Halifax DT704 B/GR.Mk.II - Bombing Kiel Germany - 1943-04-04 to 1943-04-05
Squadron: 405 (B) Sqn (RCAF)
Start Date: 1943-04-04
Completion Date: 1943-04-05
Mission: Bombing
Operation: Battle of the Ruhr
Target City: Kiel Germany
Target Specific:
Base: Leeming
Take Off Time: 20.45
Squadron Code: LQ H
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: Kiel Germany
Crash Specifics:
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: flak
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim:
War Diary Unavailable

6 Bomber Group April 4/5, 1943

23 Halifaxes from 405, 408, and 419 Squadrons were joined by 119 Wellingtons from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, and 431 Squadrons on an attack at Kiel. The crews were over the target at between 14,500 and 19,000 feet, releasing 127,000 lbs of high explosives and 328,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and bombing was scattered. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)

405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) Pathfinder Force, RAF Leeming. Halifax BII aircraft DT 704 LQ-H missing during an attack against the docks and shipping at Kiel, Germany. The Halifax was hit by radar-directed marine flak and exploded in mid-air, crashing in the target area near Klausdorf, Germany.The entire crew was lost

With 577 bombers taking part in this raid it was the largest raid of the war to this date, but strong winds and heavy cloud cover effected both target marking and bombing accuracy. Little damage was caused.

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