6 Bomber Group April 14/15, 1943
30 Halifaxes from 405, 408, and 419 Squadrons were joined by 91 Wellingtons from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, and 431 Squadrons on an attack at Stuttgart. The crews were over the target at between 12,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 42,000 lbs of high explosives and 236,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the weather was clear and much damage was caused to the industrial area, including a large rail repair shop. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom) RAF Leeming. Halifax BII aircraft JB 909 EQ-G was shot down by night fighter pilot Hauptmann Hans-Karl Kamp of the 7/NJG 4, flying a Bf 110 or Do 217 from Juvincourt airfield during an operation against targets in Stuttgart, Germany. The bomber crashed at La Neuvillette, 4 km northwest of Reims, Grand Est, France
The pilot, Pilot Officer IC MacKenzie MiD (RAAF) stayed at the controls while his crew abandoned their aircraft and was killed in action
Sergeant LW McKenzie (RCAF), Flight Sergeant JS Murray (RCAF), Sergeant JT Coupland (RAFVR), Pilot Officer WA McIlroy (RAF), Pilot Officer C O'Connell (RAAF) and Flying Officer A Playfair (RAFVR) all survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
The second pilot, Sergeant (later Flying Officer) WL Canter DFM (RCAF) survived and was an Evader
There were two 408 Squadron Halifax II aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial BB 311 EQ-L for additional information on this aircraft and crew
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
Search for France-Crashes 39-45
Bomber Command Museum Monthly ORB