6 Bomber Group May 24/25, 1944
30 Lancasters from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 60 Halifaxes from 424, 427, 429, and 433 Squadrons on an attack of the 2 rail yards at Aachen. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 810,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, one rail yard was severely damaged with some damage to the others.
While some of the group attacked Aachen, 45 Halifaxes from 426, 428, 431, and 434 Squadrons were ordered on an attack of the Coastal Gun Batteries at Trouville. The crews were over the target at between 6,000 and 7,500 feet, releasing 421,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing was successful. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
158 Squadron RAF (Strength in unity) RAF Lissett. Halifax BIII aircraft LV 918 NP-O was coned by searchlights (Flakscheinw Regiment 113) and hit by heavy flak (3-6/schw Flak Abt 514, 2/schw Abt 525 (Eisb) and Schw Flak Battery z b v 5780). The Halifax exploded over the targets and crashed in Aachen, Germany
Four crew members were killed in action and three survived to become Prisoners of War
Flight Lieutenant R Reavill (RAFVR), Flight Lieutenant C C Fox DFM (RAFVR), Flying Officer W J Rogers RAF and Flight Sergeant R E Hardwick (RAFVR) were killed in action
Flying Officer D A Stewart (RCAF), Flying Officer J E Hounam DFM (RAFVR) and Sergeant F A Spriggs (RAFVR) survived to become Prisoners of War
Four other 158 Squadron Halifax II aircraft and crews were lost on this operation: LW 118 NP-X, HX 320 NP-A, LW 653 NP-T and LW 720 NP-W
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
24/25 05 1944 158 Squadron Halifax III LV918 NP:O Flt Lt Ralph Reavill