6 Bomber Group December 18, 1944
188 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 432, 433 and 434 Squadrons were joined by 42 Lancasters from 419, 428, and 431 Squadrons on an attack at Duisberg. The crews were over the target at between 17,000and 21,000 feet, releasing 1,636,000 lbs of high explosives and 258,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, severe damage was caused. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
523 aircraft 418 Halifaxes, 81 Lancasters, 24 Mosquitoes - of 4, 6 and 8 Groups. 8 Halifaxes lost.
Duisburg was badly hit again. 346 houses were destroyed and 524 seriously damaged; industrial premises were probably hit also but few details are available, 92 -people, including 18 foreigners, were killed.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax VII aircraft NP 701 QO-G missing during a daylight operation, against Duisburg, German. Shot down by a fighter around 05:00. Aircraft quickly lost control and partially evacuated by parachute. (French Crashes 39-45) (Unable to confirm).Crashed at Beaume 17km East of Vervins.
Flying Officer GH March (RCAF), Pilot Officer EJ Farrell (RCAF)(Nfld), Pilot Officer EP Harvey (RCAF), Flying Officer D Hitchcock (RCAF), and FS a Eccleston (RAFVR) were killed. Two others of the crew, Flying Officer DJ McKinnon (RCAF) and Sergeant JE Harvey (RCAF) survived safe.Those who perished were initially buried at Champpiguel US Cemetery. Reinterred 21 May 1945. (CWGC
Sergeant J.E.Harvey RCAF statement:- At approximately 05:00 the Halifax of which I was rear gunner was attacked by enemy aircraft evasive action was taken by our aircraft and the enemy aircraft lost sight of us. After the enemy attacked us I told pilot to resume course . As far as I know the enemy aircraft did not fire at us and we did not fire at him. About 1 minute after this the plane got out of control and went into a dive. Then I was thrown out of the rear turret got clear and parachuted to safety. Was dazed on reaching the ground, laid low about half an hour then walked to the nearest village which was 2.5 miles away (Leuge). Was entertained in a house for half an hour. Enquired the local residents and one of them escorted me in the town where Fg Off McKinnon was in bed with a broken leg and badly shaken up. Then I ascertained the whereabouts of the aircraft which approved to be 2.5 miles from the village. Visited the scene of the crash and there I found the Wireless Operators body Flt Sergeant Harvey in part of the strewn wreckage. Identified him by his features. They recovered the other five bodies and was fairly certain they were all dead at the time. Was able to identify them all by their features etc. Then I endeavoured to locate the nearest Allied unit and found an American military post at Hirson about 12 miles distant. They got an ambulance for me and I was taken to 99 General Hospital at Rheims with Fg Off McKinnon who was picked up in Leuge. Stayed there until 24 December and then was moved to RAF Detachment (A68 Landing Strip) Left there in an American Dakota at noon on the 27th and returned to UK. Was not hospitalised. As far as I know the five bodies were taken care of by the American unit at Hirson. Fg Off McKinnon was thrown out of the aircraft the same time as I was. He may have received his injuries either when he was thrown clear or on reaching the ground. Fg Off McKinnon was moved from the 99 General Hospital either on Thursday 21st or Friday 22nd back to the UK. I was informed by one of the orderlies. (It has since been ascertained that Leuge is in Belgium. It is near the border of France which explains why he thought he was in France)
There were two 432 Sqn. aircraft lost on this date. Please see Cann, RL for information regarding the other crew and aircraft NP699.source: John Jones
