XVI
unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW495, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW495
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 495
Hercules XVI
Units 51/578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW497, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW497
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 497
Hercules XVI
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW498, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW498
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 498
Hercules XVI
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW499, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW499
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 499
Hercules XVI
Unit 158/640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW500, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW500
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 500
Hercules XVI
Units 158/640/460/640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW507, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW507
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 507
Hercules XVI
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW509, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW509
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 509
Hercules XVI
Unit78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW510, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW510
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 510
Hercules XVI
Unit78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW511, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW511
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 511
Hercules XVI
Unit78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW518, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW518
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 518
Hercules XVI
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW537, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW537
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 537
Hercules XVI
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW539, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW539
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 539
Hercules XVI
units 51/578/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW542, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW542
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 542
Hercules XVI
Units 51/578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW547, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW547
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 547
Hercules XVI
Units 78/246
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW548, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW548
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 548
Hercules XVI
Unit 427/246
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW549, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW549
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 549
Hercules XVI
Unit 640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW550, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW550
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 550
Hercules XVI
Unit 640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW551, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW551
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 551
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Frankfurt Germany 1944-03-18 to 1944-03-19
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
427 Lion Squadron (Ferte Manus Certas) RAF Leeming. Halifax BIII aircraft LW 551 ZL-G was shot down by a night fighter during a night operation to Frankfurt, Germany. The Halifax crashed near Hillesheim, Germany
Pilot, Flying Officer TW Cooper MiD (RCAF) maintained control of his aircraft long enough to allow his crew to jump to safety but stayed too long to save himself and was killed in action
Flying Officer WA Wright (RCAF), Flying Officer CA Cawson (RCAF), Flight Sergeant GB Dowker (RCAF), Sergeant LW Preston (RAFVR), Sergeant TF Muncaster (RAF) and Sergeant PA Clare (RAF) all survived to be taken as Prisoners of War
Sergeant Preston died from illness as a PoW 1945-05-11
There were two 427 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation> Please see Halifax aircraft serial HX 279 ZL-Z for additional information on this aircraft and crew
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1944-March-19 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Charles Albert Cawson 2024-01-23 1944-March-19 PoW RAF Sergeant Peter Aidan Clare 2024-02-22 1944-March-19 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas William Cooper MiD 2024-04-10 1944-March-19 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 George Bagnall Dowker 2024-10-28 1944-March-19 PoW RAF Sergeant Thomas Frederick Muncaster 2023-04-26 1944-March-19 PoW Died RAFVR Flight Sergeant Leslie Walter Preston 2023-04-26 1944-March-19 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Arnold Wright 2023-04-26 Halifax LW552, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW552
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 552
Hercules XVI
Units 424/432/415/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit/1659HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW553, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW553
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 553
Hercules XVI
unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW554, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW554
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 554
Hercules XVI
Units 158/640/1665 heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW555, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW555
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 555
Hercules XVI
Units 158/640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW557, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW557
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 557
Hercules XVI
units 51/578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW558, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW558
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 558
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-March-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Frederick Creba 2024-05-25 1944-March-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Laurie James Dunn 2024-10-29 1944-March-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Oswald Adam Linton 2024-06-05 1944-March-15 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Stanley Mydaski 2024-06-22 1944-March-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harold Birch Steeves 2024-07-09 1944-March-15 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Lawrence Earl Symington 2023-08-11 Halifax LW559, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW559
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 559
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-March-16 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Paul Walter Benson 2024-11-11 1944-March-16 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Donald Keith Buckler 2024-11-23 1944-March-16 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Robert Harold Lagerquist 2025-01-15 1944-March-16 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Edgar Milton 2025-01-15 1944-March-16 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant J M Newan 2025-01-15 1944-March-16 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Martin Newman 2023-11-29 Halifax LW572, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW572
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 572
Hercules XVI
units 427/431
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ralph Stewart Cole 2024-04-09 1944-July-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas Alexander Cooper 2024-04-09 1944-July-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John William Kirkwood Dunn 2024-10-29 1944-July-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon Jackson 2023-09-24 1944-July-18 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer F A Longstaff 2024-04-09 1944-July-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Edward Williams 2023-09-24 1944-July-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Alonzo Youngs 2023-09-24 Halifax LW573, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW573
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 573
Hercules XVI
Units 76/425/1652 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW574, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW574
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 574
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-03-24 to 1944-03-25
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
427 Lion Squadron (Ferte Manus Certas) RAF Leeming. Halifax BIII aircraft LW 574 ZL-J failed to return from a night attack against targets in Berlin, Germany
Homeward-bound, the Halifax was struck by heavy flak at 20,000 feet and crashed at Ahaus, Germany
Warrant Officer Class 2 AJ Young (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 1 AE Yaworski (RCAF), Sergeant RA McBeath (RCAF), Sergeant JL Jette (RCAF) and Sergeant T King Rigby (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Warrant Officer Class 1 JJL Hamel (RCAF) and Warrant Officer Class 1 HR Armstrong (RCAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
There were three 427 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials LK 752 ZL-V and LW 577 ZL-K for additional information
Footprints on the Sands of Time, RAF Bomber Command Prisoners of War in Germany 1939-45 by Oliver Clutton-Brock pages 236,309 1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Herbert Roderick Armstrong 2024-11-03 1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Jean Louis Hamel 2023-11-04 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Jean Leon Jette 2023-11-04 1944-March-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas King Rigby 2022-10-18 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Alexander McBeath 2023-11-04 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Adolph Edward Yaworski 2023-11-10 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer Class II Alastair James Young 2023-11-10 Halifax LW575, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW575
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 575
Hercules XVI
Units 427/420/1666 heavy Conversion Unit.1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW576, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW576
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 576
Hercules XVI
Units 427/431/432/431/Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW577, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW577
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 577
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-03-24 to 1944-03-25
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
427 Lion Squadron (Ferte Manus Certas) RAF Leeming. Halifax aircraft LW 557 ZL-K, homeward-bound from a raid against targets in Berlin, Germany, was shot down by flak twenty three miles north-east of Dortmund at Ahlen, on the River Werse, Germany
Flying Officer OL Jackson (RCAF), Flying Officer GI Mackay (RCAF), Pilot Officer EJ Halbert (RCAF), Pilot Officer SG Dowdell and Sergeant HC Webb (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Sergeant LJ Lozo (RCAF) and Sergeant J Newsom (RAFVR) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
There were three 427 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials LK 752 ZL-V and LW 574 ZL-J for additional information
Footprints on the Sands of Time, RAF Bomber Command Prisoners of War in Germany 1939-45 by Oliver Clutton-Brock pages 347,370 427 Squadron Halifax III LW577 ZL-K Fl/Sgt. Stanley Dowdell, RAF...
1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Stanley Geddes Dowdell 2024-10-28 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edwin Joseph Halbert 2022-10-18 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Olavi Leonard Jackson 2022-10-18 1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Leonard Joseph Lozo 2022-10-18 1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Ian Mackay 2022-10-18 1944-March-25 PoW RAFVR Sergeant John Nesom 2022-10-18 1944-March-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Harry Cyril Webb 2022-10-18 Halifax LW579, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW579
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 579
Hercules XVI
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW582, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW582
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 582
Hercules XVI
unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-08 Evader RCAF Sergeant Noe Edward Joseph Beauchesne 2025-01-05 1944-June-08 Evader RAFVR Sergeant Walter Edward Dobson 2025-01-05 1944-June-08 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Charles Richard Hoffman 2025-01-05 1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frederick William Layton 2025-01-05 1944-June-08 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Leo Michael O'Grady 2025-01-05 1944-June-08 Evader RCAF Flying Officer William Kingswell Vickerman 2025-01-05 1944-June-08 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Earl Carruthers Watson 2025-01-05 
Halifax LW583, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW583
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 583
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Haine-Saint-Pierre Belgium 1944-05-09 to 1944-05-09
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
123 aircraft - 62 Halifaxes, 53 Lancasters, 8 Mosquitoes « of 6 and 8 Groups. 6 Halifaxes and 3 Lancasters lost. Severe damage was caused to half of the railway yards and to locomotive sheds.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft LW 583 lost during night operations against Haine St Pierre, Belgium. F/O. T.R. Martin, Pilot Officer K.L. Cannings were killed. One of the crew, not Canadian, missing believed killed. Four Canadians, F/O.s Panzer, D'Andres, Sgt.s Carillon, and McCartney were taken Prisoners Of War.
1944-May-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth Laverne Cannings 2024-08-20 1944-May-09 Evader RCAF Flying Officer D A D'Andrea 2024-08-12 1944-May-09 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Russell Martin 2024-08-20 1944-May-09 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth Lloyd McCartney 2024-08-12 1944-May-09 Evader RCAF Flying Officer L Panzer 2024-08-12 Halifax LW584, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW584
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 584
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Frankfurt Germany 1944-03-22 to 1944-03-22
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
Battle of Berlin
81(5.aircraft- 620 Lancasters, 184 Halifaxes, 12 Mosquitoes. Again, an indirect route was employed, this time crossing the Dutch coast north of the Zuider Zee and then flying almost due south to Frankfurt. This, and the Kiel minelaying diversion, confused the Germans for some time; Hannover was forecast as the main target. Only a few fighters eventually found the bomber stream. 33 aircraft - 26 Lancasters, 7 Halifaxes - were lost, 4·0 per cent of the force.
,p>The marking and bombing were accurate and Frankfurt suffered another heavy blow; the city's records show that the damage was even more severe than in the raid carried out 4 nights earlier. Half of the city was without gas, water and electricity 'for a long period'. All parts of the city were hit but the greatest weight of the attack fell in the western districts. The report particularly mentions severe damage to the industrial areas along the main road to Mainz. The report also has long lists of historic buildings, churches and hospitals destroyed and statistics for the destruction of property. Mention is made of 5 important and 26 lesser Nazi Party buildings hit. 948 people were killed, 346 seriously injured and 120,000 bombed out.162 B-17s of the Eighth Air Force used Frankfurt as a secondary target when they could not reach Schweinfurt 36 hours after this R.A.F. raid and caused further damage. The Frankfurt diary has this entry:
The three air raids of 18th, 22nd and 24th March were carried out by a combined plan of the British and American air forces and their combined effect was to deal the worst and most fateful blow of the war to Frankfurt, a blow which simply ended the existence of the Frankfurt which had been built up since the Middle Ages.*
One result of these heavy raids was that recently captured R.A.F. men often had to be protected by their guards from the assaults of angry civilians when they passed through Frankfurt to reach the nearby Oberursel interrogation and transit camp.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft LW 584 missing during a night trip to Frankfurt, Germany. F/O. D.H. Bailey, P/O.s D.A.Laird, D.J. O'Brien, C. Bertoia, B.H. Murdock, and Sgt. L.W. Denning (RAF) were killed. One Canadian, FS. W.B. Studnik, was taken Prisoner Of War. There were two 432 Squadron aircraft lost in the same area on this date. Please see F/L. D.E. Cawker for information regarding the other aircraft and crew.
Crashed near Langenberg, Germany, after exploding in mid air. Part came down in Bardel furniture factory and near railway station. Lone survivor was pilot, who came down by parachute in nearby Benteler.
1944-March-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Dennis Harold Bailey 2024-11-04 1944-March-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ciro Bertoia 2024-11-12 1944-March-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer David Albert Laird 2024-11-27 1944-March-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Billie Herman Murdock 2024-11-27 1944-March-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Daniel John O'Brien 2024-11-27 1944-March-22 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Billie Studnik 2024-11-27 Halifax LW585, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW585
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 585
Hercules XVI
Unit 640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW589, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW589
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 589
Hercules XVI
unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW590, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW590
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 590
Hercules XVI
Units 420/426/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW591, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW591
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 591
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Karlsruhe Germany 1944-04-24 to 1944-04-25
425 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholthorpe
Aircraft experienced a fuel leak outbound to a night attack at Karlsruhe, Germany. They continued to the target at reduced speed to find the second wave of attacking bombers was also over the target. They orbited the target three times before completing their bomb run but then in addition the low fuel levels, also encountered severe icing conditions. Continued flight was impossible and the aircraft was abandoned. The Halifax is believed to have crashed between the villages of Obersgegen and Neidersgegen near the German/Luxembourg border
The evaders, including Dube were hidden by locals near the village of Chenet in Luxembourg. Some three months later, Dube along with another evader, Richard Francis Noble (s/n O-453171 USAAF, Pilot of 731 Bomber Squadron B-17G "Lucky Lady" 42-39941, shot down 1944-05-12), while attempting to link up with the French Resistance, were caught by the SS on August 8, 1944 and put on a train to a POW camp. They managed to escape from this train but were re-captured near Olizy, France. They were taken to a wooded area and shot by the SS after being forced to dig their own graves
It was not been determined who was responsible for this war crime and nobody has ever been held accountable
Sergeant A Best (RAFVR) survived and evaded capture
Please see Dube, HE for complete crew list and flight detail
1944-April-25 Evader RAFVR Sergeant Alan Best 2024-11-12 1944-April-25 Evader KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Henri Edouard Dube 2024-10-29 1944-April-25 PoW RCAF Sergeant Herman Norman Girard 2025-01-17 1944-April-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Thomas George Alfred Joseph Gravel 2025-01-17 1944-April-25 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Joseph Willie L'Abbe 2025-01-17 1944-April-25 Evader RCAF Sergeant Joseph Alfred Edgar Michand 2025-01-17 1944-April-25 Evader RCAF Sergeant Joseph William Beter Paul Whalen 2025-01-17 Halifax LW592, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW592
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 592
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Montzen Belgium 1944-04-27 to 1944-04-28
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
144 aircraft- 120 Halifaxes, 16 Lancasters, 8 Mosquitoes-of 4, 6 and 8 Groups. The bombing force, particularly the second of the 2 waves, was intercepted by German fighters and 14 Halifaxes and I Lancaster were shot down. Only one part of the railway yards was hit by the bombing. The only Lancaster lost was that of Squadron Leader E. M. Blenkinsopp, a Canadian pilot of 405 Squadron who was acting as Deputy Master Bomber. Blen-kinsopp managed to team up with a Belgian Resistance group and remained with them until captured by the Germans in December 1944. He was taken to Hamburg to work as a forced labourer and later died in Belsen concentration camp 'of heart failure'. He has no known grave
.source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BIII aircraft LW 592 QO-A missing during a raid to bomb the rail yards in Montzen, Belgium, shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Johannes Hager, Staffelkapitan of the 6/NJG 1 based at Saint-Dizier airfield in France. The Halifax crashed at Sur-les-Bois, Saint-Georges-sur-Meuse, province of Liege, Belgium
Flying Officer JW Burrows (RCAF) and Pilot Officer PE Driver (RCAF) were killed in action
Sergeant AC Phillips (RAFVR) survived and was taken as Prisoner of War
Pilot Officer HH Whaley (RCAF), Pilot Officer DC McDonald (RCAF), Pilot Officer DA McCoy (RCAF) and Flight Sergeant KJ Doyle (RCAF) survived and avoided capture as Evaders
There were three 432 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials LK 807 QO-J and MZ 588 QO-W for additional information on these aircraft and crews
Sur-les-Bois-Halifax III LW592 QO-A 432 Squadron-Halifax JD371 KN...
1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Woollatt Burrows 2023-03-25 1944-April-28 Evader RCAF Flight Sergeant Kevin Joseph Doyle 2024-10-28 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Paul Edward Driver 2023-03-25 1944-April-28 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Campbell MacDonald 2023-03-25 1944-April-28 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer Daniel Albert McCoy 2023-03-25 1944-April-28 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Alfred Clarence Phillips 2023-03-25 1944-April-28 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer Harold Harvey Whaley 2023-03-25 Halifax LW593, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW593
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 593
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-03-24 to 1944-03-24
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
432 Leaside Squadron (Saevitir Ad Lucem) RAF East Moor. Halifax BIII aircraft LW 593 QO-O failed to return from an operation against targets in Berlin, Germany. The Halifax was damaged in an attack by Oberleutnant Heinrich Schneider of the 10/NJG 5 flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Erfurt-Bindersleben airfield, Germany and was then hit by a heavy Flak barrage before it crashed at Hohnstedt, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
Pilot Officer L Bandle (RCAF), Pilot Officer AF De Dauw (RCAF) and Sergeant WCW King (RAFVR) were killed in action
Flying Officer A Small (RCAF) Pilot Officer RC Elvin (RCAF), Pilot Officer JA McIntosh DFC (RCAF) and Pilot Officer CM Schell (RCAF) survived and were all taken as Prisoners of War
Footprints on the Sands of Time, RAF Bomber Command Prisoners of War in Germany 1939-45 by Oliver Clutton-Brock pages 288, 358,398,404 Berlin: The Sixteenth Raid by Bomber Command II I Weapons an...
1944-March-25 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Berlin, shot down over Berlin. 3 crew were killed and 4 POW. 2019-08-20
1944-March-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Leo Bandle 2024-10-07 1944-March-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Andrew Francis De Dauw 2024-10-07 1944-March-24 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert Clinton Elvin 2024-10-07 1944-March-24 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Walter Charles William King 2024-10-07 1944-March-24 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer James Alexander McIntosh DFC 2024-10-07 1944-March-24 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Clyde McCague Schell 2024-10-07 1944-March-24 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Alexander Small 2024-10-07 Halifax LW594, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW594
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 594
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Haine-Saint-Pierre Belgium 1944-05-09 to 1944-05-09
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
123 aircraft - 62 Halifaxes, 53 Lancasters, 8 Mosquitoes « of 6 and 8 Groups. 6 Halifaxes and 3 Lancasters lost. Severe damage was caused to half of the railway yards and to locomotive sheds.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft LW 594 missing from a night trip to Haine St Pierre, France. F/Os W.H.Parkinson, S.A. Hawkins and Pilot Officer H. Ibbotson (RAF) were killed. Three Canadians, Flying Officer A.I. Raetzens, Sergeants L.S. O'Leary, and K.A. Banks taken Prisoners of War. One of the crew, not Canadian, missing believed killed.Shot down by a night-fighter (Oblt Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer Stab 1V.
Halifax LW595, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW595
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 595
Hercules XVI
Units 425/415
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Sergeant Robert Alfred Harvey 2024-07-31 1944-July-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Angus McLeod MacIver 2021-06-07 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lloyd William McElroy 2021-05-25 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Dugald Morrison 2021-05-25 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alfred Wilfred Prosofsky 2021-05-25 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Campbell Reason 2021-05-25 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Kenneth Renaud 2021-08-10 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Walter Dennis Robertson 2021-05-25 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur George Stein 2021-07-11 
Halifax LW596, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW596
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 596
Hercules XVI
Units 432/434
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ian Sutherland Alexander 2024-11-02 1944-July-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Black 2024-11-12 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Earl William Chapman 2025-01-22 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Edward Gelinas 2025-01-22 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Martin Larsen 2025-01-22 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lachlan Neil McEachern 2025-01-22 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Frederick Leddra Sherrill 2025-01-22 Halifax LW597, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW597
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 597
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Augsburg Germany 1944-02-25 to 1944-02-26
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
Battle of Berlin
594 aircraft - 461 Lancasters 123 Halifaxes, I0 Mosquitoes - on the first large raid to this target. The various diversions and the splitting of the main bomber force into 2 waves again reduced casualties still further. 21 aircraft- 16 Lancasters, 5 Halifaxes - lost, 3·6 per cent of the force; at least 4 of these casualties were due to collision.
.The bombing at Augsburg was outstandingly successful in clear weather conditions and against this 'virgin' target with only weak Flak defenses. The Pathfinder ground-marking was accurate and more. than 2,000 tons of bombs were dropped by the 2 waves. of the force.
The R.A.F. night raid became controversial because of the 'effects of its outstanding accuracy. The beautiful old centre of Augsburg was completely destroyed by high explosive and fire, with much less than the usual spread of bombing to the more modern outer areas, where some industry was located. 2,920 houses were destroyed and more than 5,000 were damaged; 85,000--90,000 people were bombed out: Among the main public and cultural buildings destroyed or seriously damaged were the old Rathaus (completely destroyed), 16 churches and II hospitals, but all patients in the hospitals were safely evacuated except for 2 women foreign workers. The total value of lost works of art was estimated to be 800 million Reichsmarks (£80 million). Among the buildings destroyed was the famous puppet threatre - Heimbiihne Puppenschrein - of Walter Oehmichen. Oehmichen re-created his puppets and, exactly 4 years later, opened the 'Augsburger Puppenkiste' (packing-case puppet theatre) now well known in Germany and often seen on television. There were 246 large or medium fires and 820 small ones; the temperature was so cold (minus 18° Celsius) that the River Lech was frozen over and many of the water hoses also froze. Between 678 and 762 people were killed and approximately 2,500 were injured. The Germans publicized it as an extreme example of 'terror bombing'.
Part of the bombing of the second wave of aircraft did spread to the northern and eastern parts of Augsburg and damage was caused to an important aircraft component factory and to some former paper and cotton mills which had been taken over by the M.A.N. engineering company.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft LW 597 missing from a night trip to Augsburg, Germany. Sergeant W. Thompson (RAF) was also killed and three others of the crew, not Canadians, missing believed killed. Two Canadians, F/Os A.G. Turton and R.A. Richards, were taken Prisoners of War.
Halifax LW598, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW598
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 598
Hercules XVI
With No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, in 1944, coded "OW*J". Also served with No. 432 Squadron, RCAF, coded "QO*K". Starboard inner engine failed at 800 feet, crashed and burned at Newton-on-Ouse, 9.6.44Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05Halifax LW614, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW614
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 614
Hercules XVI
Units 431/432
last update: 2025-February-05
Operational 1944-04-12 to 1944-04-12
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
The crew of Halifax III aircraft LW 614 QO-S were engaged in air to air firing training when it crashed at Deepdale Farm, Langdale End, North Yorkshire, England
Pilot Officer FC Hindmarsh (RCAF), Pilot Officer DG Bell (RCAF), Pilot Officer AK Clarke (RCAF), Pilot Officer TH Woodard (RCAF), Sergeant FE Cranch (RCAF), Sergeant H Halliwell (RAFVR) and passenger Leading Aircraftman DV MacKenzie (RCAF) were all killed in this flying accident
There was one surviving crew member, rear air gunner Sergeant DSM MacNeil (RCAF)
On 1944-04-12, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 1664/1679 HCU at Wombleton, wrote in his diary:
Warning: The following material contains graphic content that may not be suitable for all readers.
"Got news of a crash a/c west of Pickering . . . located it at last, way up in the Moors and what a mess it was. I had a hard time trying to find out what kind of aircraft it was until I found an engine with a DH Hydromatic prop on it and then I knew it was a Halifax MkII, LW 614 -S, from East Moor we found out later. It was still burning when we got there. . . six recovered bodies, all Canadian boys. . .there was still another body in the wreckage but couldn't get it out since he was only in pieces anyway. I've got over being squeamish about such things but I still don't like the smell . . it is really & truly horrible."
Addendum: The crew were engaged in ground to air firing when one of the engines failed. The aircraft went out of control at 50 feet, stalled crashed and burst into flames. Detail provided by David E Thompson, Middlesborough, England
1944-April-12 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer David Gordon Bell 2022-11-16 1944-April-12 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Kenneth Clarke 2022-11-17 1944-April-12 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Edward Cranch 2024-05-12 1944-April-12 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Harvey Halliwell 2022-11-17 1944-April-12 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Felix Campbell Hindmarsh 2022-11-17 1944-April-12 KIFA RCAF Leading Aircraftman David Victor Mackenzie 2025-01-09 1944-April-12 Survived RCAF Sergeant Donald Stuart Morrison MacNeil 2022-11-17 1944-April-12 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Harold Woodard 2022-11-17 Halifax LW615, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW615
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 615
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW616, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW616
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 616
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Cambrai France 1944-06-12 to 1944-06-13
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
Battle of Normandy
671 aircraft- 348 Halifaxes, 285 Lancasters, 38 Mosquitoes-of 4, 5, 6 and 8 Groups to attack communications, mostly railways, at Amiens/St-Roch, Amiens/Longueau, Arras, Caen, Cambrai and Poitiers. (It is interesting to note that, with the exception of Caen, all of these targets were the sites of well-known battles of earlier wars and Caen was soon to be the scene of fierce fighting,)
Bomber Command's records state that the Poittiers attack by Group 5 was the most accurate of the night and that the 2 raids at Amiens and the raid at Arras w, of reasonable accuracy. The target at Cambrai was hit but many bombs also fell the town. The most scattered attack (also by 5 Group) was at Caen.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax III aircraft LW 616 QO-R was shot down by flak during an operation to bomb the railyards at Cambrai, France. The Halifax crashed near Miraumont, France
Pilot Officer LR Lauzon (RCAF), Pilot Officer JE Oliver (RCAF), Pilot Officer GL Wallis (RCAF) Sergeant JW Beattie (RCAF) and Flying Officer J Cakebread (RAF) all survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
Warrant Officer Class 1 W Hodder (RCAF) and Sergeant C Christoff (RCAF) both survived and became Evaders
Hodder and Christoff sheltered in France until liberated by Allied Forces and returned to the UK in early September 1944
There were two 432 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial number MZ 601 QO-A for additional information
Most of this crew with the exception of Sergeant Cakebread had survived an operation 432 Squadron Halifax aircraft LW 615 QO-U, in which the bomber was heavily damaged by flak over Dusseldorf, Germany. The pilot, Pilot Officer Lauzon, nursed the stricken aircraft back to base at East Moor to safety. During the landing, the Flight Engineer, Sergeant RJ Miles (RAFVR) was injured and later taken to hospital. Unable to fly on the next operation, Sergeant Cakebread substituted for Sergeant Miles when Halifax LW 616 QO-R failed to return from Cambrai, France
Research of France-Crashes 39-45
Halifax BIII LW616 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1944-June-13 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer James William Beattie 2024-07-04 1944-June-13 Evader RCAF Sergeant Christopher Christoff 2024-07-13 1944-June-13 Evader RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Walter Hodder 2025-01-04 1944-June-13 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Leslie Richard Lauzon 2025-01-04 1944-June-13 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Eugene Olivier 2024-07-13 1944-June-13 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon Lloyd Wallis 2025-01-04 Halifax LW617, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW617
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 617
Hercules XVI
unit 432/158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW618, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW618
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 618
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Roy Bernard Beach 2024-11-09 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Edgar Emile Gourdeau 2024-08-08 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Douglas William Hammond 2025-01-02 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lloyd Mac Hawkes 2025-01-02 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gerard Albert Hergott 2025-01-02 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Walter Norval McPhee 2025-01-02 1944-March-31 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Alfred Thomas Willaims 2025-01-02 Halifax LW619, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW619
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 619
Hercules XVI
Units 427/Airborne Forces Tactical Development Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW620, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW620
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 620
Hercules XVI
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW622, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW622
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 622
Hercules XVI
Unit 192
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Charles William Cyril Crowdy 2024-05-21 1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Harold Elliott 2022-07-29 1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Sergeant Francis Etienne 2023-08-26 1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frederick William Morris 2023-08-27 1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Leslie Lloyd Mortimer 2023-08-27 1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Peter Horace Gordon Vincent 2023-08-27 Halifax LW631, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW631
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 631
Hercules XVI
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW632, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW632
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 632
Hercules XVI
Unit 425/21 Heavy glider Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW633, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW633
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 633
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joe Paul G Brisson 2024-10-16 1944-April-23 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Emile Leon Davidson 2024-10-16 1944-April-23 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Yvan Desrosiers 2024-10-16 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Benoit Charles Eugene Fortin 2024-10-16 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Fernand Rolland Hurteau 2024-10-16 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Henri Charles Legault 2024-10-16 Halifax LW635, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW635
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 635
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW636, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW636
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 636
Hercules XVI
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW638, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW638
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 638
Hercules XVI
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW640, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW640
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 640
Hercules XVI
unit 640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW643, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW643
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 643
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Noisy-le-Sec France 1944-04-18 to 1944-04-19
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
432 Leaside Squadron (Saevitir Ad Lucem) RAF East Moor. Halifax III aircraft LW 643 QO-E was lost during a night operation against the rail marshalling yards at Noisy-le-Sec, France
The aircraft may have collided with another Halifax over the target and crashed just after the bomb load was dropped
Pilot Officer AM McGregor (RCAF), Flying Officer ACG Mercer (RCAF), Pilot Officer JB Bell (RCAF), Pilot Officer WH Kent (RAFVR), Sergeant A McCluskie (RAFVR), and Flying Officer AH Redman (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Sergeant SD Pett (RAF) survived and was taken as Prisoner of War
Sergeant GJ Shaughnessy (RCAF) survived and became an Evader
1944-April-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Bond Bell 2023-10-11 1944-April-19 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Walter Harris Kent 2022-11-22 1944-April-19 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Alexander McCluskie 2022-11-23 1944-April-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alexander Morvan McGregor 2022-11-22 1944-April-19 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Angus Cameron Graeme Mercer 2022-11-22 1944-April-19 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Stanley David Pett 2022-11-22 1944-April-19 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Alan Harry Redman 2022-11-22 1944-April-19 Evader RCAF Sergeant Gerard Joseph Shaugnessy 2022-11-22 Halifax LW644, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW644
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 644
Hercules XVI
unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW645, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW645
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 645
Hercules XVI
Unit 420/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW647, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW647
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 647
Hercules XVI
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Nuremberg Germany 1944-03-30 to 1944-03-31
76 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Holme-on-Spalding Moor
76 Squadron (Resolute) RAF Holme-on-Spalding Moor. Halifax BIII aircraft LW 647 MP-W was shot down by a night fighter forty miles north-east of Frankfurt, Germany at Neider Moos, Germany, during an operation against targets in Nuremberg, Germany. There are multiple night fighter pilot claims for this loss
Pilot Officer AH Death (RCAF), Pilot Officer AD Maw (RCAF), Pilot Officer AS Arneil (RAFVR), Flying Officer GCG Greenacre (RAFVR) and Flying Officer A Thorpe (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Sergeant JA Henthorn (RAFVR) and Pilot Officer A Monk (RAFVR) survived and both were taken as Prisoners of War
The Nuremberg Raid by Martin Middlebrook page 145 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
76 Squadron Halifax III LW647 MP-W Flying Officer Greenacre RAF Holme-on-...
1944-March-31 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Adam Scott Arneil 2024-10-10 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Henry Death 2024-05-25 1944-March-31 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Gordon Charles George Greenacre 2024-05-26 1944-March-31 PoW RAFVR Sergeant John Ashton Henthorn 2022-11-23 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Douglas Maw 2024-06-17 1944-March-31 PoW RAFVR Pilot Officer Anthony Monk 2024-10-10 1944-March-31 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Alfred Thorpe 2024-07-10 Halifax LW654, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW654
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 654
Hercules XVI
Unit 640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW655, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW655
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 655
Hercules XVI
Unit 78/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW657, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW657
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 657
Hercules XVI
Units 78/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW672, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW672
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 672
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-19 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Arthur Arsenault 2024-11-03 1944-July-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norman Alfred Boucher 2025-02-02 1944-July-19 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Alexander Cameron 2023-11-05 1944-July-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Theodore Gaston Gerard Dufour 2024-10-29 1944-July-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Zenon Giroux 2023-11-05 1944-July-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Adrian Frederick Taillon 2023-11-05 1944-July-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Waldron Worthing Watson 2023-11-05 Halifax LW674, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW674
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 674
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-11 Evader RCAF Sergeant N Binnie 2024-11-12 1944-June-11 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Joseph Chudzik 2024-03-15 1944-June-11 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frank Grant Harrop 2025-01-19 1944-June-11 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lucas Holoway 2025-01-19 1944-June-11 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Murray Irwin 2025-01-19 1944-June-11 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Douglas Lancaster 2025-01-19 Halifax LW675, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW675
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 675
Hercules XVI
Unit 578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW676, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW676
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 676
Hercules XVI
Units 420/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW680, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW680
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 680
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW682, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW682
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 682
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-May-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Edward Jean Guy Arbour 2024-11-02 1944-May-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Wilbur Boyd Bentz CDGB 2024-11-11 1944-May-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Jack Edwin McIntyre 2021-09-23 1944-May-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Clifford Stanley Phillips CDGB 2023-08-26 1944-May-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Fred Roach 2021-08-08 1944-May-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Wilson Summerhayes CDGB 2022-05-23 1944-May-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Wessel Taylor 2023-08-26 Halifax LW683, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW683
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 683
Hercules XVI
Units 420/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW684, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW684
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 684
Hercules XVI
Units 429/434
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-11 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Trevor Alan Mackenzie Christie 2024-02-19 1944-June-11 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Joseph Doran 2024-10-26 1944-June-11 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George James Talbot Dunlop 2024-10-29 1944-June-11 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Handzuk 2023-09-12 1944-June-11 KIA RCAF Flying Officer David Hughes 2023-10-11 1944-June-11 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Henri Yvon Nowlan 2023-09-12 1944-June-11 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Roy Edward Warren 2023-09-12 Halifax LW685, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW685
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 685
Hercules XVI
Units 429/434
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW686, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW686
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 686
Hercules XVI
Units 432/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW687, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW687
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 687
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Nuremberg Germany 1944-03-30 to 1944-03-31
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
Battle of Berlin
This would normally have been the moon stand-down period for the Main Force, but raid to the distant target of Nuremberg was planned on the basis of an early recast that there would be protective high cloud on the outward route, when the moon would be up, but that the target area would be clear for ground-marked robing. A Meteorological Flight Mosquito carried out a reconnaissance and reported that the protective cloud was unlikely to be present and that there could be cloud over the target, but the raid was not cancelled.
795 aircraft were dispatched- 572 Lancasters, 214 Halifaxes and 9 Mosquitoes. The German controller ignored all the diversions and assembled his fighters at 2 radio beacons which happened to be astride the route to Nuremberg. The first fighters appeared just before the bombers reached the Belgian border and a fierce battle in the moonlight lasted for the next hour. 82 bombers were lost on the outward route and near the target. The action was much reduced on the return flight, when most of the German fighters had to land, but 95 bombers were lost in all - 64 Lancasters and 31 Halifaxes, l l ·9 per cent of the force dispatched. It was the biggest Bomber Command loss of the war.
Most of the returning crews reported that they had bombed Nuremberg but subsequent research showed that approximately 120 aircraft had bombed Schweinfurt, 50 miles north-west of Nuremberg. This mistake was a result of badly forecast winds causing navigational difficulties. 2 Pathfinder aircraft dropped markers at Schweinfurt. Much of the bombing in the Schweinfurt area fell outside the town and only 2 people were killed in that area.
The main raid at Nuremberg was a failure. The city was covered by thick cloud and a fierce cross-wind which developed on the final approach to the target caused many of the Pathfinder aircraft to mark too far to the east. A to-mile-long creep back also developed into the countryside north of Nuremberg. Both Pathfinders and Main Force aircraft were under heavy fighter attack throughout the raid. Little damage was caused in Nuremberg: 69 people were killed in the city and surrounding villages
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BIII aircraft LW 687 QO-Z was shot down by an ME-110 night fighter aircraft, flown by German ace Oblt Martin Becker, during a attack against Nuremberg, Germany. The Halifax crashed at Grossmaischeid, Germany
Pilot Officer CR Narum (RCAF), Pilot Officer S Saprunoff (RCAF), Pilot Officer RW Rathwell (RCAF) and Sergeant R Thomson (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Three Canadians, FS RP Goeson (RCAF), FS JAH Marini (RCAF) and FS LE Pigeon (RCAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
This was Pilot Officer Narum's 5th operation and his was one of 108 Allied aircraft lost this night
There were two 432 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Clarkson, RL for information on Halifax MZ 504 QO-C
Daily Operations 6bombergroup.ca
1944-March-31 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Ronald Percy Goeson 2023-12-01 1944-March-31 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant John Anthony Henry Marini 2023-11-22 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Chester Russell Narum 2023-01-30 1944-March-31 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Louis Edmond Pigeon 2023-01-30 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert William Rathwell 2023-01-30 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Samuel Saprunoff 2023-01-30 1944-March-31 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Thomson 2023-01-30 Halifax LW688, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW688
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 688
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-03-24 to 1944-03-24
429 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
429 Bison Squadron (Fortunae Nihil) RAF Leeming. Halifax BIII aircraft LW 668 AL-J failed to return from night operations against targets in Berlin, Germany. The Halifax crashed between Sieseby and Thumby, two small villages some 8kms south south east of Kappeln, Germany, but the cause of loss not established
Pilot Officer WG Hampton (RCAF), Sergeant RM Byrne (RAFVR) Pilot Officer EAJ Giles (RAAF), FS WTG Peckham (RAFVR) and Flying Officer FC Rousseau (RAFVR) were all killed in action
FS AW Larochelle (RCAF) and FS HJ Nicholls (RAFVR) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
There were three 429 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials LK 805 AL-H and LV 914 AL-V for additional information
Footprints on the Sands of Time, RAF Bomber Command Prisoners of War in Germany 1939-45 by Oliver Clutton-Brock pages 341,371 1944-March-24 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Roy Micheal Byrne 2024-11-27 1944-March-24 KIA RAAF Pilot Officer Edgar Albert James Giles 2022-10-20 1944-March-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William George Hampton 2022-10-20 1944-March-24 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur William Larochelle 2022-10-20 1944-March-24 PoW RAFVR Flight Sergeant Herbert John Nicholls 2022-10-20 1944-March-24 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant William Thomas George Peckham 2022-10-20 1944-March-24 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Felix Charles Rousseau 2022-10-20 Halifax LW689, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW689
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 689
Hercules XVI
Units 429/51/434/1659 Hevy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW690, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW690
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 690
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-March-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Bruce Ewen 2022-08-05 1944-March-16 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Harry Lyle Heimbecker 2022-11-05 1944-March-16 Evader RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class J A S MacDonald 2021-02-06 1944-March-16 Evader RCAF Sergeant W E Morton 2021-02-06 1944-March-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Hector Gaetan Senecal 2021-08-01 Halifax LW691, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW691
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 691
Hercules XVI
Units 429/296
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW692, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW692
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 692
Hercules XVI
Served with No. 420 (Squadron, RCAF, coded PT-V. Shot down by flak on 20/21 April 1944 during rail yards at Lens, France.
Eye witnesses and direct testimony from rear gunner Anderson and mid upper gunner Bourcier have placed the crash location in Pourville-Sur-Mer.
last update: 2025-February-05Bombing Lens France 1944-04-20 to 1944-04-21
420 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholthorpe Yorkshire UK
Aircraft was off course, over Dieppe, which was a heavily defended German naval port. It was expected to cross into France near Le Havre, not Dieppe. Aircraft was shot down by flak en route to attack the rail junctions at Lens, France, crashing into the marsh surrounding Scie River, Pourville-Sur-Mer, Dieppe, France. Wheelhouse, Anderson and Bourcier baled and landed just offshore. Wheelhouse drowned, Anderson and Bourcier were taken Prisoners of War. Wilson's parachute failed to open.
Leonard, Gough and Warren were missing, presumed killed. They are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
An excavation of the crash site began in 2022. Original research by Bill Anderson Winnipeg
1944-April-21 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Allan Anderson 2024-11-02 1944-April-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Hector Jean Paul Bourcier 2024-11-15 1944-April-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Patrick Francis Gough 2025-02-02 1944-April-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Raymond Gale Leonard 2025-02-02 1944-April-21 KIA RAF Sergeant Alfred Warren 2025-02-02 1944-April-21 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Clifford James Wheelhouse 2025-02-02 1944-April-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Herbert Clarke Wilson 2025-02-02 Halifax LW693, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW693
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 693
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW694, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW694
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 694
Hercules XVI
Units 429/620/1385 HTSCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW696, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW696
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 696
Hercules XVI
Unit76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW713, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW713
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 713
Hercules XVI
Unit 429/434
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Arras France 1944-06-12 to 1944-06-13
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Croft. Halifax BIII aircraft LW 713 WL-P failed to return from an operation to bomb communications targets in Arras, France, shot down by a night fighter. The Halifax crashed near Cite de Hochettes, Arras, France
Pilot Pilot Officer WE Wood (RCAF) held control of the aircraft until his crew could bail out. Pilot Officer Wood and FS RFW Buckman (RAFVR) were both missing, presumed killed in action
Pilot Officer Wood and FS Buckman have no known grave and are both commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial
Flying Officer DW Robertson (RCAF), Pilot Officer GA Ovenden (RCAF), Sergeant J Petsche DFM (RCAF) and Sergeant GM Nordin (RCAF) survived and became Evaders
Sergeant TR Ely (RAF) survived and was taken as Prisoner of War
There were three 434 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials LW 173 WL-K and MZ 293 WL-S for additional information
1944-June-13 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Ronald Frank William Buckman 2024-11-23 1944-June-13 PoW RAF Sergeant Terrance Richard Ely 2022-10-26 1944-June-13 Evader RCAF Sergeant Gus Mathias Nordin 2022-10-26 1944-June-13 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer George Arthur Ovenden 2022-10-26 1944-June-13 Evader RCAF Sergeant Joseph Petsche DFM 2022-10-26 1944-June-13 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Donald Wright Robertson 2022-10-26 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Edward Wood 2022-10-26 Halifax LW714, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW714
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 714
Hercules XVI
Units 429/434/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW715, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW715
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 715
Hercules XVI
Unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-15 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Harry Gordon Facey 2023-05-11 1944-June-15 Evader RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Vernon Furneaux 2021-08-20 1944-June-15 Evader RCAF Flying Officer F D Hagen 2021-08-20 1944-June-15 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Earl Edward Kirk 2021-08-20 1944-June-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Ralph McEvoy DFM 2023-12-29 1944-June-15 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Dave Stubbs 2023-08-10 Halifax LW717, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW717
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 717
Hercules XVI
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW719, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW719
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 719
Hercules XVI
Unit10/158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW720, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW720
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 720
Hercules XVI
10/58
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Aachen Germany 1944-05-24 to 1944-05-25
158 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Lissett
158 Squadron RAF (Strength in unity) RAF Lissett. Halifax BIII aircraft LW 720 NP-W was shot down by a Heinkel He 219 A-0 night fighter flown by Major Hans Karlewski of the 2/NJG 1, just after dropping the bomb load during a raid against targets in Aachen, Germany. The Halifax crashed 30 km North of Aachen near Durboslar, Germany with the loss of three aircrew
Sergeant D Davies (RAFVR), Sergeant WM Rivers (RAFVR) and Pilot Officer J M Roberts (RAFVR) were killed in action
Flight Lieutenant W C Graham (RCAF), Sergeant A R Brice (RAFVR), Sergeant C Weeks (RAFVR) and Sergeant J H Wilson (RAFVR) all survived to become Prisoners of War
There were four other 158 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation: LV 918 NP-O, LW 118 NP-X, HX 320 NP-A and LW 653 NP-T
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
1944-May-25 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Arthur Robert "Chegga" Brice 2024-09-02 1944-May-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Dennis Davies 2024-01-06 1944-May-25 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Carnegie Graham 2024-09-02 1944-May-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Marley Rivers 2024-01-06 1944-May-25 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer John Meredith Roberts 2024-01-06 1944-May-25 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Cecil Weeks 2024-09-02 1944-May-25 PoW RAFVR Sergeant James Herbert "Jock" Wilson 2024-09-02 Halifax LW721, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW721
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 721
Hercules XVI
Unit158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW722, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW722
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 722
Hercules XVI
Units 158/460/640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax LW723, B/A.Mk.III
s/n LW723
English Electric Co Ltd
LW 723
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ282, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ282
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 282
Hercules XVI
Units 431/429/427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ284, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ284
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 284
Hercules XVI
Unit426/433
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Castrop-Rauxel Germany 1944-11-21 to 1944-11-21
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
433 Porcupine Squadron (Qui S'y Frotte S'y Pique) Skipton-on-Swale, Halifax III aircraft MZ 284 BM-T missing during an operation against Castrop-Rauxel, in the Ruhr Valley, Germany 1944-11-21
Claim by Hptm Hubert Rauh Stab II/NJG4 - Haltern/Dattlen (KP 2): 5,000m at 19:02.(Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1944 Part 5 - Theo Boiten)
Plt Off Allen RCAF was initially buried in Oer-Erkenschwick Cemetery. Reinterred 25 April 1947.
