Halifax MZ529 B.Mk.III - Bombing Montzen Belgium - 1944-04-27 to 1944-04-28
Squadron: 431 (B) Sqn (RCAF)
Start Date: 1944-04-27
Completion Date: 1944-04-28
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Montzen Belgium
Target Specific: rail yards
Base: RAF Croft
Take Off Time: 23:25
Squadron Code: SE-E
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: Belgium
Crash Specifics: Blauberg, Herselt, province of Antwerpen
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: fighter
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim: Leutnant Ernst-Otto Hoevermann of the Stab III/NJG 2
War Diary Unavailable

6 Bomber Group April 27/28, 1944

19 Lancasters from 408 and 426 Squadrons were ordered on an attack at Friedrichshafen. The crews were over the target at between 20,000 and 21,000 feet, releasing 48,000 lbs of high explosives and 77,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, this attack was accurate with severe damage being caused. A factory making tank gearboxes was totally destroyed.

While the Lancasters went to Freidrichshafen, 47 Halifaxes from 419,431, 432, and 434 Squadrons were joined by 8 Lancasters from 419 Squadron on an attack of the rail yards at Montzen. The crews were over the target at between 13,000 and 15,000 feet, releasing 591,000 lbs of high explosives.According to reports, the attack was scattered and only half of the yards were damaged. This attack was intercepted by German Night fighters and 10 crews failed to return.

90 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, 428, 429, and 433 Squadrons were ordered on an attack of the rail yards at Aulnoye. The crews were over the target at between 3,000 and 7,000 feet, releasing 942,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the target was accurately bombed with severe damage.

8 Halifaxes from 428 Squadron were ordered on a mining operation toCherbourg. The crews were over the garden at between 12,000 and 15,000feet, sowing 16@1500 lb mines. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)

431 Iroquois Squadron (The Hatiten Ronteriios) RAF Croft. Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 529 SE-E missing during operations against the rail yards at Montzen, Belgium, shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Ernst-Otto Hoevermann of the Stab III/NJG 2 (based at Twente airfield in the Netherlands), flying a Junkers Ju 88

The Halifax was abandoned by the surviving crew and crashed near Blauberg, Herselt, province of Antwerpen, Belgium

Pilot Officer RE Halzael (RCAF), Pilot Officer WE Woodrow (RCAF), Pilot Officer AL Gabel (RCAF), and Sergeant RH Aiano (RAFVR) were all killed in action

Pilot Officer JJ Lyng (RCAF) and Flying Officer LL Anderson DFM (RCAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War

Flying Officer WR Knowlton (RCAF) and Pilot Officer D Harrison (RCAF) survived and were Evaders

There were four 431 Squadron Halifax III aircraft lost this date. Please see aircraft serial numbers LK 842 SE-N, MZ 522 SE-U and MZ 536 SE-F for additional information on aircrew and aircraft

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