6 Bomber Group July 18, 1944
42 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 were joined by 155 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432, 433, and434 squadrons on a number of attacks in the Caen and Mondeville areas.These attacks were made at dawn in direct support of the army. All the crews were over the targets from between 7,000 to 9,000 feet, unloading1,750,000 lbs of ordinance. The German troops on the ground were hit hard and this was one of the best bombing raids that supported the army. A total of 6,800 tons of ordinance was dropped.
Later on in the day 28 Halifaxes from431 and434 squadron attacked the rail yards at Vaires. This attack was made from between 12,000 and 13,500 feet. A total of 223,000 lbs of ordinance was dropped. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
Took off from Leeming at 03:31 in Halifax Mk III (Sqn code: AL-F Bomber Command) in support of Operation Goodwood.
Aircraft lost half its tailplane to bombs dropped from a Hali above. It later crashed in the target area.
Killed: Pilot Officer John Meynell Cunningham RAF KIA Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian Cemetery Grave VII. E. 16. Flying Officer Ronald Gordon Ellis RCAF J/28202 KIA Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian Cemetery Grave VI. E. 16. Pilot Officer William Leaman Gillespie RCAF J/90090 KIA Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian Cemetery Grave VI. E. 12.
POWs including McNiffe: Flying Officer Joseph Jean Chrysostome Philippe Brunet RCAF J/23357 POW Stalag Luft L1 Barth Vogelsang. F/Lt George William Gardiner RCAF J/9557 POW Stalag Luft L1 Barth Vogelsang. Evader: Sergeant E W McGregor RCAF R/197908 Evader.
In Enemy Hands - Canadian Prisoners of War 1939-45