Plt Off Seymour RCAF and Plt Off Robson RCAF were initially buried in Dattlen Cemetery.Reinterred 25 April 1947. (CWGC)
FS KEC Slack (RCAF) survived and was taken Prisoner of War. He was was part of Trupp 56. He arrived at Bankau on 26 December 1944.(The Long Road - Oliver Clutton-Brock). FS Slack drowned 1945-05-08 while trying to rescue a German guard who had fallen into the Elbe River near Shoenbeck, Germany. His body was not recovered and he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial
1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Allan 2024-11-02 1944-November-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Thomas Bond 2024-09-30 1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Edward Robson 2025-01-27 1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Rodgers Seymour 2025-01-27 1944-November-21 PoW Died RCAF Flight Sergeant Kenneth Earl Clifford Slack 2025-01-27 1944-November-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert Adler Watson 2025-01-27 1944-November-21 PoW RAFVR Sergeant John Weir 2025-01-27 Halifax MZ285, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ285
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 285
Hercules XVI
Units 426/433/429/427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ286, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ286
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 286
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ288, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ288
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 288
Hercules XVI
Unit 102/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/102/10
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer David Bell DFC 2024-11-11 1944-November-30 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Peter Frederick Bolderstone DFM 2024-11-14 1944-November-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Jack Hurst Kitchin 2025-01-09 1944-November-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George McGregor 2025-01-09 1944-November-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Willard Ainsley Streich 2025-01-09 1944-November-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alexander Sinclair Thomson 2025-01-09 1944-November-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Lloyd George Watson 2025-01-09 Halifax MZ289, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ289
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 289
Hercules XVI
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ290, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ290
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 290
Hercules XVI
Unit 102/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/102/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ291, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ291
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 291
Hercules XVI
Unit 434/427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ293, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ293
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 293
Hercules XVI
Unit 434
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Arras France 1944-06-12 to 1944-06-13
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Croft. Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 293 WL-S missing during night operations against communications targets in Arras, France. The bomber was most likely shot down by a night fighter, crashing on the coast of France near Dunkirk. The entire crew was lost
Pilot Officer JK Swan (RCAF), Pilot Officer FA Tandy (RCAF), Pilot Officer CV Dymond (RCAF), Pilot Officer AJ Morgan (RCAF), Flying Officer RW Hewitt (RCAF), Pilot Officer PS Legge (RCAF)(USA) and Pilot Officer TRW Roberts (RAFVR) were all killed in action
There were three 434 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials LW 173 WL-K and LW 713 WL-P for additional information
1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Vernon Dymond 2024-10-29 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ross Whitten Hewitt 2024-02-15 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Preston St Clare Legge 2024-02-15 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Albert John Morgan 2024-02-21 1944-June-13 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Thomas Robert Wade Roberts 2024-05-26 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Kerr Swan 2024-02-21 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frederick Arthur Ernest Tandy 2024-02-21 Halifax MZ295, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ295
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 295
Hercules XVI
Units 434/427/429
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Elmer Lincoln Bailey 2024-11-04 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Paul Everett Coltman 2024-03-24 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Bruce Dunlop 2024-10-29 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lloyd Kirton 2024-12-03 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Moses Rabovsky 2024-12-03 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Carman Vincent Ross 2024-12-03 Halifax MZ297, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ297
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 297
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-17 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer John Henry Bolton 2024-11-14 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Earl Stewart Dwyer 2024-10-31 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Stanley Keith Kaiser 2025-01-27 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Cornwallis Lummis 2025-01-27 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Robert Moorby 2025-01-27 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norman Erick Moore 2025-01-27 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Duncan Turner 2025-01-27 Halifax MZ301, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ301
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 301
Hercules XVI
Unit 77/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ302, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ302
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 302
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Metz France 1944-06-28 to 1944-06-29
429 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
429 Bison Squadron (Fortunae Nihil) RAF Leeming. Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 302 AL-E was attacked by a night fighter during an operation against rail communications in Metz, France in support of the D-Day Landings. The bomber was abandoned by the entire crew and crashed in a forest near La Folie farm, just north of the hamlet of Palesne, 3 km south-west of Pierrefonds, Oise, France
Sergeant GE Dunham (RCAF), Sergeant EO Clinton(RCAF) and Sergeant J Warrington (RAF) survived and all were taken as Prisoners of War
Flying Officer PG Agur (RCAF), Flying Officer JF Kennedy (RCAF), Flying Officer DF Hay (RCAF) and Sergeant KK Lyle (RCAF) survived and Evaded with the help of the French Resistance and escape organizations
Agur, Kennedy and Hay were all at the Freteval Camp, set up in the forest by the Resistance to help Allied evaders and escapers, but the Evader information for Lyle is unknown to date
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1944-June-29 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Patrick Graham Agur 2024-03-07 1944-June-29 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Edwin Omar Clinton 2024-03-05 1944-June-29 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 George Elgin Dunham 2024-10-29 1944-June-29 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Donald F Hay 2023-04-23 1944-June-29 Evader RCAF Flying Officer James F Kennedy 2024-06-28 1944-June-29 Evader RCAF Sergeant Keith K Lyle 2023-04-23 1944-June-29 PoW RAF Sergeant Jack Warrington 2023-04-23 Halifax MZ303, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ303
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 303
Hercules XVI
Unit429/427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ304, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ304
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 304
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Howard John Cook 2024-04-01 1944-November-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Stanley George Hall 2021-08-20 1944-November-25 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant James Thomas Hardy 2022-10-13 1944-November-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John William Lyle Patterson 2021-08-20 1944-November-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Robert Pollock 2021-08-20 1944-November-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Warburton 2021-08-20 Halifax MZ310, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ310
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 310
Hercules XVI
Units 76/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ311, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ311
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 311
Hercules XVI
Unit78
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Elton Eugene Freeman 2021-08-20 1944-August-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Alexander Glenn 2021-08-20 1944-August-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Hugh Brannan Hamilton 2022-10-05 1944-August-26 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Charles Maurice Howes 2021-08-20 1944-August-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George William McCartney 2021-08-20 Halifax MZ312, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ312
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 312
Hercules XVI
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ314, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ314
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 314
Hercules XVI
Unit 429
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Walter Clarke 2024-02-26 1944-November-30 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Leslie Joseph Fry 2021-06-06 1944-November-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Walter Manchip 2021-05-27 1944-November-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Floyd Nimmo 2021-05-27 1944-November-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Scott McRury Ogilvie 2021-05-27 1944-November-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gerard Leo Pare 2021-05-27 1944-November-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Clarence William Farraday Short 2021-05-27 Halifax MZ316, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ316
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 316
Hercules XVI
Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ317, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ317
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 317
Hercules XVI
Unit 427/429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ318, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ318
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 318
Hercules XVI
Unit 427/429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ337, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ337
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 337
Hercules XVI
Units 346/158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ340, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ340
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 340
Hercules XVI
Units 76/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ347, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ347
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 347
Hercules XVI
Units 102/77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ349, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ349
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 349
Hercules XVI
Units 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ352, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ352
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 352
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ355, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ355
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 355
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Minelaying Kattegat Strait Denmark 1945-02-14 to 1945-02-14
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
427 Lion Squadron (Ferte Manus Certas). RAF Leeming. Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 355 ZL-W was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Herbert Kock of 1/ NJG 3 while on a mine-laying (GARDENING) operation over the Kadet Channel in the Western Baltic Sea. The Halifax crashed at Dyrvig Mark near Knaplund, Denmark
Most of the crew bailed out but both Air-Gunners, Pilot Officer JF Peak (RCAF) and Pilot Officer EM Ford (RCAF) were killed in action
Flight Lieutenant WB Brittain DFC (RCAF), Flying Officer CJ Driscoll (RCAF), Flying Officer H McKay (RCAF), Flying Officer RV Dallin (RCAF) and Sergeant P De Metz (RAVVR) survived, and all were taken as Prisoners of War
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
Halifax II MZ355 crashed near Knaplund 14/2 1945
427 Squadron Association - February 1945
14/15 February 1945 427 Squadron Halifax III MZ355 Sq/Ldr Brittain
1945-February-14 PoW RCAF Squadron Leader William Bruce Brittain DFC 2024-10-08 1945-February-14 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Raymond Victor Dallin 2024-10-08 1945-February-14 PoW RAFVR Flight Sergeant Philip De Metz 2024-10-08 1945-February-14 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Charles Joseph Driscoll 2024-10-08 1945-February-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Everett Morrison Ford 2024-10-08 1945-February-14 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Henry McKay 2024-10-08 1945-February-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Frederick Peak 2024-10-08 Halifax MZ356, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ356
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 356
Hercules XVI
Units 424/415/158/Gosport
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ357, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ357
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 357
Hercules XVI
Units 427/429/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ358, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ358
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 358
Hercules XVI
units 434/192
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ361, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ361
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 361
Hercules XVI
Units BDU/10/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ362, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ362
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 362
Hercules XVI
unit 429
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1944-07-25 to 1944-07-26
429 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
429 Bison Squadron (Fortunae Nihil) RAF Leeming. Halifax III aircraft MZ 362 AL-Y was shot down by flak, crashing at Le Favril, Eure, France during an operation against targets in Stuttgart, Germany. The Halifax crashed at St-Maurice-St-Germain, Eure-et-Loir, France
Pilot Officer FAJ Van Droogenboeck (RCAF) and Sergeant T Holmes (RAFVR) were killed in action
Flying Officer MB Tracey (RCAF), Sergeant FE Elderton (RCAF), Sergeant RJ Wasylkow (RCAF), Sergeant DWR Fairborn (RCAF) and Sergeant RE Cowan (RCAF) all survived to become Evaders
Addendum: - note the correct spelling of Le Favil is Le Favril. Detail provided by Joel Huard, Serquigny, France
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1944-July-26 Evader RCAF Sergeant Raymond Eugene Cowan 2024-05-06 1944-July-26 Evader RCAF Sergeant Flanklin Edward Elderton 2023-05-08 1944-July-26 Evader RCAF Sergeant Donald Warrington Richard Fairborn 2023-05-10 1944-July-26 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Terence Holmes 2023-05-08 1944-July-26 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer Martin Bernard Tracey 2023-05-08 1944-July-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Francois Adrien Jean Van Droogenbroeck 2023-05-08 1944-July-26 Evader RCAF Sergeant R J Wasylkow 2023-05-08 Halifax MZ363, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ363
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 363
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-09 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Stewart Beresford 2025-01-15 1944-August-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Roy Stanley Ferguson 2025-01-15 1944-August-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Roy Gordon Grout 2025-01-15 1944-August-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Stanley Joseph Levesque 2025-01-15 1944-August-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Jack Junior Ringer 2025-01-15 1944-August-09 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant George Percival Wyse 2025-01-15 Halifax MZ364, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ364
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 364
Hercules XVI
Units 431/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ372, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ372
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 372
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Kiel Germany 1944-08-16 to 1944-08-17
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
348 aircraft - 195 Lancasters, 144 Halifaxes, 9 Mosquitoes. 3 Halifaxes and 2 Lan¬casters lost. This raid was only partially successful. The local report shows that serious damage was caused to the docks area and to many of the local shipbuilding firms, but it also stated that a large number of bombs fell outside the town, particularly in the Suchsdorf area to the north-west. 6 people were killed and 33 injured.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 372 SE-Y was shot down by a night fighter into the Baltic Sea returning from an attack against the dock area facilities and shipping in Kiel, Germany
The entire crew was lost
Flying Officer TH Dahle (RCAF), Flying Officer CF O'Donnell (RCAF)(USA), Pilot Officer J Faragher (RCAF), and Sergeant SE Crawley (RAFVR) were all killed in action
These crew members were recovered and they are buried in cemeteries in GermanyPilot Officer DE Snell (RCAF), Pilot Officer GE Gemliquet (RCAF) and Flight Lieutenant HDF MacAllister (RCAF) were missing, presumed killed in action
The missing have no known graves and are all commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial
1944-August-17 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Samuel Edward Crawley 2024-07-12 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Truman Helmer Dahle 2024-08-08 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Faragher 2024-07-22 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Edward Germiquet 2023-05-03 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Harvard Darrell Frederick MacAllister 2023-05-03 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Cecil Frederick O'Donnell 2023-05-03 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Dennis Edward Snell 2023-05-03 Halifax MZ375, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ375
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 375
Hercules XVI
Units 431/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ376, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ376
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 376
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Oberhausen Germany 1944-11-01 to 1944-11-01
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
288 aircraft - 202 Halifaxes, 74 Lancasters, 12 Mosquitoes - of 6 and 8 Groups. 3 Halifaxes and I Lancaster lost.,
The target area was cloud-covered and the bombing was not concentrated. 36 houses were destroyed in Oberhausen and 4 people were killed but other places in tho Ruhr may have been hit as well.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax III aircraft MZ 376 QB-K missing during a night operation to Oberhausen, Germany, crashing at Echt, Netherlands, cause unknown.
Claim by Fw Hans-Eugen von Gienanth Stab IV/NJG1 - Maastricht - Sittard area (NM): 2,300m at 20:48. Crashed Heerdstraat at Echt. (Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1944 Part 5 - Theo Boiten)
source: John Jones
Pilot Officer A Jacobs (RCAF) Flying Officer J Fraser (RCAF), Pilot Officer W Yunsko (RCAF), Pilot Officer WJC Gibson (RCAF), Pilot Officer RJ Kay (RCAF), and FS HW Botterill (RCAF) and Sergeant GE Vernon (RAFVR) were killed (R Koval).
1944-November-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Wallace Botterill 2024-11-15 1944-November-01 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Fraser 2025-01-30 1944-November-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William James Cameron Gibson 2025-01-30 1944-November-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Avron Jacobs 2025-01-30 1944-November-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert James Kay 2025-01-30 1944-November-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Walter Yunsko 2025-01-30 Halifax MZ377, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ377
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 377
Hercules XVI
Unit 424
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Russell Munn Almas 2024-11-02 1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Jack Harvey Johnston 2023-01-08 1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Neil McEachern 2021-08-17 1944-November-21 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant S S Mitchell 2023-09-17 1944-November-21 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer R E Nelson 2023-09-20 1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Clarence Martin Wert 2021-07-09 Halifax MZ378, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ378
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 378
Hercules XVI
Units 431/420/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ405, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ405
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 405
Hercules XVI
Struck off Charge, 8.1.47
Units 431/434/158/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ409, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ409
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 409
Hercules XVI
units 10/640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ416, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ416
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 416
Hercules XVI
Units 431/415/187
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ417, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ417
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 417
Hercules XVI
Units 433/425/78/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ418, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ418
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 418
Hercules XVI
Units 424/415
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-31 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Burton Cable 2024-06-27 1945-March-31 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Frederick Henry King 2024-06-27 1945-March-31 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Charles Lesesne 2024-07-22 1945-March-31 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Lucien Hermes Pigeon 2024-06-27 1945-March-31 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Joseph Gerrard Raymond Trudeau 2023-08-14 1945-March-31 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Abel Robert Villiard 2023-08-15 Halifax MZ419, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ419
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 419
Hercules XVI
Units 434
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ420, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ420
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 420
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ421, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ421
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 421
Hercules XVI
Units 434/408/425/76/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ422, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ422
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 422
Hercules XVI
Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Chemnitz Germany 1945-02-14 to 1945-02-14
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
Thunderclap
427 Lion Squadron (Ferte Manus Certas) RAF Leeming. Halifax III aircraft MZ 422 ZL-N was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberfahnrich Helmut Bunje of 4/NJG6 during an operation against targets in Chemnitz, Germany. The bomber is believed to have crashed near Saalfeld near Katzhutte, a small town astride the River Schwarza, Germany
Flying Officer VS Roy (RCAF), Flight Sergeant AJ Cybulskie (RCAF), Flight Sergeant AN Scorah (RCAF) and Flight Sergeant H Gallagher (RCAF) were all killed in action
Flight Sergeant Scorah was badly burned and survived briefly but died of his burns in a German hospital after being captured
Sergeant AL Morrison (RCAF), Sergeant HLC Mayer (RCAF), and Flight Sergeant AR Williams (RCAF) survived were taken Prisoners of War, although POW details for these three airmen is unknown to date
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
Additions and Amendments 1945: RAF Bomber Command Losses of...
1945-February-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Adolph Joseph Cybulskie 2024-04-04 1945-February-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Gallagher 2024-04-13 1945-February-14 PoW RCAF Sergeant H L C (J C A?) Mayer 2023-09-11 1945-February-14 PoW RCAF Sergeant A L Morrison 2023-09-18 1945-February-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Vernon Shillington Roy 2024-05-01 1945-February-14 PoW KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alden Norman Scorah 2024-05-01 1945-February-14 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant A R Williams 2023-10-03 Halifax MZ423, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ423
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 423
Hercules XVI
Units 427/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ424, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ424
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 424
Hercules XVI
Units 429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ425, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ425
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 425
Hercules XVI
Units 433/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ427, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ427
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 427
Hercules XVI
Units 429
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-January-17 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Francis Henry Biddell 2024-10-10 1945-January-17 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Roy Henry Seedwell Bourne 2024-10-10 1945-January-17 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Charles Edward Chapman 2024-10-10 1945-January-17 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Richmond Arthur Deck 2024-10-31 1945-January-17 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Frederick George Peters 2024-10-10 1945-January-17 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant John Roy Phillips 2024-10-10 Halifax MZ432, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ432
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 432
Hercules XVI
Units 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hanover Germany 1945-01-05 to 1945-01-06
158 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Lissett
158 Squadron RAF (Strength in Unity) RAF Lissett. Halifax III aircraft MZ 432 NP-Q failed to return from operations against targets in Hanover, Germany. Cause of loss was not determined but most likely from an night fighter but there was also accurate heavy flak. The Halifax crashed somewhere between Bremen and Hanover with the loss of one crew member
Sergeant G Dacey (RAFVR) was missing, presumed killed in action
Sergeant Dacey has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial
Flying Officer GW Cross (RCAF), Flying Officer AG Robertson (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 GE Marion (RCAF), FS FDE Rae (RCAF), FS TM Laurie (RAFVR) and Sergeant JJ Bromfield (RAFVR) baled and survived. All were taken as Prisoners of War
158 Squadron Halifax III MZ432 NP-Q F/O. Robertson, RAF Lissett,...
1945-January-06 PoW RAFVR Sergeant John Joseph Bromfield 2025-01-09 1945-January-06 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Garfield Wallace Cross 2024-05-19 1945-January-06 KIA RAFVR Sergeant George Dacey 2024-08-21 1945-January-06 PoW RAFVR Flight Sergeant Thomas Murdoch Laurie 2022-11-03 1945-January-06 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Gerald Edward Marion 2024-08-08 1945-January-06 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant James David Edward Rae 2024-08-08 1945-January-06 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Gold Robertson 2022-06-05 1945-January-06 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Gold Robinson 2024-08-08 Halifax MZ434, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ434
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 434
Hercules XVI
Unit 431
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Wilhelmshaven Germany 1944-10-15 to 1944-10-15
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
506 aircraft+ 257 Halifaxes, 241 Lancasters, 8 Mosquitoes - from all groups except, 5 Group, on the last of 14 major Bomber Command raids on Wilhelmshaven that began in early 1941.
Bomber Command claimed 'severe damage' to the business and residential areas. A short local report mentions only that the Rathaus was completely destroyed and that 30 people were killed and 92 injured. A further report from Wilhelmshavcu, giving overall air-raid details, shows that this port town - a major naval base escaped relatively lightly in the war. In 26 R.A.F. and American raids, only 510 civilians, 24 servicemen and 30 foreign workers were killed.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft MZ 434 went down in the sea off Westerhever, Germany during night operations, an attack on Wilhelmshaven, Germany. F/Os. W.H.Sanders, A.M. Park, J.G. Nagell, P/Os W.G. Mann, D.H. Proudfoot, and FS S. Mara were killed. One of the crew, not Canadian, missing believed killed.
1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Grant Hagell 2023-05-03 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William George Mann 2023-05-03 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Stanley Mara 2023-05-03 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Morton Park 2023-05-03 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer David Herbert Proudfoot 2023-05-03 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Harold Sanders 2023-05-03 Halifax MZ435, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ435
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 435
Hercules XVI
Units 429/434/408/434/426/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ447, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ447
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 447
Hercules XVI
Unit 462
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ451, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ451
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 451
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Halifax MZ452, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ452
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 452
Hercules XVI
Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-February-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Edwin Richard Alm 2024-11-02 1945-February-25 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Ivor Bruce Benson 2025-01-15 1945-February-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Gilbert Ross Buchanan 2024-11-23 1945-February-25 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William Ross Fields 2025-01-15 1945-February-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Vincent Bernard Fleming 2025-01-15 1945-February-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Reginald Frank Piercy 2025-01-15 Halifax MZ453, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ453
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 453
Hercules XVI
Unit 429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ454, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ454
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 454
Hercules XVI
According to Halifax File, crashed at Little Ouseburn, Yorks, after losing control due to icing, and burned,on ops, 5.3.45
Units 424/431/425
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-05 Survived RCAF Flying Officer Earl Stuart Brabbins 2024-11-16 1945-March-05 Survived RCAF Flying Officer J F Brownell 2024-11-22 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Paul John Hall 2025-02-18 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John William Hyde 2025-02-18 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Robert Lowe 2025-02-18 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Sergeant James Laurids Lynch 2025-02-18 1945-March-05 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant Kenneth JS McCuaig 2025-02-18 Halifax MZ455, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ455
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 455
Hercules XVI
Unit 424/431/171
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ456, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ456
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 456
Hercules XVI
Units 431/415
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-January-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Leonard Ralph Belcher 2025-01-08 1945-January-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harry Patrick Breier 2024-11-17 1945-January-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norman Arthur Butler 2024-11-26 1945-January-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Stewart Wallace Elgie 2025-01-08 1945-January-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harry Charles Irvine 2025-01-08 1945-January-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Maurice Strosberg 2025-01-08 Halifax MZ458, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ458
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 458
Hercules XVI
Units 433/424/10/96/1652 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ463, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ463
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 463
Hercules XVI
Unit 429
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-December-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edwin Spencer Charles Clark 2024-02-24 1944-December-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Coulter Copeland 2024-04-12 1944-December-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Stephen Lawrence Norejko 2021-08-17 1944-December-06 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Harold Douglas O'Neil 2021-08-17 1944-December-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Millar Prentice 2021-08-12 1944-December-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Abercromby Wilson 2021-07-07 Halifax MZ464, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ464
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 464
Hercules XVI
Units 433/10/96
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ466, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ466
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 466
Hercules XVI
Units 433/10/96
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-January-14 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Leon Alfred Chauvin 2024-02-10 1945-January-14 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Joseph Dubeau 2024-10-29 1945-January-14 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Robert Real Gingras 2021-08-21 1945-January-14 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Kenneth Millard Hillis 2021-08-21 1945-January-14 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Jean Jacques Marcel Simard 2021-08-21 1945-January-14 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer John Wallace Richard Walsh 2022-06-19 Halifax MZ469, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ469
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 469
Hercules XVI
Units 426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ470, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ470
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 470
Hercules XVI
According to Halifax File, undercarriage collapsed on landing at Full Suttonafter ops 12.12.44
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ471, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ471
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 471
Hercules XVI
Unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hannover Germany 1945-01-04 to 1945-01-05
420 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Tholthorpe
420 Snowy Owl Squadron (Pugnamus Finitum) RAF Tholthorpe. Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 471 PT-V was shot down six miles north of Wunstorf at Ottemhagen, Germany during a night operation against targets in Hannover, Germany. The bomber was most likely shot down by night fighter pilot Hptm Herman Greiner of Stab 4/NJG1 but there are also multiple flak battery claims for this loss
Pilot Officer JW Vandenberg (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant LW Brand (RCAF), and Pilot Officer GW Walker DFC (RAFVR) were killed in action
Pilot Officer CD Noble (RCAF) was severely wounded but managed to evade for a time until being captured and died from his wounds in a German hospital
Flying Officer KW Landers (RCAF), Pilot Officer DO Palmer (RCAF)(Nfld) and Pilot Officer JH Warren (RCAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Lorne William Brand 2023-05-04 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth Williams Landers 2025-03-01 1945-January-05 PoW Died RCAF Pilot Officer George Adrian Noble 2025-03-01 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas Osborne Palmer 2025-03-01 1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Wilton Vandenbergh 2023-05-04 1945-January-05 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer George William Walker DFC 2023-05-04 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Harry Warren 2025-03-01 Halifax MZ473, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ473
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 473
Hercules XVI
Units 420/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ474, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ474
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 474
Hercules XVI
Unit 429/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ476, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ476
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 476
Hercules XVI
According to Halifax File, failed to return, Hannover, 5.1.45
Unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hannover Germany 1945-01-05 to 1945-01-05
415 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
415 Swordfish Squadron (Ad Metam) RAF East Moor. Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 476 6U-Y was shot down in the Dehme Forest, three miles north-west of Twistingen, Germany during an operation against targets in Hannover, Germany. The bomber was claimed by Oblt Briegleb of 7/NJG2, one of two claims for the night
Pilot Officer JA Rinder (RCAF) and Pilot Officer JT Clarke (RCAF) were all killed in action
Flying Officer SH McFadden (RCAF), Flying Officer N Conner (RCAF), Pilot Officer FT Graves (RCAF) and Sergeant JJ Burton (RAFVR) survived to be taken as Prisoners of War. PoW information for these aircrew is incomplete to date
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database[...
1945-January-05 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Joseph James Burton 2024-11-25 1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Thomas Clarke 2024-02-27 1945-January-05 PoW Early Release RCAF Flying Officer Neil Conner 2025-01-16 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Fred Thompson "Ted" Graves 2023-05-03 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Stanley Harold McFadden 2023-05-03 1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Edward "Eddy" Rhind 2023-05-03 1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Armitage Rinder 2023-05-03 Halifax MZ478, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ478
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 478
Hercules XVI
Unit429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ481, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ481
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 481
Hercules XVI
Units 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/1664 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-16 KIFA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Frank Earl Connors 2024-03-27 1945-March-16 KIFA RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Mackintosh Fowlie 2021-08-06 1945-March-16 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Graham 2020-11-04 1945-March-16 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Howard James Grahame 2021-08-07 1945-March-16 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur Henry Jones 2021-08-11 1945-March-16 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer James Charles Pearson 2021-08-18 Halifax MZ482, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ482
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 482
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-19 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alexander Banks 2024-12-08 1945-March-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lloyd George Hinch 2024-11-07 1945-March-19 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Hansell Irwin 2024-11-07 1945-March-19 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Gilbert Newton Lejambe 2024-11-07 1945-March-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur John Guy Temple 2024-11-07 1945-March-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Shaw Wilson 2024-11-07 Halifax MZ483, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ483
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 483
Hercules XVI
Struck off Charge22.6.45
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ493, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ493
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 493
Hercules XVI
Unit 429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ494, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ494
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 494
Hercules XVI
Unit 466/640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ495, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ495
London Passenger Transport Board
MZ 495
Hercules XVI
Units 434/408/425
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-19 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant J A P Demouchel 2024-10-14 1945-March-19 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant M H Depot 2024-10-14 1945-March-19 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant E G Gregory 2024-10-14 1945-March-19 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant R S Le Boeuf 2024-10-14 1945-March-19 PoW RCAF Flying Officer J P A H R Marc-Aurele 2024-10-14 1945-March-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Paul Panasuk 2024-10-14 1945-March-19 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer C B Raciot 2024-10-14 Halifax MZ500, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ500
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 500
Hercules XVI
Unit640/1658 heavy conversion unit/1663HCU/1659HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ501, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ501
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 501
Hercules XVI
Unit 192
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ502, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ502
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 502
Hercules XVI
Unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Edward John Andrews 2024-11-02 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Gordon Scowcroft Beall 2025-01-04 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Sergeant William Hickox 2023-08-22 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Otis Judson Mohler 2025-01-04 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Freeman Robinson 2021-08-08 1944-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Charles Stainton 2022-01-03 Halifax MZ503, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ503
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 503
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-April-25 PoW RCAF Sergeant Brian Michael Cassidy 2024-01-18 1944-April-25 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Arthur Hansford 2022-02-02 1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Murphy 2022-02-02 1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Alfred Samuel Redmonds 2022-02-07 1944-April-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Garnet Raymond Tanner 2022-02-02 1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer David Douglas Watterson 2022-02-02 1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer I Edward Victor Webb 2022-02-02 Halifax MZ504, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ504
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 504
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Nuremberg Germany 1944-03-30 to 1944-03-31
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
This would normally have been the moon stand-down period for the Main Force, but raid to the distant target of Nuremberg was planned on the basis of an early recast that there would be protective high cloud on the outward route, when the moon would be up, but that the target area would be clear for ground-marked robing. A Meteorological Flight Mosquito carried out a reconnaissance and reported that the protective cloud was unlikely to be present and that there could be cloud over the target, but the raid was not cancelled.
795 aircraft were dispatched- 572 Lancasters, 214 Halifaxes and 9 Mosquitoes. The German controller ignored all the diversions and assembled his fighters at 2 radio beacons which happened to be astride the route to Nuremberg. The first fighters appeared just before the bombers reached the Belgian border and a fierce battle in the moonlight lasted for the next hour. 82 bombers were lost on the outward route and near the target. The action was much reduced on the return flight, when most of the German fighters had to land, but 95 bombers were lost in all - 64 Lancasters and 31 Halifaxes, l l ·9 per cent of the force dispatched. It was the biggest Bomber Command loss of the war.
Most of the returning crews reported that they had bombed Nuremberg but subsequent research showed that approximately 120 aircraft had bombed Schweinfurt, 50 miles north-west of Nuremberg. This mistake was a result of badly forecast winds causing navigational difficulties. 2 Pathfinder aircraft dropped markers at Schweinfurt. Much of the bombing in the Schweinfurt area fell outside the town and only 2 people were killed in that area.
The main raid at Nuremberg was a failure. The city was covered by thick cloud and a fierce cross-wind which developed on the final approach to the target caused many of the Pathfinder aircraft to mark too far to the east. A to-mile-long creep back also developed into the countryside north of Nuremberg. Both Pathfinders and Main Force aircraft were under heavy fighter attack throughout the raid. Little damage was caused in Nuremberg: 69 people were killed in the city and surrounding villages
432 Leaside Squadron (Saeviter ad Lucem) RAF East Moor. Halifax BIII MZ 504 QO-C was lost on an operation against targets in Nuremberg, Germany. Out-bound, the Halifax was shot down by Ace Martin Becker of 2/NJG6 during operations against targets in Nuremberg, Germany. The Halifax crashed astride the railway line SSE of Friedberg, Germany
This aircraft was one of 108 Allied aircraft lost during this operation
Flying Officer E K Reid (RCAF), Pilot Officer R L Clarkson (RCAF)(USA) and Sergeant J A May (RAF) were all killed in action
Flying Officer J T Smith (RCAF), Pilot Officer V C MacDonald (RCAF), Flight Sergeant G G Maguire (RCAF), and Sergent J J Barr (RCAF) all survived to be taken as Prisoners of War
There were two 432 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial LW687 QO-Z for additional information
This same crew had all previously survived the crash of another 432 Squadron Halifax BIII aircraft, LK 754 QO-Z, which swung on take-off for a raid on the ball bearing factories in Schweinfurt, Germany and came to rest in the trees on the airfield perimeter on 1944-03-24. The crew escaped serious injury. This was this bomber's first operational sortie with 432 Squadron. The aircraft was repaired and sent on to 76 Squadron RAF
The crew all survived without serious injuries
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire
Daily Operations 6 bombergroup.ca
1944-March-31 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Joseph James Barr 2024-11-09 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Leon Clarkson 2024-05-17 1944-March-31 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Vincent Charles MacDonald 2024-12-23 1944-March-31 PoW RCAF Flying Officer George Glen Maguire 2024-12-23 1944-March-31 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Albert May 2024-12-23 1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Earle Kerr Reid 2024-06-27 1944-March-31 PoW RCAF Flying Officer James Talbot Smith 2024-12-23 
Halifax MZ505, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ505
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 505
Hercules XVI
Units 620/1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ506, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ506
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 506
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Le Mans France 1944-05-23 to 1944-05-23
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
133 aircraft- 112 Halifaxes, 13 Lancasters, 8 Mosquitoes - of 6 and 8 Groups again attacked the railway yards. The local report confirms that the bombing was accurate, with much damage to the railways and the nearby Gnome & Rhone factory. Only 2 'French people were injured. 1 Halifax lost.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft MZ 506 was shot down during night operations over Le Mans Flying Officer W.H. Mathews,P/Os J.E. Desmarais, S. Kuleski, E.P. Boutilier, W.W. Crum, M. Wiwsianski, and Sergeant ED. Horton (RAF) were killed.
1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Eric Patrick Boutilier 2024-10-16 1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Wallace Watson Crum 2024-10-16 1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Eugene Gerard Desmarais 2024-10-16 1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Stephen Kuleski 2024-10-16 1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Walter Henry Matthews 2024-10-16 1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Michael Wiwsianski 2024-10-16 Halifax MZ508, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ508
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 508
Hercules XVI
Unit 578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ509, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ509
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 509
Hercules XVI
Port tire burst on take-off from USAAF Membury, groundlooped and undercarriage collapsed.
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ512, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ512
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 512
Hercules XVI
Unit578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ514, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ514
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 514
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1944-04-23 to 1944-04-23
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
596 aircraft- 323 Lancasters, 254 Halifaxes, 19 Mosquitoes - of all groups except 5 Group. 29 aircraft- 16 Halifaxes and 13 Lancasters - lost, 4·9 per cent 9f the force.
2,150 tons of bombs were dropped in this old-style heavy attack on a German city which caused much destruction but also allowed the German night-fighter force to penetrate the bomber stream. The attack fell mostly in the northern districts of Diisseldorf. Widespread damage was caused. Among the mass of statistics· in the local report are: 56 large industrial premises hit (of which 7 were completely des¬troyed), more than 2,000 houses destroyed or badly damaged. Casualties recorded by 2.0 p.m. on 25 April were 883 people killed, 593 injured and 403 still to be dug out of wrecked buildings; at least three quarters of this last figure would have been dead.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft MZ 514 Shot down by a night fighter from I./NJG 1, during night attack against Dusseldorf, Germany. F/O. P.G. MacGregor, P/O.s R.L.Lochhead, N.H. Lynch, F. Hatchman, J.L. Priamo, Sgt.s R.B. Corkill (RAF), and A. Howcroft (RAF) were killed.
1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Fred Hatchman 2022-10-22 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Lachlan Lochhead 2021-08-13 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norman Herbert Lynch 2021-09-23 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Peter George Harvey MacGregor 2021-08-16 1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Lidie Priamo 2021-08-12 Halifax MZ516, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ516
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 516
Hercules XVI
Unit78/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ517, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ517
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 517
Hercules XVI
According to Halifax File, destroyed by fire in hangar at Topcliffe 12.12.44
Units431/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ518, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ518
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 518
Hercules XVI
Unit 578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ519, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ519
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 519
Hercules XVI
Unit 578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ520, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ520
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 520
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Sterkrade Germany 1944-06-16 to 1944-06-17
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Normandy
321 aircraft- 162 Halifaxes, 147 Lancasters, 12 Mosquitoes - of 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups to attack the synthetic-oil plant despite a poor weather forecast.
The target was found to be covered by thick cloud and the Pathfinder markers quickly disappeared. The Main Force crews could do little but bomb on to the diminishing glow of the markers in the cloud. R.A.F. photographic reconnaissance and German reports agree that most of the bombing was scattered, although some bombs did fall in the plant area, but with little effect upon production. 21 Germans and 6 foreigners were killed and 18 houses in the vicinity were destroyed
.Unfortunately, the route of the bomber stream passed near a German night-fighter beacon at Bocholt, only 30 miles from Sterkrade. The German controller had chosen this beacon as the holding point for his night fighters. Approximately 21 bombers were shot down by fighters and a further Io by Flak. 22 of the lost aircraft were Halifaxes, these losses being 13 ·6 per cent of the 162 Halifaxes on the raid. 77 Squadron, from Full Sutton near York, lost 7 of its 23 Halifaxes taking part in the raid.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax III aircraft MZ 520 SE-O outbound on a raid to bomb the synthetic oil plants at Sterkrade/Holten, Germany, was intercepted and shot down by the night fighter crew of Feldwebel Morlock & Feldwebel Soika of the 3/NJG 1, from Venlo airfield (Netherlands) flying a Heinkel He 219 A-O
The Halifax exploded in midair, the blast ejecting Sergeant L Ellis (RAFVR), the only survivor of the crew. The aircraft debris fell at Biezenmortel, some 9 km NE from the centre of Tilburg, NetherlandsPilot Officer AG Fairless (RCAF), Pilot Officer GO Massicotte (RCAF), Pilot Officer DC McPherson (RCAF), Pilot Officer JM McPherson (RCAF), Pilot Officer HG Robinson (RCAF) and Sergeant E Guinan (RAFVR) were all killed in action as a result of the night fighter attack and explosion
Sergeant Ellis survived to be taken as a Prisoner of War
There does not seem to be any relationship link between the two McPhersons
There were three other 431 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this same operation on this date. Please see Johnson, EO for information about Halifax LK 837 SE-L, Carter, RE for information on Halifax NA 514 SE-B and Johnstone MM for information on Halifax MZ 537 SE-L
1944-June-17 PoW RAFVR Flying Officer Lawrence Ellis 2023-04-18 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Allan Gilmore Fairless 2023-04-18 1944-June-17 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Edmund Guinan 2023-04-18 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Oswald Massicotte 2023-04-18 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Clifford McPherson 2023-04-18 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Maxwell McPherson 2023-04-18 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Herbert Grant Robinson 2023-04-18 Halifax MZ521, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ521
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 521
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Haine-Saint-Pierre Belgium 1944-05-09 to 1944-05-09
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
123 aircraft - 62 Halifaxes, 53 Lancasters, 8 Mosquitoes of 6 and 8 Groups. 6 Halifaxes and 3 Lancasters lost. Severe damage was caused to half of the railway yards and to locomotive sheds.
.source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft MZ 521 Shot down by night-fighter (Lt Friedrich Potthast 1. Five Canadians, WOs MacStoker, Cassey, Flying Officer Schubert, Sergeants Walker, and Bull were either taken Prisoner of War or were Evaders. One of the crew, not Canadian, missing believed killed.
1944-May-09 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Grant Bull 2024-11-23 1944-May-09 Evader RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class A M Casey 2024-01-16 1944-May-09 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer William James MacStocker 2023-07-17 1944-May-09 Evader RCAF Flying Officer K T Schubert 2023-04-18 1944-May-09 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Harold Wilson 2023-08-26 1944-May-10 PoW RCAF Sergeant Harry Walker 2023-08-16 Halifax MZ522, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ522
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 522
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Montzen Belgium 1944-04-27 to 1944-04-28
431 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
431 Iroquois Squadron (The Hatiten Ronteriios) RAF Croft Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 522 SE-U, homeward-bound from an attack the railway yards at Montzen, Blieberg, province of Liege, Belgium was severely damaged by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Friedrich Thorl of the Stab I/NJG 4, who had taken off from Florennes airfield. The Halifax was abandoned and crashed at Zepperen (Limburg) on the NE outskirts of St-Zuuiden, Belgium
Flying Officer J Stoyko (RCAF) and Pilot Officer JB Morison (RCAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
Six crew members evaded capture: Sergeat JB Millar (RCAF) with an injured leg, Flying Officer CO Rooks (RCAF)(Trinidad) with a broken leg, Flight Lieutenant JM Hill (RCAF), Pilot Officer AC Donnell (RCAF), Pilot Officer JL Leyne (RCAF) and Pilot Officer GGM Gage (RAF). All were liberated by the arrival of US forces September 8,1944
There were four 431 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials LK 842 SE-N, MZ 529 SE-E and MZ 536 SE-F for additional information on these aircrew and aircraft
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1944-April-28 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer Alden Clarence Donnell 2024-10-26 1944-April-28 Evader RAF Flight Lieutenant Geoffrey George Martin Gage 2023-03-23 1944-April-28 Evader RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Maxwell Hill 2023-03-23 1944-April-28 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer John Leslie Leyne 2024-10-26 1944-April-28 Evader RCAF Sergeant John Brian Millar 2023-03-23 1944-April-28 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Benwell Morison 2024-10-26 1944-April-28 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Colin Olton Rooks 2023-03-23 1944-April-28 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Stoyko 2024-10-26 Halifax MZ525, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ525
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 525
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-April-24 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth Peter Campbell 2024-08-20 1944-April-24 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer John Alexander Gillies 2024-08-20 1944-April-24 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer John Peter Leech 2024-08-20 1944-April-24 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer David Pickering 2024-08-20 1944-April-24 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Richmond Wesley Smith 2024-08-20 1944-April-24 KIFA RCAF Corporal Leonard Russell Wilcox 2024-08-20 Halifax MZ526, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ526
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 526
Hercules XVI
Unit 431/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ529, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ529
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 529
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Montzen Belgium 1944-04-27 to 1944-04-28
431 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
431 Iroquois Squadron (The Hatiten Ronteriios) RAF Croft. Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 529 SE-E missing during operations against the rail yards at Montzen, Belgium, shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Ernst-Otto Hoevermann of the Stab III/NJG 2 (based at Twente airfield in the Netherlands), flying a Junkers Ju 88
The Halifax was abandoned by the surviving crew and crashed near Blauberg, Herselt, province of Antwerpen, Belgium
Pilot Officer RE Halzael (RCAF), Pilot Officer WE Woodrow (RCAF), Pilot Officer AL Gabel (RCAF), and Sergeant RH Aiano (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Pilot Officer JJ Lyng (RCAF) and Flying Officer LL Anderson DFM (RCAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
Flying Officer WR Knowlton (RCAF) and Pilot Officer D Harrison (RCAF) survived and were Evaders
There were four 431 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost this date. Please see aircraft serial numbers LK 842 SE-N, MZ 522 SE-U and MZ 536 SE-F for additional information on aircrew and aircraft
Daily Operations 6bombergroup.ca
431 Squadron Halifax III MZ529 SE:E Plt Off Woodrow RAF Croft ...
"Belgians Remember Them": RAF aircraft's crash sites: Blauberg
Halifax near Herselt I Aviationhistory.be I History Aircraft...
1944-April-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Harold Aiano 2023-03-23 1944-April-28 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Leslie Lester Anderson DFM 2023-11-01 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Albert Lloyd Gabel 2023-03-23 1944-April-28 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Harrison 2023-11-01 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Royal Edwin Hazael 2023-11-01 1944-April-28 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Wesley R Knowlton 2023-11-01 1944-April-28 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Joseph Lyng 2024-07-03 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Edwin Woodrow 2023-11-01 Halifax MZ531, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ531
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 531
Hercules XVI
Units 78/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Juvisy France 1944-06-07 to 1944-06-08
76 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Holme-on-Spalding Moor
76 Squadron (Resolute) RAF Holme-on-Spalding Moor. Halifax Mk II MZ 351I MP-D was lost on an operation to attack rail communications at Juvisy France.
The Halifax was shot down by flak after completing bomb run. Aircraft was abandoned by the crew and crashed near Etampes, Essonne, France
Warrant Officer Class 1 Donald Clark (RCAF), Sergeant Thomas Cameron Guy (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class II Gerald Conway Heddle (RCAF), Pilot Officer Philip Russel Hunt (RCAF) and Warrant Officer Class II James Frederick McGarvey (RCAF) all survived to become Prisoners of War
Sergeant Robert Dodds (RCAF) and Sergeant William Henry Eggleston (RAFVR) survived and both evaded capture as Evaders
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
Search for France-Crashes 39-45
07/08 06 76 Squadron, Halifax III MZ531 Sergeant Phillip R Hunt RAF Hom...
1944-June-08 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Donald Clark 2024-10-23 1944-June-08 Evader RCAF Sergeant Robert Dodds 2024-10-23 1944-June-08 Evader RAFVR Sergeant William Henry Eggleston 2024-07-04 1944-June-08 PoW RCAF Sergeant Thomas Cameron Guy 2024-07-06 1944-June-08 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Gerald Conway Heddle 2024-10-23 1944-June-08 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Philip Russel Hunt 2024-10-23 1944-June-08 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Frederick McGarvey 2024-10-23 Halifax MZ536, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ536
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 536
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Montzen Belgium 1944-04-27 to 1944-04-28
431 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
431 Iroquois Squadron (The Hatiten Ronteriios) RAF Croft. Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 536 SE-F failed to return from an operation to bomb the railyards at Montzen, Belgium. On the return leg of the trip, the aircraft was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Hermann Greiner, Staffelkapitan of the 11/NJG 1, who was flying a Bf 110 G-4 from St Trond (Sint-Truiden) airfield, Belgium
The Halifax crashed near Trognee, Hannuit, province of Liege, Belgium with the loss of the entire crew
Flying Officer DH Loewen (RCAF), Pilot Officer J Wilson (RCAF), Pilot Officer RW Pratt (RCAF), Pilot Officer GT Greig (RCAF), Flying Officer J Gilson (RCAF), Flying Officer TR Forsyth (RCAF), Flight Sergeant GQ Hansen (RCAF), and Sergeant R Wallace (RAFVR) were all killed in action
There were four 431 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials LK 842 SE-N, MZ 522 SE-U and MZ 529 SE-E for additional information on these aircraft and crews
Daily Operations 6bombergroup.ca
"Belgians Remember Them": The Airmen fallen in action in WW2 in ...
1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Rex Forsyth 2023-03-25 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Gilson 2023-03-25 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon Templeton Greig 2023-03-25 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Quist Hansen 2023-03-25 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Dale Howard Loewen 2023-03-25 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Richard William Pratt 2023-03-25 1944-April-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Wallace 2023-03-25 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Wilson 2023-10-29 Halifax MZ537, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ537
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 537
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Sterkrade Germany 1944-06-16 to 1944-06-17
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Normandy
321 aircraft- 162 Halifaxes, 147 Lancasters, 12 Mosquitoes - of 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups to attack the synthetic-oil plant despite a poor weather forecast.
The target was found to be covered by thick cloud and the Pathfinder markers quickly disappeared. The Main Force crews could do little but bomb on to the diminishing glow of the markers in the cloud. R.A.F. photographic reconnaissance and German reports agree that most of the bombing was scattered, although some bombs did fall in the plant area, but with little effect upon production. 21 Germans and 6 foreigners were killed and 18 houses in the vicinity were destroyed
.Unfortunately, the route of the bomber stream passed near a German night-fighter beacon at Bocholt, only 30 miles from Sterkrade. The German controller had chosen this beacon as the holding point for his night fighters. Approximately 21 bombers were shot down by fighters and a further Io by Flak. 22 of the lost aircraft were Halifaxes, these losses being 13 ·6 per cent of the 162 Halifaxes on the raid. 77 Squadron, from Full Sutton near York, lost 7 of its 23 Halifaxes taking part in the raid.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax III aircraft MZ 537 SE-L, outward bound on bombing mission to the synthetic oil plants at Sterkrade/Holten Germany, was intercepted and shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Ludger Krimphove of the 3/NJG 7, who was flying a Junkers Ju 88 G-1 from Münster-Handorf airfield in Germany, crashing at Puiflijk, Gelderland, NetherlandsFlight Lieutenant MM Johnstone (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant JC Burns (RCAF), Flying Officer C Bell (RCAF), Flying Officer LO Stanley (RCAF), Flying Officer MB Steeves (RCAF), Flying Officer RJ Oates (RCAF) and Sergeant JC Fereday (RAFVR) all survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
There were three other 431 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation on this date. Please see Carter, RE for information on Halifax NA 514 SE-B, Johnson, EO for information on Halifax LK 837 SE-H and Fairless, AG for information on Halifax MZ 520 SE-O
1944-June-17 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Clifford Bell 2024-11-11 1944-June-17 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Cecil Burns 2024-11-25 1944-June-17 PoW RAFVR Sergeant John Clement Faraday 2025-01-09 1944-June-17 PoW RCAF Flt. Lieutenant Mervyn Mawdsley Johnstone 2025-01-09 1944-June-17 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Robert John Oates 2025-01-09 1944-June-17 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Lloyd Oliver Stanley 2025-01-09 1944-June-17 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Milford Burke Steeves 2025-01-09 Halifax MZ538, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ538
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 538
Hercules XVI
Unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1944-12-18 to 1944-12-18
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholthorpe
Having climbed to between three and five hundred feet in the minute after leaving the ground the aircraft then lost height and clipped two trees around forty feet high. The pilot then lost control and the aircraft crashed into a ploughed field some four hundred yards later near Alne village. Upon impact the bomb load on the aircraft exploded, the aircraft was destroyed and all on board were killed. The crash occurred around a mile and a half in a straight line from the end of the runway in use at Tholthorpe.
There was superficial damage done by the blast to cottages on the north west side of Alne village but there were no civilian casualties. An investigation was held to try and determine why the aircraft had lost height so soon after taking off, it found that the flying conditions at the time of take off were good; visibility was around 3500 yards, surface wind was light and there was little cloud. The pilot was an experienced operational captain and had already flown twenty eight operational flights so inexperience was believed not to be a factor. As a result of the good flying conditions and lack of any other evidence to suggest why height had been lost so soon after taking off no conclusions could be made and the reason behind the crash was never learnt. A memorial to the eight airmen is to be found in Alne church. (Aircraft Accidents In Yorkshire) 1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Wilfred Laurier Fernando Bernier DFC 2024-10-16 1944-December-18 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Joseph Blackburn 2025-01-17 1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Raymond Jean Marie Desmarais DFC 2024-11-07 1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Edward Lawrence Dubois 2024-10-16 1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Raymond Charles Gauthier 2024-10-16 1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Rossaire Jean Charles Labrecque 2024-10-16 1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Rene Lariviere 2024-10-16 1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Maurice Paradis 2024-10-16 Halifax MZ539, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ539
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 539
Hercules XVI
Units 78/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ540, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ540
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 540
Hercules XVI
Units 420/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ542, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ542
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 542
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ556, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ556
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 556
Hercules XVI
Unit 578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ562, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ562
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 562
Hercules XVI
Unit 640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ565, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ565
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 565
Hercules XVI
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ566, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ566
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 566
Hercules XVI
unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ567, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ567
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 567
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ568, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ568
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 568
Hercules XVI
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ569, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ569
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 569
Hercules XVI
Units 420/297/21 Heavy Glider conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ570, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ570
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 570
Hercules XVI
Unit 192
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ573, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ573
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 573
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-April-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gerald Joseph Boucher 2024-11-15 1944-April-25 Evader RCAF Sergeant Patrick G Draper 2024-10-28 1944-April-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Stuart Gardner Hunt 2025-02-02 1944-April-25 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Charles Maddin 2025-02-02 1944-April-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Hugh Richard Mooney 2025-02-02 1944-April-25 PoW RAFVR Sergeant John Quincy Railton 2025-02-02 1944-April-25 PoW RAFVR Sergeant William Graham Walker 2025-02-02 1944-April-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Roland Wells 2022-02-09 Halifax MZ574, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ574
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 574
Hercules XVI
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-September-23 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Walter Chorley 2024-02-15 1944-September-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Robert Graham Kite 2023-08-23 1944-September-23 PoW RAFVR Pilot Officer Herbert John Mailing 2022-05-24 1944-September-23 PoW RAF Flight Sergeant Francis Patrick Mannion 2022-05-24 1944-September-23 PoW RAF Sergeant Joseph Norman McGiveron 2022-05-24 1944-September-23 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Alexander Gray Thomas Saunders 2023-08-07 1944-September-23 PoW RAF Flight Sergeant Vivian Ivor Simmons 2022-05-24 Halifax MZ576, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ576
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 576
Hercules XVI
According to Halifax File, Ditched off Immingham, Lincs, on return from ops 28.10.44
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ577, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ577
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 577
Hercules XVI
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ582, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ582
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 582
Hercules XVI
Unit 158/1665 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ585, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ585
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 585
Hercules XVI
Units 432/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ586, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ586
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 586
Hercules XVI
Unit432/415/187
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ587, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ587
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 587
Hercules XVI
Units 420/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/1664 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ588, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ588
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 588
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Montzen Belgium 1944-04-27 to 1944-04-28
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
144 aircraft- 120 Halifaxes, 16 Lancasters, 8 Mosquitoes-of 4, 6 and 8 Groups. The bombing force, particularly the second of the 2 waves, was intercepted by German fighters and 14 Halifaxes and I Lancaster were shot down. Only one part of the railway yards was hit by the bombing. The only Lancaster lost was that of Squadron Leader E M Blenkinsopp, a Canadian pilot of 405 Squadron who was acting as Deputy Master Bomber. Blenkinsopp managed to team up with a Belgian Resistance group and remained with them until captured by the Germans in December 1944. He was taken to Hamburg to work as a forced labourer and later died in Belsen concentration camp of 'heart failure'. He has no known grave.
