Halifax LL134 B/A/Met.Mk.V - Bombing Berlin Germany - 1944-01-28 to 1944-01-29
Squadron: 434 (B) Sqn (RCAF)
Start Date: 1944-01-28
Completion Date: 1944-01-29
Mission: Bombing
Operation: Battle of Berlin
Target City: Berlin Germany
Target Specific: industrial targets
Base: RAF Croft
Take Off Time: 23:49:00
Squadron Code: WL-U
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: Germany
Crash Specifics: over Berlin
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: fighter
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim: unspecified
War Diary Unavailable

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 LL134 WL-U was attacked by a night fighter 21,000 feet over the target area of Berlin Germany and abandoned by the crew

The entire crew survived the crash

Squadron Leader J E Hockey (RCAF), Flying Officer L C Bannister (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant J Ferguson (RCAF), Warrant Officer S Saprunoff (RCAF), Pilot Officer J Acquier (RAFVR), Pilot Officer G Borrett (RAFVR), Pilot Officer F G Hearsey (RAFVR) and Flying Officer G B Poad (RAFVR) all became Prisoners of War

There were four other 434 Squadron Halifax V aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Halifax aircraft serials EB 256 WL-S, LK 649 WL-X, LK 740 WL-V and LK 916 WL-P for further information on these aircraft and crews

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