6 Bomber Group April 14/15, 1943
30 Halifaxes from 405, 408, and 419 Squadrons were joined by 91 Wellingtons from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, and 431 Squadrons on an attack at Stuttgart. The crews were over the target at between 12,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 42,000 lbs of high explosives and 236,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the weather was clear and much damage was caused to the industrial area, including a large rail repair shop. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom) RAF Leeming. Halifax B Mk II aircraft BB 311 EQ-L was attacked and had an engine disabled during an operation against targets in Stuttgart, Gemany. The y continued to fly but about 30 minutes later were again attacked and shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Helmut Bergmann of Stab III/NJG4 The Halifax crashed in a marsh in the municipality of Tugny-et-Pont, Aisne, Hauts-de-France with the loss of one crew member, the other six crew members survived
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner Sergeant John Joseph Courtney (RAFVR) was killed in action
Sergeant Robert Ernest Dressler (RCAF), Pilot Officer Raymond Harry Jay (RCAF), Sergeant Ian Ross MacDonald (RCAF), Pilot Officer Grenville Marshall Parkinson (RCAF), Sergeant Walter Reed (RCAF) and Pilot Officer Lee Ellis Usher (RCAF)(USA) all survived to be captured as Prisoners of War
Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1943 Part 1, 1 January - 22 June by Theo Boiten, page 68
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