6 Bomber Group June 7/8, 1944
23 Lancasters from 408 and 419squadrons were joined by 97 Halifaxes from 420, 425, 426, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434squadrons in attacking the road/rail junction at Acheres and the rail yards at Versailles. The crews were over the targets at between 3,000 and7,000feet releasing 930,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, these targets were accurately bombed.
While the above crews were attacking Acheres and Versailles, 8 Halifaxes from 424 squadron were ordered on a mining operationto Lorient. The crews were over the garden at 15,000 feet, sowing 32@1500lb mines. All crews returned safely to base. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
337 aircraft - 195 Halifaxes, 122 Lancasters, 20 Mosquitoes - attacked railway targets at Acheres, Juvisy, Massey-Palaiseau and Versailles. Bombing conditions were better than on the previous night. All targets were accurately bombed and, although no details are available, it is probable that fewer civilians were killed. The · targets were mostly more distant from the battle front than those recently attacked and German night fighters had more time to intercept the bomber forces. 17 Lancasters and 11 Halifaxes were lost, 8·3 per cent of the forces involved.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BIII aircraft MZ 602 SE-U went down near Blevy, France during a night operation, an attack against the rail yards at Versailles, France, in support of the D-day landings, cause unknownFlying Officer HA Morrison (RCAF), Pilot Officer JP Artyniuk (RCAF), Pilot Officer WD Mullin (RCAF), Pilot Officer GB Jose (RCAF), Flying Officer PJ Gandy (RCAF), Pilot Officer GA Curtis (RAF), FS DA Flett (RAFVR) and Sergeant W Teape (RAFVR) were all killed in action
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