6 Bomber Group April 24/25, 1944
21 Lancasters from 408 and 426 squadrons were joined by 116 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, 429, 431, 432, and 433 Squadrons on an attack at Karlsruhe. The crews were over the target at between 15,000 and 23,000 feet, releasing 248,000 lbs of high explosives and 401,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and bombing was scattered. All crews commented on the severe icing to this target.
18 Halifaxes from 419, 428 and 434 Squadrons were ordered on a mining operation to St. Malo, Cherbourg and the Frisian Islands. The crews were over the garden at between 10,000 and 12,000 feet, sowing 36@1500 lb mines. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
Aircraft experienced a fuel leak outbound to a night attack at Karlsruhe, Germany. They continued to the target at reduced speed to find the second wave of attacking bombers was also over the target. They orbited the target three times before completing their bomb run but then in addition the low fuel levels, also encountered severe icing conditions. Continued flight was impossible and the aircraft was abandoned. The Halifax is believed to have crashed between the villages of Obersgegen and Neidersgegen near the German/Luxembourg border
The evaders, including Dube were hidden by locals near the village of Chenet in Luxembourg. Some three months later, Dube along with another evader, Richard Francis Noble (s/n O-453171 USAAF, Pilot of 731 Bomber Squadron B-17G "Lucky Lady" 42-39941, shot down 1944-05-12), while attempting to link up with the French Resistance, were caught by the SS on August 8, 1944 and put on a train to a POW camp. They managed to escape from this train but were re-captured near Olizy, France. They were taken to a wooded area and shot by the SS after being forced to dig their own graves
It was not been determined who was responsible for this war crime and nobody has ever been held accountable
Sergeant A Best (RAFVR) survived and evaded capture
Please see Dube, HE for complete crew list and flight detail