432 Leaside Squadron ((Saeviter ad Lucem) RAF East Moor. Halifax BIII aircraft MZ588 QO-W missing from operations against the rail yards in Montzen, Belgium, shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer of the Stab IV/NJG 1 from St Trond (Sint-Truiden, Belgium) in Bf 110 G-4 G9+DF. The Halifax crashed in the Verviers area, province of Liege, Belgium
Flying Officer GH Parker (RCAF), Flying Office LD DeLoughry (RCAF), Flying Officer JM McLay (RCAF), Flying Officer JW Kerr (RCAF), Pilot Officer HW Davis (RCAF), and Sergeant J Shearer (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Pilot Officer RL Small (RCAF) and Pilot Officer GG Farrell (RCAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
There were three 432 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials LK 807 QO-J and LW 592 QO-A for additional information
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
432 Squadron Halifax III MZ588 QO:W Fg.Off. Deloughry,
"Belgians Remember Them": The Airmen fallen in action in WW2 in...
1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harry Walter Davis 2023-03-21 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Laurie Daniel DeLoughry 2024-10-12 1944-April-28 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer George Garnet Farrell 2024-10-12 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John William Kerr 2023-03-21 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Milton McLay 2023-03-21 1944-April-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Hewlett Parker 2023-03-21 1944-April-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Shearer 2023-03-21 1944-April-28 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Richard Lincoln Small 2023-03-21 Halifax MZ589, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ589
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 589
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1944-07-28 to 1944-07-29
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Normandy
307 aircraft - 187 Halifaxes, ro6 Lancasters, 14 Mosquitoes - from 1, 6 and 8 Groups. German fighters again appeared, this time on the homeward flight, and 18 Halifaxes and 4 Lancasters were lost, 7·2 per cent of the force. The Halifax casualties were 9·6 per cent; 431 (Canadian) Squadron, flying from Croft airfield in Co. Durham, lost 5 of its 17 aircraft on the raid.
·This was the first heavy raid on Hamburg since the Battle of Hamburg just a year earlier. The bombing on this raid was not well concentrated. The Germans estimated that only 120 aircraft bombed in the city area, with no recognizable aiming point, though western and harbour areas received the most bombs. A large proportion of the attack fell on areas devastated in 1943 but 265 people were killed and more than 17,000 had to be evacuated from homes damaged in this raid, many of which were probably only temporary wooden accommodation at this stage of the war. Brunswig (p. 339) describes how a panic developed at the large Reeperbahn air-raid shelter when a lone aircraft came in to bomb after the all clear had sounded and nearby Flak guns opened fire. 2 women were trampled to death and others were badly hurt.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
431 Iroquois Squadron (The Hatiten Ronteriios) RAF Croft, Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 589 SE-H missing during night operations over Hamburg, Germany, lost without a trace. The bomber is believed to have crashed into the North Sea about 18 miles (25 km) east of Heligoland, Germany after being shot down by Lt Rolf Ebhardt in an 8/NJG 1 night-fighter
Pilot Officer WG Sorel (RCAF) Flying Officer JB Coliver (RCAF), Flying Officer N Bailey (RCAF), Flying Officer MER MacFarlane (RCAF), Pilot Officer RA Leman (RCAF), Pilot Officer NS Jermey (RCAF) and Sergeant WE Desborough (RAFVR) were all missing, believed killed in action
This aircrew have no known graves and are all commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial
There were four other 431 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation and date. Please see Sidebottom, GE for information on Halifax MZ 859 SE-A, Mills, AM for information on Halifax MZ 597 SE-B, Miller, RJ for information on Halifax LK 845 SE-J and Aldred, WM for information on Halifax LK 833 SE-RTwenty-two 6 Group aircraft and crews failed to return from this operation
1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Norman Bailey 2024-10-15 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Beemer Collver 2024-10-15 1944-July-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Edward Desborough 2024-10-15 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norman Seymore Jermey 2024-10-15 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Arthur Leman 2024-10-15 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Matthew Ernest Reid MacFarlane 2024-10-15 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Gerald Sorel 2024-10-15 Halifax MZ590, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ590
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 590
Hercules XVI
units 432/415/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit.
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ591, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ591
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 591
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Metz France 1944-06-28 to 1944-06-29
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
Battle of Normandy
202 Halifaxes of 4 and 6 Groups with 28 Pathfinder Lancasters attacked yards at Blainville and Metz. Both targets were hit. 20 aircraft were lost, 1 I Halifaxes of 4 Group and I Lancaster from the Blainville raid and 7 Halifaxes of 6 Group and 1 Lancaster from Metz. The combined loss rate was 8·7 per cent
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft MZ 591 missing during night operations against Metz, France. Pilot Officer(s) W Fernyhough DFC,, H.J. Kennedy, J. Musser, R.A. McEwan, J. Hembry (RAF), and Flight Lieutenant J.I. Williams (RAF) were killed. One of the crew, not Canadian, taken Prisoner of War.
Halifax MZ593, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ593
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 593
Hercules XVI
unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ594, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ594
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 594
Hercules XVI
Unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ595, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ595
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 595
Hercules XVI
According to Halifax File, struck off charge, 14.3.47
units 420/1666 Heavy conversion Unit/1664HCU/1659HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ596, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ596
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 596
Hercules XVI
Unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-May-04 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Peter John Orville Lapointe 2021-08-21 1944-May-04 KIFA RCAF Sergeant John Hillhouse MacDougall 2021-08-21 1944-May-04 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Ernest Wilberforce Michie 2021-08-21 1944-May-04 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Richard John Joseph Monaghan 2021-08-21 1944-May-04 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Harold Edwin Simmons 2021-08-21 Halifax MZ597, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ597
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 597
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1944-07-28 to 1944-07-29
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Normandy
307 aircraft - 187 Halifaxes, ro6 Lancasters, 14 Mosquitoes - from 1, 6 and 8 Groups. German fighters again appeared, this time on the homeward flight, and 18 Halifaxes and 4 Lancasters were lost, 7·2 per cent of the force. The Halifax casualties were 9·6 per cent; 431 (Canadian) Squadron, flying from Croft airfield in Co. Durham, lost 5 of its 17 aircraft on the raid.
·This was the first heavy raid on Hamburg since the Battle of Hamburg just a year earlier. The bombing on this raid was not well concentrated. The Germans estimated that only 120 aircraft bombed in the city area, with no recognizable aiming point, though western and harbour areas received the most bombs. A large proportion of the attack fell on areas devastated in 1943 but 265 people were killed and more than 17,000 had to be evacuated from homes damaged in this raid, many of which were probably only temporary wooden accommodation at this stage of the war. Brunswig (p. 339) describes how a panic developed at the large Reeperbahn air-raid shelter when a lone aircraft came in to bomb after the all clear had sounded and nearby Flak guns opened fire. 2 women were trampled to death and others were badly hurt.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 597 SE-B was shot up by an enemy night fighter aircraft and exploded in mid-air and crashed at Kleinvillah, 5 km NW of Stade, Germany
Flying Officer AM Mills (RCAF)(USA) and Flying Officer JF Harris (RCAF) were killed in action
Flying Officer EP Gill (RCAF), Sergeant FM Brown (RCAF), Pilot Officer TH Grant (RCAF), Sergeant R Haill (RAF) and Sergeant C Eastwood (RAF) survived and were taken Prisoners of War
There were four other 431 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost in the same area on this date. Please see Sidebottom, GE for information on Halifax MZ 859 SE-A, Miller, RJ for information on Halifax LK 845 SE-J, Sorel, WG for information on Halifax MZ 589 SE-H and Aldred, WM for information regarding Halifax LK 833 SE-R
Twenty-two 6 Group aircraft and crews failed to return from this operation
1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Floyd Murvyn Brown 2024-11-21 1944-July-29 PoW RAF Sergeant Charles Edward Eastwood 2023-05-03 1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Edward Pagent Gill 2023-05-03 1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Henry Grant 2023-05-03 1944-July-29 PoW RAF Sergeant Robert Charles Henry Haill 2023-05-03 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Frederick Harris 2023-05-03 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Aubrey Melville Mills 2023-05-03 Halifax MZ598, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ598
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 598
Hercules XVI
Unit 426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ600, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ600
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 600
Hercules XVI
Unit 426/431/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ601, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ601
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 601
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Cambrai France 1944-06-12 to 1944-06-13
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
671 aircraft- 348 Halifaxes, 285 Lancasters, 38 Mosquitoes-of 4, 5, 6 and 8 Groups to attack communications, mostly railways, at Amiens/St-Roch, Amiens/Longueau, Arras, Caen, Cambrai and Poitiers. (It is interesting to note that, with the exception of Caen, all of these targets were the sites of well-known battles of earlier wars and Caen was soon to be the scene of fierce fighting,)
Bomber Command's records state that the Poittiers attack by Group 5 was the most accurate of the night and that the 2 raids at Amiens and the raid at Arras w, of reasonable accuracy. The target at Cambrai was hit but many bombs also fell the town. The most scattered attack (also by 5 Group) was at Caen.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax III aircraft MZ 601 QO-A missing during a night trip to Cambrai, France, shot down by a combination of flak and night fighter attack. The crash location was not determined
Pilot Officer JA McElheran (RCAF), Pilot Officer GA Dieno (RCAF), Pilot Officer WL Blanchard (RCAF), Pilot Officer RL Botsford (RCAF), Sergeant AL Mellor (RAFVR) and Sergeant PM Steers (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Sergeant JA Ludwig (RCAF) survived and was taken as Prisoner of War
Sergeant RP Irwin (RAF)(Eire) survived and became an Evader
There were two 432 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial LW 616 QO-R for additional information
Research of France-Crashes 39-45
Halifax BIII MZ601 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Westley Lawrence Blanchard 2024-11-13 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Longworth Botsford 2024-10-20 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gustaf Adolphe Dieno 2024-10-20 1944-June-13 Evader RAF Sergeant Richard Phillip Irwin 2024-10-20 1944-June-13 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Andrews Ludwig 2024-10-20 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Archibald McElheran 2024-10-20 1944-June-13 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Alec Lee Mellor 2024-10-20 1944-June-13 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Peter Mervyn Steers 2024-10-20 Halifax MZ602, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ602
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 602
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Versailles France 1944-06-07 to 1944-06-08
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
337 aircraft - 195 Halifaxes, 122 Lancasters, 20 Mosquitoes - attacked railway targets at Acheres, Juvisy, Massey-Palaiseau and Versailles. Bombing conditions were better than on the previous night. All targets were accurately bombed and, although no details are available, it is probable that fewer civilians were killed. The · targets were mostly more distant from the battle front than those recently attacked and German night fighters had more time to intercept the bomber forces. 17 Lancasters and 11 Halifaxes were lost, 8·3 per cent of the forces involved.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 602 SE-U went down near Blevy, France during a night operation, an attack against the rail yards at Versailles, France, in support of the D-day landings, cause unknownFlying Officer HA Morrison (RCAF), Pilot Officer JP Artyniuk (RCAF), Pilot Officer WD Mullin (RCAF), Pilot Officer GB Jose (RCAF), Flying Officer PJ Gandy (RCAF), Pilot Officer GA Curtis (RAF), FS DA Flett (RAFVR) and Sergeant W Teape (RAFVR) were all killed in action
1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Peter Artyniuk 2024-11-03 1944-June-08 KIA RAF Pilot Officer Gilbert Alfred John Curtis 2023-04-18 1944-June-08 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Donald Angus Flett 2023-10-22 1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Peter Joseph Gandy 2023-10-22 1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon Beverley Jose 2023-10-22 1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Hugh Allan Morrison 2023-10-22 1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Dakin Mullin 2023-10-22 1944-June-08 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Teape 2023-10-22 Halifax MZ603, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ603
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 603
Hercules XVI
Units 426/415
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Bruce Benjamin Anderson 2024-11-02 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Russell Harper 2022-10-14 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William St Clair Huskilson 2021-11-07 1944-November-02 PoW RAFVR Flight Sergeant Samuel Kirkpatrick 2021-11-07 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harry Knobovitch DFC 2021-11-07 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Anthony Brian Orchard 2021-11-07 1944-November-02 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Carl Arthur Ronald Seeley 2023-01-24 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Victor Lewis Valde 2021-11-07 Halifax MZ617, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ617
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 617
Hercules XVI
Unit 578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ618, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ618
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 618
Hercules XVI
unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ620, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ620
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 620
Hercules XVI
unit 425/1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ621, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ621
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 621
Hercules XVI
unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ625, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ625
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 625
Hercules XVI
unit 420/1659 Heavy Conversion unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ626, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ626
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 626
Hercules XVI
Units 420/434
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-30 KIFA RCAF Sergeant George Brown 2024-11-21 1944-August-30 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Robert Austin Dutton 2024-10-31 1944-August-30 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer John Lidbert Eastwood 2021-08-21 1944-August-30 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Ernest Douglas Gordon 2021-08-21 1944-August-30 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Carleton Gladstone Kennedy 2021-08-21 1944-August-30 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Clarke Todhunter 2021-08-21 Halifax MZ627, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ627
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 627
Hercules XVI
Unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ628, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ628
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 628
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Vaires-sur-Marne France 1944-07-18 to 1944-07-18
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Normandy
Halifax aircraft MZ 628 crashed at Cramoisy during daylight operations over Paris, France. Squadron Leader C.G.Bull, P/Os J. Blasko, J.E. Lockett, W. Abbott (RAF), P.L. Alp (RAF), L. Robin (RAF), F/Os R. Heald (RAF), and F.E. Mitchell (RAF) were killed. There were two pilots on board for this operation.
Halifax MZ629, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ629
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 629
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Louvain Belgium 1944-05-12 to 1944-05-13
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
120 aircraft - 96 Halifaxes, 20 Lancasters, 4 Mosquitoes - of 6 and 8 Groups. 3 Halifaxes and 2 Lancasters lost.
The bombing was more accurate than on the previous night and considerable damage was caused in the railways yards. The local report, which consolidates the 2 raids, confirms that the railways were badly damaged and says that parts of the system were still being repaired 6 months later. But civilian casualties were also heavy, with 160 people being killed and 208 injured in Louvain and its suburbs of Herent and Wilsele. Building damage in Louvain included 5 blocks of the university, 8 factories, 4 convents and a church
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft MZ629 lost whilst engaged in a night operation to Louvain, Belgium. P/O.s A Laturnus, C.J. Campbell, E.D. Empey, A.E. Yarington, and F/O. S.M. Preston were killed. One Canadian, WO. Barzeele, was an Evader, Sergeant J.D. MacPherson RAF., not Canadian, missing presumed killed.
1944-May-13 Evader RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Cyril Simeon Barzeele 2024-12-30 1944-May-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles John Campbell 2023-12-10 1944-May-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Earl Dwight Empey 2023-08-08 1944-May-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Andrew Laturnus 2023-08-08 1944-May-13 KIA RAFVR John Duncan MacPherson 2023-03-22 1944-May-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Stuart Marvin Preston 2023-08-08 1944-May-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alvin Edward Yarington 2023-08-09 Halifax MZ631, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ631
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 631
Hercules XVI
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ632, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ632
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 632
Hercules XVI
Units 432/1665 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ633, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ633
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 633
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-21 KIFA RCAF Corporal William Rodger Dickson 2024-10-20 1944-August-21 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Walter Reginald Eaglestone 2021-08-23 1944-August-21 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Ernest Henley 2025-02-04 1944-August-21 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer John Henry Hudson 2021-08-23 1944-August-21 KIFA RCAF Squadron Leader Brian Edmund Wilmot DFC & Bar 2022-05-23 1944-August-21 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Earl Wiltse 2021-08-23 Halifax MZ635, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ635
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 635
Hercules XVI
Unit 51/347/1652 Heavy conversion Unit/1659HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ637, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ637
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 637
Hercules XVI
Unit 431/297/21 Heavy glider conversion Unit/102SSU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ641, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ641
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 641
Hercules XVI
Unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1944-07-29 to 1944-07-29
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholthorpe
Battle of Normandy
307 aircraft - 187 Halifaxes, 106 Lancasters, 14 Mosquitoes - from 1, 6 and 8 Groups. German fighters again appeared, this time on the homeward flight, and 18 Halifaxes and 4 Lancasters were lost, 7.2 per cent of the force. The Halifax casualties were 9.6 per cent; 431 (Canadian) Squadron, flying from Croft airfield in Co. Durham, lost 5 of its 17 aircraft on the raid.
This was the first heavy raid on Hamburg since the Battle of Hamburg just a year earlier. The bombing on this raid was not well concentrated. The Germans estimated that only 120 aircraft bombed in the city area, with no recognizable aiming point, though western and harbour areas received the most bombs. A large proportion of the attack fell on areas devastated in 1943 but 265 people were killed and more than 17,000 had to be evacuated from homes damaged in this raid, many of which were probably only temporary wooden accommodation at this stage of the war. Brunswig (p. 339) describes how a panic developed at the large Reeperbahn air-raid shelter when a lone aircraft came in to bomb after the all clear had sounded and nearby Flak guns opened fire. 2 women were trampled to death and others were badly hurt.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
1944-July-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Ronald Ernest Barnicoat 2024-12-21 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Cranston Barton 2024-12-30 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Earl Roy Fairey 2024-12-21 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Gibson 2024-12-21 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Edward Howell 2024-12-21 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Arnold Jr Murray 2024-12-21 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Paul Poulos 2024-12-21 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Bernard Eugene Welsh 2024-12-21 Halifax MZ642, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ642
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 642
Hercules XVI
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ645, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ645
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 645
Hercules XVI
Units 426/420
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-29 PoW RAF Flight Sergeant Cyril Stanley Batt 2023-11-16 1944-July-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Albert Wilfrid Cracknell 2024-05-10 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Vincent John Hubbard 2025-01-01 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Nicholas Novack 2025-01-01 1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Earl Huntly Smith 2025-01-01 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Unger 2025-01-01 1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John David Wintemute 2025-01-01 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Jack Zavitz 2025-01-01 Halifax MZ649, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ649
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 649
Hercules XVI
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ650, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ650
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 650
Hercules XVI
units 426/297/190
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ652, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ652
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 652
Hercules XVI
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ653, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ653
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 653
Hercules XVI
unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ654, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ654
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 654
Hercules XVI
Units 432/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ655, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ655
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 655
Hercules XVI
Unit 431/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/Topcliffe
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ656, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ656
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 656
Hercules XVI
Units 432/431/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ657, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ657
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 657
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Biennais France 1944-07-06 to 1944-07-06
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Normandy
551 aircraft-314 Halifaxes, 210 Lancasters, 26 Mosquitoes, 1 Mustang- attacked 5 targets. Only I aircraft was lost, a 6 Group Halifax from a raid on Siracourt flying-bomb store. Four of the targets were clear of cloud and were believed to have been bombed accurately but no results were seen at the Foret-de-Croc launching site.
Halifax MZ658, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ658
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 658
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ660, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ660
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 660
Hercules XVI
Units 432/1666 Heavy conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ672, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ672
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 672
Hercules XVI
units 432/429/425/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ674, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ674
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 674
Hercules XVI
Units 432/425
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-10 Survived RCAF John Arthur Ryan 2023-06-28 1944-October-14 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Omer Bazinet 2024-07-13 1944-October-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Dell Alfred Butler 2024-07-13 1944-October-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Maurice Crabtree 2024-07-13 1944-October-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Harvey Eade 2024-07-13 1944-October-14 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Jean Gallipeau DFC 2024-07-13 1944-October-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Leonard Hunter Hogg 2024-07-13 1944-October-14 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Alphonse Normand Pare 2024-07-13 1944-October-14 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Frederick Williamson 2024-07-13 Halifax MZ679, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ679
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 679
Hercules XVI
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ681, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ681
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 681
Hercules XVI
Units 434/431/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ682, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ682
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 682
Hercules XVI
Unit 434/426/620
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ683, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ683
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 683
Hercules XVI
Units 434/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ684, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ684
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 684
Hercules XVI
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ685, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ685
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 685
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ686, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ686
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 686
Hercules XVI
Unit 432/415
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-28 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Roy Andrews 2024-11-02 1944-July-28 Survived RCAF Warrant Officer II R A Evans 2021-05-06 1944-July-28 Survived RAF Sergeant G B Grant 2021-06-06 1944-July-28 Survived RCAF Sergeant J E MacDonald 2021-05-06 1944-July-28 Survived RCAF Warrant Officer II J R Pelletier 2021-05-06 1944-July-28 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Victor Lewis Valde 2021-05-25 1944-July-28 Survived RCAF Flying Officer J G Willis 2021-05-25 1944-July-29 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant J J Conroy 2024-03-28 Halifax MZ687, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ687
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 687
Hercules XVI
Unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Dalton Irvon Block 2024-11-13 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth George Boucock 2024-11-15 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Henry Davies 2024-10-31 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Dennis Budd Herman Lorenz 2025-01-26 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Francis Wilfred Moffit 2025-01-26 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Featherstone Pritchard 2025-01-26 1944-August-17 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Edwin Alfred James Proud 2025-01-26 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Antonio George Roski 2025-01-26 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Pitman Surles 2025-01-26 Halifax MZ688, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ688
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 688
Hercules XVI
Units 425/297/296
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ690, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ690
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 690
Hercules XVI
Units 426/415/1666 Heavy conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ699, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ699
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 699
Hercules XVI
Units 77/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ702, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ702
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 702
Hercules XVI
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ711, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ711
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 711
Hercules XVI
Unit102/77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ712, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ712
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 712
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Bruce George Betts 2024-11-12 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frank Joseph Dalessandro 2024-08-08 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Leslie Image 2024-08-08 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Wilfrid Raymond Noonan 2025-01-18 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ray Edwin Patterson 2025-01-18 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Warren William Vance 2025-01-18 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Hugh Ledgerwood Vanderveen 2025-01-18 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon Kenneth Vimy Ridge Vincent DFC 2025-01-18 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frederick Stubbs Watson 2025-01-18 Halifax MZ713, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ713
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 713
Hercules XVI
Unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Nichols Cushman 2023-12-17 1944-July-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Raymond Hebert 2021-08-09 1944-July-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth Heron 2022-11-14 1944-July-25 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Ronald Earl Knight 2023-10-22 1944-July-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ernest Wellington Monk 2021-08-16 1944-July-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph William Arthur Sutherland 2021-05-22 1944-July-25 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Douglas Herbert Trickett 2021-07-14 Halifax MZ714, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ714
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 714
Hercules XVI
With No. 425 Squadron, RCAF, at Tholthorpe, Yorkshire. Coded "KW*Y". Named "Yelta (D.F.C.)", completed at least 75 missions. Struck off charge, 11.5.45 Units 425/187
The airccraft was struck by flak while over the target on an operational sortie to Boulogne sur Mer, France on the 15th of June, 1944. It was struck again this time in the port rudder and fin by flak while on an operational sortie to La Pallice, France on the 10th of August, 1944. Then struck by flak while over the target on an operational sortie to Wanne-Eickel, Germany on the 9th of February, 1945. The aircraft was later repaired.( Source Chris Charland)
The photograph below depicts the crew and ground crew of "KW Y": left to right; first row: Leading Aircraftman Paul Crevier; Montreal ( 2077 Dorion St.); Sgt. Georges de Montigny; East Angus; P.Q.; Warrant Officer Class 1 J.J. Deslauriers; of Montreal ( Chambord St.); Sgt. J.W. Desrosiers; St. Thomas; Ont. ( 15 Barwick) and Leading Aircraftman J.H. Prince; St. Boniface; Man. ( 378 Desautels St.); Left to right on the stand; Leading Aircraftman A.A. Goshgarian; of Galt; Ont. ( 27 McNaughton St.); Leading Aircraftman Marcel Charbonneau; of Lévis ( 4 Botrel St.); Leading Aircraftman Y Rouleau; of Montreal ( 6838 Chambord St.); Leading Aircraftman Henri Benoit of Montreal ( 614 Louvain Ave.); Cpl. Paul S. Clouthier of Vancouver; BC ( 2211 W. 10th Ave.); and Leading Aircraftman Marcel Renaud; of Montreal (10110 Lille St. (RCAF Photo Source James Craik) last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ716, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ716
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 716
Hercules XVI
Unit 434/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ730, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ730
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 730
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ740, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ740
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 740
Hercules XVI
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-December-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ari Bergthor Clark 2024-02-22 1944-December-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ralph Hay Emerson 2023-08-22 1944-December-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Floyd 2023-08-26 1944-December-26 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Kenneth M Mason 2021-08-31 1944-December-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Oscar Frederick Newton 2021-08-31 1944-December-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer De Voe Woolf 2021-08-31 Halifax MZ747, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ747
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 747
Hercules XVI
Units 426/420/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ748, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ748
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 748
Hercules XVI
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ749, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ749
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 749
Hercules XVI
Units 434/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ750, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ750
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 750
Hercules XVI
unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ754, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ754
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 754
Hercules XVI
Units 424/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ755, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ755
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 755
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ756, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ756
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 756
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-October-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Garfield Curle 2024-06-02 1944-October-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Jack Llewelyn Dougan 2024-10-27 1944-October-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Marcel Gravel 2024-10-27 1944-October-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Philip Frank Charles Haydock 2024-10-27 1944-October-05 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Walter Read Moseley-Williams DFC 2024-10-27 1944-October-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Sherwood Williamson 2024-10-27 Halifax MZ757, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ757
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 757
Hercules XVI
Unit427
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Huntly Parker Gordon 2024-07-22 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harvey Albert Legary 2024-07-22 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Keith McRobb 2024-08-23 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Richard Keary Nelson 2024-08-23 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frank George Plecan 2024-09-15 1944-July-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Frederick Charles Albert Stokes 2021-06-03 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Howard Clouston Wright 2021-05-26 Halifax MZ768, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ768
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 768
Hercules XVI
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-14 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Daniel Francis Connolly 2024-03-26 1944-July-14 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Nelson Hagey Groh 2022-04-24 1944-July-14 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Daniel Webster Mackinnon 2021-08-23 1944-July-14 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Simon Marcellus 2021-08-23 1944-July-14 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Glendon Arthur Smirl 2021-10-02 1944-July-14 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Trevor Yeomans 2021-08-23 Halifax MZ796, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ796
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 796
Hercules XVI
unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Clifford Norman Aune 2024-11-03 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Frederick Bergman 2025-01-16 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer David William Dale 2024-10-31 1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Hugh Ashley Dunphy 2024-10-30 1945-January-05 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer James Frederick Shirley 2022-01-07 1945-January-05 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Charles Clifford Smith DFC 2022-01-07 1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Elwood Leroy Stevens 2022-01-07 Halifax MZ799, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ799
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 799
Hercules XVI
unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ802, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ802
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 802
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Bochum Germany 1944-10-09 to 1944-10-10
424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
435 aircraft- 375 Halifaxes, 40 Lancasters, 20 Mosquitoes - of I, 4, 6 and 8 Groups, 4 Halifaxes and I Lancaster lost.
This raid was not successful. The target area was covered by cloud and the bombing was scattered. The local report says that there was some damage in the southern districts of Bochum, with 140 houses destroyed or seriously damaged and approximately 150 people killed.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
With No. 424 Squadron, RCAF, at Skipton-on-Swale, coded "QB*G". Gunners claimed 2 aircraft down on one mission. Failed to return from mission to Bochum on 9 / 10 October 1944. Struck by flak in vicinity of Cologne, crew bailed out, some came down in Cologne. Aircraft crashed at 20:30 German time, near Neurath.
On 1944-10-09, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 424/433 Sqns at Skipton on Swale, wrote in his diary:
"We waited & waited until at least an hour after return time but the Wingco of 424 W/C Roy didn't show up in his "G" for George so I guess he has had it. Only the second kite we've lost in over a month and a half. It's too bad too since he was a good commanding officer & was getting along fine. They may have a jinx on the W/C's of that sqdn since this is the 3rd time one has gone missing in 4 months. . . . Tues Oct. 11, 1944 . . No word at all of W/C Roy this morning so now he is officially reported as "missing". Here's hoping they got a chance to bail out. "
1944-October-10 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant George Alexander Bumstead 2024-11-23 1944-October-10 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Harry Grulkey 2023-01-11 1944-October-10 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Milton Augustus Harding DFC 2023-01-11 1944-October-10 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Joseph Harvey 2023-01-11 1944-October-10 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Raymond Orville Hunter 2023-01-11 1944-October-10 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant W McIlhagga 2023-09-13 1944-October-10 PoW RCAF Wing Commander George Albert Roy DFC 2023-01-11 Halifax MZ805, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ805
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 805
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Minelaying Flensburg Germany 1945-01-12 to 1945-01-12
424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale
424 Tiger Squadron (Castigandos Castigamus) RAF Skipton-on-Swale. Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 908 QB-X was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberfeldwebel Hans Schadowski of 3/NJG 3 during a GARDENING (mining) operation near Flensburg, Germany. The bomber exploded in mid-air with the loss of the entire crew near Langeland Island, Denmark
On 1945-01-15, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 424/433 Sqns at Skipton on Swale, after returning from leave, wrote in his diary:
"Jan 12 . . . 5 from each sqdn were put up on bombing & 3 from each on mining. The bombing was finally scrubbed but the gardening effort got off ok with no non-starters or early returns. However 424 had some bad luck & 2 of their 3 kites didn't come aback including F/Lt Mackie one of my good friends here " and he only had two more trips to do here unfortunately"
Flying Officer AM Mackie DFC (RCAF), Pilot Officer HA Carruthers (RCAF), Flying Officer HD Christie (RCAF), Pilot Officer FW Dobbs (RCAF), Flight Sergeant HCHHudson (RCAF), Pilot Officer JS Netzke (RCAF) and Sergeant JJ Farqhar (RAFVR) were all missing, presumed killed in action
The missing have no known grave and all are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial
There were two 424 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial Halifax NP 947 QB-Y for information on this aircraft and crew
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
Halifax MZ805 crashed in the sea east of the island of Langeland 12/1...
1945-January-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harold Allen Carruthers 2024-10-22 1945-January-12 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harry Dean Christie 2024-10-22 1945-January-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Fernand Walter Dobbs 2024-10-22 1945-January-12 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James John Farquhar 2024-10-22 1945-January-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Claude Harold Hudson 2024-10-22 1945-January-12 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Alexander Morton Mackie DFC 2024-10-22 1945-January-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Samuel Netzke 2024-10-22 Halifax MZ807, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ807
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 807
Hercules XVI
Units 434/433
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1944-12-02 to 1944-12-02
433 (B) BG (RCAF) Skipton on Swale
On 1944-12-02, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 424/433 Sqns at Skipton on Swale, wrote in his diary:
"Got 12 off in each squadron today with 5 tons of HE's on board each kite & bound for the town of Hagen (railway centre) east of Essen. We had two early returns due to bad icing weather . . We also lost one kite "C" Charlie of 433, Flight Lieutenant Cook and crew."
1944-December-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph William Ash 2024-11-03 1944-December-02 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Walter Herbert Cook 2024-04-04 1944-December-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Edward Grant 2023-10-11 1944-December-02 Evader RCAF Flight Sergeant Lorne Albert Mallory 2024-09-29 1944-December-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Benjamin Pittman 2021-08-14 1944-December-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Howard Shiells 2021-07-30 Halifax MZ808, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ808
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 808
Hercules XVI
Units 434/433
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Jacques Robert Olivier Clerc 2024-03-03 1944-August-16 PoW RCAF Flying Officer George Henry Gill 2021-11-04 1944-August-16 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Philippe Edward Marchildon 2021-11-04 1944-August-16 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Winning Moffat 2023-08-30 1944-August-16 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Archibald Wynn Morgan 2023-08-30 1944-August-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Courtney Raymond Stewart 2023-08-30 1944-August-16 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Faulkner Young 2023-08-30 Halifax MZ810, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ810
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 810
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Sterkrade Germany 1944-11-21 to 1944-11-21
(B) Sqn (RAF) Breighton
The flight was the pilot's last operational flight of his tour and he was due to be screened after the flight. The crew appear to have bombed the target area as instructed without incident and made for home. On their return to Yorkshire they joined the landing circuit for Breighton airfield and awaited their turn to land on the runway in use. In the time the aircraft took off from RAF Breighton and returned the wind direction was changing, the air pressure had also changed slightly. The wind had changed that much by the time this aircraft was into the landing circuit that all landings were delayed while the runway in use was changed. All aircraft in the circuit were told to continue circling the airfield at a height over 1,000ft and wait their turn to land. Because of the high experience of this pilot this aircraft was asked to make a dummy landing run over the new flare path to check the visibility. The Halifax flew as instructed at between 50 and 100 feet above the runway, after crossing the far end of the airfield boundary the aircraft climbed to around 300 feet and then began a turn to rejoin the airfield circuit. At 23:25 hrs while making the turn the aircraft lost height, the port wing tip clipped trees in an area of woodland called Brindleys Plantation near the village of Spaldington, around two miles South-East of RAF Breighton. It then cartwheeled, struck a small building in the wood and caught fire. Sadly all seven airmen in the aircraft were killed. An investigation could not be certain exactly what had caused the aircraft to loose height but it was thought that the pilot believed the aircraft to have been higher above the ground when he began making the turn, this was because the air pressure had changed by 6 millibars in the time the aircraft took off (when the altimeter zero was set to the ground level at RAF Breighton and the time it returned when the zero reading would have effectively been below the actual ground height. (Aviation Safety Network)
All seven members of the crew were killed
1944-November-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert James Barron 2024-11-09 1944-November-21 KIA RAAF Flight Lieutenant Malcolm Stiernqvist Buchanan DFC 2024-11-23 1944-November-21 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer James McCannon 2024-12-25 1944-November-21 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer James Vincent Reddington 2024-12-25 1944-November-21 RAFVR Pilot Officer James Hedley Rice 2024-12-25 1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Flt. Lieutenant Wilbert James Robertson 2024-12-25 1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lawrence Albert Welsh 2024-12-25 Halifax MZ813, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ813
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 813
Hercules XVI
Units 434/158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ814, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ814
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 814
Hercules XVI
Units 424/427/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Boulogne France 1944-09-17 to 1944-09-17
424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
762 aircraft - 370 Lancasters, 351 Halifaxes, 41 Mosquitoes - dropped more than 3,000 tons of bombs on. German positions around Boulogne in preparation for an attack.by Allied troops. The German garrison surrendered soon afterwards. 1 Halifax and 1 Lancaster lost.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
On 1944-09-17, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 424/433 Sqns at Skipton on Swale, wrote in his diary:
"The target this time was Boulogne & they got back at 11:00am. I was waiting for them to come back in flying control as usual when the W/T message come in that the bomb-aimer of 424-A for Able was a casualty & applied for priority landing. We had an ambulance standing by but it was too late & the poor guy died with a big flak hole in his chest. I think he must have bled to death by the look of the gore in the kite. Its funny how little sights like this affect me now compared to what it used to be before I came overseas. Several of the other kites were shot up so we had a busy time of it, especially with another 4 a/c called out with 1 hour notice this afternoon . .. Tonight we had 10 a/c away on Bomber Command Bullseye & I hear them circling the drome overhead right now. Guess I'll quit and get some sleep."
Halifax MZ815, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ815
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 815
Hercules XVI
Units 433/425
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-08 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant William David Corbett DFC 2024-04-15 1945-March-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John William Hickson 2022-11-21 1945-March-08 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Vincent Paul McAllister 2021-08-17 1945-March-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Robert Morin 2021-08-16 1945-March-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Leonard John Parent 2021-08-18 1945-March-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Napier Ware 2021-07-10 Halifax MZ816, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ816
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 816
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Keith Armstrong 2021-05-27 1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Ralph William James 2023-08-26 1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Wanklyn Alfred Martineau 2023-09-11 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Bruce Owen 2021-05-01 1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Alexander Robertson 2023-09-27 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert William Robinson 2021-05-27 1944-July-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Gilbert Arthur Stonham 2021-06-03 Halifax MZ818, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ818
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 818
Hercules XVI
Units 433/158/640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ819, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ819
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 819
Hercules XVI
unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ821, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ821
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 821
Hercules XVI
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ822, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ822
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 822
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1944-11-02 to 1944-11-02
424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
992 aircraft - 561 Lancasters, 400 Halifaxes, 31 Mosquitoes. II Halifaxes and 8 Lancasters were lost, 4 of the losses being crashes behind Allied lines in France and Belgium.
This heavy attack fell mainly on the northern half of Diisseldorf. More than 5,000 houses were destroyed or badly damaged. 7 industrial premises were destroyed and 18 were seriously damaged, including some important steel firms. At least 678 people were killed and more than 1,000 were injured. This was the last major Bomber Command raid of the war on Diisseldorf
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 822 QB-F was struck by heavy flak on the return leg of a operation to bomb targets in Dusseldorf, Germany. Damaged in the tail and on fire, the aircraft was abandoned over allied controlled territory in France. The fire died down enough that the pilot managed to maintain control and force-land the bomber in a farmer's field near Aisne, France
The entire crew survived and were returned to England with only WOP/AG, Flying Officer Harris being injured
Flying Officer JL King DFC (RCAF), Sergeant MM Grant (RCAF), Flying Officer TG Tustin DFC (RCAF), Flying Officer FH Moss (RCAF), Sergeant AD Jopp (RCAF), Sergeant JL Warwicker (RCAF) and Flying Officer WE Harris (RCAF) all survived and returned to their unit (R Koval)
On 1944-11-02, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 424/433 Sqns at Skipton on Swale, wrote in his diary:
"No rest again today & had bags of panic getting 16 from 424 & 17 from 433 away to Dusseldorf with 10,110 lbs of bombs up. We seem to be getting along all right these days with no non-starters or early returns again. It seems they more we fly these things the better they operate. We lost two tonight, both from 424. Flying Officer Bonar in "J" Johnny & Flying Officer King in "F" Freddy but got some good news too when word came through that Flying Officer King and his crew who went missing tonight were picked up ok when they bailed out safely behind our lines. Poor old 424 however seems to be taking quite a beating & we only have 18 kites left ion the squadron."
There were two 424 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Keeping, AT for information on Halifax LW 131 QB-J
424 Squadron History, Capt Nora Bottomley 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Sergeant M M Grant 2023-01-11 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer W E Harris 2023-01-11 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Sergeant A D Jopp 2023-01-11 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Flying Officer James Leonard King DFC 2023-01-11 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Flying Officer F H Moss 2023-01-11 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Flying Officer T G Tustin DFC 2023-01-11 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Sergeant J L Warwicker 2023-01-11 Halifax MZ823, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ823
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 823
Hercules XVI
Unit 427.
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ824, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ824
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 824
Hercules XVI
Units 429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ825, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ825
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 825
Hercules XVI
Unit 429
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth Brayne 2025-03-02 1944-August-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Orville Francis Compton 2024-03-25 1944-August-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles James Dempster 2025-03-02 1944-August-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Douglas George Depew 2025-03-02 1944-August-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Stephen Ambrose Vasiloff 2025-03-02 Halifax MZ826, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ826
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 826
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
1944-October-15 KIA RAF Squadron Leader Stanley William Hart 2024-02-29 1944-October-15 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer William Jardine 2023-08-28 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Sidney Alexander Farquharson McHardy 2024-02-29 1944-October-15 Evader RCAF Flight Lieutenant W R Parks 2022-05-24 1944-October-15 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Reginald Herbert Porter 2023-08-28 1944-October-15 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Francis Bernard Sheard 2023-08-28 1944-October-15 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Albert Lawrence Slatter 2023-08-28 Halifax MZ828, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ828
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 828
Hercules XVI
Served with No. 433 (B) Squadron, RCAF at Skipton-on-Swale, Yorkshire. Coded "BM*H". Bombed oil facilities near St. Nazaire, France on 23/24 July 1944, damaged by flak over target. Returned to Skipton-on-Swale without further incident. Control lost on three engine approach at 2300' and Crashed in village of Skipton-on-Swale on 5 August 1944, while attempting an engine out landing after mission to St. Leu, France. 2 crew and one village resident killed. (at Skipton Bridge, near Thirsk, Yorks according to Halifax File)Unit 433
last update: 2025-February-05Halifax MZ829, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ829
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 829
Hercules XVI
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Herbert Hanes 2023-08-22 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Judges 2023-08-22 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Walford Lankin 2023-08-22 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Vernon John Lazier 2023-08-22 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harold Frederick Le Noury 2023-08-22 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Eric Bowman Pike 2023-08-23 Halifax MZ831, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ831
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 831
Hercules XVI
Units 431/425
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Evans Ford 2021-02-13 1944-November-05 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Luman James Gale 2021-02-13 1944-November-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer L S Jamieson 2023-08-26 1944-November-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Ervine Mayes Knorr 2021-02-13 1944-November-05 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant A R Limacher 2023-09-05 1944-November-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Donald Eugene Smith 2023-10-01 Halifax MZ845, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ845
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 845
Hercules XVI
Units 433/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Chemnitz Germany 1945-03-05 to 1945-03-05
425 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Tholthorpe
425 Alouette Squadron (Je Te Plumerai) RAF Tholthorpe. Halifax Mk III MZ-845 KW-J was climbing out for an operation against targets in Chemnitz, Germany when it collided in mid-air with 426 Squadron Halifax Mk VII PN-228 which was climbing out from RAF Linton-on Ouse as part of the same operation. Both aircraft crashed with the loss of the two aircraft and their crews, with the exception of the Wireless Operator/Air Gunner on Halifax MZ 845 KW-J. Flight Sergeant Joseph Andre Jean DeCruyenaere (RCAF) managed to bale out of his aircraft before it crashed near Widdington Manor, close to Nun Monkton, Yorkshire
Crew killed on MZ-845 KW-J: Pilot Officer Mark Sylvester Harold Anderson (RCAF), Pilot Officer Joseph Emile Roland Beaudry (RCAF), Flying Officer Ronald Edward Oscar Charron (RCAF), Pilot Officer Joseph Louis Gaston Pelletier (RCAF), Pilot Officer Joseph Donat Fernand Eugene Roy (RCAF) and Flight Sergeant Joseph Louis Paul Seguin RCAF
Please see serial PN 228 OW-A for information on this aircraft and crew
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
05031945 425 Squadron RCAF Halifax III MZ845 KW-JPilot Officer Mark Sylvester...
1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Mark Sylvester Harold Anderson 2025-01-05 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Emile Roland Beaudry 2025-01-05 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ronald Edward Oscar Charron 2025-01-05 1945-March-05 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Andre Jean DeCruyenaere 2025-01-05 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Louis Gaston Pelletier 2025-01-05 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Donat Fernand Eugene Roy 2025-01-05 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Louis Paul Seguin 2025-01-05 Halifax MZ846, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ846
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 846
Hercules XVI
Unit 434/158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ847, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ847
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 847
Hercules XVI
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ852, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ852
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 852
Hercules XVI
Unit 434/192
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ853, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ853
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 853
Hercules XVI
Unit 434
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ857, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ857
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 857
Hercules XVI
Units 433/187
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ858, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ858
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 858
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1944-07-26 to 1944-07-26
431 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
431 Iroquois Squadron (Warriors of the Air) RAF Croft. Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 858 SE-Y was shot down by night fighter pilot Hptm Adolf Breves of Stab 4 /NJG1during an operation against targets in Stuttgart, Germany. The Halifax crashed near Offingen, Germany. There were also multiple flak battery claims for this loss but it was credited to Hptm Breves
Pilot Officer RG Carter (RCAF) and Pilot Officer EA Parker (RAFVR) were both killed in action
Wing Commander HR Dow (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant DJ Frauts (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant KW Jones (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant RM Martin (RCAF) and Pilot Officer HJ Douglas (RAFVR) all survived to be taken as Prisoners of War
1944-July-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Gordon Carter 2024-05-17 1944-July-26 PoW RAFVR Pilot Officer Horace James Douglas 2024-10-28 1944-July-26 PoW RCAF Wing Commander Henry Robinson Dow DFC 2025-02-18 1944-July-26 PoW RCAF Flt. Lieutenant David John Frauts 2024-10-28 1944-July-26 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Kenneth William Jones 2024-10-28 1944-July-26 PoW RCAF Flt. Lieutenant Roderick M Martin 2024-10-28 1944-July-26 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Edward Albert Parker 2023-05-09 Halifax MZ859, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ859
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 859
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1944-07-28 to 1944-07-29
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Normandy
307 aircraft - 187 Halifaxes, ro6 Lancasters, 14 Mosquitoes - from 1, 6 and 8 Groups. German fighters again appeared, this time on the homeward flight, and 18 Halifaxes and 4 Lancasters were lost, 7·2 per cent of the force. The Halifax casualties were 9·6 per cent; 431 (Canadian) Squadron, flying from Croft airfield in Co. Durham, lost 5 of its 17 aircraft on the raid.
·This was the first heavy raid on Hamburg since the Battle of Hamburg just a year earlier. The bombing on this raid was not well concentrated. The Germans estimated that only 120 aircraft bombed in the city area, with no recognizable aiming point, though western and harbour areas received the most bombs. A large proportion of the attack fell on areas devastated in 1943 but 265 people were killed and more than 17,000 had to be evacuated from homes damaged in this raid, many of which were probably only temporary wooden accommodation at this stage of the war. Brunswig (p. 339) describes how a panic developed at the large Reeperbahn air-raid shelter when a lone aircraft came in to bomb after the all clear had sounded and nearby Flak guns opened fire. 2 women were trampled to death and others were badly hurt.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 859 SE-A was lost during a night operation, an attack against Hamburg, Germany. Homeward-bound, the Halifax was shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Rolf Ebhardt of the 8/NJG 1,out of Twente airfield in the Netherlands, flying Bf 110 G-4 G9+ES. The bomber crashed at Büsumer Deichhausen, Schleswig-Holstein, GermanyPilot Officer GE Sidebottom (RCAF), Flying Officer GR Miles (RCAF), Pilot Officer GR Baumann (RCAF), Pilot Officer J Smith (RCAF), Sergeant WF Windsor (RCAF), and Pilot Officer JT Evans (RAFVR) were killed in action
A single crew member, Sergeant GL Cuffe (RCAF), survived and was taken Prisoner of War
There were four other 431 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost in the same area on this date. Please see Aldred, WM for information on Halifax LK 833 SE-R, Sorel, WG for information on Halifax MZ 589 SE-H, Miller, RJ for information on Halifax LK 845 SE-J and Mills, AM for information on Halifax MZ 597 SE-B
Twenty-two 6 Group aircraft and crews failed to return from this operation
1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Robert Baumann 2024-11-09 1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer George Leonard Cuffe 2024-05-23 1944-July-29 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer John Thomas Evans 2025-01-01 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Ralph Miles 2025-01-01 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Elswood Sidebottom 2025-01-01 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Smith 2025-01-01 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Frederick Windsor 2025-01-01 Halifax MZ860, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ860
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 860
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hannover Germany 1945-01-05 to 1945-01-05
425 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Tholthorpe
425 Alouette Squadron (I shall pluck you) RAF Tholthorpe. Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 860 KW-E missing during operations over Hannover, Germany, shot down by night fighter pilot Hptm Werner Baake of Stab 1/NJG 1. The Halifax crashed 1 km east of Stolzenau, Lower Saxony, on the bank of the Weser River, Germany
Flight Sergeant JTR Cauchy (RCAF), Pilot Officer RRM Cantin (RCAF), Flight Sergeant JA Cote (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant JJP L'Esperance (RCAF), and Sergeant EJJ Faulkner (RCAF) all survived to be taken as Prisoners Of War
Pilot Officer JYJC Lamarre MiD (RCAF) and Pilot Officer JAF Piche (RCAF) also survived to reach the ground and were captured separately. Both of these airmen Prisoners of War were later murdered by German Gestapo or SS members
There were two more 425 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials NR 178 KW-J and NP 999 KW-W for additional information on these aircraft and crews
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
05/06 011945 425 (Alouette) Squadron, RCAF Halifax III MZ860...
