Halifax BB376 B.Mk.II - Bombing Bochum Germany - 1943-09-29 to 1943-09-30
Squadron: 419 (B) Sqn (RCAF)
Start Date: 1943-09-29
Completion Date: 1943-09-30
Mission: Bombing
Operation: Battle of Berlin
Target City: Bochum Germany
Target Specific:
Base: Middleton St. George
Take Off Time: 18.18
Squadron Code: VR G
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: North Sea, 6 kilometres north-west of Den Helder.
Crash Specifics:
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason:
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim:
War Diary Unavailable

6 Bomber Group September 29/30, 1943

Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, and 434 squadrons were ordered on an attack at Bochum. The crews were over the target at between 17,000 and 22,000 feet, releasing 70,000 lbs of high explosives and 136,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)

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.

General Bomber Command Museum Monthly ORB

General Bomber Command Museum Daily ORB

General RAF Commands