Handley Page Halifax Serial Groups Specifications

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)

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..

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

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

29/30.07.1943 No.78 Squadron Halifax II JB798 EY-P Flight Sergeant Peter...

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.

Bombing Pilzen Czechoslovakia 1943-04-16 to 1943-04-17

408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Leeming

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

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.

Bombing Dortmund Germany 1943-05-23 to 1943-05-24

405 (PFF) Sqn (RCAF) Gransden Lodge

Battle of the Ruhr

Bombing Dortmund Germany 1943-05-05 to 1943-05-05

408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Leeming

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)

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

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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.

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

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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

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

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."

Diary of A Ross Dawson, courtesy CWM

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.

POWs F/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.

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)

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

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

Daily Operations 6 Bomber Group RAF Bomber Command

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