425 Squadron Nose Art - Research done by Clarence Simonsen I RCAF...
1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Raymond Roger Marcel Cantin 2024-08-08 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Jean Thomas Raymond Cauchy 2024-08-08 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Alfred Cote 2024-04-26 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Sergeant Edward John Faulkner 2023-11-26 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Joseph Jacques Paul L'Esperance 2023-11-26 1945-January-05 PoW Murdered RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Yves Jean Claude Lamarre MiD 2023-11-26 1945-January-05 PoW Murdered RCAF Pilot Officer Jean Aldophe Fernand Piche 2024-08-08 Halifax MZ861, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ861
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 861
Hercules XVI
Units 431/415/187
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ863, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ863
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 863
Hercules XVI
Unit 433
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-17 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Ralph Ian Atkinson 2024-11-03 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Lloyd Baker 2024-10-31 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Malcolm Henry Fleming 2024-12-04 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Scott 2024-12-04 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Coles Sprott 2024-12-04 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Andrews Tolmie 2024-12-04 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Chester Valk 2024-12-04 Halifax MZ864, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ864
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 864
Hercules XVI
Unit 429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ865, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ865
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 865
Hercules XVI
Unit 429
last update: 2025-February-05
Minelaying Kattegat Strait Denmark 1945-02-14 to 1945-02-15
429 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
429 Bison Squadron (Fortunae Nihil) RAF Leeming. Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 865 AL-V went down in the sea off Sweden during a night mine-laying operation in the Kadet Channel, Western Baltic south of Copenhagen. The aircraft had inadvertently entered Swedish airspace and disregarded warning shots, ultimately being shot down and crashing near the Falsterbo Lighthouse with the loss of the entire crew
Flying Officer KW Rainford (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant RC Charlton (RCAF), Flying Officer RA Thorne (RCAF), Pilot Officer W Fedorchuk (RCAF), Pilot Officer RJ McCallum(RCAF), Flight Sergeant SE Bostwick (RCAF) and Flight Sergeant GJ Barnes (RCAF) were all killed in action
The bodies of most of the crew were recovered or washed ashore to be buried in various Swedish or Danish cemeteries. The body of Pilot Officer RJ McCallum (RCAF) was never found and has no known grave
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
Halifax III MZ865 in the Baltic Sea south of Sweden 14/2 1945
1945-February-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon John Lunney Barnes 2023-04-03 1945-February-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Stanley Edward Bostwick 2023-04-03 1945-February-15 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Ross Conger Charlton 2024-02-06 1945-February-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Wolodemir Fedorchuk 2025-01-05 1945-February-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert John McCallum 2023-04-03 1945-February-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Keith Willard Rainford 2023-04-03 1945-February-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Aubray Thorne 2023-08-05 Halifax MZ866, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ866
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 866
Hercules XVI
Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ867, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ867
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 867
Hercules XVI
Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ869, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ869
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 869
Hercules XVI
unit 433
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ872, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ872
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 872
Hercules XVI
Unit 433/429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ876, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ876
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 876
Hercules XVI
Unit 434/Bomber command Instructors School
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ878, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ878
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 878
Hercules XVI
unit 434/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ879, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ879
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 879
Hercules XVI
Unit 433
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Ralph Beveridge 2025-01-18 1944-August-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lorne Stanley Guernsey 2021-08-09 1944-August-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frederic Cuthbert Harman 2021-08-09 1944-August-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Reid Hawkins 2021-08-09 1944-August-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Wendell Lyall Long 2021-08-13 1944-August-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George William Pharis 2021-08-14 Halifax MZ880, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ880
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 880
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ881, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ881
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 881
Hercules XVI
units 431/434/158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ882, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ882
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 882
Hercules XVI
Units 431/415
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-02 Survived RAFVR Sergeant R A Afford 2024-11-01 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer J M Fernie 2021-11-06 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Flying Officer F M Forbes 2021-11-06 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant S E Morris 2021-11-06 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Sergeant Torrance MacDonald Robertson DFM 2021-11-06 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant J C Scarf 2021-11-06 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Warrant Officer II V A Vitteralli 2021-11-06 Halifax MZ883, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ883
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 883
Hercules XVI
Unit 433
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ895, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ895
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 895
Hercules XVI
Unit 433
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ896, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ896
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 896
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Bochum Germany 1944-11-05 to 1944-11-05
433 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
149 aircraft- 384 Halifaxes, 336 Lancasters, 29 Mosquitoes - 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups. 23 Halifaxes and 5 Lancasters were lost; German night fighters caused most of the casualties. 346 (Free French) Squadron, based at Elvington, lost 5 out of its 16 Halifaxes on the raid.
This was a particularly successful attack based upon standard Pathfinder mark¬. ing techniques. Severe damage was caused to the centre of Bochum. More than 4,000 buildings were destroyed or seriously damaged; 980 Germans and 14 foreigners were killed. Bochum's industrial areas were also severely damaged, particularly the important steelworks. This was the last major raid by Bomber Command on this target.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft MZ 896 failed to return from a night trip to Bochum, Germany. Flight Lieutenant L.R.B.Loving DFC; . P/O.s G.A. Running, Al. Flatt, J.P. Durkin, F/O. A.D. Chapman, P/O.s B. McGarrity (RAF), and W.C. Davidson (RAF) were killed.
On 1944-11-04, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 424/433 Sqns at Skipton on Swale, wrote in his diary:
"After postponing the op twice we finally got them all away tonight at 5:00 o'clock â€" 15 from 424 & 16 from 433. No non-starters nor early returns which was a good thing. The target was Bochen & we had 11,150 lbs of bombs up. It was very successful too. These targets are getting bad since we lost two again tonight. Another for 424 "Q"' Queenie (Flying Officer Loving) &"F" Freddie (433) Flying Officer Mountford so that's 5 we have lost in 3 ops so far this month. Flight Lieutenant Wood, the F/Eng leader for 424 was lucky in that this morning he found he had and infection on his arm which had come up overnight & the M.O wouldn't let him fly tonight. They exchanged him at the last minute for a spare in "Q" which of course went missing. He feels pretty bad about it too since Loving only had 4 more trips to do in his second tour & was a pretty good guy"
1944-November-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Anthony Dutton Chapman 2024-01-30 1944-November-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Patrick Durkin 2024-10-30 1944-November-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alfred Leonard Flatt 2023-01-11 1944-November-05 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Leslie Rowland Bond Loving DFC 2023-01-11 1944-November-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gilmer Arnold Running 2023-01-11 Halifax MZ897, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ897
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 897
Hercules XVI
Units 424/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ898, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ898
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 898
Hercules XVI
Units 424/187
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ899, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ899
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 899
Hercules XVI
Unit 433
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Louis Baillargeon 2024-11-04 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Bernard Bercuson 2025-01-15 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alfred Wallace Jack Drennan 2024-10-28 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Maurice Elmer Fairall 2024-11-28 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Henry Grimble 2024-11-28 1944-August-17 KIA RAFVR Sergeant George Henry Lilley 2024-11-28 1944-August-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Georges Marcel Savard 2024-11-28 Halifax MZ900, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ900
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 900
Hercules XVI
Unit 429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ901, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ901
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 901
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Minelaying Kattegat Strait Denmark 1944-10-15 to 1944-10-15
424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
With No. 424 Squadron, RCAF, at Skipton-on-Swale, coded "QB*N". Failed to return from mining mission in the Kattegat on 15 / 16 October 1944. Crashed near Idom, Denmark, en route to target area.
On 1944-10-15, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 424/433 Sqns at Skipton on Swale, wrote in his diary:
"14 a/c bombed Wilhelmshaven & 10 from 424 mined the Kattegat channel in the Baltic. They didn't get back until after midnight " had one early return from 424 with and over-revved engine due to CSU failure & also lost one kite "ËœN' of 424 with one of my good pals Flight Lieutenant Jake Lee from London Ont. as navigator. I guess he's had it too since they don't very often turn up again after going missing on one of these mining do's."
1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Peter Grace 2023-08-30 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Robert Douglas Guild 2023-08-30 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Edward Jory 2023-08-30 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Jack Griffin Lee DFC 2023-08-30 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Hugh Joseph Loughran 2023-08-30 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Virgil Lee Riley 2023-08-30 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norman Alfred Smith 2023-08-30 Halifax MZ902, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ902
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 902
Hercules XVI
Units 424/102/76/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ903, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ903
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 903
Hercules XVI
Unit 427
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ904, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ904
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 904
Hercules XVI
Units 427/408/431/Empire Air Navigational School
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ905, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ905
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 905
Hercules XVI
Units 427/433/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ906, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ906
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 906
Hercules XVI
unit 429
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Essen Germany 1944-10-23 to 1944-10-23
429 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
429 Bison Squadron (Fortunae Nihil) RAF Leeming. Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 906 AL-H failed to return from a night operation on targets in Essen, Germany. The Halifax was lost without a trace, cause of loss and crash location undetermined
Flying Officer GT Hallam (RCAF), Flying Officer NC Muir (RCAF), Flying Officer DC Pole (RCAF), Pilot Officer LJ Innes (RCAF), Pilot Officer PJF Mitchell (RCAF), FS LJ Moore (RCAF), and Sergeant JM Wemyss (RAFVR) were all missing, presumed killed in action
The missing have no known graves and all are commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial
1944-October-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Theodore Hallam 2022-10-26 1944-October-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lloyd John Innes 2022-10-26 1944-October-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Peter John Felix Mitchell 2022-10-26 1944-October-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lorne Joseph Moore 2022-10-26 1944-October-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Norman Charles Muir 2022-10-26 1944-October-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Douglas Campbell Pole 2022-10-26 1944-October-23 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Michael Wemyss 2022-10-26 Halifax MZ907, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ907
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 907
Hercules XVI
Unit 429/408/431/empire air Navigational School
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-25 PoW RCAF Sergeant Ralph MacIntyre Aylesworth 2023-11-07 1945-March-25 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Lawrence William Brennan 2024-11-17 1945-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lawrence William Brennan 2024-11-17 1945-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Jack Macdonald Jones 2023-11-07 1945-March-25 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant A N Knight 2023-08-29 1945-March-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Jack Ross McCollum 2023-11-07 1945-March-25 PoW KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Andrew Paul 2023-11-07 Halifax MZ908, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ908
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 908
Hercules XVI
Unit 429/408/434
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ909, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ909
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 909
Hercules XVI
Unit 433/347
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ910, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ910
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 910
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-19 KIA RCAF Flying Officer David Malcolm Armstrong 2024-10-24 1945-March-19 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Glen Bridgeman 2024-10-24 1945-March-19 PoW RCAF Flt. Sergeant Arthur Holme Butler 2024-10-24 1945-March-19 PoW RCAF Sergeant A F Domke 2024-10-24 1945-March-19 PoW RCAF Flying Officer G J Keeper 2024-10-24 1945-March-19 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer A V Padgham 2024-10-24 1945-March-19 PoW RCAF Flying Officer R G Reid 2024-10-24 Halifax MZ913, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ913
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 913
Hercules XVI
units 434/462
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ920, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ920
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 920
Hercules XVI
Unit 434
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Castrop-Rauxel Germany 1944-09-11 to 1944-09-11
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
Halifax aircraft was hit by flak during daylight operations over the target Castrop-Rauxel, Germany. Flying Officer Laderoute was killed in the aircraft and was the only casualty, the aircraft returned safely.
Bombing Duisburg Germany 1944-10-14 to 1944-10-15
434 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft
Hurricane (Duisburg)
First mission of the day: Halifax V serial NR144 (not this aircraft) is on a daylight raid -- up at 06:30, down at 11:45, target Duisburg. (see 434 form 541 ORB). Same crew as later night operation crew.
Second mission of the day: flying at 20,000 feet over the border of Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, the starboard outer engine catches fire and despite the pilot attempt to extinguish the fire it rages on (Crew log book report starboard inner, but investigation shows starboard outer. See 540 summary ORB). It is obvious that the pilot has to abort the mission and land somewhere for the crew to escape. The RAF airfields in the area are launching their bombers and do not want a burning aircraft to block their runways. Aircraft in this situation cannot simply return to base because there are other aircraft taking off for combat missions. The crew must find a base that that is not engaged in the raid. Halifax MZ920 diverted to RAF Church Lawford (used as a training base) south west of Rugby Warwickshire.
The Halifax is approaching the airfield at Church Lawford, but has to fly over Dunchurch first in order to reach safety. Two of the crew members, Flying Officer Stirling, the bomb aimer and Flight Sergeant Stamatis, the wireless bale out.
It was Stirling's job to open the hatch, but the air rush caused the hatch to jam. Stirling puts his whole weight on the partially open hatch but can't budge it. Stamatis then puts his weight on Stirling's shoulders and their combined weight breaks the hatch free. Stirling lands in farmer Webbs' field and is slightly injured as related by his daughter, Janne Stirling Cappa. Stamatis, however, is "injured seriously" (see 434 form 540 ORB). (There is a post card from a Dunchrch villager stating that one of the parachutists hit electrical wires upon landing. This report is isolated and unconfirmed by RCAF records or family and may not be a correct reference)
Flight Lieutenant Wood makes a final unsuccessful attempt to extinguish the fire by diving. The five remaining crew members lose their lives as the remains of the aircraft fall to earth at 23:50. The map shows where the aircraft came down alongside the A45 road to Coventry, which was closed because of the unexploded bombs. Is was reopened at 15:45 hrs on Friday 27th of October, almost two weeks after the crash.
The Canadian crew members were interred at Chester's Blacon cemetery. Sergeant Grant was buried at Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. some material from http://friendsofdunchurchsociety.org/friendsofdunchurch/archive-halifax-bomber.htm
1944-September-11 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Michael John Laderoute MiD 2023-03-26 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Robert Ewing 2023-03-26 1944-October-15 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Geoffrey Davies Grant 2023-03-27 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Sergeant Owen Parsons 2023-03-26 1944-October-15 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant Odessey "Odie" Stephan Manus Stamatis 2023-04-16 1944-October-15 Survived RCAF Flying Officer William Stirling 2023-04-15 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald McLeod William Ward 2023-03-26 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Donald Zachary Taylor Wood 2023-03-26 Halifax MZ921, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ921
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 921
Hercules XVI
Units 434/158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ922, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ922
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 922
Hercules XVI
Units 434/431/415
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Anderson 2024-11-02 1945-March-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Albert Hyland 2021-08-10 1945-March-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Stewart Lewis 2021-08-13 1945-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Andrew Neilson 2021-08-17 1945-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon James Peden 2021-05-06 1945-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon Justine Rude 2021-08-06 1945-March-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Emil Suttak 2021-07-21 Halifax MZ925, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ925
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 925
Hercules XVI
Unit 640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ927, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ927
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 927
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ930, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ930
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 930
Hercules XVI
Unit 158/640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ933, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ933
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 933
Hercules XVI
Unit 51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ936, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ936
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 936
Hercules XVI
Units 77/347
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ937, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ937
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 937
Hercules XVI
Units 102/76/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ938, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ938
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 938
Hercules XVI
Units 102/578/51
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ939, B.Mk.III
s/n MZ939
English Electric Co Ltd
MZ 939
Hercules XVI
Units 466/640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ945, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n MZ945
Rootes Securities Ltd
MZ 945
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Essen Germany 1944-10-25 to 1944-10-25
(B) Sqn (RAF) Lissett
771 aircraft - 508 Lancasters, 25r Halifaxes, 12 Mosquitoes. 2 Halifaxes and 2 Lancasters lost
The bombing was aimed at sky-markers, because the target area was covered by cloud. The Bomber Command report states that the attack became scattered but the local Essen report shows that more buildings were destroyed - 1163 - and more people were killed - 820 - than in the heavier night attack which had taken place 36 hours previously. The foreign workers, who were now present in large numbers ln German industrial cities and who usually had poorer air-raid shelters than the German people, once again suffered heavy casualties; 99 foreigners and 2 prlsoners of war were killed. A photographic reconnaissance flight which took place after this raid showed severe damage to the remaining industrial concerns in Essen, particularly to the Krupps steelworks. Some of the war industry had already moved lo small. dispersed factories but the coal mines and steelworks of the Ruhr were still important.
.The Krupps steelworks were particularly hard-hit by the two raids and there are references in the firm's archives to the 'almost complete breakdown of the electrical supply network' and to 'a complete paralysis'. The Borbeck pig-iron plant ceased work completely and there is no record of any further production from this importnnt section of Krupps.
Much of Essen's surviving industrial capacity was now dispersed and the cltyl lost its role as one of Germany's most important centres of war production.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax MZ945 Took off from Lissett at 12:20 in Halifax Mark III (Sqn code NP-W Bomber Command) on an operation to the Krupp Werks, Essen Germany. It was hit by flak and crashed at Bedburg, Germany
Killed: F/Lt Geoffrey Winston Woodward RAF KIA Flt Lt Woodward was initially buried in Vynen Cemetery as an unknown. Reinterred Rheinberg War Cemetery on 9 September 1948.Plot 10. Row D. Grave 22. (CWGC). Flt Lt Woodward and his crew were able to bale out of the flak damaged aircraft, he was last to leave and while on his parachute he was shot at and killed by ground forces.(Aircraft Accidents In Yorkshire)
Crew POW s Sergeant Emmett; Sergeant James Michael Currie; Sergeant Charles Henry Brookes RAF POW Stalag Luft L7, POW# 1094; Plt Off William Charles Wilson RNZAF - POW/Stalag Luft 3 Sagan & Belaria POW Number 8710. Flying Officer William Thomas John Clark RAF POW/Stalag Luft 3 Sagan & Belaria , Pilot Officer Leonard Cyril Packer RAF POW Stalag Luft L3, Sagan & Belaria, POW# 8713.
source: John Jones
1944-October-25 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Charles Henry Brookes 2024-11-19 1944-October-25 PoW Flying Officer William Thomas Clark 2024-09-09 1944-October-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer James Mitchell Currie 2024-09-09 1944-October-25 PoW Sergeant W.C.E Emmett 2025-03-04 1944-October-25 PoW Pilot Officer Leonard Cyril Packer 2024-09-09 1944-October-25 PoW RNZAF Pilot Officer William Charles Wilson 2024-09-09 1944-October-25 KIA RAFVR Flight Lieutenant Geoffrey Winston Woodward DFC 2024-09-09 Halifax MZ946, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n MZ946
Rootes Securities Ltd
MZ 946
Hercules XVI
Units 415/187.
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ947, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n MZ947
Rootes Securities Ltd
MZ 947
Hercules XVI
units 415/1665 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ948, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n MZ948
Rootes Securities Ltd
MZ 948
Hercules XVI
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ949, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n MZ949
Rootes Securities Ltd
MZ 949
Hercules XVI
Unis 415/187
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ950, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n MZ950
Rootes Securities Ltd
MZ 950
Hercules XVI
Unis 425/187/425/1665 Heavy Conversion Unit/ Operational and Refresher Trainer Unit/1665HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ951, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n MZ951
Rootes Securities Ltd
MZ 951
Hercules XVI
Units 420/187
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ952, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n MZ952
Rootes Securities Ltd
MZ 952
Hercules XVI
units 420/1664 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ953, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n MZ953
Rootes Securities Ltd
MZ 953
Hercules XVI
Units 420/187
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ954, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n MZ954
Rootes Securities Ltd
MZ 954
Hercules XVI
Unit 425/187
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ955, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n MZ955
Rootes Securities Ltd
MZ 955
Hercules XVI
Unit 298
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax MZ980, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n MZ980
Rootes Securities Ltd
MZ 980
Hercules XVI
Unit 298
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA103, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA103
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 103
Hercules XVI
unit 298
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-February-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Stanley Edick 2021-09-20 1945-February-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Chester Allen Holmlund 2021-08-23 1945-February-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Eric Alexander Innes 2022-01-26 1945-February-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Alex Kotyk 2021-08-23 1945-February-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Hector Lochhead 2021-08-23 Halifax NA111, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA111
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 111
Hercules XVI
Unit 171
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA124, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA124
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 124
Hercules XVI
Unit 415/1665 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA127, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA127
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 127
Hercules XVI
Unit 644
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA169, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA169
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 169
Hercules XVI
Unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA178, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA178
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 178
Hercules XVI
unit 429/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA179, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA179
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 179
Hercules XVI
Unit 429/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Chemnitz Germany 1945-02-14 to 1945-02-14
420 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Tholthorpe
Thunderclap
420 Snowy Owl Squadron (Pugnamus Finitum) RAF Tholthorpe. Halifax BIII aircraft returned early from an operation against targets in Chemnitz, Germany with a failed starboard outer engine. On approach, the bomber stalled, spun-in and crashed one mile North of the airfield, killing all but one crew member
Flying Officer WS Anderson (RCAF), Flying Officer SA Hay (RCAF), Flying Officer LI Jones (RCAF), Pilot Officer EAH Sills (RCAF), Flying Officer JC Sinden (RCAF) and Sergeant H Evans (RAFVR) were all killed in action
The sole survivor of this crash was the Mid-Upper Gunner, Flight Sergeant WH Giles (RCAF) who survived with serious injuries
1945-February-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Smith Anderson 2023-03-30 1945-February-14 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Harry Evans 2023-03-30 1945-February-14 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant William Herbert Giles 2023-03-30 1945-February-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Stanley Arthur Hay 2023-03-30 1945-February-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Lloyd Ingram Jones 2023-03-30 1945-February-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Earl Albert Henry Sills 2023-03-30 1945-February-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Charles Sinden 2023-03-30 Halifax NA180, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA180
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 180
Hercules XVI
Unit 429/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA181, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA181
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 181
Hercules XVI
units 429/158.
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA183, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA183
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 183
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer George Aylwyn Haacke 2021-05-08 1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Dave O Mackey 2021-05-21 1945-January-16 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Elvet Baxter McCutcheon DFC 2021-08-17 1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Douglas Warren Ritchie 2023-09-27 1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Gilbert Skidmore 2024-01-30 1945-January-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Gordon Welk 2021-07-09 Halifax NA184, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA184
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 184
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-05 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert J Arnold 2024-11-03 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Earl William Clark 2024-02-24 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Jerome Aquinuis Epoch 2021-11-17 1945-March-05 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer B V Freed 2021-11-17 1945-March-05 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Burton Kirby 2021-11-17 1945-March-05 Survived RCAF Warrant Officer I Harold Morris O'Connor 2021-11-17 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Hugh Oakes 2021-11-18 Halifax NA185, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA185
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 185
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-April-10 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Melvin John Burns 2024-11-25 1945-April-10 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Ronald Sylvester Evans 2021-08-06 1945-April-10 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas Leander Lorenz 2024-04-22 1945-April-10 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Lorne Mortimore Spry 2024-05-03 1945-April-10 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Russell Donald Teevin 2024-05-03 1945-April-10 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Lawrence Edward Veitch 2024-05-03 Halifax NA186, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA186
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 186
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1945-03-08 to 1945-03-09
415 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
The purpose of this raid was to hit the shipyards which were now assembling the new Type XXI U-boats, whose parts were prefabricated in many parts of inland Germany. Thanks to the Schnorkel breathing tube and a new type of battery-driven electric engine, the Type XXI could cruise under water for long periods and was capable of bursts of high speed. Its development in numbers would have posed great problems for Allied convoy defence if the war had lasted longer
The Hamburg area was found to be cloud-covered and the bombing was not expected to be accurate enough to cause much damage to the shipyards. Brunswig (pp. 362-3 and 456) mentions only a serious fire which almost destroyed the liner Robert Ley, built in Hamburg before the war as a cruise liner for the Strength Through Joy movement, and gives statistics of II8 people killed, 172 wounded, 54 fires (38 of them large ones)
312 aircraft - 241 Halifaxes, 12 Lancasters, 9 Mosquitoes - of 4, 6 and 8 Groups. 1 Halifax lost.
415 Swordfish Squadron (Ad Metam) RAF East Moor. Halifax BIII aircraft NA 186 6U-U was lost during an operation to bomb the U-Boat assembly yards at Hamburg, Germany, likely hit by flak on starboard wing and in the rear fuselage while over the target. The bomber was abandoned and crashed at Fischbek, Germany. The entire crew survived
Flying Officer AF McDairmid (RCAF), Flight Sergeant FE Adams (RCAF), Flight Sergeant AR Hibben (RCAF), Flight Sergeant WL Mracek (RCAF), Flight Sergeant GM Roberts (RCAF), Flight Sergeant N Tonello (RCAF) and Flight Sergeant WJR Gale (RAF) all survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
Very little POW information is known for these air crew to date
The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
In Enemy Hands - Canadian Prisoners of War 1939-45 page 169 1945-March-09 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Floyd Ellwood Adams 2023-10-26 1945-March-09 PoW RAF Flight Sergeant William J Raymond Gale 2023-04-18 1945-March-09 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur Roy Hibben 2023-10-26 1945-March-09 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Allister Findlay McDiarmid 2023-10-26 1945-March-09 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant W L Mracek 2023-10-26 1945-March-09 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant George Michael Roberts 2023-10-26 1945-March-09 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Norman Tonello 2023-10-26 Halifax NA188, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA188
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 188
Hercules XVI
Unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant S Cameron 2024-10-13 1945-January-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Lewis Dennis 2024-10-13 1945-January-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Addison Ireland 2024-10-13 1945-January-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Leo Joseph Penny 2024-10-13 1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant F W Poole 2024-10-13 1945-January-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Webb 2024-10-13 Halifax NA190, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA190
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 190
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ralph Oscar Battler 2024-11-09 1945-March-05 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Louis Dinnen 2024-10-21 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Gaba 2025-01-01 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Emmet Solomon Kaechele 2025-01-01 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert George Smith 2025-01-01 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Roald Frederick Sollie 2025-01-01 1945-March-05 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant James Harry Waugh DFM 2025-01-01 Halifax NA192, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA192
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 192
Hercules XVI
"Lest we forget"
Source: Buzz Hope (Information from "and in the morning"' database and can be verified by MOD documentation and the CWGC Register)
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Magdeburg Germany 1945-01-16 to 1945-01-16
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Tholthorpe
371 aircraft- 320 Halifaxes, 44 Lancasters, 7 Mosquitoes - of 4, 6 and 8 Groups. 17 Halifax.es lost, 4·6 per cent of the total force, 5·3 per cent of the Halifax force.
This was an area raid. Bomber Command claimed that it was successful, with 44 per cent of the built-up area being destroyed. No local report is available
The night of January 16, 1945, found Watson's crew with 16 operations in the bag as they wheeled Halifax III NA192 (PT-Q) onto the runway for what would turn out to be the Snowy Owl's worst night of the war. There were 18 aircraft headed for Magdeburg, Germany, and by the time the kites returned 420 was down four, with 15 crew dead.
NA192 made it to the target, but took heavy damage from anti-aircraft fire and went into a dive. Two of the crew, Flight Sergeant D Jacobi, and Flight Sergeant T Lynch, managed to escape and were captured, but the other five were killed. (Source Malcolm Kelly, Author SPROG)
1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas James Jacobi 2023-01-25 1945-January-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Quan Jil Louie 2024-04-22 1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Terrance Eugene Lynch 2023-09-06 1945-January-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William John Desmond Partridge 2024-05-01 1945-January-16 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Ernest William Watson 2024-05-03 Halifax NA199, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA199
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 199
Hercules XVI
Unit 466
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA201, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA201
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 201
Hercules XVI
Units 415/425/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA202, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA202
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 202
Hercules XVI
Units 415/426/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA203, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA203
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 203
Hercules XVI
Unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA204, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA204
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 204
Hercules XVI
Units 425/426/415
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Russell Gendron 2024-12-27 1945-March-06 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Roland Clyde Barteaux 2024-12-27 1945-March-06 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant William Bruce Gill 2024-12-27 1945-March-06 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert Douglas Loveridge 2024-12-27 1945-March-06 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Richard Mitchell DFC 2024-12-27 1945-March-06 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer William Donald Mosey 2024-12-27 1945-March-06 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Frank Thomas Mudry 2024-12-27 1945-March-06 PoW RAFVR Flight Sergeant Arthur Eltringham Ridley 2024-12-27 Halifax NA241, B/A/Met.Mk.III
s/n NA241
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 241
Hercules XVI
Unit 192
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA311, A.Mk.VII
s/n NA311
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 311
Hercules XVI
Unit 298
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA317, A.Mk.VII
s/n NA317
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 317
Hercules XVI
Unit 1665 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA337, A.Mk.VII
s/n NA337
Rootes Securities Ltd
NA 337
Hercules XVI
Unit 644
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-April-24 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Goronwy Amman Bassett 2024-12-30 1945-April-24 KIA RAFVR Flight Lieutenant Walter Reginald Mitchell 2024-12-30 1945-April-24 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Alec Naylor 2024-12-30 1945-April-24 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Gordon Russell Tuckett 2024-12-30 1945-April-24 KIA RAFVR Flight Lieutenant Alexander Turnbull DFC 2024-12-30 1945-April-24 PoW RAFVR Flight Sergeant Thomas Henry Weightman 2024-12-30 
Halifax NA492, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA492
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 492
Hercules XVI
Units 640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA494, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA494
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 494
Hercules XVI
Unit 192/431/434/1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA497, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA497
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 497
Hercules XVI
Units 192/626/434/1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA498, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA498
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 498
Hercules XVI
Units 431/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA499, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA499
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 499
Hercules XVI
Units 431/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA500, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA500
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 500
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Boulogne France 1944-05-11 to 1944-05-12
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
135 aircraft - 80 Halifaxes, 47 Lancasters, 8 Mosquitoes - of 6 and 8 Groups. 2 Halifaxes lost. Some bombs fell in the railway yards but the main weight of the raid missed· the target and fell on nearby civilian housing. 128 civilians were killed.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft NA 500 missing from a night operation, Collided with a 427 Sqdn Halifax both machines crashing between le Portal (Pas-de-Calais) in the NW outskirts of Outreau and Sw of the entrance to Boulogne-sur-Mar Harbour. . Squadron Leader C.K. Barrett, Flying Officer D.G. Bentley, P/Os J.S.Thomson, T.A. Goundrey, A. Hamilton, FSs W.H. Riding (RAF) and G.E. Cole (RAF) were killed. One of the crew, not Canadian, missing believed killed. 1944-May-12 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Clayton Keith Barrett 2024-11-09 1944-May-12 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Douglas George Bentley 2024-11-11 1944-May-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Alan Goundrey 2025-01-15 1944-May-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alexander Hamilton 2025-01-15 1944-May-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Sidney Thomson 2025-01-15 Halifax NA505, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA505
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 505
Hercules XVI
Units 425/420
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-08 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John William Hampson 2021-09-15 1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harry Robert Jones 2024-02-06 1944-June-08 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Herbert McGlade 2021-09-15 1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Blair Norton 2024-02-06 1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas Wilfred Sammon 2024-02-06 1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon Stanley Tanuck 2021-09-15 1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Francis Gorman Tilt 2024-02-06 1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Francis Edward Yates 2021-09-15 Halifax NA509, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA509
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 509
Hercules XVI
Units 102/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA510, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA510
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 510
Hercules XVI
Units 434/426
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Cambrai France 1944-06-12 to 1944-06-13
426 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Linton-on-Ouse
426 Thunderbird Squadron (On Wings of Fire) RAF Linton-on Ouse. Halifax III aircraft NA 510 OW-E was shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Hans Schafer of the 7/NJG 2, from Volkel airfield in the Netherlands during an operation against railyards in Cambrai, France. The Halifax crashed between Cagnicourt and Villers-les-Cagnicourt in the Pas-de-Calais area
Pilot Squadron Leader IM McRobie (RCAF) maintained control of his aircraft long enough for his crew to bale out. Sadly, Squadron Leader McRobie and Flight Engineer Sergeant E White (RAF) were themselves unable to get clear of the bomber and both killed in action
Pilot Officer MA Bzowy (RCAF) and Flying Officer GW Bedford (RCAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
Warrant Officer Class 2 CA McLeod (RCAF), Flying Officer D Murray (RCAF), FS M Bemrose (RAF) and FS AH Hammond (RAF) all survived and were Evaders
Search for France-Crashes 39-45
Halifax BIII NA510 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1944-June-13 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Gordon William Bedford 2024-11-10 1944-June-13 Evader RAF Flight Sergeant Mauritius Bemrose 2024-11-11 1944-June-13 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Michael Anthony Bzowy 2024-11-27 1944-June-13 Evader RAF Flight Sergeant Alfred Henry Hammond 2025-01-13 1944-June-13 Evader RCAF Warrant Officer 2 C A McLeod 2024-11-01 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Ian Mackenzie McRobie 2025-01-13 1944-June-13 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Daniel Murray 2025-01-13 1944-June-13 KIA RAF Sergeant Eric White 2025-01-13 Halifax NA513, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA513
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 513
Hercules XVI
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA514, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA514
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 514
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Sterkrade Germany 1944-06-16 to 1944-06-17
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Normandy
321 aircraft- 162 Halifaxes, 147 Lancasters, 12 Mosquitoes - of 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups to attack the synthetic-oil plant despite a poor weather forecast.
The target was found to be covered by thick cloud and the Pathfinder markers quickly disappeared. The Main Force crews could do little but bomb on to the diminishing glow of the markers in the cloud. R.A.F. photographic reconnaissance and German reports agree that most of the bombing was scattered, although some bombs did fall in the plant area, but with little effect upon production. 21 Germans and 6 foreigners were killed and 18 houses in the vicinity were destroyed
.Unfortunately, the route of the bomber stream passed near a German night-fighter beacon at Bocholt, only 30 miles from Sterkrade. The German controller had chosen this beacon as the holding point for his night fighters. Approximately 21 bombers were shot down by fighters and a further Io by Flak. 22 of the lost aircraft were Halifaxes, these losses being 13 ·6 per cent of the 162 Halifaxes on the raid. 77 Squadron, from Full Sutton near York, lost 7 of its 23 Halifaxes taking part in the raid.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax III aircraft NA 514 SE-B was intercepted and shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Josef Nabrich of the 3/NJG 1, (flying a Heinkel He 219 A-O from Venlo airfield, Netherlands) during an operation to bomb the synthetic-oil plants at Sterkrade and Holden, GermanyThe Halifax crashed at Grote Heide, Nistelrode, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
Flying Officer GH Blatchford (RCAF), Flying Officer ILE "Harry" Gould (RCAF) and Flying Officer SW Lough (RCAF) were killed in action
Sergeant T "Moose" Masdin (RCAF), Sergeant DH "Panama" Hattey (RCAF) and Sergeant J Kennedy (RAFVR) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
Flying Officer RE Carter MiD (RCAF) survived and evaded with the assistance of the Dutch underground but he, as well as two other evaders, Flight Lieutenant RA Walker DFC (RAF) and Flying Officer JS Nott (RAAF) were caught by the Nazi SD (an agency of the SS) and murdered on July 9,1944 at Tilburg in the Netherlands
A British Military Court charged 10 individuals with this war crime in 1946 and four were hanged September 5, 1947
The remains of these three airmen were never recovered. Flying Officer Carter has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial
Mention in Despatches - 431 Squadron (deceased) - Award effective 13 June 1946 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 726/46 dated 26 July 1946. Detail provided by H Halliday, Orleans, Ontario
There were four 431 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation on this date. Please see Fairless, AG for Halifax MZ 520 SE-O, Johnson, EO for Halifax LK 837 SE-L and Johnstone, MM for Halifax MZ 537 SE-L
Footprints on the Sands of Time, RAF Bomber Command Prisoners of War in Germany 1939-45 by Oliver Clutton-Brock, pages 202, 262, 507 16/17.06.1944 431 Squadron Halifax III NA514 Fg. Off...
1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Glenn Hugh Blachford 2024-11-12 1944-June-17 Evader Executed RCAF Flying Officer Roy Edward Carter MiD 2024-01-13 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Innis Lindsay Elwin Gould 2025-01-21 1944-June-17 PoW RCAF Sergeant Donald Hubert Hattey 2025-01-21 1944-June-17 PoW RAFVR Sergeant John Kennedy 2025-01-21 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Spencer William Lough 2025-01-21 1944-June-17 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Masdin 2025-01-21 Halifax NA515, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA515
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 515
Hercules XVI
Units 102/77/347
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA516, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA516
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 516
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Sterkrade Germany 1944-06-16 to 1944-06-17
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
Battle of Normandy
The target was found to be covered by thick cloud and the Pathfinder markers quickly disappeared. The Main Force crews could do little but bomb on to the diminishing glow of the markers in the cloud. R.A.F. photographic reconnaissance and German reports agree that most of the bombing was scattered, although some bombs did fall in the plant area, but with little effect upon production. 21 Germans and 6 foreigners were killed and 18 houses in the vicinity were destroyed.
Unfortunately, the route of the bomber stream passed near a German night-fighter beacon at Bocholt, only 30 miles from Sterkrade. The German controller had chosen this beacon as the holding point for his night fighters. Approximately 21 bombers were shot down by fighters and a further IO by Flak. 22 of the lost aircraft were Halifaxes, these losses being l 3.6 per cent of the 162 Halifaxes on the raid. 77 Squadron, from Full Sutton near York, lost 7 of its 23 Halifaxes taking part in the raid.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BIII aircraft it NA 516 QO-A missing during an operation to bomb the synthetic-oil plant at Sterkrade, Germany, believed to have been shot down by a night fighter
The Halifax crashed at Scheggertdijk, Almen, Gelderland, Netherlands
Flying Officer HF Morrow (RCAF), Pilot Officer JL Shanks (RCAF) and Pilot Officer JM Johnston (RCAF) were all killed in action
Flying Officer JA Slimmon (RCAF) and Sergeant VR Herrick (RCAF) survived and were taken as Prisoner of War
Warrant Officer Class 1 LR McElroy (RCAF) and Sergeant R Gelfand (RCAF) survived and evaded briefly. They were captured separately in the Netherlands and both later also escaped from captivity
link,general,https://www.verliesregister.studiegroepluchtoorlog.nl/rs.php?aircraft=&sglo=&date=&location=&pn=NA516&unit=&name=&cemetry=&airforce=&target=&area=&airfield=,search T/R number}}
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1944-June-17 PoW Escaper RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Gelfand 2023-02-06 1944-June-17 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Victor Raymond Herrick 2023-02-06 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Markey Johnston 2023-02-06 1944-June-17 PoW Escaper RCAF Pilot Officer Lawrence Russell McElroy 2023-02-06 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Hugh Francis Morrow 2023-02-06 1944-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Jack Laverne Shanks 2023-02-06 1944-June-17 PoW RCAF Flying Officer James Alfred Slimmon 2023-02-06 Halifax NA517, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA517
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 517
Hercules XVI
Unit 431/432/415/190
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA518, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA518
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 518
Hercules XVI
unit 426/425/187
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA524, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA524
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 524
Hercules XVI
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA527, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA527
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 527
Hercules XVI
Units 432/1665 heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA528, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA528
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 528
Hercules XVI
Unit 434
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA550, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA550
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 550
Hercules XVI
struck off Charge, 13.2.47
Unit 432/434
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1944-07-28 to 1944-07-29
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Battle of Normandy
307 aircraft - 187 Halifaxes, ro6 Lancasters, 14 Mosquitoes - from 1, 6 and 8 Groups. German fighters again appeared, this time on the homeward flight, and 18 Halifaxes and 4 Lancasters were lost, 7·2 per cent of the force. The Halifax casualties were 9·6 per cent; 431 (Canadian) Squadron, flying from Croft airfield in Co. Durham, lost 5 of its 17 aircraft on the raid.
·This was the first heavy raid on Hamburg since the Battle of Hamburg just a year earlier. The bombing on this raid was not well concentrated. The Germans estimated that only 120 aircraft bombed in the city area, with no recognizable aiming point, though western and harbour areas received the most bombs. A large proportion of the attack fell on areas devastated in 1943 but 265 people were killed and more than 17,000 had to be evacuated from homes damaged in this raid, many of which were probably only temporary wooden accommodation at this stage of the war. Brunswig (p. 339) describes how a panic developed at the large Reeperbahn air-raid shelter when a lone aircraft came in to bomb after the all clear had sounded and nearby Flak guns opened fire. 2 women were trampled to death and others were badly hurt.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
With No. 431 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "SE*U" when damaged on mission to Hamburg on 28/29 July 1944. Attacked by Ju-88, forced to jettison bomb load in steep dive. Pilot gave bail out order, cancelled this when control was recovered but mid-upper gunner Sgt. W. M. Niven and 2 other crew had already bailed out. All became PoW. Rear gunner Sgt. F. Clay received DFC for assisting pilot on return flight despite severe injuries. Pilot Flying Officer R. Holden received DSO for this mission.
Halifax NA552, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA552
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 552
Hercules XVI
Units 432/434/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA560, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA560
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 560
Hercules XVI
unit 640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA567, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA567
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 567
Hercules XVI
Units 78/76
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-October-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth James Edmison 2022-07-26 1944-October-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Mike Gnida 2021-08-07 1944-October-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lloyd Ronald Kay 2021-08-11 1944-October-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas George Morin 2023-01-09 1944-October-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Adolph Leroy Wall 2021-07-12 Halifax NA568, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA568
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 568
Hercules XVI
Unit 578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA574, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA574
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 574
Hercules XVI
Unit 578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA578, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA578
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 578
Hercules XVI
Unit 640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA579, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA579
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 579
Hercules XVI
Units 420/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA580, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA580
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 580
Hercules XVI
Unit 425/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA581, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA581
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 581
Hercules XVI
Unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-02 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer John Edward Code 2024-03-10 1944-August-02 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Paul Patrick Davies 2024-10-31 1944-August-02 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer John Jerome Pigeon 2021-08-24 1944-August-02 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Edmund Francis Pitkin 2023-12-13 1944-August-02 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Lloyd Snider 2023-12-13 1944-August-02 KIFA RCAF Flight Lieutenant George Douglas Stark DFC 2023-12-13 1944-August-02 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Mervin Hugh Waters 2024-11-01 Halifax NA582, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA582
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 582
Hercules XVI
Unit 420/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA583, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA583
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 583
Hercules XVI
Units 420/415
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Jack Douglas Griffin 2021-11-07 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Milton Robert Morton 2021-11-07 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Vincent Emerald Nelson 2021-11-07 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Hyman Rabkin 2021-11-07 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Wilfred Henry Regimbal 2021-11-07 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Henry Montgomery Rose 2021-11-07 1944-November-02 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Samuel Oscar Spence 2021-11-07 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George John Zbura 2021-11-07 Halifax NA584, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA584
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 584
Hercules XVI
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA587, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA587
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 587
Hercules XVI
Unit 419/1666 heavy Conversion Unit/1664HCU/Aeroplane and Armament experimental Establishment
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA600, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA600
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 600
Hercules XVI
Unit 415/187
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA603, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA603
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 603
Hercules XVI
Unit 578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA604, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA604
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 604
Hercules XVI
Unit 578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA607, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA607
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 607
Hercules XVI
Unit 415/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA608, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA608
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 608
Hercules XVI
Unit 415/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA609, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA609
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 609
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-August-21 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Herbert Ronald Wilkinson Fox 2022-08-21 1944-August-21 KIFA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Andrew Harold Adelbert McBain DFC 2021-08-24 1944-August-21 KIFA RCAF Wing Commander John Gordon McNeill DFC 2021-08-24 1944-August-21 KIFA RCAF Sergeant James Walton Mitchell 2021-08-24 1944-August-21 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Richard Cecil Morrison 2021-08-24 1944-August-21 KIFA RCAF Flight Lieutenant George Everette Steel-Davies 2021-08-24 Halifax NA610, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA610
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 610
Hercules XVI
Unit 420/415.
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA611, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA611
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 611
Hercules XVI
Unit 420/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA612, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA612
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 612
Hercules XVI
Unit 425/415/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Conversion Kamen Germany & Dortmund-Ems Canal, Germany 1945-03-03 to 1945-03-04
1664 (OT) HCU (RAF) RAF Dishforth
1664 "Caribou" Heavy Conversion Unit RAF Dishforth. Halifax BIII aircraft NA 612 DH-S joined 451 aircraft as part of a diversionary force dropping 'window' to interrupt the German radar and prevent their directing aircraft to intercept the attacks on Kamen (Synthetic oil plant) and Ladbergen (Dortmund-Ems Canal) as part of Operation "Sweepstake" on the night of March 3/4, 1945
Sadly, on the same night, a group of over 100 German night fighters carried out Operation "Gisela" and followed the Allied aircraft back to their bases in England, shooting down at least five aircraft, Halifax NA-612 being one of them. Night fighter pilot Lt Arnold Doring of 10/NJG3 attacked NA 612 as it approached RAF Dishforth to land. The Halifax turned inverted and crashed directly to the ground near Brafferton, North Yorkshire, killing the entire crew. The aircraft was totally destroyed in the resulting fire
Sergeant L Boardman (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 J W Buttrey (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 L T Chevrier (RCAF), Flight Sergeant J E Fielder (RCAF), Pilot Officer K W Griffey (RCAF), Flying Officer G H Lloyd (RCAF) and Sergeant S Forster (RAFVR) were all killed in action and all were buried in various cemeteries in the UK
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
1945-March-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Leonard Boardman 2024-03-04 1945-March-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 John William Buttrey 2024-11-27 1945-March-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Lawrence Theodore Chevrier 2025-01-26 1945-March-04 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Edward Fielder 2024-03-04 1945-March-04 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Sidney Forster 2024-03-11 1945-March-04 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth William Griffey 2024-03-04 1945-March-04 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer George Henry Lloyd 2024-03-04 Halifax NA618, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA618
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 618
Hercules XVI
Unit 578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA629, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA629
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 629
Hercules XVI
Unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA630, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA630
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 630
Hercules XVI
Unit 425/1659 Heavy conversion Unit/1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA631, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA631
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 631
Hercules XVI
unit 420/187
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA632, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA632
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 632
Hercules XVI
Unit 420/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA633, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA633
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 633
Hercules XVI
Units 425/1664 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA634, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA634
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 634
Hercules XVI
Unit 425/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/ 1664HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA660, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA660
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 660
Hercules XVI
Unit 298
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA664, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA664
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 664
Hercules XVI
Unit 298
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NA687, B/A.Mk.III
s/n NA687
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
NA 687
Hercules XVI
Unit 171
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP681, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP681
Handley Page Ltd
NP 681
Hercules XVI
unit 420/426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP682, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP682
Handley Page Ltd
NP 682
Hercules XVI
Units 420/426
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-February-09 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Grant Alder Cahoon 2023-12-02 1945-February-09 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Duncan Campbell 2024-07-02 1945-February-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Howard Fetherston 2024-07-02 1945-February-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Clifford Elmer Houston 2024-07-02 1945-February-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Christopher Laing 2024-07-02 Halifax NP683, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP683
Handley Page Ltd
NP 683
Hercules XVI
Unit 420/426
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-29 Evader Murdered RCAF Flying Officer Hugh Waldie Birnie 2024-08-13 1944-June-29 Evader RAF Pilot Officer George D'Arcy 2024-08-13 1944-June-29 Evader Executed RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Sinclair Jamieson 2024-08-12 1944-June-29 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer Raymond Stanley Kennedy 2024-08-12 1944-June-29 Evader RCAF Flt. Lieutenant Percival NJ Logan MiD 2024-08-12 1944-June-29 PoW RCAF Flying Officer James Ralph Willis 2024-08-12 Halifax NP684, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP684
Handley Page Ltd
NP 684
Hercules XVI
Unit 426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP685, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP685
Handley Page Ltd
NP 685
Hercules XVI
Unit 426/408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP686, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP686
Handley Page Ltd
NP 686
Hercules XVI
Per Halifax File, Failed to Return, 29.7.44 Unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Flying Officer R Alderson 2024-10-17 1944-November-02 Survived RAFVR Sergeant George Beale 2024-10-17 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Flying Officer Robert James Brodie DFC 2024-10-17 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant Thoburn Westley Christie DFM 2024-02-19 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant J Deyell 2024-10-17 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant W Proskunik 2024-10-17 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Flying Officer J G Swan 2024-10-17 Halifax NP687, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP687
Handley Page Ltd
NP 687
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1944-07-25 to 1944-07-26
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
Battle of Normandy
432 Leaside Squadron (Saeviter ad Lucem) RAF east Moor. Halifax BVII aircraft NP 687 QO-A was shot down by Oblt Herbert Schulte zur Surlage 5/ NJG4 flying a a Ju-88 G-1 during an operation against targets in Stuttgart, Germany. The Halifax was abandoned and crashed at Chateaudun-Neuville aux Bois (Villampuy area), Eure-et-Loir, France
Flying Officer SP Wright (RAFVR) was the only crew member lost, killed in actionWing Commander JK MacDonald (RCAF), Flying Officer MFC Grimsey (RCAF), Flight Sergeant BR Justason (RCAF), Flying Officer W Calderwood (RAF), Pilot Officer H Chamberlain (RAF) and Flight Lieutenant HJS Kemley DFC (RAF) all survived and became Evaders. Grimsey, Chamberlain and Kemley were all at the Freteval Camp in France as part of the Comet Escape Line until liberated by American troops 1944-08-14
MacDonald, Justason and Calderwood were driven from Orgeres-en-Beauce to Villeron by Raymond PICOURT, a pharmacist in Chartres. They sheltered there until their liberation by American troops in mid-August 1944
There were two 432 Squadron Halifax VII aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial NP 688 QO-X foe additional information on this aircraft and crew
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
Halifax NP688, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP688
Handley Page Ltd
NP 688
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1944-07-25 to 1944-07-26
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
Battle of Normandy
432 Leaside Squadron (Saeviter ad Lucem) RAF East Moor. Halifax BVII aircraft NP 688 QO-X failed to return from an operation against targets in Stuttgart, Germany. The cause of loss was not determined but there are both night fighter and flak claims for this loss. The Halifax crashed at Breteniere, near Thorey-en-Plaine, 13 km SE of Dijon, France
Pilot Officer JR Giles (RCAF), Pilot Officer GB Martin (RCAF), Flying Officer KL Moss (RCAF), Flying Officer F Wittmack (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant DW Johnson (RCAF)(USA) and Sergeant FD Crawford (RAFVR) were all killed in action
The Navigator, Flying Officer GR Ellis (RCAF) was the sole survivor from this crew and was taken as a Prisoner of War
There were two 432 Squadron Halifax VII aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial NP 687 QO-A for additional information on this aircraft and crew
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
Research of France-Crashes 39-45
Halifax NP688 (bois) - Thorey-en-Plaine le 26 July 1944 I Aerosteles
1944-July-26 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Forcer Douglas Crawford 2024-05-13 1944-July-26 PoW RCAF Flying Officer George Robert Ellis 2023-05-15 1944-July-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Reginald Giles 2023-05-15 1944-July-26 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Donald Woodrow Johnson 2023-05-15 1944-July-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Bernard Martin 2023-10-11 1944-July-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth Lionel Moss 2023-05-15 1944-July-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Wittmack 2023-05-15 Halifax NP689, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP689
Handley Page Ltd
NP 689
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hagen Germany 1945-03-15 to 1945-03-15
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
267 aircraft - 134 Lancasters, l 22 Halifaxes, 11 Mosquitoes - of 4, 6 and 8 Groups. 6 Lancasters and 4 Halifaxes lost.
