6 Bomber Group May 27/28 1944
32 Lancasters from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 117 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, and 432 Squadrons on an attack of the military camp at Bourg Leopold. The crews were over the target at between 8,000 and 12,000 feet, releasing 1,191,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing was accurate.
While most crews went to Bourg Leopold, 43 Halifaxes from 431, 433, and 434 Squadrons were ordered to attack the coastal guns at Le Clipon. The crews were over the target at between 6,000 and 7,500 feet, releasing 339,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the guns were accurately bombed.
21 Halifaxes from 428 and 433 Squadrons were ordered on a mining operation to Heligoland, St. Malo and Brest. The crews were over the gardens at between12,000 and 15,000 feet, sowing 44@1500 lb mines. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
331 aircraft - 267 Halifaxes, 56 Lancasters, 8 Mosquitoes - to attack the military camp. 9 Halifaxes and I Lancaster lost, 3·0 per cent of the force.
Oboe-aimed target indicator fell right on the target and the bombing which followed caused severe damage to the camp. No further details are available.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax aircraft LX 811 missing during night ops. against Bourg-Leopold, Belgium. Pilot Officer Menzies maintained control of the aircraft so that his crew could bail out; he went down with the aircraft. Pilot Officer H.H. Rodgers, Sergeants J. Clarke (RAF), and T.F. McClay (RAF) were also killed. Three Canadians, Sergeant Hall, F/Os Gouinlock, and Rutherford, were either Evaders or were taken Prisoners of War. One other member of the crew, not Canadian, missing believed killed.
