6 Bomber Group January 28/29, 1944
33 Lancasters from 408, 426 and 432 squadrons were joined by 90 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431, 433, and 434 squadrons on an attack at Berlin. The crews were over the target at between 18,000 and 23,500 feet, releasing 280,000 lbs of high explosives and 359,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing caused serious damage as there was broken cloud and the target could be seen. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Croft. Halifax BV aircraft EB 256 WL-S was attacked by a night fighter during an operation against industial targets in Berlin, Germany. Despite the loss of the port outer engine and holed fuel tanks, the Halifax continued to the target and completed its bomb run. On the return flight, the struggling bomber made it back over the North Sea, off the coast of Filey, North Yorkshire, England. Almost out of fuel, the Halifax lost the starboard inner engine, was abandoned and crashed at Flixton, Yorkshire
Rear Gunner Pilot Officer J W R Demers (RCAF) was killed in action when his parachute failed to open
Pilot Officer M F Flewelling DFC (RCAF), Flight Sergeant E A Vigor (RCAF), Flying Officer D R Hutcheon DFC (RCAF), Pilot Officer R J Brown (RCAF), Pilot Officer R N Dobney (RAFVR), Pilot Officer S Thompson (RAFVR) and Pilot Officer J Clayton (RAFVR) all baled safely and survived
There were four other 434 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Halifax aircraft serials LK 649 WL-X, LK 740 WL-V, LK 916 WL-P and LL134 WL-U
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
Bomber Command Museum Monthly ORB