This area attack took place in clear visibility and caused severe damage; the local report estimated that the bomber force was 800 aircraft strong! The main attack fell in the centre and eastern districts. There were 1,439 fires, of which 124 were classified 11s large. 493 Germans and 12 foreigners were killed. 30,000-35,000 people were bombed out.
Halifax VII aircraft NP 689 QO-M "Moonlight Mermaid" was shot down by flak near the target over Germany (R Koval)
Flying Officer SM Bonter (RCAF), Sergeant DC Lawton (RCAF) and Sergeant D Colquhoun (RAFVR) were killed
Flying Officer HE Vachon (RCAF), Flying Officer AT Hinchcliffe (RCAF) and Warrant Officer Class 2 EEV Anderson (RCAF) baled safely and were taken Prisoner of War (R Koval). Sergeant TD Scott (RCAF) also baled out safely and evaded but fell into the hands of the Gestapo and was murdered April 3, 1945. This was NP 689's 84th or 85th sortie (letter, Airforce, Sept. 1983, which also gives the name as "Moonlight Maiden")
1945-March-15 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Eiler Villy Anderson 2024-11-02 1945-March-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Stewart Millen Bonter 2023-11-01 1945-March-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Darwin Cameron Lawton 2025-01-29 1945-March-15 Murdered RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Delmar Scott 2025-01-29 1945-March-15 PoW RCAF Flying Officer H E Vachon 2025-01-29 1945-March-17 PoW RCAF Flying Officer A T Hinchcliffe 2025-01-29 Halifax NP690, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP690
Handley Page Ltd
NP 690
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP691, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP691
Handley Page Ltd
NP 691
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP692, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP692
Handley Page Ltd
NP 692
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Bottrop Germany 1944-09-27 to 1944-09-27
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
175 aircraft - 96 Halifaxes, 71 Lancasters, 8 Mosquitoes - of 6 and 8 Groups attacked the Ruhroel A.G. synthetic-oil plant in the Welheim suburb ofBottrop. The target was almost entirely cloud-covered and most of the bombing was aimed at Oboe sky-markers, although a few aircraft were able to bomb through small breaks' in the cloud. Explosions and black smoke were seen. No aircraft lost.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax NP693, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP693
Handley Page Ltd
NP 693
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP694, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP694
Handley Page Ltd
NP 694
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP695, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP695
Handley Page Ltd
NP 695
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Osnabruck Germany 1944-12-06 to 1944-12-06
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
453 aircraft- 363 Halifaxes, 72 Lancasters, 18 Mosquitoes - of 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups, 7 Halifaxes and I Lancaster lost.
This was the first major raid on Osnabriick since August 1942. The raid was only a partial success. The railway yards were only slightly damaged but 4 factories were hit, including the Teuto-Metallwerke munitions factory, and 203 houses wen, destroyed. 39 people were killed.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft NP 695 missing during a trip to Osnabruck, Germany. Claimed by Hptm Dietrich Schmidt 8/NJG1 - Nordwalde: 2,800m at 2014.(Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1944 Part 5 - Theo Boiten)
Those who perished were initially buried in Nordwalde Local Cemetery. Reinterred 24 March 1947.(CWGC)
Sergeant Jonas and Flt Sergeant Quinn RCAF were part of Trupp 56. They arrived at Bankau on 26 December 1944. (The Long Road - Oliver Clutton-Brock)
WOII Callaghan RCAF was captured on 6 December 1944 at Osnabruck;Fg Off Wilkinson RCAF was captured on 7 December 1944 near Munster;Plt Off Soles RCAF was captured on 7 December 1944 near Munster;Flt Sergeant Quinn RCAF was captured on 6 December 1944 near Munster;Navigator: R/174480 WOII Patrick Alec Callaghan RCAF - PoW/Stalag Luft 7 Bankau near Kreuzburg Upper Silesia/Stalag IIIA Luckenwalde/PoW Number 1315.
Bomb Aimer: J/26210 Fg Off Clarence Wilfrid Wilkinson RCAF - PoW/Stalag Luft 1 Barth Vogelsang PoW Number 6800
Wireless Operator: J/89784 Plt Off Clarence William Soles RCAF - PoW/Stalag Luft 1 Barth Vogelsang/PoW Number 6797
Mid Upper Gunner: R/150272 Flt Sergeant Harold Clinton Quinn RCAF - PoW/Stalag Luft 7 Bankau near Kreuzburg Upper Silesia/Stalag IIIA Luckenwalde/PoW Number 1300.source: John Jones
1944-December-06 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Patrick Alec Callaghan 2024-11-13 1944-December-06 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 James George William Chalmers 2024-11-13 1944-December-06 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Julian Gerald Jonas 2024-11-13 1944-December-06 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Clinton Quinn 2024-11-13 1944-December-06 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Clarence William Soles 2024-11-13 1944-December-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Herbert Speirs 2024-11-13 1944-December-06 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Clarence Wilfred Wilkinson 2024-11-13 Halifax NP696, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP696
Handley Page Ltd
NP 696
Hercules XVI
Unit 426
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant R I Cairns 2023-12-02 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer R Dunn 2024-10-29 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer G S Hamilton 2021-11-09 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant S Holmes 2021-11-09 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Warrant Officer I G Ives 2021-11-09 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Warrant Officer I J A McLeod 2021-11-09 1944-November-02 Survived RAFVR Flying Officer R Welsh 2021-11-09 Halifax NP697, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP697
Handley Page Ltd
NP 697
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP698, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP698
Handley Page Ltd
NP 698
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP699, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP699
Handley Page Ltd
NP 699
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Ferry Flight Duisburg Germany 1944-12-17 to 1944-12-18
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
523 aircraft 418 Halifaxes, 81 Lancasters, 24 Mosquitoes - of 4, 6 and 8 Groups. 8 Halifaxes lost.
Duisburg was badly hit again. 346 houses were destroyed and 524 seriously damaged; industrial premises were probably hit also but few details are available, 92 -people, including 18 foreigners, were killed.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax VII aircraft NP 699 QO-O "Oscar the Outlaw II" crashed by the French/Belgium border near Rocroi, France. The aircraft was involved a mid-air collision with 10 Sqn Halifax III LV 818 ZA-F during an early morning trip to Duisburg, Germany, causing the loss of both aircraft and only one survivor between the two aircrews (R Koval). Flying Officer RL Cann (RCAF), Pilot Officer SE Zadorozny (RCAF), Pilot Officer AG Blayney (RCAF), Flying Officer GD Wilson (RCAF), and Pilot Officer MJ Boylan (RAFVR) were killed and buried at various cemeteries scattered across Belgium and France. Pilot Officer JW Green (RCAF) missing, believed killed and listed on the Runnymede Memorial as missing. One Canadian, pilot Flight Lieutenant M Krakovsky (RCAF), survived, safe, and was returned to the Squadron
There were two 432 Sqn. aircraft lost on this date. Please see Farelll, E.J.for information regarding the other aircraft Halifax NP 701 and crew.
1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alfred Goodman-Wells Blayney 2025-01-25 1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Leslie Cann 2025-01-25 1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James William Green 2025-01-25 1944-December-18 Evader RCAF Flying Officer M Krakovsky 2025-01-25 1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Douglas Wilson 2025-01-25 1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Stanley Ernest Zadorozny 2025-01-25 Halifax NP700, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP700
Handley Page Ltd
NP 700
Hercules XVI
Unit 426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP701, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP701
Handley Page Ltd
NP 701
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Duisburg Germany 1944-12-17 to 1944-12-18
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
523 aircraft 418 Halifaxes, 81 Lancasters, 24 Mosquitoes - of 4, 6 and 8 Groups. 8 Halifaxes lost.
Duisburg was badly hit again. 346 houses were destroyed and 524 seriously damaged; industrial premises were probably hit also but few details are available, 92 -people, including 18 foreigners, were killed.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax VII aircraft NP 701 QO-G missing during a daylight operation, against Duisburg, German. Shot down by a fighter around 05:00. Aircraft quickly lost control and partially evacuated by parachute. (French Crashes 39-45) (Unable to confirm).Crashed at Beaume 17km East of Vervins.
Flying Officer GH March (RCAF), Pilot Officer EJ Farrell (RCAF)(Nfld), Pilot Officer EP Harvey (RCAF), Flying Officer D Hitchcock (RCAF), and FS a Eccleston (RAFVR) were killed. Two others of the crew, Flying Officer DJ McKinnon (RCAF) and Sergeant JE Harvey (RCAF) survived safe.Those who perished were initially buried at Champpiguel US Cemetery. Reinterred 21 May 1945. (CWGC
Sergeant J.E.Harvey RCAF statement:-At approximately 05:00 the Halifax of which I was rear gunner was attacked by enemy aircraft evasive action was taken by our aircraft and the enemy aircraft lost sight of us. After the enemy attacked us I told pilot to resume course . As far as I know the enemy aircraft did not fire at us and we did not fire at him. About 1 minute after this the plane got out of control and went into a dive. Then I was thrown out of the rear turret got clear and parachuted to safety. Was dazed on reaching the ground, laid low about half an hour then walked to the nearest village which was 2.5 miles away (Leuge). Was entertained in a house for half an hour. Enquired the local residents and one of them escorted me in the town where Fg Off McKinnon was in bed with a broken leg and badly shaken up. Then I ascertained the whereabouts of the aircraft which approved to be 2.5 miles from the village. Visited the scene of the crash and there I found the Wireless Operators body Flt Sergeant Harvey in part of the strewn wreckage. Identified him by his features. They recovered the other five bodies and was fairly certain they were all dead at the time. Was able to identify them all by their features etc. Then I endeavoured to locate the nearest Allied unit and found an American military post at Hirson about 12 miles distant. They got an ambulance for me and I was taken to 99 General Hospital at Rheims with Fg Off McKinnon who was picked up in Leuge. Stayed there until 24 December and then was moved to RAF Detachment (A68 Landing Strip) Left there in an American Dakota at noon on the 27th and returned to UK. Was not hospitalised. As far as I know the five bodies were taken care of by the American unit at Hirson. Fg Off McKinnon was thrown out of the aircraft the same time as I was. He may have received his injuries either when he was thrown clear or on reaching the ground. Fg Off McKinnon was moved from the 99 General Hospital either on Thursday 21st or Friday 22nd back to the UK. I was informed by one of the orderlies. (It has since been ascertained that Leuge is in Belgium. It is near the border of France which explains why he thought he was in France)
There were two 432 Sqn. aircraft lost on this date. Please see Cann, RL for information regarding the other crew and aircraft NP699.source: John Jones
Halifax NP702, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP702
Handley Page Ltd
NP 702
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1944-07-28 to 1944-07-29
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
Halifax VII aircraft NP 702 QO-B "Block Buzzter" failed to return from night operations over Hamburg, Germany, cause unknown. The aircraft was lost without a trace, most probably shot down by a night fighter, crashing into the North Sea near Heligoland, off the coast of Germany where most of the night fighter attacks occurred on this night
Pilot Officer EA Clarke (RCAF), Pilot Officer J Cook (RCAF), Pilot Officer EH Bishop (RCAF), Pilot Officer HD Lewis (RCAF), Pilot Officer FA Burgess (RCAF), Pilot Officer W Brown (RCAF), and Pilot Officer GW Bradshaw (RAFVR) were all missing, presumed killed in action
The crew have no known graves and are all commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial
Twenty-two 6 Group aircraft and crews failed to return from this operation
432 Squadron Halifax III NP702 QO-B P/O> Clarke, RAF East Moor Nort...
1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ernest Howard Bishop 2024-04-08 1944-July-29 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer George William Bradshaw 2024-04-08 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Wesley Brown 2024-04-08 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Fred Andrew Burgess 2024-04-08 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edward Allan Clarke 2024-04-08 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Cook 2024-04-08 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harvey Daniel Lewis 2024-04-08 Halifax NP703, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP703
Handley Page Ltd
NP 703
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP704, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP704
Handley Page Ltd
NP 704
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Wanne-Eickel Germany 1945-02-02 to 1945-02-02
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
323 aircraft - 277 Halifaxes, 27 Lancasters, 19 Mosquitoes - of 4, 6 and 8 Groups, 11 Halifaxes lost.
This target was also cloud-covered and the attack, intended for the oil refinery, was not accurate. The local report assumed that the target was a local coal mine Shamrock 3/4; most of the bombing fell in the open ground around the mine, although 21 houses were hit and 68 people were killed.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft NP 704 was shot down and crashed in the industrial area of Dusseldorf-Reishol, Germany during a night bombing operation against Wanne-Eickel, Germany. Flying Officer J.T. Robinson, P/Os R.G.E.Silver, H. Bloch, Flight Lieutenant G.H. Thomson,Warrant Officer A.M. Jones, Sergeant R.R. Vallier, and Pilot Officer W.H. Haryett were killed.
1945-February-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harry Bloch 2024-11-13 1945-February-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Henry Haryett 2025-01-26 1945-February-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Malcolm Jones 2025-01-26 1945-February-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Thomas Robinson 2025-01-26 1945-February-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert George Earl Silver 2025-01-26 1945-February-02 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant George Homer Thomson 2025-01-26 1945-February-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Roy Ronald Vallier 2025-01-26 Halifax NP705, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP705
Handley Page Ltd
NP 705
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP706, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP706
Handley Page Ltd
NP 706
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Caen France 1944-07-18 to 1944-07-18
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
Battle of Normandy
942 aircraft - 667 Lancasters, 260 Halifaxes, 15 Mosquitoes - to bomb 5 fortified villages in the area east of Caen through which British Second Army troops were about to make an armoured attack, Operation Goodwood.
The raids took place at dawn in clear conditions. 4 of the targets were satisfactorily marked by Oboe and, at the target where Oboe failed, the Master Bomber, Squadron Leader E. K. Creswell, and other Pathfinder crews used visual methods. American bombers also attacked these targets and a total of' 6,800 tons of bombs were dropped, of which Bomber Command dropped more than 5,000 tons. Elements of two German divisions, the 16th Luftwaffe Field Division and the 21st Panzer Division were badly affected by the bombing, the Luftwaffe Division particularly so. Operation Goodwood made a good start. This raid was either the most useful or one of the most useful of the operations carried out by Bomber Command in direct support of the Allied armies.*
The aircraft bombed from medium heights, 5,000--9,000 ft, but army artillery and naval gunfire subdued many of the Flak batteries and only 6 aircraft- 5 Halifaxes and 1 Lancaster - were shot down. No German fighters appeared; Allied air superiority over the battlefield by day was complete.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax VII aircraft NP 706 QO-J was shot down by flak fourteen miles north-east of Falaise, France, at Boulogne during operations to Caen, France.
Pilot Officer RE Burton (RCAF) survived the crash but died from his wounds. Buried initially near the crash site, he was exhumed and reburied at the Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, France.
Four Canadians, Flight Lieutenant JH Cooper (RCAF), Flying Officer RP Dryden (RCAF),Sergeant SD Wright (RCAF), and Warrant Officer Class 1 KE Elliott (RCAF) were taken as Prisoners of War Warrant Officer Class 2 A Zacharuk (RCAF), Sergeant HE Oakeby (RAF) were Evaders.
1944-July-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Elwood Burton 2024-10-30 1944-July-18 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Herbert Cooper 2024-04-10 1944-July-18 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert Page Dryden 2024-10-30 1944-July-18 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth Earl Elliott 2024-10-30 1944-July-18 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Samuel Dawson Wright 2024-10-30 1944-July-18 Evader RCAF Warrant Officer 2 A Zacharuk 2024-10-30 Halifax NP707, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP707
Handley Page Ltd
NP 707
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP708, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP708
Handley Page Ltd
NP 708
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP709, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP709
Handley Page Ltd
NP 709
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Oberhausen Germany 1944-11-01 to 1944-11-02
426 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Linton-on-Ouse
Halifax aircraft NP709 was shot up by a German night fighter aircraft then crashed and burned near Haan Germany.
Claim by Fw Peter Oberheid 6/NJG2 - Goch - Wesel - Duisburg - Venlo (KN - KO - LO - LN): 4,500m at 20:46. (Crashed in Steinstrabe at Haan Grid Square MP 1-7, bordering on LO)(Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1944 Part 5 - Theo Boiten)
1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Frank Anderson 2024-11-02 1944-November-02 KIA RAF Flight Sergeant Thomas Robert Edgell 2024-09-29 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Cyril Christian Goble 2024-09-29 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Leslie George Griffith 2024-09-29 1944-November-02 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Langton 2024-09-29 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Alexander McLea 2024-09-29 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Joseph Mullin 2024-09-29 Halifax NP710, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP710
Handley Page Ltd
NP 710
Hercules XVI
Units 432/408
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-September-11 KIA RCAF Leading Aircraftman Gordon James Barraball 2024-12-24 1944-September-11 Survived RCAF Leading Aircraftman Victor Lloyd George Billson 2025-01-19 1944-September-11 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant Walter Donald Cooke 2024-04-07 1944-September-11 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Marshall Houston 2024-12-24 1944-September-11 Survived RCAF Corporal Lloyd Emil Jacobson 2024-12-24 1944-September-11 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Nicholas Kerry 2024-12-24 1944-September-11 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Norman Colin McKillop 2024-12-24 1944-September-11 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Douglas John Milburn 2024-12-24 1944-September-11 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ronald Ward Smith 2025-01-19 1944-September-11 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Charles Theodore Storey 2025-01-19 Halifax NP711, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP711
Handley Page Ltd
NP 711
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Worms Germany 1945-02-21 to 1945-02-21
408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Linton-on-Ouse
408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom), RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Halifax BVII aircraft NP 711 EQ-O was shot down during a night operation against targets in Worms, Germany. The aircraft was struck by flak near the target and, exploding when it crashed into a hillside near Leistadt, Germany
Flight Lieutenant DM Sanderson (RCAF), Flying Officer RB Smith (RCAF), Flying Officer WJ Gilmore (RCAF), Pilot Officer WW Wagner (RCAF), Pilot Officer NPH Andersen (RCAF) and Sergeant J Wilson (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Rear Gunner, Pilot Officer DE Sherman (RCAF) managed to bail from the aircraft before the crash but was too low for his parachute to fully open and was killed in action
There were two 408 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial RG 477 EQ-N for additional information
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
Allied Losses and Incidents: All Commands
(53) Searching for Halifax NP711 - In the Footsteps of History! - YouTube
(53) Crash site detective: What happened to Halifax NP711? - ...
(53) Searching for Halifax NP711 Documentary Online Free I Nichola...
(53) Halifax NP711 Memorial Service & Memorial Flight - IG...
1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Nels Peter Helin Andersen 2024-07-22 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William James Gilmore 2023-11-27 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Donald McWilliam Sanderson 2023-11-27 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Edison Sherman 2023-11-27 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Reginald Bertram Smith 2023-11-27 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Wallace Wagner 2023-11-27 1945-February-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Wilson 2024-11-01 Halifax NP712, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP712
Handley Page Ltd
NP 712
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-April-05 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant John Barrows Bennett 2025-01-14 1945-April-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer A K Brown 2025-01-14 1945-April-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer W G Burnett 2025-01-14 1945-April-05 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Kenneth Gordon Finn 2025-01-14 1945-April-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Clement King 2025-01-14 1945-April-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer F W Trow 2025-01-14 Halifax NP713, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP713
Handley Page Ltd
NP 713
Hercules XVI
Unit 426/408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP714, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP714
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NP 714
Hercules XVI
Unit 426/408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP716, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP716
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NP 716
Hercules XVI
Unit 432/408
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 John Dingwall 2024-10-21 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Quinten Thomas Russell Grierson 2024-10-21 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Jerry Taylor Guthrie 2024-10-21 1944-July-29 KIA USAAF 2nd Lieutenant Alfred A Hausenberger 2024-10-21 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Gerald Bennett Latimer 2024-10-21 1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Clarence Francis McDougal 2024-10-21 1944-July-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Richard Strickland Westrope 2024-10-21 Halifax NP717, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP717
Handley Page Ltd
NP 717
Hercules XVI
Unit 426/408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP718, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP718
Handley Page Ltd
NP 718
Hercules XVI
Units 432/408
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alfred George Allen 2024-11-02 1945-March-07 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Nelson George Baird 2024-11-04 1945-March-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George David Daughters 2024-10-31 1945-March-07 PoW RCAF Sergeant Joseph Huspeka 2024-11-28 1945-March-07 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Steven Lasko 2024-11-28 1945-March-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Rupert George McManus 2024-11-28 1945-March-07 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Bernard Charles Patterson 2024-11-28 Halifax NP719, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP719
Handley Page Ltd
NP 719
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Kiel Germany 1944-09-15 to 1944-09-16
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
490 aircraft- 3rn Lancasters, 173 Halifaxes, 7 Mosquitoes - of I, 4, 6 and 8 Groups. 4 Halifaxes and 2 Lancasters lost.
The evidence of returning crews and of photographs caused Bomber Command to record this as 'a highly concentrated raid' with 'the old town and modern shopping centre devastated'. The local report confirms this as a heavy attack, and records damage in the centre and port areas, but describes how much of the bombing fell outside Kiel. Unusually low numbers of 12 deaths and 28 people injured were recorded.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft NP 719 missing during a night trip, an attack against Kiel, Germany. P/O.s J.G.G.A. Labelle, D.R. MacCarthy, J.C. Gallagher, H.N. McLeod, C.D. Crowe, F/O. J.E. LeBlanc, and Sgt. C.F. Gill (RAF) were killed.
1944-September-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles David Crowe 2024-05-21 1944-September-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Cornelius Gallagher 2023-08-30 1944-September-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Gaston Gustave Andre Labelle 2023-08-30 1944-September-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Edouard Gerand Leblanc 2023-08-30 1944-September-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Dermot Reagh MacCarthy 2023-08-30 1944-September-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Hugh Norman McLeod 2023-08-30 Halifax NP720, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP720
Handley Page Ltd
NP 720
Hercules XVI
Unit 426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP721, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP721
Handley Page Ltd
NP 721
Hercules XVI
Unit 426/432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP722, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP722
Handley Page Ltd
NP 722
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP723, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP723
Handley Page Ltd
NP 723
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Wilhelmshaven Germany 1944-10-15 to 1944-10-15
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
~506 aircraft+ 257 Halifaxes, 241 Lancasters, 8 Mosquitoes - from all groups except 5 Group on the last of 14 major Bomber Command raids on Wilhelmshaven that began in early 1941.
Bomber Command claimed 'severe damage' to the business and residential areas. A short local report mentions only that the Rathaus was completely destroyed and that 30 people were killed and 92 injured. A further report from Wilhelmshaven giving overall air-raid details, shows that this port town - a major naval base escaped relatively lightly in the war. In 26 R.A.F. and American raids, only 510 civilians, 24 servicemen and 30 foreign workers were killed.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft NP 723 was shot down near Wittmund, Germany during a night attack against Wilhelmshaven, Germany. Flight Lieutenant D.W.Speller, F/Os G.L. Gilbert, T.F. Fisher, Pilot Officer J.D. Hogg, Sergeants K.E. Odobas, G.T. Cook, and Sergeant C. Moss (RAF) were killed.
1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Sergeant Gordon Thomas Cook 2024-04-01 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Francis Fisher 2023-03-06 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Lyon Gilbert 2023-03-06 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Douglas Hogg 2023-03-06 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Sergeant Keith Earl Odobas 2023-03-06 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Donald Wesley Speller 2023-03-06 Halifax NP736, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP736
Handley Page Ltd
NP 736
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP737, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP737
Handley Page Ltd
NP 737
Hercules XVI
Unit 426/408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP738, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP738
Handley Page Ltd
NP 738
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Wanne-Eickel Germany 1944-10-12 to 1944-10-12
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
I11 Halifaxes and 26 Lancasters of 6 and 8 Groups attacked the oil plant. A direct hit 1111 n storage tank early in the raid produced dense cloud and smoke which hindered later bombing. A German report says that the refinery itself was not seriously damaged but that the GA VEG chemical factory was destroyed; it is possible that the bombers were aiming at the wrong target. The report also states that 24 buildings were hit in nearby housing areas and that 103 German civilians, 2 foreign workers 1 prisoner of war were killed, most of them being in makeshift 'earth shelters'.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax NP739, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP739
Handley Page Ltd
NP 739
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-October-07 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Walter Ernest Ames 2024-11-02 1944-October-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Glenn Wesley Brooks 2024-11-20 1944-October-07 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Archibald Frederick Livingstone 2024-11-01 1944-October-07 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer J H Mack 2025-03-05 1944-October-07 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Walter Patrick Scott 2025-03-05 1944-October-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Theodore Short 2025-03-05 1944-October-07 KIA RAF Pilot Officer John Leslie Wilson 2025-03-05 Halifax NP740, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP740
Handley Page Ltd
NP 740
Hercules XVI
Unit 426/408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP741, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP741
Handley Page Ltd
NP 741
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-September-12 PoW KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Percy Lloyd Buck AFC 2024-10-08 1944-September-12 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth James Dugdale 2024-10-29 1944-September-12 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Sloan 2024-10-08 1944-September-12 PoW RCAF Flying Officer R W Walter 2024-10-08 1944-December-09 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Martin De Luca 2024-10-08 Halifax NP742, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP742
Handley Page Ltd
NP 742
Hercules XVI
Unit 408.
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP743, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP743
Handley Page Ltd
NP 743
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-January-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Norman Godwin Baily 2024-11-04 1945-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frank Henry 2024-05-29 1945-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Brooks Earl House 2024-05-29 1945-January-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Crawford Lee Johnston 2024-06-01 1945-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Jack Clarence Mortley 2024-06-22 1945-January-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Anthony O'Brien 2024-06-22 Halifax NP744, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP744
Handley Page Ltd
NP 744
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-02 Survived RAFVR Sergeant Archibald Anderson 2024-11-02 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Vernon Beverley Gilson 2023-08-23 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Allan Clifford Ineson 2023-08-23 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Louis Joseph Reaume 2023-08-23 1944-November-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Anderson Staples 2023-08-23 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant William Gordon Sutton 2021-11-06 1944-November-02 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Haig Woodworth 2021-11-06 Halifax NP745, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP745
Handley Page Ltd
NP 745
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP746, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP746
Handley Page Ltd
NP 746
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1945-01-29 to 1945-01-29
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Linton-on-Ouse
602 aircraft - 316 Halifaxes, 258 Lancasters, 28 Mosquitoes - of 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups. I I aircraft - 6 Lancasters, 4 Halifaxes, 1 Mosquito - lost.
This raid was split into 2 parts, with a 3-hour interval. The first force - of 226 aircraft - was directed against the important railway yards at Kornwestheim, a town to the north of Stuttgart, and the second was against the north-western Stuttgart suburb of Zuffenhausen, where the target is believed to have been the Hirth aero¬engine factory. The target area was mostly cloud-covered for both raids and the bombing, on sky-markers, was scattered.
Bombs fell in many parts of Stuttgart's northern and western suburbs. The important Bosch works, in the suburb of Feuer¬bach, was hit. The attack on Kornwestheim was the worst suffered by that town during the war; the Kornwestheim local report shows that the local people felt they had been bombed by mistake and that the main target was in Stuttgart. 14 highs explosive bombs fell in the industrial area of the town and in the railway yards. Fires burned for up to 12 hours. 123 people were killed in Stuttgart and 41 in Kornwest¬heim. A large number of bombs fell outside Stuttgart, particularly in the east arourid a decoy fire site which was also firing dummy target-indicator rockets into the .air. The village of Weilimdorf, situated not far away, complained bitterly about its damage and casualties!
Local expert, Heinz Bardua, also tells the story of the newly promoted Flak Leutnant at his battery position at Vaihingen, situated just south of the decoy fire site. With bombs falling all around his position, the Leutnant thought that the raid was directed against the Flak positions. He ignored regulations about conservation of ammunition and shot his entire stock at the radar echoes of the attacking bombers, 2 Lancasters and a Halifax crashed in the immediate vicinity, much to the relief of the officer, who had feared a court martial because of his prodigious use of ammunition.
This was the last large R.A.F. raid on Stuttgart. Herr Bardua says that the city had endured 53 major raids, most of them by the R.A.F., during which 32,549 blocks of flats or houses were destroyed (67·8 per cent of the total). After the war, 4·9 million cubic metres of rubble had to be cleared. 4,562 people died in the air raids, among them 770 prisoners of war or foreign workers. Stuttgart's experience was .not as severe as other German cities. Its location, spread out in a series of deep valleys, had consistently frustrated the Pathfinders and the shelters dug into the sides of the surrounding hills had saved many lives.
,source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax NP746 Took off from Linton-on-Ouse at 19:43 in Halifax Mk VII (Sqn code: EQ-E Bomber Command) to bomb Stuttgart.
Shot down (means not listed) and crashed. FO. McGovern, was the only survivor and, according to his family, became a Prisoner of War for three months..
Killed:Pilot Officer Leslie John Collinson RCAF C/95228 KIA Durnbach War Cemetery Ref: 3. G. 23.Flying Officer Thomas Bruce Little RCAF J/40372 KIA Durnbach War Cemetery Ref: 3. G. 20.Pilot Officer Philip Myerson RAF KIA Durnbach War Cemetery [Ref : 3. G. 21.]Pilot Officer Thomas Phillip QUINN (J/93944) Air Gunner Halifax NP746 IBCC [RCAF] 1945-01-29 408 Sqdn AIR27 Germany Durnbach War Cemetery Ref: 3. G. 25.Pilot Officer Robert Lloyd Siewert RCAF J/93945KIA Durnbach War Cemetery Ref: 3. G. 24.Flying Officer Richard Macmillan Wallis RCAF J/28593 pilot KIA Durnbach War Cemetery Ref: 3. G. 22.
1945-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Leslie John Collinson 2024-05-17 1945-January-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Bruce Little 2024-06-05 1945-January-29 PoW RCAF Flying Officer H T McGovern 2024-02-27 1945-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Phillip Quinn 2024-06-22 1945-January-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Lloyd Siewert 2024-06-28 1945-January-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Richard MacMillan Wallis 2024-07-10 
Halifax NP747, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP747
Handley Page Ltd
NP 747
Hercules XVI
unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP749, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP749
Handley Page Ltd
NP 749
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP750, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP750
Handley Page Ltd
NP 750
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Bochum Germany 1944-11-05 to 1944-11-05
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Linton-on-Ouse
Halifax NP750 No. 408 Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*F". Lost on raid to Bochum on 4/5 November 1944.
Claim by Hptm Herman Greiner Stab IV/NJG1 - West of Essen at 19:35.Attacked by a Fw190 about 19:35 at 17,000ft just before bombing run, setting the port inner engine on fire, rear gunner baled out. Aircraft followed out of the Ruhr (between Dusseldorf & Koln) and attacked by two unidentified fighters, again attacked over Belgium by an Me 210 and an Me 109. Crashed landed at Base 58 in Brussels and wrecked (Source: Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1944 Part 5 - Theo Boiten)
Rear Gunner: R/218193 Flt Sergeant Hugh David Hardy - PoW/Stalag Luft 7 Bankau near Kreuzburg, Upper Silesia/Stalag 3A Luckenwalde/PoW Number 1191.
The remaining members of the crew went on to continue their tour of operations.
Pilot: J/25966 Plt Off H D Sokoloff RCAF, Flight Engineer: 1567674, Flt Sergeant W J Richardson,Navigator: J/36850 Fg Off J H Sargent RCAF, Bomb Aimer: R/192680 Flt Sergeant AG Staples RCAF,Wireless Operator: R/162377 WOII JA M Fraser RCAF, Mid Upper Gunner: R/204992 Flt Sergeant L S Swindells RCAF.Halifax NP751, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP751
Handley Page Ltd
NP 751
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP754, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP754
Handley Page Ltd
NP 754
Hercules XVI
Units 408/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP755, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP755
Handley Page Ltd
NP 755
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP756, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP756
Handley Page Ltd
NP 756
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP757, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP757
Handley Page Ltd
NP 757
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP759, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP759
Handley Page Ltd
NP 759
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Hanover Germany 1945-01-05 to 1945-01-05
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
664 aircraft - 340 Halifaxes, 3IO Lancasters, 14 Mosquitoes - of 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups. 23 Halifaxes and 8 Lancasters lost, 4·7 per cent of the force.
This was the first large raid on Hannover since October 1943. Bombs fell all over the city and the local report, based on messages from 16 of the 18 police districts, shows that 493 buildings, containing 3,605 flats/apartments, were destroyed and that approximately 250 people were killed. No further details are available
432 Leaside Squadron (Saeviter ad Lucem) RAF East Moor. Halifax BVII aircraft NP 759 QO-C, named "Canada Kid" failed to return from an operation against targets in Hannover, Germany. The bomber was most likely lost to flak and exploded in mid-air, killing two crew members. The bomber crashed at Lichtenhorst-Steimbke, near Hoya, Germany
Flight Lieutenant JE Sales (RCAF) and Pilot Officer CH McLinnes (RCAF) were killed in action
Flying Officer JL Marcille (RCAF), Pilot Officer SJ Aikens (RCAF), Pilot Officer JF Charles (RCAF), Pilot Officer RJP Young (RCAF) and Sergeant J Dalton (RAF) survived to be taken as Prisoners of War
There were two 432 Squadron Halifax VII aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial NP 817 QO-D for further information on this aircraft and crewsource: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
RAF & RCAF Aircraft Nose Art in World War II by Clarence Simonsen, pages 75, 79Metal Canvas, Canadians and World War II Aircraft Nose Art by Stephen M Fochuk, page 142, 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Stanley John Aikens 2024-08-08 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Frederick Charles 2024-08-08 1945-January-05 PoW RAF Sergeant John Dalton 2024-08-08 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer J L Marcille 2024-08-08 1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Colin Harvey McInnes 2023-11-08 1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant James Ernest Sales 2023-10-28 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Robert John Pearte Young 2024-08-08 Halifax NP761, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP761
Handley Page Ltd
NP 761
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Gelsenkirchen Germany 1944-11-06 to 1944-11-06
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Linton-on-Ouse
408 Goose Squadron (Foe freedom) RAF Linton-on-Ouse, Halifax VII NP 761 EQ-A missing from an operation to Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The crew abandoned the aircraft and all survived, but crash site and cause of loss not determined
Possible shot down by Flak. Unable to locate any fighter activity near KrefeldFlt Sergeant Davies RCAF was part of Trupp 55. He arrived at Bankau on 20 December 1944.Sergeant Woods RCAF, Flt Sergeant McLeod RCAF and Flt Sergeant Robinson RCAF were part of Trupp 50. They arrived at Bankau on 28 November 1944. Sergeant Woods was captured on 6 November 1944 at Gels. During the last 4 months as a PoW he had an upset stomach due to bad food.(The Long Road - Oliver Clutton-Brock)
Pilot: J/18533 Fg Off John Clayton Kellond RCAF - captured on 6 November 1944 near Dusseldorf. PoW/Received a cut on head during combat. Hospital in Dusseldorf for 2 weeks/Interrogation at Oberusel/Dulag Luft Wetzlar/Stalag Luft 3 Sagan & Belaria/Stalag 3A Luckenwalde/PoW Number 9007.
Flight Engineer: C/97182 Sgt. William Arthur Woods RCAF - PoW/Stalag Luft 7 Bankau near Kreulberg Upper Silesia/Stalag 3A Luckenwalde/PoW Number 1214.
Navigator: J/38323 Fg Off Wilfred Alexander Gillmeister RCAF - captured on 6 November near Krefeld. Suffered from dysentery due to bad food. PoW/Airdrome Krefeld/Dulag Luft Frankfurt/Dulag Luft Wetzlar/Stalag Luft 3 Sagan & Belaria/Stalag 3A Luckenwalde/PoW Number 8810.
Bomb Aimer: J/36864 Fg Off Kenneth Irvine Durk RCAF - PoW/Dulag Luft Frankfurt/Dulag Luft Wetzlar/Stalag Luft 3 Sagan & Belaria/Stalag 3A Luckenwalde/PoW Number 8808.
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner: R/16445 Flt Sergeant David Myrddin Davies RCAF - was captured on 6 November at Gelsenkirchen. PoW/Stalag Luft 7 Bankau near Kreulberg Upper Silesia Stalag 3A Luckenwalde/PoW Number 1236.
Mid Upper Gunner: R/256282 Flt Sergeant Theodore Gordon McLeod RCAF - PoW/Stalag Luft 7 Bankau near Kreulberg Upper Silesia/PoW Number 1203.
Rear Gunner: R/127013 Flt Sergeant Ronald Charles Robinson RCAF - captured on 6 November 1944 at Gelsenkirchen. PoW/Stalag Luft 7 Bankau near Kreulberg Upper Silesia/Stalag 3A Luckenwalde/PoW Number 1210.
1944-November-06 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant David Myrddin Davies 2024-10-31 1944-November-06 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth Irvine Durk 2024-10-30 1944-November-06 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Wilfred Alexander Gillmeister 2024-09-30 1944-November-06 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Clayton Kellond 2024-09-30 1944-November-06 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Theodore Gordon McLeod 2024-09-30 1944-November-06 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Ronald Charles Robinson 2024-09-30 1944-November-06 PoW RCAF Sergeant William Arthur Woods 2024-09-30 Halifax NP768, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP768
Handley Page Ltd
NP 768
Hercules XVI
Units 408/426
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-January-28 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Donald Joseph Bird 2023-10-19 1945-January-28 PoW RCAF Wing Commander Fitzroy Cavendish Carling-Kelly 2025-01-20 1945-January-28 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Harry John Dales 2024-10-31 1945-January-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Allan Llewellyn Evans 2025-01-20 1945-January-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Philip Hyde 2025-01-20 1945-January-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Sidney Gordon Rundle 2025-01-20 Halifax NP769, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP769
Handley Page Ltd
NP 769
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-April-09 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Charles Cunningham 2024-05-30 1945-April-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Allison Duncan 2024-10-29 1945-April-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arne Paul Jensen 2021-08-11 1945-April-09 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant R I Smylie 2023-10-01 1945-April-09 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Maclellan Taylor 2021-07-20 1945-April-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Dickson Walker 2021-07-12 Halifax NP770, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP770
Handley Page Ltd
NP 770
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP771, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP771
Handley Page Ltd
NP 771
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Andrew George Balfour 2024-11-05 1944-November-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ernest Edward Courtis 2024-05-05 1944-November-01 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Rodney Shand Goreham 2024-12-07 1944-November-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Allister Currie McLeod 2024-12-07 1944-November-01 PoW RCAF Sergeant Ward Edward Morrison 2024-12-07 1944-November-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Frederick Gladstone Weedon 2024-12-07 Halifax NP772, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP772
Handley Page Ltd
NP 772
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP773, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP773
Handley Page Ltd
NP 773
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-October-15 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Denis Leonard Brewer 2024-09-23 1944-October-15 PoW RCAF Sergeant Donald Stewart Davies 2024-09-23 1944-October-15 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Leo Joseph Dupont 2024-09-23 1944-October-15 PoW RCAF Flying Officer R A Roman 2024-09-23 1944-October-15 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Frank Leroy Smart 2024-09-23 1944-October-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Joseph Wolfe 2024-09-23 Halifax NP774, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP774
Handley Page Ltd
NP 774
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP775, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP775
Handley Page Ltd
NP 775
Hercules XVI
Units 408/426
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Roland Walter Bick 2025-01-18 1944-November-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Albert Larry Goheen 2025-01-18 1944-November-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Ernest Howard Hyde 2025-01-18 1944-November-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Norley Edward Jennings 2025-01-18 1944-November-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert Edward Jones 2025-01-18 1944-November-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Donald Wallace Younger 2025-01-18 Halifax NP776, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP776
Handley Page Ltd
NP 776
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-April-18 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Albert James Cull 2024-05-23 1945-April-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Farley Cecil Hill 2021-08-10 1945-April-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Mitchell Miller 2023-07-23 1945-April-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Henry White 2022-01-11 1945-April-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Roland Wesley Williams 2021-07-08 1945-April-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Hugh Raymond Wood 2021-07-07 Halifax NP777, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP777
Handley Page Ltd
NP 777
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP778, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP778
Handley Page Ltd
NP 778
Hercules XVI
Units 432/426
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Castrop-Rauxel Germany 1944-11-21 to 1944-11-21
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Linton-on-Ouse
The aircraft received minor flak damage to the rear fuselage shortly after leaving the target area while over Germany. On the return to the general area of their base at Linton on Ouse, it entered the landing circuit and later made radio contact with the ground controllers. It was given landing instructions but this was not acknowledged and the aircraft later found to have flown into the ground at speed around 200 yards North of Flawith at 21:45. It had passed through a number of hedges and a row of trees causing the aircraft to break up and a fire develop when it came to rest in a turnip field. Visibility was not perfect at the time of the crash but it did not prevent other returning crews landing at Linton on Ouse that evening. While five of the crew were killed two survived. The survivors later stated when the aircraft was in the landing circuit the pilot transmitted on the aircraft's intercom that he had lost sight of the runway at Linton on Ouse and requested that the navigator go from the rest position at the back of the aircraft to the cockpit. Soon after they then received an instruction over the intercom to put on parachutes and immediately afterwards the crash occurred. They did not learn why this order was made by the pilot, the surviving navigator assumed there was a radical problem which had effected the pilot controlling the aircraft. A detailed examination of the wreckage took place and although the control mechanism was destroyed by fire it was thought highly likely that loose equipment within the aircraft had fouled the elevator controls causing the pilot difficulties and the eventual crash. (Aircraft Accidents in Yorkshire) Source: John Jones
P/Os D J Stevens, H.E. Reynolds, T.J. Hunt, J.N. Atkinson, and Flying Officer G.I. Hopper were killed. Two other Canadians, Flying Officer Rae and FS Murray were injured.
1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Neil Atkinson 2024-11-03 1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Garnet Illingsworth Hopper 2024-09-16 1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas John Hunt 2024-09-16 1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Hartley Ernest Reynolds 2024-09-16 1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer David Jason Stevens 2022-01-03 Halifax NP779, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP779
Handley Page Ltd
NP 779
Hercules XVI
Units 432/426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP780, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP780
Handley Page Ltd
NP 780
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP781, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP781
Handley Page Ltd
NP 781
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-December-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Bruce Allan 2024-08-20 1944-December-24 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Alcide Chiasson 2024-08-20 1944-December-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gerald Roch D'amour 2024-08-20 1944-December-24 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Henry Dunwoodie 2024-10-30 1944-December-24 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Walter Louis Friker 2024-08-20 1944-December-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer David Garfield Kellar 2024-08-20 1944-December-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Clifford Tonkin 2024-08-20 Halifax NP793, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP793
Handley Page Ltd
NP 793
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Richard Alan Biggerstaff 2024-11-12 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Maxwell Warren Coones 2024-04-08 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Benedict Joseph McCarthy 2022-01-03 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frank MacGregor Myers 2022-01-03 1945-March-05 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer William Albert Togwell 2022-01-03 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Humphrey Stanley Watts 2022-01-03 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Albert Way 2022-01-03 Halifax NP794, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP794
Handley Page Ltd
NP 794
Hercules XVI
Units 297/426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP795, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP795
Handley Page Ltd
NP 795
Hercules XVI
Unit 426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP796, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP796
Handley Page Ltd
NP 796
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-April-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Allan Bernard Boyd 2024-11-16 1945-April-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Edwin Brambleby 2024-11-17 1945-April-25 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Arthur Blevyn Ely 2025-02-16 1945-April-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Vernon Earl Hovey 2025-02-16 1945-April-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Albert Leroy Rutter 2025-02-16 1945-April-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Kent Stanley 2025-02-16 Halifax NP797, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP797
Handley Page Ltd
NP 797
Hercules XVI
Units 432/426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP798, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP798
Handley Page Ltd
NP 798
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP799, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP799
Handley Page Ltd
NP 799
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-05 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant William Henry (Harry) Denison 2024-10-12 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Edward Fennell 2024-10-12 1945-March-05 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Ian Giles 2024-10-12 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Roald Benjamin Gunderson 2024-10-12 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Gillespie Kirkpatrick 2024-10-12 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Alexander Henry Larson 2024-10-12 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Roy Edward Stillinger 2024-10-12 Halifax NP800, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP800
Handley Page Ltd
NP 800
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Earle Clements 2024-03-02 1944-November-04 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Orlando Cook 2024-04-02 1944-November-04 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Harry William Elder 2021-02-03 1944-November-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Leo James Hopper 2023-08-22 1944-November-04 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Harold Millett Mosley 2023-07-29 1944-November-04 Evader RCAF Flight Sergeant C A M Pottage 2021-02-03 Halifax NP801, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP801
Handley Page Ltd
NP 801
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Bochum Germany 1944-10-09 to 1944-10-10
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
435 aircraft- 375 Halifaxes, 40 Lancasters, 20 Mosquitoes - of I, 4, 6 and 8 Groups, 4 Halifaxes and I Lancaster lost.
