6 Bomber Group March 24/25, 1944
23 Lancasters from 408 and 426 Squadrons were joined by 90 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, 429, 432, and 433 Squadrons on an attack at Berlin. The crews were over the target at between 19,000 and 24,000 feet, releasing 48,000 lbs of high explosives and 409,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, there was severely high winds and the attack was scattered. This was another terrible night as 72 crews failed to return due to being blown off course and over heavy flak defenses. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
433 Porcupine Squadron (Qui S'y Frotte S'y Pique) RAF Skipton-on-Swale. Halifax aircraft HX 284 BM-B was shot down and crashed near Legden, SE of Ahaus, Germany near the Dutch border during a night operation against targets in Berlin, Germany. Cause of loss was believed to have been from a night fighter
The Pilot, Pilot Officer Russell maintained control of the aircraft so that his crew could bail out to safety, but could not get out himself and went down with the aircraft, killed in action
Pilot Officer DW Howell (RCAF) and Sergeant W Walmsley (RAFVR) were killed in action, both believed due to parachute malfunctions. Sergeant Walmsley was killed when he bailed. Pilot Officer Howell survived briefly but died on the way to a German hospital
Flying Officer JT Shea (RCAF) survived and evaded briefly until captured a few days later and taken as Prisoner of War
Sergeant RC Cossar (RCAF), Flying Officer M Topplin (RCAF),and Sergeant P McLuskie (RAFVR) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
There were two 433 Squadron Halifax aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial LV 841 BM-H for additional information
Footprints on the Sands of Time, RAF Bomber Command Prisoners of War in Germany 1939-45 by Oliver Clutton-Brock pages 271,322,401,420
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