Halifax HR656 B/GR.Mk.II - Bombing Stuttgart Germany - 1943-03-11 to 1943-03-12
Squadron: 408 (B) Sqn (RCAF)
Start Date: 1943-03-11
Completion Date: 1943-03-12
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Stuttgart Germany
Target Specific:
Base: RAF Leeming
Take Off Time: 19:10
Squadron Code: EQ-T
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: France
Crash Specifics: north of Rozieres, 25 Km South of St Dizier
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: fighter
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim: Hptm Otto Materne of the 4/NJG 4
War Diary Unavailable

6 Bomber Group March 11/12, 1943

35 Halifaxes from 405, 408, and 419 Squadrons were ordered on an attack at Stuttgart. The crews were over the target between 12,000 and 18,000 feet, releasing 195,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, this attack was not successful. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)

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

General Search for France-Crashes 39-45

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