This raid was not successful. The target area was covered by cloud and the bombing was scattered. The local report says that there was some damage in the southern districts of Bochum, with 140 houses destroyed or seriously damaged and approximately 150 people killed.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax B VII NP 801 QO-N, during a raid to Bochum, Germany was struck by falling bombs from an aircraft flying above it over the target and abandoned. The entire crew survived
Flying Officer RC Diamond (RCAF), Flying Officer W Nicholson (RCAF), Flying Officer WA Stohlberg (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 AG Sharpe (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 HJ Graham (RCAF), FS WA Harrington (RCAF) and Sergeant KW Hutchinson (RAF) all survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
Detail from books: Footprints on the Sands of Time, RAF Bomber Command Prisoners of War in Germany 1939-45 and The Long Road, Trials and Tribulations of Airmen Prisoners from Stalag Luft VII (Bankau) to Berlin, June 1944-May 1945. Both books by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Grub Street Press
1944-October-10 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert Cahoon Diamond 2024-07-17 1944-October-10 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Harold Joseph Graham 2024-07-17 1944-October-10 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Walter Arthur Harrington 2024-07-17 1944-October-10 PoW RCAF Flt. Lieutenant Walter Nicholson 2024-10-17 1944-October-10 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Allan Graham Sharpe 2024-10-17 1944-October-10 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Walter Arthur Stohlberg 2024-10-17 Halifax NP802, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP802
Handley Page Ltd
NP 802
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP803, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP803
Handley Page Ltd
NP 803
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Worms Germany 1945-02-21 to 1945-02-22
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
432 Leaside Squadron (Saeviter ad Lucem) RAF East Moor. Halifax BVII aircraft NP 803 QO-I failed to return from an operation against targets in Works, Germany. The cause of loss and crash location were not determined
The entire crew survived to become Prisoners of War
Pilot Officer RI Bradley (RCAF), Flying Officer JA Fraser (RCAF), Flying Officer RH Meuller (RCAF), Pilot Officer JG Stephen (RCAF), Sergeant DC Duffy (RCAF), Sergeant JW Reid (RCAF) and Sergeant VL Shulz (RCAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War. Records show that Sergeant Shulz may have been serving under the name Smith. Other POW information regarding this crew has not been found to date
There were three 432 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials RG 451 QO-D and RG 476 QO-T for additional information
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
21 Feb '45 BC attack Worms [Archive] - Luftwaffe and Allied...
1945-February-22 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Ian Bradley 2023-11-27 1945-February-22 PoW RCAF Sergeant D C Duffy 2023-11-27 1945-February-22 PoW RCAF Flying Officer J A Fraser 2023-08-23 1945-February-22 PoW RCAF Flying Officer R H Mueller 2023-09-19 1945-February-22 PoW RCAF Sergeant J W Reid 2023-09-26 1945-February-22 PoW RCAF Sergeant V L Shulz 2023-09-30 1945-February-22 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer J G Stephen 2023-10-02 Halifax NP804, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP804
Handley Page Ltd
NP 804
Hercules XVI
Units 432/408
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Bernard Arthur Burrows 2024-11-25 1945-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Clarence Leonard Cofield 2024-03-12 1945-March-25 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant W A Dyer 2024-10-29 1945-March-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Robert Lay 2021-08-13 1945-March-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Philip Marchant 2021-09-23 1945-March-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Weber Shantz 2021-08-01 Halifax NP805, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP805
Handley Page Ltd
NP 805
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Operational 1945-04-16 to 1945-04-16
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
Halifax aircraft NP 805 crashed on take-off killing the pilot and two members of the ground crew. The survivors were Flying Officer L. Jorgenson of Morris, Manitoba, FSs. J. Gray of Winnipeg, Manitoba, S. Reid, T. Cohen, from Nova Scotia, K. Davidson from Ontario, and Pilot Officer J. Burns of Westmount, Quebec.
Len Jorgenson provided the following account "The Halifax was taking off from RCAF Station, Eastmoor, at noon, for a cross-country flight prior to operations that night and had a full gas load of 1400 gallons but no bombs. At the end of the runway there was a low semi-flat roofed building (a Picket Post) where LACs R.F. Charbonneau and J.D. Beddard were sun bathing in the spring sunshine and watching the take-offs The aircraft was barely airborne when the pilot yelled that the rudders and controls were locked and to prepare for a crash. The under carriage hit the building killing the two LACs, the Halifax crashed through the trees and burst into flame. Flying Officer Porritt was killed but the rest of got out safely except for Davidson who spent two years in hospital.
p> I think a few of us have nightmares over that one. I also wonder why the controls were frozen. Most controls on the a/c had V shaped pieces of wood with red flags inserted to prevent the control surfaces from flapping in the wind. Did we forget to take out these inserts, or were the red flags taken off by someone? We know this happened before for some reason, some thought it was sabotage - or someone didn't like the aircrew." FS Davidson, the flight engineer, was thrown to the front of the aircraft in the crash. Thru the flames he saw the pilot was buckled up and either unconscious or dead. Davidson tried to pull him out but he was stuck and the flames were burning him severely.Halifax NP806, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP806
Handley Page Ltd
NP 806
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-31 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert Darrell Atkinson 2023-11-06 1945-March-31 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth Keane Blyth 2024-07-20 1945-March-31 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant John Brock Folkersen 2024-07-19 1945-March-31 PoW RCAF Sergeant Douglas Gordon Grey 2024-07-19 1945-March-31 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Raymond Joseph Hughes 2024-07-20 1945-March-31 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Adam Ainslie Watson 2025-01-26 Halifax NP807, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP807
Handley Page Ltd
NP 807
Hercules XVI
Unit 432/408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP808, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP808
Handley Page Ltd
NP 808
Hercules XVI
Units 432/426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP809, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP809
Handley Page Ltd
NP 809
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP810, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP810
Handley Page Ltd
NP 810
Hercules XVI
Units 426/408
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Castrop-Rauxel Germany 1944-11-21 to 1944-11-21
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Linton-on-Ouse
Took off from Linton-on-Ouse at 15:20 in Halifax Mark VII (Sqn code: EQ-H Bomber Command) .for an operation against the oil plant at Castrop-Rauxel.
The aircraft was shot down by a night fighter and crashed at Hochdahl Trills, at Erkrath, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany.
Claim by Hptm Fritz Lau 4/NJG1 - Radevormwald South West of Bochum (MP 1): 4,000m at 19:11. (Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1944 Part 5 - Theo Boiten)
Killed:Pilot Officer Louis Basarab RCAF J/95202 KIA Reichswald Forest War Cemetery Grave: 8. C. 9.Sergeant Herbert Edgar Clark RAF KIA Reichswald Forest War Cemetery Grave 8. C. 5.Flying Officer Lloyd William Frizell RCAF J/39376 KIA Reichswald Forest War Cemetery Grave 8. C. 7.Flying Officer Adelbert Bateman Rowley RCAF J/40054 KIA Reichswald Forest War Cemetery Grave 8. C. 8.Pilot Officer Edmond Kenneth Wilson RCAF J/92645 KIA Reichswald Forest War Cemetery Grave 8. C. 6.
POWs in addition to McPhee:F/Lt Albert Edward Steeves RCAF J/8658 POW Stalag Luft L1 Barth Vogelsang.
Claim by Hptm Fritz Lau 4/NJG1 - Radevormwald South West of Bochum (MP 1): 4,000m at 19:11. (Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1944 Part 5 - Theo Boiten)
Those who perished were initially buried in Dusseldorf North Cemetery. Reinterred 24 October 1946. (CWGC)
Sergeant McPhee was part of Trupp 55. He arrived at Bankau on 20 December 1944.(The Long Road - Oliver Clutton-Brock) 1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Louis Basarab 2024-11-09 1944-November-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Herbert Edgar Clark 2024-12-30 1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Lloyd William Frizzell 2024-12-30 1944-November-21 PoW RCAF Sergeant James Alexander McPhee 2023-11-27 1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Adelbert Bateman Rowley 2024-12-30 1944-November-21 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Albert Edward Steeves 2023-11-27 1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edmond Kenneth Wilson 2024-12-30 Halifax NP811, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP811
Handley Page Ltd
NP 811
Hercules XVI
Units 426/408/426
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Leonard Frank Branston 2024-11-17 1945-March-25 PoW RCAF Sergeant Ronald Montague Eyre 2021-02-07 1945-March-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer W I B Jarvis 2023-08-27 1945-March-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer S E Levis 2023-09-05 1945-March-25 PoW RCAF Sergeant Kenneth Michael Montagano 2023-09-17 1945-March-25 PoW RCAF Sergeant John William Rattigan 2023-09-26 1945-March-25 PoW RCAF Sergeant Stuart Ross 2023-09-28 Halifax NP812, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP812
Handley Page Ltd
NP 812
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Troisdorf Germany 1944-12-29 to 1944-12-30
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
197 aircraft - 159 Halifaxes, 24 Lancasters, 14 Mosquitoes - of 6 and 8 Groups attempted to bomb the railway yards but most of the attack missed the target. No other details are available. No aircraft lost.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
432 Leaside Squadron (Saeviter ad Lucem) RAF East Moor. Halifax BVII aircraft NP 812 QO-T was hit by flak returning from an operation against targets in Troisdorf, Germany and severely damaged
The Bomb Aimer, Pilot Officer GH Barrett (RCAF) had been wounded in the flak attack, misinterpreted the pilot's instructions and bailed out while the bomber was flying over France. It is believed that Pilot Officer Barnett was badly injured and could not wait until return to the UK, so bailed out in an attempt to get urgent medical care. (Henk Welting, www.rafcommands.com). Sadly Barrett died from his injuries, the only crew member lost on this operation.The Halifax managed to fly back to the UK safely and make an emergency landing on two engines at RAF Woodridge, Suffolk
"Belgians Remember Them": RAF aircraft's crash sites: Jemeppe
Grave of Pilot Officer George H Barnett Halifax VII NP812 QO-T 432 Sqn - ...
Bombing Worms Germany 1945-02-20 to 1945-02-21
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
349 aircraft - 288 Halifaxes, 36 Lancasters, 25 Mosquitoes. IO Halifaxes and I Lancaster lost.
This was the first and only large Bomber Command raid on Worms. The raid was an area attack in which 1,116 tons of bombs were accurately dropped. A post-war survey estimated that 39 per cent of the town's built-up area was destroyed. The local report says that a considerable part of the bombing fell just outside the town, to the south-west, but it confirms that the remainder caused severe damage in Worms, 64 per cent of the town's buildings were destroyed or damaged, including the cathedral, the town museum, and most of the churches and cultural buildings in the old centre. Much of the town's industry was also destroyed, including the only firm devoted completely to the production of war material, one making sprocket wheels for tanks. 239 people were killed and 35,000 bombed out from a population or approximately 58,000.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax VII aircraft NP 812 QO-T was shot down on the East side of the Nahe River just south of Bad Munster, Germany during a night operation against targets in Worms, Germany
Pilot Officer AJ Hunter (RCAF), Flying Officer JA Bleich (RCAF), Flying Officer GE Creswell (RCAF) and Pilot Officer AC Hogg (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Flying Officer FD Baxter DFC (RCAF), Flight Sergeant GE Armstrong (RCAF) and Flight Sergeant SE Waterbury (RCAF), all survived to be taken as Prisoners of War, although no information on their POW numbers or camp locations has been found to date
There were three 432 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost in the same area on this date. Please see aircraft serials NP 803 QO-I and RG 451 QO-D for additional information regarding the other crew and aircraft
RAF Commands has the casualties on Halifax s/n RG 476, and the three POWs on NP 812. ORB has all of them on NP 812 which had previously returned on two engines 1944 -12 29 with one crew member (Barnett) bailed/killed.
Footprints on the Sands of Time, RAF Bomber Command Prisoners of War in Germany 1939-45 by Oliver Clutton-Brock, pages 236, 242 & 429 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
"Belgians Remember Them": RAF aircraft's crash sites: Jemeppe
1944-December-30 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Gibson Edward Armstrong 2023-11-28 1944-December-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Howell Barnett 2024-12-21 1945-February-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Frank Dennis Baxter DFC 2025-01-01 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Arthur Bleich 2024-05-06 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Elliott Creswell 2024-05-25 1945-February-21 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Archibald Cecil Hogg 2023-03-20 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alvin John Hunter 2024-05-29 1945-February-21 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Stewart Earl Waterbury 2023-03-20 Halifax NP813, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP813
Handley Page Ltd
NP 813
Hercules XVI
Unit 432/426/408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP814, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP814
Handley Page Ltd
NP 814
Hercules XVI
unit 426/408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP815, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP815
Handley Page Ltd
NP 815
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Gelsenkirchen Germany 1944-11-06 to 1944-11-06
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
738 aircraft - 383 Halifaxes, 324 Lancasters, 31 Mosquitoes. 3 Lancasters and 2 Halifaxes lost. This large daylight raid had, as its aiming point, the Nordstern synthetic-oil plant. The attack was not well concentrated but 514 aircraft were able to bomb the approximate position of the oil plant before smoke obscured the ground; 187 aircraft then bombed the general town area of Gelsonkirchcn.
The Gelsenkirchcn war diarist, who often recorded interesting titbits, tells of' how this Protestant town had celebrated the Reformation Feast the previous day, Sunday. The celebration had been held back from its proper date, 31 October, so as not to interfere with industrial production. The diarist wrote: 'For many pious people; this was their last church service. Catastrophe broke over Gelsenkirchen the following day.' The diary then proceeds to give several pages describing the severe damage throughout the town. The number of people killed was 518. The diarist the comments, perhaps with some pride, that Gelsenkirchen was mentioned by name in the OKW (German High Command) communique for the first time in the war.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft NP 815Took off from East Moor at 12:16 in Halifax Mk Vii NP815 QO-A was shot down in the Baltic sea during night operations, a raid against Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
Pilot: J/16229 Fg Off Frederick Hawkins Eilertson RCAF - PoW/Dulag Luft Frankfurt/Dulag Luft Wetzlar/Stalag Luft 3 Sagan & Belaria/Stalag 3A Luckenwalde/PoW Number 8809.
Flight Engineer: 1832685 Sergeant Cyril David Vaughan - PoW/Hospitals - Stalag IV Dusseldorf, Stalag IX Obermabfeld, Stalag IXC Meiningen/Dulag Luft Oberhausen/Dulag Luft Wetzlar/PoW Number?
Navigator: J/38175 Fg Off Francis Irving Morrissey RCAF - PoW/Hospital outside Dusseldorf/Stalag Luft 1 Barth Vogelsang/PoW Number 91.
Bomb Aimer: J/24528 Fg Off Leonard John Hossie RCAF - PoW/Stalag Luft 3 Sagan & Belaria/Stalag 3A Luckenwalde/PoW Number 8814.
Wireless Operator: R/164366 Flt Sergeant Clarence Duncan MacDonald RCAF - PoW/Stalag Luft 7 Bankau near Kreulberg Upper Silesia/Stalag 3A Luckenwalde/PoW Number 1155.
Mid Upper Gunner: J/95368 Plt Off Terence Joseph McAran RCAF - Reichswald Forest War Cemetery Plot 20 Row G Grave 12.
Rear Gunner: J/95476 Plt Off Norman Edward Stuttle RCAF - Reichswald Forest War Cemetery Plot 1 Row G Grave 11.
1944-November-06 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Frederick Hawkins Eilertson 2023-03-08 1944-November-06 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Leonard John Hossie 2023-03-08 1944-November-06 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer C D MacDonald 2024-09-30 1944-November-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Terence Joseph McAran 2023-03-08 1944-November-06 PoW RCAF Flying Officer F I Morrissey 2024-09-30 1944-November-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norman Edward Stuttle 2023-03-08 1944-November-06 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Cyril David Vaughan 2024-09-30 Halifax NP817, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP817
Handley Page Ltd
NP 817
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Hannover Germany 1945-01-05 to 1945-01-05
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
432 Leaside Squadron (Saevirer ad Lucem) RAF East Moor. Halifax BVII aircraft NP 817 QO-D was shot down during an operation against targets in Hannover, Germany. There are multiple night fighter claims for this loss. The bomber was abandoned before it crashed at 2 km east of Schneeren, Neustadt am Rubenberge, Niedersachsen, Germany
The (then) Wing Commander JG Stephenson OBE AFC CD (RCAF), Flying Officer TR Bond (RCAF), Flying Officer RG Donaldson (RCAF)(USA), Flying Officer WE Fleming (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 1 WT McMahon (RCAF), Flying Officer EB Pickthorne (RCAF) and Sergeant BM Hodges (RAF) all survived and were taken as Prisoners of War. Little PoW information< id known to date
There were two 432 Squadron Halifax BVII aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial NP 759 QO-C for additional information on this aircraft and crew
1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Richard Bond 2023-10-21 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert Gordon Donaldson 2024-10-26 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Wallace Eugene Fleming 2023-05-02 1945-January-05 PoW RAF Sergeant B M Hodges 2023-08-26 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 W T McMahon 2024-10-26 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Emerson Blair Pickthorne 2023-05-02 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Air Commodore John Gay Stephenson OBE, AFC, CD 2023-05-02 1945-January-06 PoW RCAF Wing Commander John Gay Stephenson 2023-03-10 Halifax NP818, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP818
Handley Page Ltd
NP 818
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP819, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP819
Handley Page Ltd
NP 819
Hercules XVI
Units 408/426
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-February-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Sidney George Arlotte 2024-11-02 1945-February-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Allan George Bradley 2025-02-18 1945-February-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Alexander Chisamore 2024-02-14 1945-February-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Jack Morris Styles 2025-02-18 1945-February-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Peter Talocka 2025-02-18 Halifax NP820, B.Mk.VII
s/n NP820
Handley Page Ltd
NP 820
Hercules XVI
Units 408/426
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-April-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Dennis Rupert Humphrey Curzon 2023-12-17 1945-April-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Earl William Hicks 2021-08-10 1945-April-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Douglas Carlisle Ross 2021-01-14 1945-April-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Stanley James Teskey 2021-07-20 1945-April-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Chester Tuplin 2021-07-14 Halifax NP930, B.Mk.III
s/n NP930
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 930
Hercules XVI
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP935, B.Mk.III
s/n NP935
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 935
Hercules XVI
Units 433/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP936, B.Mk.III
s/n NP936
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 936
Hercules XVI
Units 424/433/424/415
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-February-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Raymond Clifford Brown 2024-11-21 1945-February-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Cleghorn Brockie Craigie 2024-05-11 1945-February-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Gallagher 2022-01-27 1945-February-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Harvey Jones 2021-08-11 1945-February-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Paul Pokryfka 2021-08-13 1945-February-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lewis Alexander Russell 2021-08-05 Halifax NP937, B.Mk.III
s/n NP937
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 937
Hercules XVI
Units 424/433/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP938, B.Mk.III
s/n NP938
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 938
Hercules XVI
Units 424/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP939, B.Mk.III
s/n NP939
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 939
Hercules XVI
Units 434/420/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP940, B.Mk.III
s/n NP940
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 940
Hercules XVI
Units 424/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP941, B.Mk.III
s/n NP941
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 941
Hercules XVI
Unit 427/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP942, B.Mk.III
s/n NP942
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 942
Hercules XVI
Unit 429/427
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-February-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Albert John Breault 2024-07-17 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Edwin Essenberg 2024-07-17 1945-February-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer G F Mann 2024-07-17 1945-February-21 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant J M Murphy DFC 2024-07-17 1945-February-21 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 E A Perdue 2024-07-17 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Mackay Wallace 2024-07-17 Halifax NP943, B.Mk.III
s/n NP943
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 943
Hercules XVI
Units 429/111 Operational Training Unit.
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP944, B.Mk.III
s/n NP944
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 944
Hercules XVI
Units 433/Empire air navigation School
last update: 2025-February-05
Minelaying 1944-10-05 to 1944-10-05
(B) BG (RAF)
On 1944-10-05, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 424/433 Sqns at Skipton on Swale, wrote in his diary:
"433 Squadron were on a mining or "gardening" effort today with 10 kites. Things went very smoothly & we got them all off in good time. The weather closed in here however later on & we couldn't get them back so 8 were diverted to Tholthorpe and 2 went to Carnaby. M-Mike of 433 was badly shot up with a night fighter & is a cat B. The tail gunner had his head blown off with a 20mm cannon explosive shell. However the MU gunner claimed the JU88 as a "probable" so we hope he knocked it down Ok."
Halifax NP945, B.Mk.III
s/n NP945
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 945
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Osnabruck Germany 1944-12-06 to 1944-12-06
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
453 aircraft- 363 Halifaxes, 72 Lancasters, 18 Mosquitoes - of 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups, 7 Halifaxes and I Lancaster lost.
This was the first major raid on Osnabriick since August 1942. The raid was only a partial success. The railway yards were only slightly damaged but 4 factories were hit, including the Teuto-Metallwerke munitions factory, and 203 houses wen, destroyed. 39 people were killed.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
. Halifax aircraft NP 945 was shot down at Geleto, Germany during a night attack against Osnabruck, Germany.
1944-December-07 Failed to Return Failed to return from mission to Osnabruck. 2019-08-20
1944-December-06 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Albert Melville Garner 2023-01-11 1944-December-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Lightfoot Keown 2023-01-11 1944-December-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Robert Lee 2023-01-11 1944-December-06 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Arthur A J Low 2023-01-11 1944-December-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer David Louis Caskey McCullough 2023-01-11 1944-December-06 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer H Pankratz 2023-09-22 
Halifax NP946, B.Mk.III
s/n NP946
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 946
Hercules XVI
Units 429/420
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-April-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William John Dunnigan 2024-10-30 1945-April-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Richard Albert McDonald 2021-08-17 1945-April-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Franklin Montgomery 2021-08-16 1945-April-18 KIA RCAF Sergeant Leroy Frances Joseph Murphy 2021-08-16 1945-April-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Maurice Neilson 2021-08-17 1945-April-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Davey William Newman 2021-08-17 1945-April-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Fraser Ross 2022-01-18 Halifax NP947, B.Mk.III
s/n NP947
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 947
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Minelaying Flensburg Germany 1945-01-12 to 1945-01-12
424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale
<424 Tiger Squadron (Castigandos Castigamus) RAF Skipton on Swale. Halifax BIII aircraft NP 947 QB-Y was attacked by night fighter pilot Hauptman Eduard Schroder of 3/NJG 3 after dropping their payload during GARDENING (mining) operation to Flensburg Fjord between Germany and Denmark. The order to bale was given before the bomber crashed into the fjord near Schausende, Germany with the loss of all but one crew memberFlying Officer MC Grant (RCAF), Pilot Officer WE Archer (RCAF), Pilot Officer RC Carnegie (RCAF), Flying Officer MG Fife (RCAF), Pilot Officer CT Rielly (RCAF) and Pilot Officer J Pollard (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Navigator Flying Officer JG Agnew (RCAF) was the sole survivor from his crew and was taken as a Prisoner of War
On 1945-01-15, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 424/433 Sqns at Skipton on Swale, after returning from leave, wrote in his diary:
"Jan 12 . . . 5 from each sqdn were put up on bombing & 3 from each on mining. The bombing was finally scrubbed but the gardening effort got off ok with no non-starters or early returns. However 424 had some bad luck & 2 of their 3 kites didn't come aback including F/Lt Mackie one of my good friends here " and he only had two more trips to do here unfortunately"
There is some confusion regarding the 424 Squadron serial of this aircraft, stated on the HH card and some other sources as LV 998 but with the Squadron ORB stating serial NP 947. CASPIR has accepted the ORB information as correct
There were two 424 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial Halifax MZ 805 QB-X [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]... [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]... Halifax III NP 947 crashed in Flensburg Fjord 12/1-1945
1945-January-12 PoW RCAF Flying Officer James Gillespie Agnew 2023-10-24 1945-January-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Edward Archer 2023-04-22 1945-January-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Campbell Carnegie 2023-10-26 1945-January-12 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Mervyn George Fife 2023-04-22 1945-January-12 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Miles Carson Grant 2023-04-22 1945-January-12 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer John Pollard 2023-04-22 1945-January-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Thomas Rielly 2023-10-26 Halifax NP948, B.Mk.III
s/n NP948
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 948
Hercules XVI
On 1944-10-24, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer at Skipton on Swale, wrote in his diary:
The mining kites took off at 6:00pm & we only got 4 of the 6 away due to the mag drops which was a very poor show but could not be helped. V Victor of 433 was also an early return with one duff engine & they booked on letting him land in a fairly thick fog on 3 engines with 59000 AUW [all up weight]. He overshot into the same field we had just pulled T out of, only worse & the whole kite hit a ditch & folded up, so it is out there flat on its belly with a whole load of mines on board. The other 3 a/c after mining near Oslo were diverted up north to Scotland. Got to bed about 2:00am after all of this.
Struck off Charge, 1.1.47
Units 433/Empire Air Navigation School
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP949, B.Mk.III
s/n NP949
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 949
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Castrop-Rauxel Germany 1944-11-21 to 1944-11-21
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
433 Porcupine Squadron (Qui Sy Frotte Sy Pique) RAF Skipton-on-Swale, Halifax III aircraft NP 949 BM-R was shot down 15 miles north-east of Gelsenkirchen near Hultern, Germany during a raid against Castrop-Rauxel, in the Ruhr Valley, Germany
Claim by Hptm Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer Stab/NJG4 - Recklinghausen/Gelsenkirchen (KP): 4,800m at 19:02. (Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1944 Part 5 - Theo Boiten)
Fg Off Guy RCAF was captured on 21 November 1944 at Gelsenkirchen
Fg Off McLennan was captured on 21 November 1944 at Gelsenkirchen
Plt Off McLachlan RCAF was captured on 23 November 1944 at Essen
Sergeant Lockey, Plt Off Ramey RCAF and Fg Off Love RCAF were initially buried in Gelsenkirchen-Huellen East Cemetery Field 45K Communal Grave 99. Reinterred 12 May 1947
1944-November-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Donald Frederick Guy 2021-04-12 1944-November-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas Arthur Stanley Lockey 2024-09-30 1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Charles Henry Love 2021-08-13 1944-November-21 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer R D McLachlan 2021-04-12 1944-November-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer H A McLennan 2023-09-14 1944-November-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lyman Phillip Ramey 2024-09-30 1944-November-21 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant John Joseph Scott 2023-09-29 Halifax NP951, B.Mk.III
s/n NP951
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 951
Hercules XVI
Unit 424/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP952, B.Mk.III
s/n NP952
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 952
Hercules XVI
Unit 429/Empire Air Navigation School
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP953, B.Mk.III
s/n NP953
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 953
Hercules XVI
Unit 640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP954, B.Mk.III
s/n NP954
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 954
Hercules XVI
Unit 429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP955, B.Mk.III
s/n NP955
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 955
Hercules XVI
Units 424/1652 Heavy Conversion Unit/1663HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP956, B.Mk.III
s/n NP956
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 956
Hercules XVI
Units 427/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP957, B.Mk.III
s/n NP957
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 957
Hercules XVI
Units 427/429/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP959, B.Mk.III
s/n NP959
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 959
Hercules XVI
Units 431/434/420
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-05 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer II David Frederick Broadfoot 2024-11-18 1945-March-05 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Vincent Roy Glover DFC 2025-03-03 1945-March-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer James Reid Gordon MiD 2025-03-03 1945-March-05 PoW KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph John Michael Kastner 2025-03-03 1945-March-05 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Hugh Eric MacKenzie 2025-03-03 1945-March-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Vernon Lyle McKinnon 2025-03-03 1945-March-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Derek Harrison Mettrick 2025-03-03 1945-March-05 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Henry William Slipper DFM 2025-03-03 Halifax NP961, B.Mk.III
s/n NP961
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 961
Hercules XVI
Units 434/432/415/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP967, B.Mk.III
s/n NP967
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 967
Hercules XVI
Unit 77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP968, B.Mk.III
s/n NP968
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 968
Hercules XVI
Unit 432/466
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP971, B.Mk.III
s/n NP971
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 971
Hercules XVI
Unit 432/466
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP973, B.Mk.III
s/n NP973
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 973
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP975, B.Mk.III
s/n NP975
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 975
Hercules XVI
Unit 466
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP990, B.Mk.III
s/n NP990
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 990
Hercules XVI
According to halifax File, Struck off Charge, 14.11.46
Unitss 462/192
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NP992, B.Mk.III
s/n NP992
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 992
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1944-11-05 to 1944-11-05
433 (B) BG (RCAF) Skipton on Swale
On 1944-11-04, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 424/433 Sqns at Skipton on Swale, wrote in his diary:
"After postponing the op twice we finally got them all away tonight at 5:00 o'clock â€" 15 from 424 & 16 from 433. No non-starters nor early returns which was a good thing. The target was Bochen & we had 11,150 lbs of bombs up. It was very successful too. These targets are getting bad since we lost two again tonight. Another for 424 "Q"' Queenie (Flying Officer Loving) &"F" Freddie (433) Flying Officer Mountford so that's 5 we have lost in 3 ops so far this month. Flight Lieutenant Wood, the F/Eng leader for 424 was lucky in that this morning he found he had and infection on his arm which had come up overnight & the M.O wouldn't let him fly tonight. They exchanged him at the last minute for a spare in "Q" which of course went missing. He feels pretty bad about it too since Loving only had 4 more trips to do in his second tour & was a pretty good guy"
1944-November-05 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant John Henry Christie 2024-02-18 1944-November-05 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Ivan Harry Jervis 2021-03-06 1944-November-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Henry Watson Langlands 2023-11-13 1944-November-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert Marshall Madill 2023-09-09 1944-November-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Raymond John Mountford 2023-09-19 1944-November-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Ernest Gordon Munro 2023-09-19 Halifax NP999, B.Mk.III
s/n NP999
English Electric Co Ltd
NP 999
Hercules XVI
Units 424/431/425.
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hannover Germany 1945-01-05 to 1945-01-05
425 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Tholthorpe
425 Alouette Squadron (I shall pluck you) RAF Tholthorpe. Halifax aircraft NP 999 KW-W was shot down by by a ME110 night fighter, most likely by Lt Kurt Matzak of Stab IV/NJG1 just after successfully dropping their bombload on targets in Hannover, Germany. The Halifax was abandoned before it crashed into the Teutoburger Forest near Halle, Germany
The Flight Engineer, Pilot Officer SH Moore (RAFVR) was killed during the night fighter attack, the only crew member lost
Flying Officer VE Brimicombe (RCAF), Flying Officer MD Berry (RCAF), Flying Office LU Coleman (RCAF), Pilot Officer GR Delong (RCAF), Pilot Officer GE Hutton (RCAF) and Pilot Officer DC MacKeigan (RCAF) all survived to be taken as Prisoners of War
There were two other 425 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials MZ 860 KW-E and NR 178 KW-J for additional information and these aircraft and crews
1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Morris Donald Berry 2025-01-17 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Vincent Earl Brimicombe 2024-10-12 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Lionel Udolphus Coleman 2024-10-12 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer George Reginald Delong 2024-10-12 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer George Enderby Hutton 2024-10-12 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Daniel Charles MacKeigan 2023-06-08 1945-January-05 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Stanley Harrison "Ginger" Moore 2023-06-08 Halifax NR114, B.Mk.III
s/n NR114
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 114
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-01 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Clement Badgley 2024-11-04 1944-November-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alexander Gordon Best 2024-11-12 1944-November-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer De Willett Francis Brown 2024-11-21 1944-November-01 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Lewis Gobel 2024-12-03 1944-November-01 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert James Halfnight 2024-12-03 1944-November-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Wakely David Murphy 2024-12-03 Halifax NR115, B.Mk.III
s/n NR115
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 115
Hercules XVI
Units 424/434/1664 heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR116, B.Mk.III
s/n NR116
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 116
Hercules XVI
Units 424/426/408/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR117, B.Mk.III
s/n NR117
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 117
Hercules XVI
Unit 433/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR118, B.Mk.III
s/n NR118
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 118
Hercules XVI
Units 427/434
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1944-12-18 to 1944-12-18
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
Served with No. 434 Squadron, RCAF, first coded "WL*S". Coded "WL*U" when lost on 18 December 1944. Took off from Croft at 02:50 for mission to Duisburg. May have collided with NP934, "MH*V" of 51 Squadron. One crew survived p/O Herbert Browne, Wireless Operator on NR 118, bail out, landed in liberated Belgium. 6 other crew killed. This was 434 Squadrons last Halifax loss
This report is based on the story of the sole survivor (Pilot Officer Herbert Browne [RCAF] No. J90827) of the crash who is-still very shaken ard nervous as a result of his experience. His recollection of events, times and places is not very clear and there may be some inaccuracies.
Shortly after having set course and while flying down England at 8000 feet ,the pilot (F/Lt J Parrott) remarked that he wasn't feeling well but was well enough to carry on. The aircraft climbed over the channel to the briefed height of 17,000 feet. The crew kept asking the.pilot if he was alright. He claimed he was but, the crew noticed the aircraft was weaving as though he was unable to hold it steady. The air bomber (Flight Sergeant A Kurtzhals) left his position and sat beside the pilot so he could help him if necessary. The aircraft was still weaving but they carried-on and according to the Navigator (Flying Officer S Pearce) were only three minutes late.<./p>
Weather was clear, visibility good, no ground defences and no enemy fighters were seen.
The Wireless Operator (Pilot Officer H Browne) went off the intercom, in order to listern in on the Group Broadcast (6.30hrs [by this time they should have been over Duisburg]). Suddenly, the Navigator jumped to his feet and folded his seat back, the Wireless Operator immediate: took off his helmet and reached for his parachute and, almost at the same time the aircraft noised straight up and then fell over on one wing.. Browne does not know why Pearce left his seat or why the aircraft nosed vertically up. Browne remembers no more from this point until he recovered consciousness falling free through the air. After pulling the ripcord he lost consciousness again. He recovered consciousness hanging from his parachute in a tree. It was still dark. After walking some time he came to a quarry, and finding himself in Belgium he was taken to a small town. Browne was then taken to Charleroi which was a long drive from the small town.Source: REPORT ON AIRCREW LANDING IN ALLIED TERRITIRY IBCC website
1944-November-01 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Stanley Douglas Martin 2024-11-18 1944-December-18 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Browne,Herbert Browne 2024-11-22 1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alexander Divitcoff 2024-10-21 1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Leslie Homer Janzen 2024-10-21 1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Allan Edward Kurtzhals 2024-10-21 1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Gordon William Olafsen 2024-10-21 1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant James Murray Parrott 2024-10-21 1944-December-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Samuel Henry James Pearce 2024-10-21 Halifax NR120, B.Mk.III
s/n NR120
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 120
Hercules XVI
Unit 433/77/640
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR121, B.Mk.III
s/n NR121
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 121
Hercules XVI
Units 433/431/434/76
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harold Lester Ball 2024-11-05 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Brown Mallen 2021-08-14 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Joseph McNeil 2022-01-20 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Pennington 2021-08-16 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Wilfred James Phillips 2021-08-14 Halifax NR122, B.Mk.III
s/n NR122
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 122
Hercules XVI
Units 433/431/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR123, B.Mk.III
s/n NR123
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 123
Hercules XVI
Unit 433/431/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR124, B.Mk.III
s/n NR124
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 124
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR125, B.Mk.III
s/n NR125
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 125
Hercules XVI
Unit 462/466
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR126, B.Mk.III
s/n NR126
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 126
Hercules XVI
Units 427/434/408/420
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-February-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Raoul Alberto Orozeo Floripe 2021-08-06 1945-February-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer David Llewellyn Neil 2021-08-17 1945-February-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Leslie O'Kane 2021-08-17 1945-February-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Morley Bernard Stock 2021-07-22 1945-February-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Burns Trout 2021-07-14 Halifax NR127, B.Mk.III
s/n NR127
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 127
Hercules XVI
Unit 466/462/466
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR131, B.Mk.III
s/n NR131
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 131
Hercules XVI
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR134, B.Mk.III
s/n NR134
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 134
Hercules XVI
Units 434/426/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR135, B.Mk.III
s/n NR135
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 135
Hercules XVI
Unit 433/420/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR136, B.Mk.III
s/n NR136
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 136
Hercules XVI
Unit 433/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR137, B.Mk.III
s/n NR137
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 137
Hercules XVI
Unit 433/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR138, B.Mk.III
s/n NR138
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 138
Hercules XVI
Unit 431/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR139, B.Mk.III
s/n NR139
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 139
Hercules XVI
Unit 431/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR140, B.Mk.III
s/n NR140
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 140
Hercules XVI
Units 434/415/1666 heavy Conversion Unit/1664HCU/1669HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR141, B.Mk.III
s/n NR141
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 141
Hercules XVI
Unit 434/431/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR143, B.Mk.III
s/n NR143
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 143
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-December-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth Cregeen Christian 2024-02-17 1944-December-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gerald Philip Coughlin 2024-05-01 1944-December-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Maurice De Macedo 2024-10-08 1944-December-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Theodore Kowalchuk 2021-08-12 1944-December-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer David Henry Lavalley 2021-08-13 1944-December-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Victor Eugene Prouse 2021-08-11 Halifax NR144, B.Mk.III
s/n NR144
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 144
Hercules XVI
Units 434/426/420
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-06 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant D H Goodwin 2021-11-18 1945-March-06 Survived RCAF Sergeant J G Johnston 2021-11-18 1945-March-06 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant D McLellan 2021-11-18 1945-March-06 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer J H Menary 2021-11-18 1945-March-06 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant R A Nicol 2021-11-18 1945-March-06 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant A A Rich 2021-11-18 1945-March-06 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant R M Stirling 2021-11-18 Halifax NR145, B.Mk.III
s/n NR145
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 145
Hercules XVI
Units 434/432/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR146, B.Mk.III
s/n NR146
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 146
Hercules XVI
Units 424/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR147, B.Mk.III
s/n NR147
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 147
Hercules XVI
Unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR148, B.Mk.III
s/n NR148
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 148
Hercules XVI
Units 427/429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR156, B.Mk.III
s/n NR156
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 156
Hercules XVI
Unit 415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR171, B.Mk.III
s/n NR171
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 171
Hercules XVI
Unit 427/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR172, B.Mk.III
s/n NR172
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 172
Hercules XVI
Units 415/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR173, B.Mk.III
s/n NR173
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 173
Hercules XVI
Unit 429
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Cologne Germany 1944-10-28 to 1944-10-28
429 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
429 Bison Squadron (Fortunae Nihil) RAF Leeming. Halifax BIII aircraft NR173 was hit by flak over Cologne during a daylight operation against targets in this German city but despite heavy damage to the the bomber, it returned safely to RAF Station, Woodbridge, England
Pilot Officer H Lowe (RCAF) had been severely injured in the flak attack and died from his injuries before the aircraft returned, the only crew casualty
Minelaying Flensburg Germany 1945-01-12 to 1945-01-13
429 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
429 Bison Squadron (Fortunae Nihil) RAF Leeming. Halifax BIII aircraft NR 173 AL-D was attacked by a night fighter piloted by Hauptman Eduard Schroder of 3/NJG 3 during a GARDENING (mining) operation to Flensburg, Germany on the German/Danish border. The Halifax was badly damaged by the night fighter attack and abandoned by the entire crew before crashing into the sea near Als Island, Denmark
Flight Lieutenant AR Milner (RCAF), Flying Officer RH Barnes (RCAF), Flying Officer HK Frair (RCAF), Pilot Officer HL Johnson (RCAF), Pilot Officer JG Small (RCAF), Pilot Officer OH Sulek (RCAF) and Sergeant K Turner (RAF) survived and all were taken as Prisoners of War. They were sent to Dulag Luft Oberursel near Frankfurt, Germany for interrogation and then to Stalag 13D before finally to Stalag 7A from where they were liberated by advancing American troops 1945-04-29 and returned to England by 1945-05-10
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
Halifax III NR 173 crashed in the sea east of the island of Als 12/1 1945
1944-October-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Herbert Lowe 2023-11-20 1945-January-13 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Richard Herbert Barnes 2024-12-21 1945-January-13 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Harold Kenneth Frair 2023-04-25 1945-January-13 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Herbert Lee Johnson 2024-12-21 1945-January-13 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Allen R Milner 2024-06-06 1945-January-13 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer James Gordon Small 2023-11-20 1945-January-13 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Otto Hugo Sulek 2023-11-20 1945-January-13 PoW RAF Sergeant Kenneth Turner 2023-11-20 Halifax NR176, B.Mk.III
s/n NR176
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 176
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR177, B.Mk.III
s/n NR177
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 177
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-February-22 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Reinholdt Rudolf Anweiler 2023-11-09 1945-February-22 PoW RCAF Flying Officer J F Coghlan 2024-03-12 1945-February-22 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant J D Edgar 2023-11-10 1945-February-22 PoW RCAF Flying Officer J L Hackman 2023-11-10 1945-February-22 PoW RCAF Flying Officer S A Hearst 2023-11-13 Halifax NR178, B.Mk.III
s/n NR178
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 178
Hercules XVI
Unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hannover Germany 1945-01-05 to 1945-01-05
425 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Tholthorpe
425 Alouette Squadron (Je Te Plumerai) RAF Tholthorpe. Halifax BIII aircraft NR 178 KW-J was shot down by a night fighter two kilometers East of Schneeren, Germany while engaged in an operation against targets in Hannover, Germany
Pilot Officer BG Simonin (RCAF) and Pilot Officer GB Noonan (RAFVR) were both killed in action
Flying Officer JWA Seguin (RCAF), Flying Officer JAM Bilodeau (RCAF), Flight Sergeant JGA Cantin (RCAF), Flight Sergeant JJG Huet (RCAF) and Pilot Officer JMR Lapierre (RCAF) all survived to be taken as Prisoners of War
There were two other 425 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials MZ 860 KW-E and NP 999 KW-W for additional information on these aircraft and crews
1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Albert Maurice Bilodeau 2024-06-29 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph George Albert Benoit Cantin 2024-07-13 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Jean Guy Huet 2024-07-13 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Marius Raymond Lapierre 2024-07-13 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Wilfrid Alexandre Seguin 2024-07-13 1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Bernard Gerard Simonin 2024-07-13 Halifax NR180, B.Mk.III
s/n NR180
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 180
Hercules XVI
Unit 192
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-06 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Donald Emery Banks 2024-12-08 1945-March-06 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant N Irvine 2024-07-11 1945-March-06 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer J A Martin 2024-07-11 1945-March-06 Evader RCAF Flight Lieutenant J E Nixon 2024-07-11 1945-March-06 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant A C Searle 2024-07-11 Halifax NR194, B.Mk.III
s/n NR194
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 194
Hercules XVI
Units 427/429/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR196, B.Mk.III
s/n NR196
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 196
Hercules XVI
Unit 427/429/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR197, B.Mk.III
s/n NR197
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 197
Hercules XVI
With No. 429 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "AL*Z", when lost over Norway on 28/29 December 1944. The plane was apparently hit by enemy fire from a German ship in a fjord and was seen sending out a distress signal while circling over Sandefjord in an attempt to land. Another ship lying in the fjord fired on the plane, causing it to crash into a chemical factory, resulting in an explosion and fire. All of the aircrew members died instantly. Since the enemy took all available identification documents except those of one man, Sergeant Kelly was not declared presumed dead until 5 September 1945. (Source John Jones)
last update: 2025-February-05 1944-December-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Lloyd John Gordon Catheralle 2024-01-20 1944-December-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Patrick Leonard Cullen 2024-05-24 1944-December-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Bertram Ernest Drewery 2024-10-28 1944-December-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Raymond Giblin 2023-07-23 1944-December-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Karl Emerson Kelly 2023-07-23 1944-December-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Adam Raeburn McDonald 2023-07-23 Halifax NR199, B.Mk.III
s/n NR199
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 199
Hercules XVI
Unit 434/408/420/408/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR203, B.Mk.III
s/n NR203
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 203
Hercules XVI
Unit 427/429
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR205, B.Mk.III
s/n NR205
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 205
Hercules XVI
Units 424/420
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Cecil Franklin Bryce 2024-11-23 1945-January-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ronald Erwin Harvey 2021-08-09 1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant A J Little 2023-09-05 1945-January-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Francis McCormick 2021-08-17 1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Sergeant P E Morissette 2023-09-18 1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant K D Reid 2023-09-26 1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Sergeant R J Wilson 2023-10-04 Halifax NR206, B.Mk.III
s/n NR206
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 206
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR207, B.Mk.III
s/n NR207
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 207
Hercules XVI
Does not match Halifax File which states, Struck off Charge, 4.5.45 Unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR208, B.Mk.III
s/n NR208
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 208
Hercules XVI
Unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR209, B.Mk.III
s/n NR209
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 209
Hercules XVI
Units 425/408/425/408
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hannover Germany 1945-01-05 to 1945-01-05
408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Linton-on-Ouse
408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom). Halifax BIII aircraft NR 209 EQ-A was shot down by a night fighter during operations against targets in Hanover, Germany. The Halifax crashed at Hollenstede, SSE of Furstenau, Germany
Flight Lieutenant AF Scheelar (RCAF), Flying Officer FT Leithead (RCAF), Flying Officer LJ Benville (RCAF) and Pilot Officer J Daly (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Flying Officer D Elkin (RCAF), Flying Officer FA Winter (RCAF) and Flying Officer WA Baker (RCAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War. PoW details are incomplete for these aircrew
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
Halifax III NR209 - Excursions in Jewish Military History and Jewish...
