Halifax LV990 B.Mk.III - Bombing Dusseldorf Germany - 1944-04-22 to 1944-04-23
Squadron: 433 (B) Sqn (RCAF)
Start Date: 1944-04-22
Completion Date: 1944-04-23
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Dusseldorf Germany
Target Specific:
Base: RAF Skipton-on-Swale
Take Off Time: 23:08
Squadron Code: BM-J
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: Germany
Crash Specifics: close to the water tower in Merzenich, 4 km east of Dueren
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason:
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim:
War Diary Unavailable

6 Bomber Group April 22/23, 1944

23 Lancasters from 408 and 426 squadrons were joined by 114 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, 429, 431, 432, and 433 squadrons on an attack at Dusseldorf. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 22,000 feet, releasing 284,000 lbs of high explosives and 469,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused.

While most of the group went to Dusseldorf, 40 Halifaxes from 419, 428, and 434 squadrons were ordered to attack the rail yards at Laon. The crews were over the target at between 6,000 and 8,000 feet, releasing 378,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)

433 Porcupine Squadron (Qui S'y Frotte S'y Pique) RAF Skipton-on-Swale. Halifax BIII aircraft LV 990 BM-J missing during night operations, a raid against Dusseldorf, Germany. The cause of loss was not established

Flying Officer GC Burns MiD (RCAF), Pilot Officer ASF Holmes (RCAF), Pilot Officer DC MacDougall (RCAF), Sergeant JJ Bedard (RCAF) and Sergeant JW Dunford (RAFVR) were all killed in action

Pilot Officer JP Desroches (RCAF) was missing, presumed killed in action

Pilot Officer Desroches Has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial

Sergeant TN Morris (RAFVR) was the only survivor from his crew and was taken as Prisoner of War

There were three 433 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials HX 291 BM-W and LV 840 BM-E for additional information

6 Group Bomber Command, An Operational Record by Chris Ward page 244

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