6 Bomber Group January 28/29, 1944
33 Lancasters from 408, 426 and 432 squadrons were joined by 90 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431, 433, and 434 squadrons on an attack at Berlin. The crews were over the target at between 18,000 and 23,500 feet, releasing 280,000 lbs of high explosives and 359,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing caused serious damage as there was broken cloud and the target could be seen. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Croft. Halifax BV aircraft LK 740 WL-V was shot down by flak or possibly night fighter, crashing twenty-eight miles north by north-west of Berlin, near Linde, Germany during a night raid on Berlin, Germany. The entire crew was lost
Squadron Leader L M Linnell (RCAF), Pilot Officer A K Heaton (RCAF), Pilot Officer A W Hornby (RCAF), Pilot Officer F J Elms (RCAF), Sergeant P F Wicks (RCAF), Sergeant O D Culverwell DFM (RAFVR) and Pilot Officer S W H Taylor (RAFVR) were all killed in action
There were four other 434 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials EB 256 WL-S, LK 649 WL-X, LK 916 WL-P and LL 134 WL-U for further information on these aircraft and crews
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
434 Squadron Halifax V LK 740 WL-V Sq/Ldr. Linnell, RAF Croft, Flak,...
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