1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Albert Baker 2023-11-15 1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Lawrence John Benville 2025-01-15 1945-January-05 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer John Daly 2024-08-08 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer David Elkin 2023-11-18 1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frank Taylor Leithead 2023-11-18 1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Andrew Frank Scheelar 2023-11-18 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Alfred 'Fred' Winter 2023-11-18 Halifax NR210, B.Mk.III
s/n NR210
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 210
Hercules XVI
Units 424/102/77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR225, B.Mk.III
s/n NR225
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 225
Hercules XVI
Unit 102/158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR227, B.Mk.III
s/n NR227
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 227
Hercules XVI
Units 424/420/425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR228, B.Mk.III
s/n NR228
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 228
Hercules XVI
Unit 424/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR230, B.Mk.III
s/n NR230
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 230
Hercules XVI
Units 427/429/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR231, B.Mk.III
s/n NR231
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 231
Hercules XVI
Unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR233, B.Mk.III
s/n NR233
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 233
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR249, B.Mk.III
s/n NR249
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 249
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Wanne-Eickel Germany 1945-02-09 to 1945-02-09
415 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
415 Swordfish Squadron (Ad Metam) RAF East Moor. Halifax BIII aircraft NR 249 6U-J was shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Dunkirk, France returning from a successful operation to bomb synthetic oil refinery at Wanne-Eikel, Germany
The pilot, Flying Officer GK Grier (RCAF) was killed in action, the only crew member lost
Flight Sergeant JA Marshall (RCAF), Flight Sergeant JB Horrigan (RCAF), Flight Sergeant WG Johnston (RCAF), and Flight Sergeant JM Aiken (RCAF), baled and survived to be taken briefly as Prisoners of War by German troops. They were released when these troops surrendered to the advancing Allies
The Flight Engineer, Sergeant JM Andrews (RAFVR) baled and survived and landed close to Allied occupied territory and was able to make his way to safety over the French lines
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
Search for France-Crashes 39-45
415 Squadron, RCAF Crews - Halifax Era - East Moor - Page...
1945-February-09 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant John Millar Aicken 2023-10-26 1945-February-09 Evader RAFVR Sergeant J M Andrews 2023-05-01 1945-February-09 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Keith Grier 2023-12-15 1945-February-09 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant John Bernard Horrigan 2023-10-26 1945-February-09 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant W G Johnston 2023-05-01 1945-February-09 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant J M Marshall 2023-09-10 1945-February-09 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Peter Mikalchuk 2023-11-08 Halifax NR252, B.Mk.III
s/n NR252
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 252
Hercules XVI
Unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR253, B.Mk.III
s/n NR253
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 253
Hercules XVI
unit 415
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Sergeant George Victor Alfred Binne 2024-07-15 1945-January-16 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Fleming Borrett 2025-01-19 1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant William Kenneth Bradley 2024-07-15 1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Archibald Collins 2024-07-15 1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Thomas King Daniel 2024-07-15 1945-January-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Parker Reginald Mogridge 2025-01-19 1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Donald Michael Sloan 2024-07-15 Halifax NR256, B.Mk.III
s/n NR256
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 256
Hercules XVI
Unit 424/429/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR257, B.Mk.III
s/n NR257
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 257
Hercules XVI
Unit 424/427
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Hugh William Campbell 2024-08-17 1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Basil Glynn Crew DFC 2024-08-17 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flt. Lieutenant John Sponagle Huston Dodge 2024-10-23 1945-January-05 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Douglas Johnston DFC 2024-08-17 1945-January-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Connaught Kelway 2024-08-17 Halifax NR258, B.Mk.III
s/n NR258
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 258
Hercules XVI
Unit 426/420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR271, B.Mk.III
s/n NR271
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 271
Hercules XVI
Unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR273, B.Mk.III
s/n NR273
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 273
Hercules XVI
Unit 425
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR277, B.Mk.III
s/n NR277
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 277
Hercules XVI
Unit 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax NR288, B.Mk.III
s/n NR288
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 288
Hercules XVI
Unit 415/427
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing 1945-02-21 to 1945-02-21
427 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming
427 Lion Squadron (Ferte Manus Certe) RAF Leeming. Halifax BIII aircraft NR288 ZL-F failed to return from an operation against targets Worms, Germany. The aircraft was most likely hit by flak during the bombing run on the target. The pilot ordered the crew to bail, but it then exploded in mid-air and crashed near Kirsheim, Westfalen, Germany with the cause of loss not established. The pilot was thrown clear and was only survivor from this crew
427 Squadron had begun to convert to Lancaster bombers and this was the last crew lost in a Halifax bomber
Pilot Officer RR Stuart (RCAF), Flying Officer L Webster (RCAF), Pilot Officer DA Henderson (RCAF), Pilot Officer AJ McLeod (RCAF), Flight Sergeant LO Foisy (RCAF) and Pilot Officer JFW Taylor (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Pilot Officer WR Wilson (RCAF), pilot of the aircraft, was thrown clear in the explosion and survived and was taken Prisoner of War
The RCAF Overseas, The Sixth Year, Oxford University Press 1949, pages 125-6 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Leopold Orie Foisy 2023-03-05 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas Anderson Henderson 2023-03-05 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Allan John McLeod 2023-03-05 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ralph Raymond Stuart 2023-03-05 1945-February-21 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer John Francis William Taylor 2023-03-05 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Lester Webster 2023-03-05 1945-February-21 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Willis Raymond Wilson 2023-07-06 Halifax NR290, B.Mk.III
s/n NR290
English Electric Co Ltd
NR 290
Hercules XVI
Unit 420
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN172, B.Mk.III
s/n PN172
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 172
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN173, B.Mk.III
s/n PN173
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 173
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-05 PoW KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Henry Jean Maurice Joseph D'Avril 2024-10-15 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Jean Jacques Adrien Leonides Desbiens 2024-10-15 1945-March-05 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Leo Paul Lamontagne 2024-10-15 1945-March-05 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Guy Lucien Joseph Langevin 2024-10-15 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Albert Emile Minguet 2024-10-15 1945-March-05 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Alphonse Parent 2024-10-15 1945-March-05 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Georges Etienne Joseph Tremblay 2024-10-15 Halifax PN174, B.Mk.III
s/n PN174
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 174
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN208, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN208
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 208
Hercules XVI
Unit 408/432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN223, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN223
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 223
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN224, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN224
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 224
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN225, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN225
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 225
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN226, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN226
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 226
Hercules XVI
Unit 426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN227, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN227
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 227
Hercules XVI
Unit 426/408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN228, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN228
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 228
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Chemnitz Germany 1945-03-05 to 1945-03-05
426 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Linton-on-Ouse
426 Thunderbird Squadron (On Wings Of Fire) RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Halifax VII aircraft PN 228 OW-A was climbing outward-bound for an operation against targets in Chemnitz, Germany when it was involved in a mid-air collision with 425 Squadron Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 845 KW-J, part of the same operation. Both bombers and crews were lost with the exception of a single survivor from Halifax MZ 845 KW-J who bailed out before his bomber crashed. Both aircraft crashed near Nun Monkton, Yorkshire, England with the bomb-load of Halifax PN 228 OW-A exploding on impact
The entire crew of PN 228 OW-A: Squadron Leader Eric Thomas Garrett (RCAF), Flying Officer John Leslie Atkinson (RCAF), Pilot Officer Harold Dick McLeod (RCAF), Flying Officer Kenneth George Parker (RCAF), Pilot Officer William Gordon Miller (RCAF), Pilot Officer John Blair Linstead (RCAF) and Pilot Officer Eric Stanley Jerome (RAFVR) were killed in action.
There was only one survivor between the two air crews. Please see aircraft serial MZ 845 KW-J for information on this crew and aircraft
There were four 426 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials LW 210 OW-Y, NP 793 OW-H and NP 799 OW-A for information on these aircraft and crews
There were seven 6 Group Bomber Command Halifax aircraft lost, forty aircrew were killed, and four aircrew injured due to icing and/or mid-air collision while outbound on this operation. All losses occurred shortly after take-off before crossing the the British coastline on-route to the target. From 420 Squadron: NA 184 PT-W and NA 190 PT-J, from 425 Squadron: MZ 454 KW-S and MZ 845 KW-J, from 426 Squadron: LW 210 OW-Y, NP 793 OW-H and PN 228 OW-A
Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire
05.03.1945 No. 426 RCAF Squadron Halifax VII PN229 OW-ASqn Ldr. ...
RAF losses 5./6. March 1945 [Archive] - Luftwaffe and Allied Air...
1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Leslie Atkinson 2024-12-18 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Eric Thomas Garrett 2024-12-18 1945-March-05 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Eric Stanley Jerome 2024-12-18 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Blair Linstead 2024-12-18 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harold Dick McLeod 2024-12-18 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Gordon Miller 2024-12-18 1945-March-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth George Parker 2024-12-18 Halifax PN229, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN229
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 229
Hercules XVI
Unit 433
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN230, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN230
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 230
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN231, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN231
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 231
Hercules XVI
Unit 426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN232, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN232
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 232
Hercules XVI
unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN233, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN233
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 233
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN234, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN234
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 234
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN235, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN235
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 235
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN236, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN236
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 236
Hercules XVI
Unit 432/415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN237, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN237
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 237
Hercules XVI
Units 432/415/1665 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN238, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN238
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 238
Hercules XVI
Unit 426/1665 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN239, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN239
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 239
Hercules XVI
Units 1333TSTU/1331 Heavy Transport Conversion Unit/1383HTCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN240, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN240
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 240
Hercules XVI
Units 408/415/1665 Heavy Conversion Unit/1332 Heavy Transport Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN241, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN241
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 241
Hercules XVI
Units 432/1665 Heavy Conversion Unit/1332 Heavy Transport Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN242, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN242
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 242
Hercules XVI
Unit 426/1665 heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN243, B/A.Mk.VII
s/n PN243
Fairey Aviation Co Ltd
PN 243
Hercules XVI
Unit 298
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN367, B.Mk.III
s/n PN367
London Passenger Transport Board
PN 367
Hercules XVI
Unit 415
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN380, B.Mk.III
s/n PN380
London Passenger Transport Board
PN 380
Hercules XVI
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-February-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Donald William Bateman 2024-12-30 1945-February-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Remington Cookson 2024-04-07 1945-February-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Clifford Wesley Hall 2021-08-09 1945-February-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Albert Hoggard 2021-08-10 1945-February-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Wesley Grenfell Roberts 2021-08-08 Halifax PN448, B.Mk.III
s/n PN448
London Passenger Transport Board
PN 448
Hercules XVI
Unit 192/45
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax PN454, B.Mk.III
s/n PN454
London Passenger Transport Board
PN 454
Hercules XVI
Unit 462/Radio Warfare Establishment
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9364, B.Mk.II
s/n R9364
Handley Page Ltd
R 9364
Merlin XX/22
Units 35/76/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9369, B.Mk.II
s/n R9369
Handley Page Ltd
R 9369
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9372, B.Mk.II
s/n R9372
Handley Page Ltd
R 9372
Merlin XX/22
Units 35/1652 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9382, B.Mk.II
s/n R9382
Handley Page Ltd
R 9382
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9384, B.Mk.II
s/n R9384
Handley Page Ltd
R 9384
Merlin XX/22
Units 102/76/10/1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9386, B.Mk.II
s/n R9386
Handley Page Ltd
R 9386
Merlin XX/22
Units 35/76/78/405 Conversion Flight / 1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9391, B.Mk.II
s/n R9391
Handley Page Ltd
R 9391
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102/76/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9420, B.Mk.II
s/n R9420
Handley Page Ltd
R 9420
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76/78/ 405 Conversion Unit/ 1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-July-25 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William John Russell Green 2021-08-07 1943-July-25 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Walter Bruce Kaiser 2021-08-11 1943-July-25 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer William Dunne Coldicott McKercher 2021-08-17 1943-July-25 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Samuel Thomas Snead 2021-07-25 1943-July-25 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Bernard Wheeler 2021-07-09 Halifax R9437, B.Mk.II
s/n R9437
Handley Page Ltd
R 9437
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9438, B.Mk.II
s/n R9438
Handley Page Ltd
R 9438
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9439, B.Mk.II
s/n R9439
Handley Page Ltd
R 9439
Merlin XX/22
unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9442, B.Mk.II
s/n R9442
Handley Page Ltd
R 9442
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9448, B.Mk.II
s/n R9448
Handley Page Ltd
R 9448
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Operational 1943-04-18 to 1943-04-18
1659 (OT) HCU (RCAF) Topcliffe
Crashed at Crockey Hill, Escrick, York during two engine training 18.4.43Unit 35/405 Conversion Flight/ 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
On 1943-04-18, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, a Technical Officer with 1659 HCU at Topcliffe, wrote in his diary:
"Well we ran into more trouble today. Squadron Leader Hill, our 22 year old flight commander of B flight crashed this morning in L for London, our oldest kite, only 25 hours off its second major and everyone was killed, 8 of them. I had become great friends with Howie Hill and it really shook me to think of him going like that. He was always lively& ready for anything. He had gone his whole tour of ops, won the DFM & then ended like that. Only a couple of weeks ago I remember talking about what we were going to do after the war & he was saying he didn't really have much to go back to." Ross was asked if he would assist with the investigation but he declined: "I don't mind so much if it's fellows I don't know but when it comes to my best friends, I'd rather leave it to someone else." Ross does, however, provide a quite detailed description of what occurred "They took off at 9;45 & crashed just south of York at 10:12. He was suppose to be doing two-engine exercises with his pupil & crew but from eye-witness accounts, all four engines were going nicely when it happened. He was about feet just south of York when suddenly one elevator started to flap up & down as if the linkage controls had broken. Then, obviously out of control, the plane did two complete rolls & and dived straight down while one elevator came off and landed about 150 yds away from the debris. It ploughed straight into the ground & fortunately the boys would never know a thing after that first smash. There were three holes in the ground, one for each of the outboard engines & one large one for the fuselage and the two inner engines _ these engines were down almost out of sight in the earth so they really hit hard. The fuselage had folded up like an accordion & then when it caught fire it just melted all own into a molten mass at the bottom of the hole. . . The investigation showed that one of the torque brackets on the main elevator must have failed causing the plane to go out of control." He concludes with "that's just the way it goes & tomorrow it will be more or less forgotten & no one will speak of it again if they can help it. That's the way it has to be in war time."
1943-April-18 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Frank Oliver Bonham 2024-11-14 1943-April-18 KIFA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Eric Alston Clyde 2024-03-06 1943-April-18 KIFA RAFVR Flying Officer Brian Tristram Davies 2024-10-31 1943-April-18 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant John Leonard Gunn 2025-01-27 1943-April-18 KIFA RCAF Squadron Leader Howard Stephenson Hill DFC 2025-01-27 1943-April-18 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Robert Lorne Locker 2025-01-27 1943-April-18 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Horace Daniel Eugene Messier 2025-01-27 1943-April-18 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ernest William Pitt 2025-01-27 Halifax R9451, B.Mk.II
s/n R9451
Handley Page Ltd
R 9451
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9453, B.Mk.II
s/n R9453
Handley Page Ltd
R 9453
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9483, B.Mk.II
s/n R9483
Handley Page Ltd
R 9483
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9487, B.Mk.II
s/n R9487
Handley Page Ltd
R 9487
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9489, B.Mk.II
s/n R9489
Handley Page Ltd
R 9489
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9491, B.Mk.II
s/n R9491
Handley Page Ltd
R 9491
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9492, B.Mk.II
s/n R9492
Handley Page Ltd
R 9492
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Dortmund Germany 1942-04-14 to 1942-04-15
10 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Leeming
10 Blackburn's Own Squadron (Rem acu tangere) RAF Leeming. Halifax II aircraft R 9492 ZA-R was returning from operations over Dortmund, Germany, low on fuel. The pilot, Pilot Officer Hughes ordered his crew to bail once back over England and stayed at the controls allowing them to safely exit the aircraft. The Halifax stalled, crashed and burned attempting an emergency landing at Greatham Moor 3m south of Hindhead Surrey, UK
Pilot Officer RP Hughes (RCAF) was killed in action
Six crew members bailed and survived: Sergeant A Atkinson (RAF), Sergeant L Trembath (RAF), Pilot Officer JRF Ganderton (RNZAF), Sergeant EA Stubbley (RAF), Sergeant JSAS Triggle (RAF) and Sergeant JW Tyson (RAF) were all safe. No further information on these surviving aircrew has been found to date
1942-April-15 Survived RAF Sergeant R Atkinson 2024-11-03 1942-April-15 Survived RNZAF Pilot Officer John Raymond Francis Ganderton 2022-10-27 1942-April-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Richard Pryce Hughes 2022-10-27 1942-April-15 Survived RAF Sergeant Edward Arthur Stubley 2022-10-27 1942-April-15 Survived RAF Sergeant L Trembath 2022-10-27 1942-April-15 Survived RAF Sergeant James Spiro Alfred Samuel Triggle 2022-10-27 1942-April-15 Survived RAF Sergeant JW Tyson 2022-10-27 Halifax R9495, B.Mk.II
s/n R9495
Handley Page Ltd
R 9495
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9530, B.Mk.II
s/n R9530
Handley Page Ltd
R 9530
Merlin XX/22
unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9531, B.Mk.II
s/n R9531
Handley Page Ltd
R 9531
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102/ 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-December-05 KIFA RAAF Sergeant John Allen Barrett-Lennard 2024-12-24 1942-December-05 KIFA RAFVR Segeant Carlos Frederick Bonorino 2024-11-14 1942-December-05 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Douglas Charles Cameron 2024-12-24 1942-December-05 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Herbert Gregory Jenkins 2024-12-24 1942-December-05 KIFA RAFVR Flight Sergeant John Crichton MacAulay 2024-12-24 1942-December-05 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Robert John Marshall 2024-12-24 1942-December-05 Survived RAF R F Pretty 2024-12-24 Halifax R9539, B.Mk.II
s/n R9539
Handley Page Ltd
R 9539
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax R9540, B.Mk.II
s/n R9540
Handley Page Ltd
R 9540
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax RG347, B/Met.Mk.III
s/n RG347
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 347
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Ferry Flight 1945-02-27 to 1945-02-27
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Leeming
458 aircraft - 311 Halifaxes, 131 Lancaster, 16 Mosquitoes - of 4, 6 and 8 groups, 1 Halifax and 1 Mosquito lost.
Mainz was covered by cloud and the bombing was aimed at sky-markers dropped on Oboe. No results were seen by the bomber crews but the bombing caused severe destruction in the central and eastern districts of Mainz; this was the city's worst raid of the war. 1,545 tons of bombs were dropped. 5,670 buildings were destroyed, including most of the historic buildings in the Altstadt, but the industrial district was also badly hit. At least 1,122 people were killed; other accounts say r,200. The 1,122 figure was made up of: 647 women, 437 men, 5 children, 21 servicemen and· 12 foreigners; most of the city's children had probably been evacuated. Among the dead were 41 nuns in a convent which was bombed; there were only 3 survivors. This was the last heavy raid on Mainz. The city's total number of air-raid deaths in 14 major R.A.F. and U.S.A.A.F. raids and several minor raids numbered 2,482.source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax B/Met. Mk. III s/n RG347 and coded ZL*G. Was lost on the 27th of February, 1945. The aircraft commenced its take off at 12:40 hours from R.C.A.F. Station Leeming, Yorkshire for a daylight op against Mainz, Germany. Prior to lift-off the starboard tire blew. Control of the aircraft was lost resulting in a crash. The bombs exploded and destroyed the aircraft. Sadly six of the seven- man crew were killed. The only survivor was the tail gunner Flight Sergeant J. H. MacKachern. He was rushed to the R.A.F. hospital at Northallerton. Only one aircraft had gotten airborne before the accident which caused the runway to become un-serviceable.
The aircraft was actually on loan to No. 429 'Bison' (B) Squadron from No. 427 'Lion (B) Squadron for the operation. Both squadrons were based at Leeming.
source: Chris Charland
1945-February-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Morley Junior Brewer 2024-11-18 1945-February-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Sidney Thomas Carson 2024-01-10 1945-February-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frederick George Fisher 2023-04-10 1945-February-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Angus Mackie 2023-04-10 1945-February-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Richard Mcdiarmid Scott 2023-04-10 1945-February-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth Frank Whitehouse 2023-04-10 
Halifax RG350, B/Met.Mk.III
s/n RG350
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 350
Hercules XVI
Units 425/426
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Raymond Roy Broadfoot 2024-11-18 1945-January-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John McIntosh Davidson 2024-10-31 1945-January-16 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Roger Harrop Galbraith 2025-03-03 1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Aldo Mario Lacchia 2025-03-03 1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant John Morrison MacDonald 2025-03-03 1945-January-16 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Bruce Wilson McNicol 2025-03-03 1945-January-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John William Shirey 2025-03-03 Halifax RG353, B/Met.Mk.III
s/n RG353
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 353
Hercules XVI
Unit 578
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax RG426, B/Met.Mk.III
s/n RG426
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 426
Hercules XVI
Unit 96/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax RG447, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG447
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 447
Hercules XVI
unit 1665 Heavy Conversion Unit/426/415/1665HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax RG448, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG448
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 448
Hercules XVI
Unit 426/432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax RG449, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG449
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 449
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Chemnitz Germany 1945-02-14 to 1945-02-15
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
Thunderclap
499 Lancasters and 218 Halifaxes of 1, 3, 4, 6 and 8 Groups to continue Operation Thunderclap. 8 Lancasters and 5 Halifaxes lost.
·This raid took place in two phases, 3 hours apart. A very elaborate diversion plan succeeded in keeping bomber casualties down but Chemnitz - now called Kurl¬Marx-Stadt ~ was also spared from the worst effects of its first major RAF raid, Both parts of the bomber force found the target area covered by cloud and only sky-marking could be employed. Post-raid reconnaissance showed that many parts of tho city were hit but that most of the bombing was in open country. The Stadtarchiv ol' Karl-Marx-Stadt was unable to provide a local report
432 Leaside Squadron (Saeviter ad Lucem) RAF East Moor. Halifax BVII aircraft RG 449 QO-S was shot down by night fighter pilot Hauptmann Heinz Rokker of 2/NJG 2 flying a Junkers Ju 88 G-6 during an operation against communications and supply centers in Chemnitz, Germany
The Halifax crashed at Schonau an der Brend, about 11km NW of Neustadt/Saale, GermanyOne crew member was killed in the night fighter attack before the bomber was abandoned. The remaining crew members survived and were taken Prisoners of War
Flight Engineer Sergeant GL Sorrell (RAFVR) was killed in action
Squadron Leader JH Thompson (RCAF), Flying Officer RAA Borland (RCAF), Flying Officer RJ stringer (RCAF), Flying Officer JJ Serne (RCAF), Pilot Officer RD Thomson (RCAF) and Flying Officer SA Harrison (RCAF) all survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
Prisoner of War detail for those aircrew captured needs further research as POW information for the time period nearing the end of the war in Europe was not recorded with the same level of detail as earlier in the war
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
432 Squadron Halifax VI RG449 QO-S Sq/Ldr Thompson RAF East Moo...
1945-February-15 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Robert Alexander Adrian Borland 2023-10-21 1945-February-15 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Stanley Armitage Harrison 2023-03-31 1945-February-15 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant John James Serne 2023-03-31 1945-February-15 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer George Lionell Sorrell 2023-03-31 1945-February-15 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Richard James Stringer 2023-03-31 1945-February-15 PoW RCAF Squadron Leader Jack Harvey Thompson 2023-03-31 1945-February-15 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Denis Thomson 2023-03-31 Halifax RG450, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG450
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 450
Hercules XVI
Units 408/432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax RG451, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG451
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 451
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Worms Germany 1945-02-21 to 1945-02-21
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
432 Leaside Squadron (Saevitir Ad Lucem) RAF East Moor. Halifax VII aircraft RG 451 QO-D missing from a night operation against targets in Worms, Germany. The cause of loss and crash location were not determined
Flight Lieutenant ES Maguire (RCAF), Flying Officer CW McMillan(RCAF), Pilot Officer EJ McLarty (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant CS Moir, (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant JG Maguire (RCAF) and Pilot Officer AA McDonald (RAF) were all killed in action
Flight Sergeant FT McLachlan (RCAF) survived to be taken as Prisoner of War, although no detail on POW number or POW camp has been found to date
Oddly unique, the crews' surnames all start with the letter 'M'
There were two other 432 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials NP 803 QO-I and RG 476 QO-T for additional information
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
21 Feb '45 BC attack Worms [Archive] Luftwaffe and Allied Air...
1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Edward Stidston Maguire 2023-11-11 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Goodwin Maguire 2023-11-11 1945-February-21 KIA RAF Pilot Officer Ashley Alexander McDonald 2023-03-18 1945-February-21 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant F T McLachlan 2023-09-14 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edward John McLarty 2023-03-20 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Colin William McMillan 2023-03-18 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Corson Stewart Moir 2023-11-11 Halifax RG452, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG452
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 452
Hercules XVI
Unit 426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax RG453, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG453
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 453
Hercules XVI
Unit 426/408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax RG454, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG454
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 454
Hercules XVI
Units 426/432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax RG455, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG455
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 455
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Monheim am Rhein 1945-02-20 to 1945-02-21
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
128 aircraft - 112 Halifaxes, 10 Mosquitoes, 6 Lancasters - of 6 and 8 Groups attacked the Rhenania Ossag refinery at Monheim with similar results to the Reisholz raid. 2 Halifaxes lost.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Target: Rhenania Ossag synthetic oil refinery near Monheim
Shot down near target.
1945-February-21 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Frank Shannon Daley 2025-02-15 1945-February-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer George Borden Henson 2025-02-15 1945-February-21 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Alexander Humphrey May 2025-02-15 1945-February-21 PoW RCAF Flt. Sergeant Joseph William Burke McIntosh 2025-02-15 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Wells Gibb Mendenhall 2025-02-15 1945-February-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Edwin Frederick Patzer 2025-02-15 Halifax RG456, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG456
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 456
Hercules XVI
Unit 426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax RG457, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG457
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 457
Hercules XVI
unit 426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax RG458, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG458
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 458
Hercules XVI
Unit 426
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax RG472, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG472
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 472
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-02 PoW RCAF Sergeant Arthur David Dennis 2024-10-12 1945-March-02 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant V T Hunt 2024-10-12 1945-March-02 PoW RCAF Flying Officer J E Moran 2024-10-12 1945-March-02 PoW RCAF Flying Officer V D J Mousseau 2024-10-12 1945-March-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Gordon Paxton 2024-10-12 1945-March-02 PoW RCAF Flying Officer H R Sproule 2024-10-12 1945-March-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Street 2024-10-12 Halifax RG473, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG473
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 473
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax RG474, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG474
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 474
Hercules XVI
Unit 408
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax RG475, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG475
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 475
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-March-10
Bombing Chemnitz Germany 1945-03-05 to 1945-03-06
(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor
760 aircraft - 498 Lancasters, 256 Halifaxes, 6 Mosquitoes - to continue Operation Thunderclap. The operation started badly when 9 aircraft of 6 Group crashed near their bases soon after taking off in icy conditions. 426 Squadron, at Linton-on-Ousc, lost 3 out of their 14 Halifaxes taking part in the raid in this way, with only I man surviving. 1 of the Halifaxes crashed in York, killing some civilians. 22 further aircraft were lost in the main operation - 14 Lancasters and 8 Halifaxes.
The city of Karl-Marx-Stadt was unable to supply any local details but it Is known that the centre and the south of the city suffered severe fire damage. Several important factories were situated in the fire area and the Siegmar factory, which made tank engines, was destroyed.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax VII aircraft RG 475 QO-L was returning from an operation over Chemnitz, Germany when it was shot down by flak from an Allied Coastal Defense Battery over England. The aircraft crashed north of Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, England with the loss of the entire crew
Pilot Officer JD Ringrose (RCAF), Pilot Officer GM Orser (RCAF), Pilot Officer MB Nielson (RCAF), Squadron Leader EA Hayes (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant GR Harris (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant JG Clothier (RCAF), Flying Officer CM Hay DSO (RCAF) and Pilot Officer DM Cooke (RAFVR), were all killed in action
RAF losses 5./6. March 1945 [Archive] - Luftwaffe and Allied Air...
1945-March-06 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant John George Clothier 2024-03-05 1945-March-06 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Glen Royal Harris MiD 2023-03-22 1945-March-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Colin Maxwell Hay DSO 2023-03-22 1945-March-06 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Edwin Alfred Hayes 2023-03-22 1945-March-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Marius Bendt Nielson 2023-03-22 1945-March-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gilbert Melbourne Orser 2023-03-22 1945-March-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Dennis Ringrose 2023-03-22 Halifax RG476, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG476
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 476
Hercules XVI
With No. 432 (B) Squadron, RCAF when lost on operations on 21 February 1945, Worms.
Not supported by the ORB which does not refer to this s/n in February 1945. The ORB shows this crew was lost on Halifax NP 812.
NP 812 was previously reported returning to base on two engines 1944 12 -30. One crew member ,Barnett, bailed out and was killed.
last update: 2025-February-05Bombing 1945-02-21 to 1945-02-21
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor
432 Leaside Squadron (Saevitir Ad Lucem). Halifax VII aircraft RG 476 QO-T was shot down on the East side of the Nahe River just south of Bad Munster, Germany during a night operation against targets in Worms, Germany
Pilot Officer AJ Hunter (RCAF), Flying Officer JA Bleich (RCAF), Flying Officer GE Creswell (RCAF) and Pilot Officer AC Hogg (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Flying Officer FD Baxter DFC (RCAF), Flight Sergeant GE Armstrong (RCAF) and Flight Sergeant SE Waterbury (RCAF), all survived to be taken as Prisoners of War, although no information on their POW numbers or camp locations has been found to date
The 432 Squadron ORB has this crew on Halifax NP 812 QO-T but multiple sources, websites and books confirm the correct aircraft serial as RG476 QO-T
Halifax NP 812 QO-T had previously returned to base on two engines 1944 -12-29 with the loss of one crew member (Pilot Officer GH Barnett, RCAF) who had bailed in error and died from his wounds
There were three 432 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this date. Please see aircraft serials NP 803 QO-I and RG 451 QO-D for additional information regarding the other crews and aircraft
The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax RG477, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG477
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 477
Hercules XVI
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Worms Germany 1945-02-21 to 1945-02-22
408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Linton-on-Ouse
408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom), RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Halifax BVII aircraft RG477 EQ-N failed to return from an operation against targets in Worms, Germany. The aircraft cause of loss and crash site was undetermined, but the entire crew survived
Flight Lieutenant RH Fleming (RCAF), Flying Officer HO Hinson (RCAF), Flying Officer GM Keech (RCAF), Flight Sergeant J Gazo (RCAF), Flight Sergeant AR Olson (RCAF), Flight Sergeant D Steele (RCAF) and Sergeant SA Powell (RAFVR) all survived to be taken as Prisoners of War. No POW information with regard to individual crew POW numbers, POW camps or camp locations has been found to date
There were two 408 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial NP711 EQ-O for additional information
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
Treasure hunter forum View topic - Plane crash Allenbach district...
21 Feb '45 BC attacks Worms [Archive] - Luftwaffe and Allided Air...
1945-February-22 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Robert Henderson Fleming 2023-07-06 1945-February-22 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant John Gazo 2023-07-06 1945-February-22 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Harold Oliver Hinson 2023-07-06 1945-February-22 PoW RCAF Flying Officer George Munro Keech 2023-07-06 1945-February-22 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Arlan Rudolph Olson 2023-07-06 1945-February-22 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Sidney Arthur Powell 2023-07-06 1945-February-22 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant David Steele 2023-07-06 Halifax RG478, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG478
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 478
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax RG479, B.Mk.VII
s/n RG479
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 479
Hercules XVI
Unit 432
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax RG553, B.Mk.VI
s/n RG553
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 553
Hercules 100
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-April-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer G W Lawson 2023-09-04 1945-April-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Colin Ross Milne Morrison 2021-08-16 1945-April-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lester Leon Slauenwhite 2022-01-03 1945-April-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Murray Charles Slaughter 2022-01-03 1945-April-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ronald Ignatius Sweet 2021-07-21 Halifax RG591, B.Mk.VI
s/n RG591
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 591
Hercules 100
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax RG814, B.Mk.VI
s/n RG814
m/d H.P.61
English Electric Co Ltd
RG 814
Hercules 100
Units BAC Filton/Handley Page/Canada/BAC
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-December-05 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1947-June-10 Struck off Strength Struck off, returned to RAF. 2019-08-20
Halifax V9984, B.Mk.II
s/n V9984
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
V 9984
Merlin XX/22
Units 10/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax V9986, B.Mk.II
s/n V9986
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
V 9986
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax V9987, B.Mk.II
s/n V9987
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
V 9987
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102/102 CF/102/102CF
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax V9988, B.Mk.II
s/n V9988
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
V 9988
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10/10 CF/1658 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax V9992, B.Mk.II
s/n V9992
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
V 9992
Merlin XX/22
Units 1427 Flight/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax V9993, B.Mk.II
s/n V9993
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
V 9993
Merlin XX/22
Units 35/1652 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-June-26 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Henry Andrews 2023-11-02 1942-June-26 PoW RCAF Flying Officer David Bruce E. McKenzie 2023-11-02 1942-June-26 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Harry Francis Spratt 2023-11-02 1942-June-26 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Robert Walker Wagstaff 2023-11-02 1942-June-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ian Reay Watson 2023-11-02 Halifax W1002, B.Mk.II
s/n W1002
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1002
Merlin XX/22
Units Airborne Forces experimental Establishment/138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1007, B.Mk.II
s/n W1007
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1007
Merlin XX/22
Units 10 CF/ 78/138/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1012, B.Mk.II
s/n W1012
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1012
Merlin XX/22
Units 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit/Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment/TFU/161/138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1015, B.Mk.II
s/n W1015
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1015
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1016, B.Mk.II
s/n W1016
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1016
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1018, B.Mk.II
s/n W1018
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1018
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1019, B.Mk.II
s/n W1019
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1019
Merlin XX/22
Units 35/405/409/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1021, B.Mk.II
s/n W1021
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1021
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1036, B.Mk.II
s/n W1036
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1036
Merlin XX/22
Units 76/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1039, B.Mk.II
s/n W1039
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1039
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1041, B.Mk.II
s/n W1041
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1041
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1042, B.Mk.II
s/n W1042
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1042
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1044, B.Mk.II
s/n W1044
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1044
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-March-30 KIA RNZAF Flying Officer Neil Ralph Blunden 2024-11-13 1942-March-30 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Geoffrey Cyril Day 2025-01-26 1942-March-30 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Benjamin Eastwood 2025-01-26 1942-March-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Ralph Franklin 2025-01-26 1942-March-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur Reginald Henman 2025-01-26 1942-March-30 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Kenneth Coverdale May 2025-01-26 1942-March-30 KIA RAF Sergeant Reginald George Arthur Richards 2025-01-26 Halifax W1046, B.Mk.II
s/n W1046
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1046
Merlin XX/22
Units 35/161/138/1666 heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1048, B.Mk.II
s/n W1048
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1048
Merlin XX/22
Units 102/35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1050, B.Mk.II
s/n W1050
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1050
Merlin XX/22
Units 102/35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1052, B.Mk.II
s/n W1052
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1052
Merlin XX/22
Units 10/102/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1053, B.Mk.II
s/n W1053
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1053
Merlin XX/22
Units 102/35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1055, B.Mk.II
s/n W1055
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1055
Merlin XX/22
Units Dishforth/ 10/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1056, B.Mk.II
s/n W1056
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1056
Merlin XX/22
unit Dishforth/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1058, B.Mk.II
s/n W1058
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1058
Merlin XX/22
Units Dishforth/10
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-October-15 KIA RAF Flight Lieutenant Alfred Brindley 2024-11-18 1942-October-15 PoW RAF Sergeant Frederick Esmond Perry Burtonshaw 2024-11-25 1942-October-15 PoW RAF Flight Lieutenant Michael McFarland Davis 2024-10-01 1942-October-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph William Dubroy 2024-10-29 1942-October-15 PoW RAF Flight Sergeant C E Harrison 2023-08-24 1942-October-15 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer James Wilfred Murphy 2022-05-25 1942-October-15 PoW RAF Pilot Officer Allan Fred John Sanderson-Miller 2024-01-10 1942-October-15 KIA RAF Wing Commander Richard Kemp (Dick) Wildey DFC 2022-05-25 Halifax W1061, B.Mk.II
s/n W1061
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1061
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-August-12 Evader RCAF Flight Sergeant A E Fay 2024-06-26
1942-August-12 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class John Kingsley Howes 2024-06-26 1942-August-12 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Leslie Charles Jupp 2024-06-26 1942-August-12 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class William Everett Lunan 2024-06-24 Halifax W1066, B.Mk.II
s/n W1066
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1066
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1092, B.Mk.II
s/n W1092
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1092
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1094, B.Mk.II
s/n W1094
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1094
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1095, B.Mk.II
s/n W1095
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1095
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1096, B.Mk.II
s/n W1096
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1096
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
Operational 1942-11-17 to 1942-11-17
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Coastal Command, Beaulieu
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Beaulieu. Halifax BII aircraft W 1096 LQ-O, nicknamed "Every Drop Counts" went into a spin and crashed at Wicken Bonhunt, two and one half miles west of Newport, Essex during a routine cross-country flight
The crash was caused when the Mid-Upper gunner accidentally fired his guns and hit the port inner engine even though the guns were not supposed to be able to depress that far. The engine fire and hydraulic failure cause the aircraft to spin out of control and crash
405 Squadron was attached to Coastal Command from late October 1942 until the end of February 1943 before joining 6 Group in March of 1943
Flight Sergeant AJ DoIding (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 GH Richards (RCAF), Sergeant RJ Cavanaugh (RCAF)(USA) and Flying Officer H Landau (RAFVR) were killed in this flying accident
Sergeant HF Jackson (RCAF) survived, although seriously injured and Sergeant WA MacDonald (RCAF), who managed to bail safely, survived without injury
There were only six aircrew aboard for this flight, no rear air gunner recorded
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
405 Squadron Halifax IIB W1096 LQ-O Sgt. Dolding, RAF Beaulieu
1942-November-17 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Robert Joseph Cavanaugh 2024-10-24 1942-November-17 KIFA RCAF Flt. Sergeant Arthur John Dolding 2024-10-24 1942-November-17 Survived RCAF Sergeant H F Jackson 2024-10-24 1942-November-17 KIFA RAFVR Flying Officer Hyme Landau 2024-10-24 1942-November-17 Survived RCAF Sergeant William Alexander MacDonald 2025-02-11 1942-November-17 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Gordon Hubert Richards 2024-10-24 Halifax W1097, B.Mk.II
s/n W1097
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1097
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1098, B.Mk.II
s/n W1098
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1098
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1104, B.Mk.II
s/n W1104
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1104
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1106, B.Mk.II
s/n W1106
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1106
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1107, B.Mk.II
s/n W1107
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1107
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1109, B.Mk.II
s/n W1109
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1109
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1942-07-31 to 1942-08-01
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus). Target - Dusseldorf, Germany. 405 Sqn. Halifax II W1109 LQ-S lost over Germany, Sergeant EA Anderson (RCAF), Sergeant JW Irish (RCAF), Sergeant J Hunter (RAF), Sergeant JF O'Brien (RAF), Sergeant WAB Laughlin (RAF), Sergeant S Woodman (RAF) and Sergeant FC Bond (RAF) were killed.
THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNT OF THE CRASH SITE PROVIDED BY LOCAL RESIDENT PAUL STEENTJES JULY 1st 2023
I moved to Germany for work years ago and decided to stay and bought a house in the country in what is called the lower Rhine. This area is located south west of the Ruhr meaning to begin the return back to the UK the formations made a wide turn and came through here trying to avoid the major night fighter base at Venlo in the process. As a result more than 550 allied bombers crashed in the lower Rhine area and we still get bomb disposal alarm on a very regular basis. A local historian wrote a book documenting nearly all crashes but there are many irregularities and mistakes.
For me, the W1109 story started when the old gardner here who since died told us that this author was wrong attributing the site which is about 300 yards from my house in the village of Anrath, (2 miles to Vorst) to Lancaster R5867 EM-T of 207 sq out of Bottesford a week earlier. As I later found out it actually came down on the banks of the Rhine across from Duisburg, its target.
There was a photo in this book of part of a wing and undercarriage which looked more like a Halifax than a Lancaster, this was confirmed back in the UK. I went to look at the site, which has not changed much since then and is still farmland like most around here. The current farmer is extremely supportive as are all locals I've met regarding this. I then found several more pics and a number of eye witnesses. One Vorst person showed me a prop blade in perfect condition which his brother had secured along with a browning. This brother was in the Waffen SS and bullied his way through the usual Luftwaffe cordon. It's the way things were then apparently.
The Düsseldorf raid had the inner Rhine port of nearby Neuss as a secondary target which would have been in a straight to Anrath and then west. From what I know W1109 was hit by the permanent 88mm Flak emplacement at Klein Jerusalem, a chapel!!, a few miles east of Anrath, seems to have partially caught fire, crossed over Vorst spraying engine oil. The locals told me it was raining oil. It then sharply turned back towards Anrath and started breaking up shortly before crashing at 2.30 am on 1.Aug.
I found a drawing done by a local showing where the main parts of the plane came down. The rear turret came down quite intact in a field in Vorst a few hundred yards from the fuselage which landed near the Anrath Vorst road about 50 yards from an old roadside holy shrine which is still there. W1109 as you can see from the photos broke up in large parts many of them reasonably intact which means they were taken away within days.
The crew all died on impact some within the fuselage others strewn across the fields. Their remains were subsequently taken to the main cemetery in Krefeld, the nearest large city and around 1948 the British army moved them to the military cemetery at Reichswald where they are to this day. photos available
I got a local detectorist to check out what's left in the ground and we did find a number of small bits which were identified by a specialist in Holland. Problem is that post war the land was given a new agricultural top soil of at least 30 cms and the farmer does not plow that deep. I wrote an article in the local weekly and many people reacted some bringing stuff they'd found including old ammo but nothing much useful.
1942-August-01 KIA RCAF Sergeant Edward Allison Anderson 2024-11-02 1942-August-01 KIA RAF Sergeant Francis Charles Bond 2024-11-14 1942-August-01 KIA RAF Sergeant James Hunter 2025-01-27 1942-August-01 KIA RCAF Sergeant Jack William Irish 2025-01-27 1942-August-01 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Alexander Benjamin Laughlin 2025-01-27 1942-August-01 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Fawell O'Brien 2025-01-27 1942-August-01 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Stanley Woodman 2025-01-27 
Halifax W1110, B.Mk.II
s/n W1110
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1110
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Bremen Germany 1942-06-27 to 1942-06-28
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Pocklington, Halifax BII aircraft W 1110 LQ-C crashed into the North Sea off the Dutch coast 20 km SSW of Den Helder, Noord-Holland during a night raid against Bremen, Germany. Homeward-bound, the aircraft was intercepted and shot down night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Rudolf Sigmund of the Stab II/NJG 2, who had taken off from Leeuwarden airfield, Netherlands
Warrant Officer Class 1 WL Scott (RCAF), FS JE Cole (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 GM Phillips (RCAF), Pilot Officer JHM Lacelle (RCAF), Sergeant GB Tatham (RCAF), Pilot Officer JJ Hughes (RAFVR) and Sergeant SB Rowland (RAF)(AAF) were all originally missing presumed killed
Pilot Officer Lacelle's body washed ashore on 30 June 1942 and Sergeant Tatham's body washed ashore on 9 September 1942, both at Callantsoog, Netherlands. W/O2 Phillips body washed ashore at Petten, Netherlands on 17 September 1942. They are all buried in Holland. The rest of the crew was not recovered. They have no known grave and they are commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial
There were two 405 Squadron Halifax BII aircraft lost this same date. Please see Fitzgerald RW for information regarding Halifax W 1175 LQ-Q
1942-June-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Edward Cole 2024-03-14 1942-June-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Harvey Milton Lacelle 2022-08-10 1942-June-28 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer Gordon Mclean Phillips 2022-08-10 1942-June-28 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class William Lawrence Scott 2022-08-10 1942-June-28 KIA RCAF Sergeant George Bertram Tatham 2022-08-10 Halifax W1111, B.Mk.II
s/n W1111
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1111
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Essen Germany 1942-06-08 to 1942-06-09
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
405 Squadron, Halifax aircraft W 1111 was carrying bombs, camera, and leaflets and failed to return from a night raid against Essen, Germany, 9 June 1942.. Flight Sergeant Thomas Robert Manard CATTLE (R/53364); Flight Sergeant Joseph FLEMING (936192); Sergeant Reginald Douglas HOLLAND (1167380); Sergeant Eric Leslie JACKMAN (1180364); Flight Sergeant George Raymond ONTGOMERY (R/69146); Pilot Officer David Gordon MORRIS (J/15342); Warrant Officer Class II, William Lloyd PLATT (R/69669)Halifax W1112, B.Mk.II
s/n W1112
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1112
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1113, B.Mk.II
s/n W1113
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1113
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Bremen Germany 1942-06-29 to 1942-06-30
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus), Pathfinder Force, RAF Pocklington, Halifax II aircraft W 1113 LQ-G lost during a night operation against Bremen, Germany, shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Rudolf Sigmund of the Stab II/NJG 2, who had taken off from Leeuwarden airfield, crashing near Noordwolde, Friesland, Netherlands
FS WJ Harrell (RCAF)(USA), Sergeant WJ Dickinson (RCAF),Warrant Officer JW Bell (RCAF), FS PP Oneson (RCAF), FS RT Adams (RAFVR),Warrant Officer WP Beare (RAFVR), A Simpson (RAF), and Pilot Officer HA Echinn (RAAF) were killed. Pilot Officer Echinn served as Pilot Officer Chinn
There were three 405 Sqdn. aircraft lost in the same area on this date. Please see Dearlove, LN (W 7715 LQ-H) and Walsh, CS (W7714 LQ-K) for information regarding the other aircraft
Halifax W1114, B.Mk.II
s/n W1114
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1114
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1115, B.Mk.II
s/n W1115
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1115
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1116, B.Mk.II
s/n W1116
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1116
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1117, B.Mk.II
s/n W1117
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1117
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1142, B.Mk.II
s/n W1142
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1142
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1942-07-26 to 1942-07-27
102 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Topcliffe
102 (Ceylon) Squadron (Tentate et perficite) RAF Topcliffe. Halifax Mk II aircraft W 1142 DY-A on an operation against targets in Hamburg, Germany, was shot down by flak off the German coast
Pilot Officer William Henry Baber (RAFVR) and Sergeant Gwilyn Mieron Jones (RAFVR) were killed in action
Warrant Officer 1st Class John Brian Downes (RCAF), Warrant Officer 2nd Class Walter Gordon Wilcox (RCAF), Sergeant Joseph Stanley Higgin (RAFVR), Sergeant Joseph William Vine (RAFVR) and Sergeant John Malcolm Macdonald Wilson (RAFVR) were rescued clinging to part of a wing section and captured to become Prisoners of War
It's Suicide but it's Fun, The Story of 102 (Ceylon) Squadron 1917-1956 by Chris Goss, page 176
1942-July-27 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer William Henry Baber 2025-01-11 1942-July-27 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class John Brian Downes 2025-01-11 1942-July-27 PoW RAFVR Warrant Officer Joseph Stanley Higgin 2025-01-11 1942-July-27 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Gwilyn Mieron Jones 2025-01-11 1942-July-27 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Joseph William Vine 2025-01-11 1942-July-27 PoW Early Release RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Walter Gordon Wilcox 2025-01-16 1942-July-27 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Wilson John Malcolm MacDonald Wilson John Malcolm MacDonald 2025-01-11 Halifax W1143, B.Mk.II
s/n W1143
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1143
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1145, B.Mk.II
s/n W1145
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1145
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1146, B.Mk.II
s/n W1146
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1146
Merlin XX/22
units 10/35/10/78/1659 Hevy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-January-28 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Ruskin Askew 2024-10-28 1943-January-28 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Henri Alphonse Beliveau 2025-01-08 1943-January-28 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Richard Edward Drago 2024-10-28 1943-January-28 Survived RCAF Edmond Raoul Herve Yvon Lefebvre 2024-10-28 1943-January-28 Survived RCAF Hugh McGeach 2024-10-28 1943-January-28 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant Clinton Landis Pudney GC 2022-11-28 1943-January-28 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant John Dennis Stone 2024-10-28 Halifax W1147, B.Mk.II
s/n W1147
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1147
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1150, B.Mk.II
s/n W1150
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1150
Merlin XX/22
Units 78/76/78/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1661 HCU/1662 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1152, B.Mk.II
s/n W1152
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1152
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/Middle East
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing La Gironde France 1942-11-08 to 1942-11-08
405 (C) Sqn (RCAF) Beaulieu
City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus), Halifax II aircraft W1152 missing during an attack on La Gironde Harbour, France. FS AK Hodgins (RCAF), FS WW Waddell (RCAF), FC WR Waddle (RCAF),FS WC Black (RCAF), FC PJ Maroney (RCAF), and Sergeant AG Walland (RCAF) were also killed. One Canadian, Sergeant GM Manning (RCAF), was taken Prisoner of War.
