6 Bomber Group September 17, 1944
173 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432,433 and 434 Squadrons were joined by 36 Lancasters from 419 and 428 squadrons on an attack of troop positions at Boulogne. The crews were over the target at between 2,000 and 10,000 feet, releasing 2,280,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing was accurate and these troops surrendered soon after.
While the above crews were at Boulogne, 5 Halifaxes from 429 and 433 Squadrons were ordered on a Sea Search. All crews returned safely, but unsuccessful. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
762 aircraft - 370 Lancasters, 351 Halifaxes, 41 Mosquitoes - dropped more than 3,000 tons of bombs on. German positions around Boulogne in preparation for an attack.by Allied troops. The German garrison surrendered soon afterwards. 1 Halifax and 1 Lancaster lost.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
On 1944-09-17, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer with 424/433 Sqns at Skipton on Swale, wrote in his diary:
"The target this time was Boulogne & they got back at 11:00am. I was waiting for them to come back in flying control as usual when the W/T message come in that the bomb-aimer of 424-A for Able was a casualty & applied for priority landing. We had an ambulance standing by but it was too late & the poor guy died with a big flak hole in his chest. I think he must have bled to death by the look of the gore in the kite. Its funny how little sights like this affect me now compared to what it used to be before I came overseas. Several of the other kites were shot up so we had a busy time of it, especially with another 4 a/c called out with 1 hour notice this afternoon . .. Tonight we had 10 a/c away on Bomber Command Bullseye & I hear them circling the drome overhead right now. Guess I'll quit and get some sleep."
Diary of A Ross Dawson, courtesy CWM