6 Bomber Group August 23/24, 1943
59 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, and 434 squadrons were joined by 8 Lancasters from 426 squadron on an attack at Berlin. The crews were over the target at between 18,000 and 22,000 feet, releasing 130,000 lbs of high explosives and 126,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, this attack was successful with serious damage being caused in some industrial areas.
While most of the crews went to Berlin, 12 Wellingtons from 432 squadron were ordered on a mining operation to the Frisian Islands. The crews were over the garden between 4,000 and 6,000 feet, sowing 10@1500 lb mines. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
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
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database