Halifax LK894 B/A/Met.Mk.V - Bombing - 1943-08-30 to 1943-08-31
Squadron: 434 (B) Sqn (RCAF)
Start Date: 1943-08-30
Completion Date: 1943-08-31
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City:
Target Specific:
Base: RAF Tholthorpe
Take Off Time: 23:48
Squadron Code: WL-K
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: Belgium
Crash Specifics: NNE of Maaseik
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: fighter
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim: Oberleutnant Heinz Struning of the 3/NJG 1
War Diary Unavailable

6 Bomber Group August 30/31, 1943

51 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428 and 434 squadrons were joined by 11 Lancasters from 426 squadron and 14 Wellingtons from 432 squadron on an attack at Munchen Gladbach. The crews were over the target between 17,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 174,000 lbs of high explosives and 233,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was clear of cloud and severe damage was caused. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)

434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Tholthorpe. Halifax BV aircraft LK 894 WL-K was shot down over Belgium by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Heinz Struning of the 3/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Venlo airfield, the Netherlands during a raid against targets in Monchengladbach, Germany. The Halifax is believed to have crashed NNE of Maaseik, Belgium with the loss of the entire crew

Pilot Officer FH Leaver (RCAF), Pilot Officer LW Kerr (RCAF), Pilot Officer SG Young (RCAF), Flying Officer MW Howard (RCAF), FS LC Patrick (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 JA Box (RCAF), Sergeant FA Bartlett (RAFVR), and Pilot Officer CS Burgess (RAFVR) were all killed in action

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