6 Bomber Group June 16/17, 1944
63 Halifaxes from 426, 431, 432, and 434 squadrons were joined by 37 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 squadrons on an attack of the oil plant at Sterkrade-Holten. The crews were over the target between17,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 878,000 lbs of high explosives through thick cloud. This attack was not very successful due to the cloud cover and the fact that the German fighter controller had his fighters orbit a beacon not far from the flight path. Many crews failed to return for that reason.
While part of the group went to Sterkrade, 101 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, 429, and 433 squadrons were ordered to attack a V-1 site in the Pas de Calais area called Sautrecourt. The crews were over the target between 14,000 and 17,000 feet, releasing 760,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the target was well hit. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
The target was found to be covered by thick cloud and the Pathfinder markers quickly disappeared. The Main Force crews could do little but bomb on to the diminishing glow of the markers in the cloud. R.A.F. photographic reconnaissance and German reports agree that most of the bombing was scattered, although some bombs did fall in the plant area, but with little effect upon production. 21 Germans and 6 foreigners were killed and 18 houses in the vicinity were destroyed.
Unfortunately, the route of the bomber stream passed near a German night-fighter beacon at Bocholt, only 30 miles from Sterkrade. The German controller had chosen this beacon as the holding point for his night fighters. Approximately 21 bombers were shot down by fighters and a further IO by Flak. 22 of the lost aircraft were Halifaxes, these losses being l 3.6 per cent of the 162 Halifaxes on the raid. 77 Squadron, from Full Sutton near York, lost 7 of its 23 Halifaxes taking part in the raid.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax BIII aircraft it NA 516 QO-A missing during an operation to bomb the synthetic-oil plant at Sterkrade, Germany, believed to have been shot down by a night fighter
The Halifax crashed at Scheggertdijk, Almen, Gelderland, Netherlands
Flying Officer HF Morrow (RCAF), Pilot Officer JL Shanks (RCAF) and Pilot Officer JM Johnston (RCAF) were all killed in action
Flying Officer JA Slimmon (RCAF) and Sergeant VR Herrick (RCAF) survived and were taken as Prisoner of War
Warrant Officer Class 1 LR McElroy (RCAF) and Sergeant R Gelfand (RCAF) survived and evaded briefly. They were captured separately in the Netherlands and both later also escaped from captivity
search T/R number