6 Bomber Group September 3/4, 1943
3 Lancasters from 426 squadron were ordered on an attack at Berlin. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 21,000 feet, releasing 12,000 lbs of high explosives and 5,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, there was some damage in the north east sector, including the industrial area of Siemensstadt.
While this attack was happening, 8 Wellingtons from 432 squadron were ordered to attack an ammunition dump at Foret de Raismes. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 36,000 lbs of high explosives. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
178 Squadron (lrae emissarii) RAF Hosc Raui, Cyreaica, Libya. Halifax B Mk II aircraft BB 414 X was struck by flak over the target of Grottaglie Airfield, Italy and crashed five miles south-east of the aerodrome with the loss of four aircrew
Flight Sergeant Cyril William Gibbs (RCAF), Flight Sergeant Ralph William Cooke (RNZAF), Flight Sergeant Lu Henry Lu Henry Kainamu (RNZAF) and Sergeant Herbert Richard Mantle (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Two crew members, Sergeant Arthur Innes Orr (RNZAF) and Sergeant L F Valentine (RAFVR?) survived to be taken as Prisoners of War
The 178 Squadron ORB (AIR-27-1119-18) shows six aircrew aboard Halifax BB 414 X when it was lost. Four crew members were confirmed killed in action. Little confirmed information has been found on the other two crew members who survived: Sergeant Arthur Innes Orr (RNZAF) who was taken as Prisoner of War and Sergeant L. F. Valentine who was apparently taken as Prisoner of War but escaped
Royal air Force Serial and Image Database
RNZAF Biographies of Deceased Personnel: 1939 - 1945 Ib - Ly...