1942-November-08 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Wendell Clifford Black 2025-01-22 1942-November-08 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Adam Kidd Hodgins 2025-01-22 1942-November-08 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Gordon M Manning 2025-01-22 1942-November-08 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Paul James Maroney 2025-01-22 1942-November-08 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Woodrow Wilcox Waddell 2025-01-22 1942-November-08 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ward Ralph Waddle 2025-01-22 1942-November-08 KIA RCAF Sergeant Allan Clarence Walland 2025-01-22 Halifax W1153, B.Mk.II
s/n W1153
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1153
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1154, B.Mk.II
s/n W1154
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1154
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1155, B.Mk.II
s/n W1155
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1155
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1157, B.Mk.II
s/n W1157
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1157
Merlin XX/22
Units 158/77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1159, B.Mk.II
s/n W1159
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1159
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1164, B.Mk.II
s/n W1164
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1164
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1165, B.Mk.II
s/n W1165
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1165
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158 CF/35/1666 Heavy conversion Unit/1656 HCU/ 48 Maintenance Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1173, B.Mk.II
s/n W1173
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1173
Merlin XX/22
Units 35/405/1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1175, B.Mk.II
s/n W1175
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1175
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Bremen Germany 1942-06-27 to 1942-06-27
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Pocklington, Halifax BII aircraft W 1175 LQ-Q failed to return from a raid against Bremen, Germany. The Halifax is believed to have been shot down and crashed into the North Sea while returning from the operation by night fighter pilot Lt Erich Gollasch of 6/NJG2
Flight Sergeant John Drew AILEY (R/68523); Sergeant Ronald Frank ANSELL (1213401);Sergeant Alan DANBY (1065468);Flight Sergeant William Ewart Nixon FIELD (R/56351);Warrant Officer Class II Rowan Charles FITZGERALD (R/69615); Flight Sergeant Murray Ralph KLEISDORFF (407695) ;Sergeant Eric Omar SMITH (1169531)
Only FS Kleisdorff's body was recovered and buried at the Harlingen General Cemetery. The rest of the crew remain missing and have no known grave and are all commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial
Halifax W1179, B.Mk.II
s/n W1179
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1179
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1180, B.Mk.II
s/n W1180
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1180
Merlin XX/22
Units 77/76/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1184, B.Mk.II
s/n W1184
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1184
Merlin XX/22
Units 76/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1186, B.Mk.II
s/n W1186
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1186
Merlin XX/22
Units 76/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1942-07-26 to 1942-07-27
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus). Halifax aircraft W 1186 was hit by flak then blew up and fell in the Elbe River seven miles west of the target Hamburg, GermanySergeant Joseph Daniel CREEDE (R/83409) Air Gunner; Pilot Officer Norman Leslie LAING (J/15432); Sergeant John Walter MACAULAY (R/73010) Wireless Op; Flight Sergeant Henry Maximilian SLEZAK (R/80198); Pilot Officer Douglas Alfred STREET (J/9585) Wireless Op; Flight Sergeant Arthur Douglas SWANSBURG (R/76207); Flight Sergeant Gerald Robert TITUS (R/86352); Sergeant Kenneth Storey WATSON (574343). All Killed 1942-July-27 KIA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Daniel Creede 2024-07-22 1942-July-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norman Leslie Laing 2022-08-14 1942-July-27 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Walker Macaulay 2024-08-23 1942-July-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Henry Maximilian Slezak 2022-08-14 1942-July-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas Alfred Street 2022-08-14 1942-July-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur Douglas Swansburg 2022-08-14 1942-July-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gerald Robert Titus 2022-08-14 Halifax W1189, B.Mk.II
s/n W1189
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1189
Merlin XX/22
Unit 103
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1211, B.Mk.II
s/n W1211
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1211
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1215, B.Mk.II
s/n W1215
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1215
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1217, B.Mk.II
s/n W1217
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1217
Merlin XX/22
Units 103/158/10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1218, B.Mk.II
s/n W1218
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1218
Merlin XX/22
Unit 103
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1220, B.Mk.II
s/n W1220
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1220
Merlin XX/22
Unit 103
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1223, B.Mk.II
s/n W1223
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1223
Merlin XX/22
Unit 103
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1225, B.Mk.II
s/n W1225
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1225
Merlin XX/22
Unit 103
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1230, B.Mk.II
s/n W1230
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1230
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1942-07-26 to 1942-07-27
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*L". Shot down over Hamburg on 27 July 1942, Sergeant John Albert KNOX (575307); Flight Engi; Flight Sergeant John Victor POTTER (R/70841); Air Observer; Sergeant Robert Bruce PRENTICE (R/105300) ; Air Gunner; Sergeant William SMITH (1382139) Pilot; Flight Sergeant Thomas Austin WITHERS (R/79045); Air Gunner; Sergeant Cyril WOOD (1058548) Wireless Op.Prisoner of War for Halifax II W1230 Sergeant Richard Alexander MYERS (R/65987)Halifax W1231, B.Mk.II
s/n W1231
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1231
Merlin XX/22
Units Bomb Development Unit/35/Navigation Training Unit/1666 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1232, B.Mk.II
s/n W1232
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1232
Merlin XX/22
Units Bomb Development Unit/ 1666 heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1233, B.Mk.II
s/n W1233
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1233
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1235, B.Mk.II
s/n W1235
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1235
Merlin XX/22
unit 460/419/1666 Heavy conversion Unit
On 1944-06-03, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 1664/1679 HCU at Wombleton, wrote in his diary:
"The Air Commodore was up & made the official presentation of the accident pennant which we have won four out of the five months this year & this afternoon we had a prong to chalk up no.1 for this month. Halifax II W1235, old F-Freddie came in and made a terrible landing. He bounced high enough to clear the hanger the first time & I don't know how the u/c ever stood up to it. On the second bounce he decided to go around again so pushed on full throttle & proceeded to grab the wrong lever, opened up his bomb bay doors instead of dumping his flaps. The kite wouldn't climb of course so he pulled up his u/c and made a crash landing in a nearby farmer's field. Made the a/c a cat E but nobody was hurt fortunately."
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1237, B.Mk.II
s/n W1237
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1237
Merlin XX/22
Units 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1240, B.Mk.II
s/n W1240
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1240
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1241, B.Mk.II
s/n W1241
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1241
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Conversion 1943-03-10 to 1943-03-10
(OT) HCU (RCAF) Leeming
Halifax II aircraft W 1241 banking on landing approach, went out of control and crashed on the south-east corner of the aerodrome at Leeming, bursting into flames. Flying Officer AB Shives (RCAF), Flying Officer WG McLaughlin (RCAF), FS L Taylor (RCAF), FS APM Aitken (RCAF), FS AW Leckie (RCAF)(USA), Sergeant RS Greengrass (RCAF), Sergeant GE Clarke (RCAF), and Sergeant JH McGinn (RCAF) were killed.
On 1943-03-10, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, an Engineering Officer with 1659 HCU at Leeming, wrote in his diary:
Warning: The following material contains graphic content that may not be suitable for all readers
"Well up until today everything has been quite rosy but this afternoon I witnessed one of the most appalling sights I ever hope to see & I'm sure I will never forget it as long as I live. About 2:30 pm there was a scurry out in the hanger & suddenly the sergeant dashed in with news of a bad crash which had just taken place just off the end of runway #4. . . . . We, of course have to investigate all crashes . . . I remember questioning one of the eye-witnesses who told of seeing the aircraft spin in from about 300 feet after stalling on a turn, making two complete spirals before hitting with a terrific crash & bursting out into flames. It was one of my ships in B flight Q for Queenie. The whole thing was a seething mass of flames, all four engines were buried in the ground, the wings had folded back & the fuselage had a broken back. . . . Rescue workers were busy burrowing around & finding bodies . . . It affected me a lot being my first experience with sudden death but I remember calming myself and trying to investigate the position of various control & trimtabs etc. instead of letting my eyes wander to the rescue work. . . .". The following day he wrote: ". .I know one thing, I won't be so curious next time & will take care not to arrive on the scene too soon after a crash."
1943-March-10 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alexander Patterson Morris Aitken 2025-03-01 1943-March-10 KIFA RCAF Sergeant George Edward Clarke 2024-02-26 1943-March-10 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Roy Stanley Greengrass 2023-10-04 1943-March-10 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Albert Wordie Leckie 2023-10-04 1943-March-10 KIFA RCAF Sergeant John Henry McGinn 2023-10-04 1943-March-10 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William George McLaughlin 2023-10-04 1943-March-10 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Arnold Belden Shives 2023-10-04 1943-March-10 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lawrence Taylor 2023-10-04 Halifax W1242, B.Mk.II
s/n W1242
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1242
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1243, B.Mk.II
s/n W1243
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1243
Merlin XX/22
Unit 103 CF
last update: 2025-February-05
Conversion 1942-09-22 to 1942-09-22
103 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Elsham Wolds
103 (Swindon's Own) Squadron (Noli Me Tangere) RAF Elsham Wolds. Halifax BII aircraft W 1243 PM-B was on a Conversion Training Flight when it stalled in the circuit while still on 3 engines, rolled, inverted, crashed and burned at RAF Station, Elsham Wolds, England
Warrant Officer Class 2 N Hrehorak (RCAF), Sergeant RL McCulloch (RCAF), Sergeant DR Evans (RAFVR), Warrant Officer RJ Fulbrook DFC (RAF), Flight Sergeant FW Hill (RAFVR) and Sergeant JP Wolfenden (RAF) were all killed in this flying accident
There were only six crew members aboard this aircraft when this accident occurred [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1942-September-22 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant David Richard Evans 2023-04-18 1942-September-22 KIFA RAF Warrant Officer Reginald John Fulbrook DFC 2023-04-18 1942-September-22 KIFA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Frederic Winston Hill 2023-04-18 1942-September-22 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Nickolas Hrehorak 2023-04-18 1942-September-22 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Lyle McCulloch 2023-04-18 1942-September-22 KIFA RAF Sergeant John Pennington Wolfenden 2023-04-18 Halifax W1245, B.Mk.II
s/n W1245
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1245
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1249, B.Mk.II
s/n W1249
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1249
Merlin XX/22
units 78/1659 Heavy conversion Unit/1669 HCU
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1250, B.Mk.II
s/n W1250
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1250
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78/1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1251, B.Mk.II
s/n W1251
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1251
Merlin XX/22
Units 103/158/1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-November-06 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Stewart Mackenzie Flett 2021-08-06 1943-November-06 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Percy Earl Krotz 2021-08-12 1943-November-06 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Alexander Basil McVean 2021-08-17 1943-November-06 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ralph Franklin Mechin 2021-08-16 1943-November-06 KIFA RCAF Sergeant John Edward O'Grady 2021-08-17 1943-November-06 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Clarence Alvin Turner 2021-07-14 Halifax W1253, B.Mk.II
s/n W1253
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1253
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1271, B.Mk.II
s/n W1271
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1271
Merlin XX/22
Units 102/10/419
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1273, B.Mk.II
s/n W1273
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1273
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78/1659 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W1274, B.Mk.II
s/n W1274
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1274
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Flensburg Germany 1942-09-24 to 1942-09-24
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Topcliffe
405 Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus), RAF Topcliffe. Halifax aircraft W 1274 LQ-R was lost on an operation against targets in Flensburg, Germany 1942-09-24, shot down by flak after being coned by a searchlight (Werfer 11 of the 1/Reserve-Scheinwerfer-Abteilung 609). The bomber was hit by heavy (schwere) Flak of the 1/Reserve-Flak-Abteilung 306 and crashed on Elso moor, west of Kelstrup plantation in Denmark
Pilot Officer WM Webb (RCAF), Pilot Officer EE Gervais (RCAF), Flight Sergeant J Ott (RCAF), Sergeant JM Rankin (RCAF), Flight Sergeant MK Burke (RAAF), Sergeant JH Kaufman (RAFVR)(Can) and Flight Sergeant W Sheldon (RAFVR), were all killed in action
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1942-September-24 KIA RAAF Flight Sergeant Mervyn Kevin Burke 2023-04-11 1942-September-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edward Emile Gervais 2023-04-11 1942-September-24 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Hyman Kaufman 2023-04-11 1942-September-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Ott 2023-04-11 1942-September-24 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Maxwell "Rusty" Rankin 2023-04-11 1942-September-24 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant William Sheldon 2023-04-11 1942-September-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Miskiman Webb 2023-04-11 Halifax W1275, B.Mk.II
s/n W1275
m/d HP.59
English Electric Co Ltd
W 1275
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-October-02 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Frederick Christie 2024-02-17 1942-October-02 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Harold Moffatt Clark 2024-02-25 1942-October-02 KIA RAFVR Flight Lieutenant Geoffrey Charles Foers 2022-01-06 1942-October-02 PoW RAF Flying Officer Geoffrey Mansell Hobbs 2022-01-06 1942-October-02 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Thomas Lloyd Kidd 2022-01-06 1942-October-02 KIA RAFAAF Sergeant Leonard Millband 2022-01-06 1942-October-02 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Thomas Aitken Stephenson 2022-01-06 Halifax W7651, B.Mk.II
s/n W7651
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7651
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7652, B.Mk.II
s/n W7652
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7652
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7653, B.Mk.II
s/n W7653
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7653
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7654, B.Mk.II
s/n W7654
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7654
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7658, B.Mk.II
s/n W7658
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7658
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7659, B.Mk.II
s/n W7659
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7659
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10/Middle East/462
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7660, B.Mk.II
s/n W7660
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7660
Merlin XX/22
Unit 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7661, B.Mk.II
s/n W7661
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7661
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7663, B.Mk.II
s/n W7663
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7663
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7670, B.Mk.II
s/n W7670
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7670
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7679, B.Mk.II
s/n W7679
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7679
Merlin XX/22
Units 10/Middle East/10-227
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7696, B.Mk.II
s/n W7696
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7696
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7698, B.Mk.II
s/n W7698
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7698
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7700, B.Mk.II
s/n W7700
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7700
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7701, B.Mk.II
s/n W7701
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7701
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7703, B.Mk.II
s/n W7703
Handley Page Ltd
W 7703
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Aachen Germany 1942-10-05 to 1942-10-06
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe
Served with No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1942/43, coded "LQ*Q". Stalled, crashed and burnt at Wrotham, Kent on 5/6 October 1942, attempting to land at West Malling after completing mission to Aachen. Apparently stalled on go around.
Sergeant John Frederick Peter BEHN (1238972) Air Gunner; Flying Officer Roy Stanley ERICKSON (J/9259) Wireless Op; Flight Sergeant Norman GISLASON (R/103565) Navigator; Flight Sergeant Michael HUDEMA (R/87541) Pilot; Sergeant John Edward PARK (R/50775) Flight Engi. All killed
Halifax W7704, B.Mk.II
s/n W7704
Handley Page Ltd
W 7704
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/405 CF/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7707, B.Mk.II
s/n W7707
Handley Page Ltd
W 7707
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Cologne Germany 1942-05-31 to 1942-05-31
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
405 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1942/43, coded "LQ*K". Lost without a trace on mission to Koln, from Pocklington, on 30/31 May 1942. Sergeant Norman ACTON (810144)(RAF); Sergeant Douglas HENNING (917785)(RAF); Sergeant Andrew Fraser McLEAN (404616) (RAAF); Sergeant Warren Bryan PICKETT(RCAF) (R/98484); Pilot Officer George Edmund SANKEY (119523)(RAF); Flight Sergeant Leonard Alfred WADMAN (R/76357)(RCAF) Flight Sergeant Gerald Arthur WELSH (R/62398)(RCAF). KilledHalifax W7708, B.Mk.II
s/n W7708
Handley Page Ltd
W 7708
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Essen Germany 1942-06-08 to 1942-06-09
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
405 Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Pocklington, Halifax II W 7708 LQ-H lost on an operation to Essen, Germany. Initially hit by flak, the aircraft was finished off by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Werner Rowlin of the 8/NJG 1, who was flying a Bf 110 from Twente airfield. The aircraft was abandoned, crashing at Bruchem, Gelderland, Netherlands
Flight Lieutenant JC Wernham MiD (RCAF), Sergeant WC Kerr (RCAF), FS GB Porter (RCAF), FS H Olsen (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant JA Maclean (RCAF), Sergeant F Shields (RAF) and Sergeant WJ Forbes (RAF) all survived and all except Flight Lieutenant Maclean were captured to become Prisoners of War. Flight Lieutenant Maclean evaded and was not captured
1942-June-09 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Cameron Kerr 2022-08-23 1942-June-09 Evader RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Angus Maclean 2022-08-23 1942-June-09 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Harry "Ollie" Olsen 2022-08-23 1942-June-09 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Gilbert Bailey Porter 2022-08-23 1942-June-09 PoW Executed RCAF Flight Lieutenant James Chrystall Wernham MiD 2023-07-24 Halifax W7709, B.Mk.II
s/n W7709
Handley Page Ltd
W 7709
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Osnabruck Germany 1942-08-10 to 1942-08-10
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe
Served with No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1942/43, coded "LQ*J". Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed at 03:42 on 10 August 1942 alongside a farmhouse, owned by Mr Van Der Steeg, at Oploo (Noord Brabant), 20 km NE of Helmond, Holland. Was on mission to Osnabruck, from Topcliffe. Medals from crew member Flight Lieutenant D.J. Bain reported for sale on-line in 2006.
Flight Lieutenant David John BAIN (41243) Pilot ; Pilot Officer Thomas Mcwhirter CALDERWOOD (118607) Observer; Flight Sergeant Francis Earl GIBBONS (R/61613) Wireless Op; Sergeant Henry Patrick GOVER (798560) Air Gunner; Sergeant Walter Alexander HILL (R/7775) Flight Engi; Flight Sergeant Arthur Theodore MORGAN (R/89659) Pilot; Sergeant Thomas Gwynne MORGAN (1253408) Wireless Op; Pilot Officer Robert Hilary VAUGHAN (118660) Observer; All Killed
Halifax W7710, B.Mk.II
s/n W7710
Handley Page Ltd
W 7710
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Flensburg Germany 1942-10-01 to 1942-10-01
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe
Served with No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*R". Named "Ruhr Valley Express" late 1942. Photo of this aircraft on page 90 of "RCAF Squadrons and Aircraft". Lost on 1/2 October 1942, on mission to Flensburg, from Topcliffe. Crashed at Liehuus, 6 km NNW of Flensburg, very close to Germany's border with Denmark
Flight Sergeant Albert Martin CARTER (R/91412) Wireless Op; Sergeant Ben Bales COPELAND (R/79564);Pilot Officer Arthur Monson GREEN (J/16009) Air Gunner; Pilot Officer John Colwell KITCHEN (J/15997) Air Observer; Flight Sergeant William Granger McCRON (R/91332) Air Gunner; Flying Officer Edward Carl OLSEN (J/8777) Pilot; Flight Sergeant Aaron Joseph Ronnie VINEBERG (1066449). All Killed
There were three 405 Sqdn. aircraft lost over this target on this date,
1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Albert Martin Carter 2024-01-10 1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Sergeant Ben Bales Copeland 2024-04-11 1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Monson Greene 2022-08-16 1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Colwell Kitchen 2022-08-16 1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Grainger McCron 2022-08-16 1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Edward Carl Olsen 2022-08-16 
Halifax W7713, B.Mk.II
s/n W7713
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7713
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Essen Germany 1942-06-01 to 1942-06-02
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
Pilot Officer R L Baltzer (RCAF), Pilot Officer F A G W Gerty (RCAF), Flight Sergeant J A Thompson (RCAF), Flight Sergeant L D Thompson (RCAF), Flight Sergeant S L Reid (RCAF), Flight Sergeant J M W Fortin (RCAF), Sergeant J L Turnbull: killed; Halifax W7713, 405 Squadron, aircraft crashed at Gellep, Germany during an operational flight over Essen, Germany, 1942-June-02 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ross Lloyd Baltzer 2024-11-06 1942-June-02 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Marcel Wenceslas Fortin 2022-08-09 1942-June-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Arthur George Wilmott Gerty 2022-08-09 1942-June-02 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Leonard Douglas Jackson 2022-08-09 1942-June-02 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Stanleigh Lowry Reid 2022-08-09 1942-June-02 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Albert Thompson 2022-08-09 Halifax W7714, B.Mk.II
s/n W7714
Handley Page Ltd
W 7714
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Bremen Germany 1942-06-29 to 1942-06-30
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Pocklington, Halifax II aircraft W 7714 LQ-K failed to return from a night bombing attack against Bremen, Germany. Homeward-bound, the aircraft was shot down by night fighter pilot Major Alfred Helm of the Erprobungsstelle Werneuchen (flying with II/NJG 2), who had taken off from Leeuwarden airfield in Bf 110 R4+BA - (claim), crashing at Deersum, Netherlands at 02:14
Sergeant CS Walsh (RCAF), FS RA Gorieu (RCAF), Sergeant EK Brennan (RCAF),Warrant Officer L Sidney (RCAF), Sergeant TG Gunn (RAFVR), and Sergeant GA White (RAFVR) were all missing, presumed killed. They have no known graves and are all commemorated on the Runnymede War memorial
One other member of the crew, FS CP Philp (RAFVR) was killed, recovered and is buried in a cemetery in the Netherlands
There were three 405 Sqn. aircraft lost in the same area on this date. Please see Harrell, WJ (W 1113 LQ-G) and Dearlove, LN (W 7715 LQ-H) for casualty lists of the other aircraft
Halifax W7715, B.Mk.II
s/n W7715
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7715
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Bremen Germany 1942-06-29 to 1942-06-30
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Pocklington, Halifax II aircraft W 7715 LQ-H lost during an attack against Bremen, Germany, shot down by night fighter pilot Unteroffizier Alfred Brackmann of the 2/NJG 3, who was flying a Bf 110 from Vechta airfield - (claim) Bimolten 7km NNW Nordhorn at 01:46, crashing at Borgemoor, Germany
Sergeant LN Dearlove (RCAF), Sergeant AG McFee (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 1 WE Alcazar (RCAF)(Trinidad), Flight Lieutenant H Liversidge (RAFVR), Sergeant LH Bradbrook (RAF), and Sergeant JET Foot (RAFVR) were also killed. Sergeant JW Dumond (RCAF)(USA), was taken Prisoner of War
There were three 405 Sqdn. aircraft lost in the same area on this date. Please see Harrell, WJ (W 1113 LQ-G) and Walsh, CS (W 7714 LQ-K) for the casualty lists of the other aircraft
Halifax W7718, B.Mk.II
s/n W7718
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7718
Merlin XX/22
Units 10/405
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1942-07-31 to 1942-08-01
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
405 (City of Vancouver) Squadron (Ducimus). RAF Pocklington, Halifax II aircraft W 7718 LQ-T lost over Belgium, while homeward-bound during an attack against Dusseldorf, Germany. Shot down by the night fighter crew of Feldwebel Spille & Unteroffizier Becker of the 3/NJG 1, who were flying a Bf 110 from Venlo airfield in the Netherlands
The crew abandoned the aircraft over Belgium. Sergeant I Watters (RAF) was killed in the parachute jump. Pilot Officer LJO Nadeau (RCAF) was severely injured and died as a Prisoner of War in the Field Hospital, St Gilleia, Brussels on August 3, 1942. Pilot Officer W R Bandeen (RCAF) of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Pilot Officer WR Howard (RCAF) of Milestone, Saskatchewan, and Pilot Officer DE West (RCAF) of Edmonton, Alberta, W.D. Gibbon (RAF) were taken Prisoners of War.. Sgt. R.E. Pearce (RAAF) evaded capture
Wm. Bandeen, now of Victoria, British Columbia says, 'We were hit on our return trip by a night fighter at about 20,000 feet. I was the navigator and knew our Welsh rear air gunner was killed outright. Pilot Officer West, the pilot, ordered a bale out. Everything was happening so fast as we got out that I didn't know exactly who didn't get out.
1942-August-01 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Robb Bandeen 2024-11-06 1942-August-01 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Joseph Hilliard Gregg Howard 2022-08-14 1942-August-01 PoW KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Laurent Joseph Onesime Nadeau 2023-11-18 1942-August-01 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Donald Edward West 2023-11-20 Halifax W7745, B.Mk.II
s/n W7745
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7745
Merlin XX/22
unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-September-10 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James George Edward Davis 2024-09-28 1942-September-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon Leroy Ellsworth 2024-09-28 1942-September-10 KIA RAF Pilot Officer Arthur Howard Hanson DFC 2024-09-28 1942-September-10 KIA RAF Squadron Leader Peter Bettley Robinson DFC 2024-09-28 1942-September-10 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Phillip Silverman 2024-09-28 1942-September-10 KIA RAF Sergeant Geoffrey Archie Smith 2024-09-28 1942-September-10 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Anthony John Sutton 2024-09-28 1942-September-10 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer William Albert Thomas 2024-09-28 Halifax W7746, B.Mk.II
s/n W7746
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7746
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102/?
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7747, B.Mk.II
s/n W7747
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7747
Merlin XX/22
Units 76/78/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7748, B.Mk.II
s/n W7748
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7748
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Mainz Germany 1942-08-11 to 1942-08-12
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe
405 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*D", when lost on 11/12 August 1942. Crashed near Duisburg-Neuenkamp, on raid to Mainz. Probably brought down by flak..Flight Sergeant G Pudney K , Sergeant K R Toller, Sergeant A W Hyson (RCAF): missing believed killed; Sergeant T A S Duff (RCAF), Flight Sergeant J D Mercer, Sergeant J Garrity (RCAF): prisoners of war;Halifax W7749, B.Mk.II
s/n W7749
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7749
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7751, B.Mk.II
s/n W7751
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7751
Merlin XX/22
units 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7752, B.Mk.II
s/n W7752
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7752
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7753, B.Mk.II
s/n W7753
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7753
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7759, B.Mk.II
s/n W7759
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7759
Merlin XX/22
unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7760, B.Mk.II
s/n W7760
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7760
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7761, B.Mk.II
s/n W7761
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7761
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7763, B.Mk.II
s/n W7763
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7763
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Osnabruck 1942-10-06 to 1942-10-07
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe
With No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*C", when shot down by a night-fighter and crashed at 23:55, 7 October 1942, in the estate of Prattenburg between Veenendaal and Rhenen (Utrecht), Holland. On a raid to Osnabruck, from Topcliffe, UK.
Sergeant Francis Anthony McCLUSKEY (1303065) Air Gunner, Killed
Prisoners of War for Halifax II W7763 - Warrant Officer Class 2 Gilbert Bryce ANDERSON (R/106774); Sgt Norman Edwin BROWN (R/91269); Plt Off Edward EGGERTSON (J/10894); Sgt James Charles MACKIE (R/58982); Sgt Archibald Marshall Eldes MOODIE (1371551); Plt Off Thomas Walker STEWART (J/9528)
1942-October-07 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Gilbert Bryce Anderson 2024-11-02 1942-October-07 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Norman Edwin Brown 2024-11-21 1942-October-07 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Edward Eggertson 2023-11-01 1942-October-07 PoW RCAF Sergeant James Charles Mackie 2023-11-01 1942-October-07 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Walker Stewart 2023-11-01 Halifax W7765, B.Mk.II
s/n W7765
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7765
Merlin XX/22
Unit 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Frankfurt Germany 1942-08-24 to 1942-08-25
35 (PFF) Sqn (RAF) RAF Graveley, Cambridgeshire
Aircraft shot down on return from Frankfurt Germany at a height of around 12,000 ft by Fw. Heinrich Macke of 7./NJG4 the aircraft crashed at 02:00 hrs on St. Hilaire-au-Temple, Marne, France. The bullet strikes hit the port inner engine and the fire spread into the mainframe of the aircraft.
Killed in Action: Pilot Officer FE Gardiner (RAF) KIA, Sergeant WP Ryan (RAF).
Prisoners of War: Pilot Officer RJ Teillett (RCAF), Sergeant P M Nerland (RCAF), Sergeant FW Graham (RAF), Sergeant EL Whillock (RAF), Sergeant FEA Makin (RAF)
Halifax W7766, B.Mk.II
s/n W7766
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7766
Merlin XX/22
unit 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7768, B.Mk.II
s/n W7768
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7768
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Combat Anti-Shipping 1942-12-20 to 1942-12-20
405 (C) Sqn (RCAF) Beaulieu
With No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF when this unit unit was detached to Coastal Command at Beaulieu. Crashed on the Isle of Wight on 20 December 1942. Had suffered engine failure while on anti-submarine patrol. Dove into the ground near Calbourne. All 7 crew killed. wreck burned.
Sergeant Morris William CROFT (573453) Flight Engi; Sergeant Michael William FUGERE (R/65663) Air Gunner; Warrant Officer Class II Lloyd Elsworth SNARR (R/73321) Pilot; Flying Officer Ernest STOLLERY (J/10706) Observer; Flight Sergeant Norman Albert VAN BRUNT (R/110223) Wireless Op ;Flight Sergeant Gerald Edward Wireless Air Gunner NER (R/124697) Air Gunner ;Pilot Officer Robert WASHER (128420) Bomb Aimer
1942-December-20 KIA RCAF Sergeant Michael William Fugere 2022-08-25 1942-December-20 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Lloyd Ellsworth Snarr 2022-08-17 1942-December-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ernest Stollery 2022-08-17 1942-December-20 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Norman Albert Van Brunt 2022-08-17 1942-December-20 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gerald Edward Wagner 2022-08-17 Halifax W7769, B.Mk.II
s/n W7769
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7769
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Duisburg Germany 1942-07-24 to 1942-07-24
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Pocklington. Halifax BII aircraft W 7769 LQ-K was returning from an operation over Duisburg, Germany on a circuit prior to landing when it lost both port engines. The Halifax went into a spin and crashed at Pocklington Village, Yorkshire, hitting some houses and then a school. The entire crew was lost but there were no civilian casualties as a result of this crash
Flying Officer GF Strong (RCAF)(USA), Pilot Officer RB Albright (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 WC Thurlow (RCAF), FS RW Hexter (RCAF), FS TR Owens (RCAF), Sergeant MW Apperson (RAF), Sergeant W Colloton (RAFVR) and Sergeant AJ Western (RAFVR) were all killed in action
1942-July-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Baker Albright 2024-11-01 1942-July-24 KIA RAF Sergeant Maxwell Warnock Apperson 2024-11-02 1942-July-24 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Colloton 2024-03-21 1942-July-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert William Hexter 2022-08-11 1942-July-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Thomas Reid Owens 2022-08-11 1942-July-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Frederick Strong 2022-08-11 1942-July-24 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Charles Thurlow 2022-08-11 1942-July-24 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Albert James Western 2022-08-11 Halifax W7770, B.Mk.II
s/n W7770
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7770
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Essen Germany 1942-09-16 to 1942-09-17
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Topcliffe, Halifax BII aircraft W 7770 LQ-E lost whilst engaged in operations to Essen, Germany. Fifteen minutes before reaching the aiming point a flame damper on the port inner engine burnt through and later on the bombing run the oxygen supply failed. The Halifax was shot down by Oblt Hubert Rauh of 5/NGJ4, crashing at Maubeuge, France.
FS JG St Louis (RCAF), Sergeant CA Paton (RCAF), FS WF Murray (RCAF), FS CA Kitson (RCAF), and Sergeant WS Grant (RCAF) were killed. The flight engineer, Sergeant REH Barnicoat (RAFVR) survived and was taken Prisoner of War bit one Canadian crew member, Pilot Officer LE Kropf DFC (RCAF), survived and evaded capture
1942-September-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Seaman Grant 2024-01-04 1942-September-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Albert Kitson 2024-01-04 1942-September-17 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer Lorne Edward Kropf DFC 2022-08-15 1942-September-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Frederick Murray 2022-08-15 1942-September-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Andrew Paton 2024-01-04 1942-September-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Gordon St Louis 2024-01-04 Halifax W7775, B.Mk.II
s/n W7775
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7775
Merlin XX/22
unit 138
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7780, B.Mk.II
s/n W7780
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7780
Merlin XX/22
According to Halifax file, Failed to Return, Koln, 16.10.42
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Flensburg Germany 1942-10-01 to 1942-10-01
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe
With No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*Q". Was flown by crew from 425 Sdn. on 1/2 October 1942, when it was lost on raid on Flensburg. Crashed near Flensburg
Flying Officer Russel James AYLES (J/7775) Air Observer; Pilot Officer John Richard Powell BURKE (J/16054) Wireless Op; Pilot Officer John Thompson CAMPBELL (J/15888) Pilot; Flight Sergeant Charles Arthur CARPENTER (R/82511) Pilot; Sergeant Albert Donald CHANCE (1044874) Flight Engi Pilot Officer Joseph Louis Philippe LE PAGE (J/15698) Air Gunner;Pilot Officer Stanley PEEL (132345) Wireless Op. All Killed
There were three 405 Squadron aircraft lost over this same target on this date. Please see Land A.A. and Kitchen J.C. for information regarding the other aircraft and crew.
1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Russell James Ayles 2024-11-04 1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Richard Powell Burke 2024-11-24 1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Thompson Campbell 2023-12-13 1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Arthur Carpenter 2024-01-06 1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Louis Phillippe Le Page 2022-08-16 Halifax W7782, B.Mk.II
s/n W7782
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7782
Merlin XX/22
Units 35/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7801, B.Mk.II
s/n W7801
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7801
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-March-10
Halifax W7802, B.Mk.II
s/n W7802
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7802
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Frankfurt and Main Germany 1942-09-08 to 1942-09-09
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe
Normal Mission; starboard outer engine failed 20 minutes short of target; continued attack from 15,000 feet at 00:05. Flight Sergeant JR Baillie (RCAF) inexplicably bailed out of his Halifax II aircraft W 7802, while the aircraft was returning to base from a raid on Frankfurt, Germany.Bombing Flensburg Germany 1942-10-01 to 1942-10-01
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe
With No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*T", when lost on 1/2 October 1942. Was on a raid to Flensburg, crashed near Bohlberg
Pilot Officer Francis Leo CUNNINGHAM (J/15985) Air Gunner; Pilot Officer William Howard DUNCAN (J/15986) Pilot; Sergeant Alan FAIRLESS (657753) Observer; Flight Sergeant Peter KUCHERYK (R/85956) Wireless Op; Pilot Officer Andrew Alexander LANG (J/16053) Wireless Op; Flying Officer John Warren McCANN (J/10138) Pilot; Sergeant James Jerome POCOCK (R/90109) Flight Engi; Sergeant Leslie Roland SHEWARD (1163449) Wireless Op . All killed
There were three 405 Squadron aircraft lost over the same target on this date.
1942-September-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Robert Baillie 2024-11-28 1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Leo Cunningham 2024-11-28 1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Howard Duncan 2024-11-28 1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Peter Kucheryk 2024-11-28 1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Andrew Alexander Lang 2024-11-28 1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Warren McCann 2024-11-28 1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Sergeant James Jerome Pocock 2024-11-28 Halifax W7803, B.Mk.II
s/n W7803
Handley Page Ltd
W 7803
Merlin XX/22
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1943-03-11 to 1943-03-12
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Topcliffe Halifax II aircraft W 7803 LQ-B went down near Laon at La Malmaison during an attack against Stuttgart, Germany, shot down by Of Reinhard Kollak of the 7.NJG 4, flying Bf 110 F-4 3C+LR from Juvincourt airfield. The Halifax crashed 1 km west of Malmaison, France, There were no survivors
Flight Lieutenant HG Shockley (RCAF), Flying Officer WM Palmer (RCAF), Pilot Officer BH La Barge (RCAF), Sergeant CO Henderson (RCAF), Pilot Officer J Henderson (RAFVR), Pilot Officer F Holland (RAFVR), Pilot Officer WW Kirkpatrick (RAFVR), and Sergeant MW MacKenzie (RAFVR) were also killed. Pilot Officer La Barge was the extra pilot on board to gain operational experience with his own crew
There were three other 405 Sqn Halifax II aircraft lost this night. Please see Lacina EG for information regarding Halifax BB 250 LQ-E, Dmytruk, P for information on Halifax DT 8745 LQ-V and Chretien, GT for information on Halifax BB 212 LQ-U
Halifax W7804, B.Mk.II
s/n W7804
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7804
Merlin XX/22
Units 35/1666 Heavy Conversion Unit
On 1944-04-26, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 1664/1679 HCU at Wombleton, wrote in his diary:
"Well, our good accident record for this month was finally broken today when old "Q" for Queenie (W7804) ran off the perimeter track, blew a tyre & then went into a violent ground loop when the hub dug into the soft ground. This twisted the u/c off & the kite broke its back so it became a cat E and a gold mine for spares."
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7805, B.Mk.II
s/n W7805
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7805
Merlin XX/22
Units 76 CF/ 76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7809, B.Mk.II
s/n W7809
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7809
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7810, B.Mk.II
s/n W7810
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7810
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit/1669 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7812, B.Mk.II
s/n W7812
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7812
Merlin XX/22
Units 78/76
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7813, B.Mk.II
s/n W7813
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7813
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78/76/77
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7817, B.Mk.II
s/n W7817
Handley Page Ltd
W 7817
Merlin XX/22
Units 460/419
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Dortmund Germany 1943-05-04 to 1943-05-05
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Battle of the Ruhr
596 aircraft - 255 Lancasters, 141 Halifaxes, I IO Wellingtons, 80 Stirlings, IO Mos¬quitoes - on the largest 'non-r ,ooo' raid of the war to date and the first major attack on Dortmund. 31 aircraft - 12 Halifaxes, 7 Stirlings, 6 Lancasters, 6 Wellingtons - lost, 5·2 per cent of the force. A further 7 aircraft crashed in bad weather at the bomber bases.
The initial Pathfinder marking was accurate but some of the backing-up marking fell short. A decoy fire site also attracted many bombs. But half of the large force did bomb within 3 miles of the aiming point and severe damage was caused in central and northern parts of Dortmund. The city's report states that 1,218 buildings were destroyed and 2,141 seriously damaged, including the Hoesch and the Dortmunder Union steel factories and many facilities in the dock area. The old Rathaus was among 7 buildings of a cultural nature which were destroyed. At least 693 people were killed, including 200 prisoners of war, and 1,075 people were injured. The number of dead in this raid was a new record.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
The crew of Halifax aircraft W 7817 had successfully bombed the target Dortmund, Germany when they were attacked and the Halifax badly damaged by a German ME- 110 night fighter aircraft. Sergeant Stanley was killed during the fighter attack and the remainder of the crew bailed out. Four Canadians, Flying Officer C.J. Vaillancourt, Sergeants Morrison, A. Jaynes, J.L. Peck, and two RAF crew members were taken Prisoners of War.
1943-May-05 PoW RAF Sergeant Norman Main Douglas 2024-10-28 1943-May-05 PoW RAF Donald Grimshaw 2024-10-28 1943-May-05 PoW RCAF Sergeant Angus Jaynes 2024-10-28 1943-May-05 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Angus Stewart Morrison 2024-10-28 1943-May-05 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Lonnie Peck 2024-10-28 1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Sergeant Frederick Thomas Stanley 2024-10-28 1943-May-05 PoW RCAF Flt. Lieutenant Charles Joseph Leonard Vaillancourt 2024-10-28 Halifax W7822, B.Mk.II
s/n W7822
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7822
Merlin XX/22
Units 76 CF/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7823, B.Mk.II
s/n W7823
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7823
Merlin XX/22
Units TRE/35/Navigation Training Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7824, B.Mk.II
s/n W7824
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7824
Merlin XX/22
Units 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7849, B.Mk.II
s/n W7849
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7849
Merlin XX/22
Units Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit/ADRU/1445 Flight/1 Overseas Aircraft Delivery Unit/462
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7852, B.Mk.II
s/n W7852
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7852
Merlin XX/22
Units 10
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-October-01 KIA RAF Sergeant Thomas Edward Brett 2024-11-18 1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Thomas Mclennan Miller Hunter 2022-05-25 1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Cyril Haig MacPherson 2022-05-25 1942-October-01 PoW RCAF Sergeant Angus Grant McArthur 2022-05-25 1942-October-01 KIA RNZAF Flight Sergeant John Hope Moller 2022-05-25 1942-October-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Clarence Eugene Pickard 2022-05-25 Halifax W7853, B.Mk.II
s/n W7853
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7853
Merlin XX/22
Units 405/1659 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7854, B.Mk.II
s/n W7854
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7854
Merlin XX/22
Unit 405
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Cologne Germany 1942-10-15 to 1942-10-15
405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe
Lost on operation to Koln on 15 October 1942. Shot down by Oblt Rudolf Altendorf, of I./NJG4, and crashed at Waterloo (Brabant), 15 km SSE of Brussels
Sergeant Irving ARBUCKLE (R/102644) Air Gunner; Flight Sergeant Arthur Geoffrey LEE (R/92116) Air Observer; Flight Sergeant Gerald Edwin LEWIS (R/85962) Air Gunner; Flight Sergeant John Arthur LONGLEY (R/97582) Pilot; Flight Sergeant Levi LOWE (R/65904) Wireless Op; Sergeant Albert Victor Bolduc MILOT (R/81762) Flight Engi ;Flying Officer Mansell Matthew TOMLINSON (J/9575) Air Observer. All killed
1942-October-15 KIA RCAF Sergeant Irving Arbuckle 2024-11-02 1942-October-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur Geoffrey Lee 2023-08-08 1942-October-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gerald Edwin Lewis 2023-08-08 1942-October-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Arthur Longley 2023-08-08 1942-October-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Levi Lowe 2023-08-08 1942-October-15 KIA RCAF Sergeant Albert Victor Bolduc Milot 2023-08-08 1942-October-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Mansell Matthew Tomlinson 2023-08-09 Halifax W7857, B.Mk.II
s/n W7857
Handley Page Ltd
W 7857
Merlin XX/22
Units 102/419
last update: 2025-February-05
Minelaying Frisian Islands Netherlands 1943-01-09 to 1943-01-10
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St. George
Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "VR*O". Failed to return from mining operation near Frisian Islands on 9/10 January 1943, no survivors. One of 5 No. 419 Sdn. Aircraft on this mission, only loss. Possibly crashed near Sweden. Units 102/419
Warrant Officer Class II Frank Harvey BARKER (R/103678);Sergeant William Douglas CAMERON (R/140390); Flight Sergeant Harvey Adam DUNN (R/99798) Navigator; Flight Sergeant Vincent Armand HUGLI (R/90778) Air Observe; Flight Sergeant William Gorman MURPHY (R/92790);Sergeant Ronald Edmund SACKVILLE-GOLDEN (967831); Warrant Officer Class II Donald Alexander WATSON (R/74057) Wireless Op. All killed>
1943-January-10 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Frank Harvey Barker 2024-12-17 1943-January-10 KIA RCAF Sergeant William Douglas Cameron 2024-08-01 1943-January-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harvey Adam Dunn 2024-08-01 1943-January-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Vincent Armand Hugli 2024-08-01 1943-January-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Gorman Murphy 2024-08-01 1943-January-10 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Ronald Edmund Sackville-Golden 2024-12-17 1943-January-10 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Donald Alexander Watson 2024-08-01 Halifax W7858, B.Mk.II
s/n W7858
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7858
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7862, B.Mk.II
s/n W7862
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7862
Merlin XX/22
Units 158
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7864, B.Mk.II
s/n W7864
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7864
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Sergeant Charles Cyril Brook 2024-11-19 1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Edwin Dunlop 2024-10-29 1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Thomas Richard Norman Fetherston 2022-08-12 1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gerald Anthony Neville 2021-05-04 1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Kelleher Player 2021-05-04 1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Nicholas Sidorchuk 2021-05-04 Halifax W7865, B.Mk.II
s/n W7865
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7865
Merlin XX/22
Unit 158/10/1658 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7869, B.Mk.II
s/n W7869
Handley Page Ltd
W 7869
Merlin XX/22
units 10/419/1666 Heavy conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7870, B.Mk.II
s/n W7870
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7870
Merlin XX/22
Unit 10
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7873, B.Mk.II
s/n W7873
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7873
Merlin XX/22
Unit Telecommunications Flying Unit/35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7875, B.Mk.II
s/n W7875
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7875
Merlin XX/22
Units Telecommunications Flying Unit/35/Navigation Training Unit/1656 Heavy Conversion Unit
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7878, B.Mk.II
s/n W7878
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7878
Merlin XX/22
Unit Telecommunication flying Unit/35
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7880, B.Mk.II
s/n W7880
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7880
Merlin XX/22
Units 158/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7882, B.Mk.II
s/n W7882
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7882
Merlin XX/22
Units 76/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7884, B.Mk.II
s/n W7884
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7884
Merlin XX/22
units 158/102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7885, B.Mk.II
s/n W7885
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7885
Merlin XX/22
Units 35/405/35
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Lorient France 1943-02-13 to 1943-02-13
35 (PFF) Sqn (RAF) RAF Graveley
35 Madras Presidency Squadron (Uno Amino Agimus) RAF Graveley Pathfinder Force. Halifax III aircraft W 7885 TL-B failed toreturn from an operation against the submarine pens at Lorient, France. Hit by Flak over the target and subsequently abandoned, the Halifax crashed near Leigne-ar-Menez 10 km west of Carhaix, France
Flying Officer WJ Freeman (RCAF was killed in action
Sergeant DC Young (RAFVR) survived and was taken as Prisoner of War
Sergeant JN Barry (RCAF), Flying Officer GHF Carter (RCAF), Flying Officer JC Thomas (RCAF), Sergeant ER Turenne (RCAF) and Sergeant R Martin (RAFVR) survived and all became Evaders
1943-February-13 Evader RCAF Sergeant John Napoleon Barry 2022-11-28 1943-February-13 Evader RCAF Squadron Leader Gordon Henry Francis Carter DFC & Bar 2022-11-28 1943-February-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Joseph Freeman 2023-10-11 1943-February-13 Evader RAFVR Sergeant Richard Martin 2022-11-28 1943-February-13 Evader RCAF Flight Lieutenant James Copeland Thomas 2022-11-28 1943-February-13 Evader RCAF Sergeant Edward Roland Turenne 2022-11-28 1943-February-13 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Daniel Christie Young 2022-11-28 Halifax W7911, B.Mk.II
s/n W7911
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7911
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7913, B.Mk.II
s/n W7913
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7913
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7914, B.Mk.II
s/n W7914
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7914
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-November-22 KIA RAF Sergeant Herbert Thomas Cheetham 2024-02-11 1942-November-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Harold Clarkson 2024-02-29 1942-November-22 KIA RAF Flying Officer Thomas Henry Follett 2023-09-12 1942-November-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Derrick Johnson 2023-09-12 1942-November-22 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Geoffrey Bernard Herbert King 2023-09-12 1942-November-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Nicholson 2023-09-12 1942-November-22 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Frederick Ralph Thompson 2023-09-12 Halifax W7916, B.Mk.II
s/n W7916
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7916
Merlin XX/22
unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7918, B.Mk.II
s/n W7918
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7918
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-January-28 PoW RCAF Flying Officer James Malcolm Colquhoun 2024-04-29 1943-January-28 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Gerald James O'Hanley 2021-08-17 1943-January-28 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Reid Thomson 2023-08-14 1943-January-28 PoW Died RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Alan Frederick Turner 2021-04-30 Halifax W7921, B.Mk.II
s/n W7921
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7921
Merlin XX/22
unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7923, B.Mk.II
s/n W7923
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7923
Merlin XX/22
units 35
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1943-02-03 to 1943-02-04
35 (PFF) Sqn (RAF) RAF Graveley
35 Madras Presidency Squadron RAF (Uno Anima Agimus), Pathfinder Force, RAF Graveley. Halifax III aircraft W 7923 TL-D was struck by flak in the undercarriage during an operation to Hamburg, Germany. On return to base after the operation, the damage caused by the flak would not allow the undercarriage to be lowered for landing. The pilot, Flying Officer Thomas made a successful belly landing at RAF Graveley and the crew all survived, without injury
Flying Officer GHF Carter (RCAF), Flying Officer JC Thomas (RCAF), Sergeant JN Barry (RCAF), Flying Officer WJ Freeman (RCAF), Sergeant ER Turenne (RCAF), Sergeant R Martin (RAFVR) and Sergeant DC Young (RAFVR) all survived safe
This crew would be shot down ten days later during an operation against the submarine pens at Lorient, France 1943-02-13/14
1943-February-04 Survived RCAF Sergeant John Napoleon Barry 2022-11-28 1943-February-04 Survived RCAF Squadron Leader Gordon Henry Francis Carter DFC & Bar 2022-05-17 1943-February-04 Survived RCAF Flying Officer William Joseph Freeman 2021-07-09 1943-February-04 Survived RAF Sergeant Richard Martin 2022-05-16 1943-February-04 Survived RCAF Flying Officer James Copeland Thomas 2021-07-09 1943-February-04 Survived RCAF Sergeant Edward Roland Turenne 2021-07-09 1943-February-04 Survived RAF Sergeant Daniel Christie Young 2021-07-09 Halifax W7924, B.Mk.II
s/n W7924
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7924
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7925, B.Mk.II
s/n W7925
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7925
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7926, B.Mk.II
s/n W7926
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7926
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7931, B.Mk.II
s/n W7931
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7931
Merlin XX/22
Units 79/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7933, B.Mk.II
s/n W7933
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7933
Merlin XX/22
Unit 102
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7937, B.Mk.II
s/n W7937
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7937
Merlin XX/22
unit 76/78
last update: 2025-February-05
Halifax W7938, B.Mk.II
s/n W7938
m/d H.P.59
Handley Page Ltd
W 7938
Merlin XX/22
Unit 78
last update: 2025-February-05