6 Bomber Group March 29/30, 1943
22 Halifaxes from 405, 408, and 419 Squadrons were ordered on an attack at Berlin. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 14,000 lbs of high explosives and 21,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the weather was poor, with severe icing. Bombing was scattered over the target.
While the Halifaxes went to Berlin, 70 Wellingtons from 420,424, 425,426, 427, 428, 429, and 431 Squadrons were ordered on an attack atBochum.The crews were over the target at between 14,000 and 19,000 feet, releasing 107,000 lbs of high explosives and 85,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and bombing was scattered. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
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
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
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