6 Bomber Group October 9/10, 1944
179 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 424, 425, 426,427, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 squadrons were joined by 30 Lancasters from 419 and 428 squadrons, on an attack at Bochum. The crews were over the target between 17,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 928,000 lbs of high explosives and 544,000 lbs of incendiaries. The target was cloud covered and according to reports the attack was scattered. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
435 aircraft- 375 Halifaxes, 40 Lancasters, 20 Mosquitoes - of I, 4, 6 and 8 Groups, 4 Halifaxes and I Lancaster lost.
This raid was not successful. The target area was covered by cloud and the bombing was scattered. The local report says that there was some damage in the southern districts of Bochum, with 140 houses destroyed or seriously damaged and approximately 150 people killed.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
With No. 424 Squadron, RCAF, at Skipton-on-Swale, coded "QB*G". Gunners claimed 2 aircraft down on one mission. Failed to return from mission to Bochum on 9 / 10 October 1944. Struck by flak in vicinity of Cologne, crew bailed out, some came down in Cologne. Aircraft crashed at 20:30 German time, near Neurath.
On 1944-10-09, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 424/433 Sqns at Skipton on Swale, wrote in his diary:
"We waited & waited until at least an hour after return time but the Wingco of 424 W/C Roy didn't show up in his "G" for George so I guess he has had it. Only the second kite we've lost in over a month and a half. It's too bad too since he was a good commanding officer & was getting along fine. They may have a jinx on the W/C's of that sqdn since this is the 3rd time one has gone missing in 4 months. . . . Tues Oct. 11, 1944 . . No word at all of W/C Roy this morning so now he is officially reported as "missing". Here's hoping they got a chance to bail out. "
Diary of A Ross Dawson, courtesy CWM