Halifax BB212 B.Mk.II - Bombing Stuttgart Germany - 1943-03-11 to 1943-03-12
Squadron: 405 (B) Sqn (RCAF)
Start Date: 1943-03-11
Completion Date: 1943-03-12
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Stuttgart Germany
Target Specific:
Base: RAF Topcliffe
Take Off Time: 19:03
Squadron Code: LQ-U
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: Altneudorf Germany
Crash Specifics: 10 km NE of Heidleberg germany
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: fighter
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim: Leutnant Johannes Engels of the 10/NJG 4, flying a Bf 110 F-4 from Mainz-Finthen airfield before reaching target.
War Diary Unavailable

6 Bomber Group March 11/12, 1943

35 Halifaxes from 405, 408, and 419 Squadrons were ordered on an attack at Stuttgart. The crews were over the target between 12,000 and 18,000 feet, releasing 195,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, this attack was not successful. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)

405 Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Topcliffe. Halifax BII aircraft BB 212 LQ-U was lost on bombing mission against targets in Stuttgart, Germany, shot down by a night fighter pilot Leutnant Johannes Engels of the 10/NJG4, flying a Bf 110 F-4 from Mainz-Finthen airfield. The Halifax was attacked before reaching target. The Rear Air-Gunner Sergeant Robert Moore (RAFVR) was killed in action but the remaining crew bailed before the aircraft crashed at Altneudorf, 10 km NE of Heidelberg, Germany The surviving crew members, Flight Lieutenant George Theodore Chretein DFM (RCAF), Warrant Officer 1st Class Arthur Cyril Collin (RCAF), Flying Officer Thomas Edward Carlon DFM (RCAF), Flying Officer John Scott Probert (RCAF), Warrant Officer 1st Class Harold George Reynolds (RCAF) and Warrant Officer 1st Class Arthur Ernest Danes (RCAF) all survived to be taken as Prisoners of War

There were three other 405 Squadron Halifax II bombers lost on this date on this operation. Please see aircraft serials DT 745 LQ-V, BB 250 LQ-E and W 7803 LQ-B for further information on these aircraft and crews

Nachtjagd Combat Archive, 1943 Part 1, 1 January - 22 June by Theo Boiten, page 43

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