6 Bomber Group July 25/26, 1944
37 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 squadrons were joined by 140 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 squadrons on an attack at Stuttgart. The crews were over the target at between 16,000and 21,000 feet, releasing 829,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, this attack was successful and severe damage was caused. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
432 Leaside Squadron (Saeviter ad Lucem) RAF East Moor. Halifax BVII aircraft NP 688 QO-X failed to return from an operation against targets in Stuttgart, Germany. The cause of loss was not determined but there are both night fighter and flak claims for this loss. The Halifax crashed at Breteniere, near Thorey-en-Plaine, 13 km SE of Dijon, France
Pilot Officer JR Giles (RCAF), Pilot Officer GB Martin (RCAF), Flying Officer KL Moss (RCAF), Flying Officer F Wittmack (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant DW Johnson (RCAF)(USA) and Sergeant FD Crawford (RAFVR) were all killed in action
The Navigator, Flying Officer GR Ellis (RCAF) was the sole survivor from this crew and was taken as a Prisoner of War
There were two 432 Squadron Halifax VII aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial NP 687 QO-A for additional information on this aircraft and crew
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
Research of France-Crashes 39-45
Halifax NP688 (bois) - Thorey-en-Plaine le 26 July 1944 I Aerosteles
Bomber Command Museum Monthly ORB