Halifax DT672 B/GR.Mk.II - Bombing Bochum Germany - 1943-05-13 to 1943-05-14
Squadron: 419 (B) Sqn (RCAF)
Start Date: 1943-05-13
Completion Date: 1943-05-14
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Bochum Germany
Target Specific:
Base: Middleton St. George
Take Off Time: 23.44
Squadron Code: VR D
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: near Monchengladbach.
Crash Specifics:
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason:
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim:
War Diary Unavailable

6 Bomber Group May 13/14, 1943

26 Halifaxes from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 47 Wellingtons from 426, 428, 429, and 431 Squadrons on an attack at Bochum. The crews were over the target at between 12,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 113,000 lbs of high explosives and 138,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the bombing was accurate with serious damage being caused. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)

>p>442 aircraft - 135 Halifaxes, 104 Wellingtons, 98 Lancasters, 95 Stirlings, IO Mos¬quitoes; 5 Group did not take part in this raid. 24 aircraft- 13 Halifaxes, 6 Welling¬tons, 4 Stirlings, 1 Lancaster - lost, 5·4 per cent of the force.

This raid started well but, after 15 minutes, what were believed to be German decoy markers drew much of the bombing away from the target. The only information available from Germany is that 394 buildings in Bochum were destroyed, 716 were seriously damaged and 302 people were killed.

source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt

There were two 419 Sqn. aircraft lost in the same area this same night. Please see Sergeant F.W. Walkerdine for information regarding the other crew and aircraft.

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