6 Bomber Group April 27/28, 1944
19 Lancasters from 408 and 426 Squadrons were ordered on an attack at Friedrichshafen. The crews were over the target at between 20,000 and 21,000 feet, releasing 48,000 lbs of high explosives and 77,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, this attack was accurate with severe damage being caused. A factory making tank gearboxes was totally destroyed.
While the Lancasters went to Freidrichshafen, 47 Halifaxes from 419,431, 432, and 434 Squadrons were joined by 8 Lancasters from 419 Squadron on an attack of the rail yards at Montzen. The crews were over the target at between 13,000 and 15,000 feet, releasing 591,000 lbs of high explosives.According to reports, the attack was scattered and only half of the yards were damaged. This attack was intercepted by German Night fighters and 10 crews failed to return.
90 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, 428, 429, and 433 Squadrons were ordered on an attack of the rail yards at Aulnoye. The crews were over the target at between 3,000 and 7,000 feet, releasing 942,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the target was accurately bombed with severe damage.
8 Halifaxes from 428 Squadron were ordered on a mining operation toCherbourg. The crews were over the garden at between 12,000 and 15,000feet, sowing 16@1500 lb mines. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
434 Bluenose Squadron (In Excelsis Vincimus) RAF Croft. Halifax BV aircraft LL 243 WL-U named "The Bluenose Outlaw" was shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Georg Fengler of the Stab IV/NJG 1, who had taken off from Sint-Truiden airfield, Belgium in Bf 110 G-4 G9+CF during an operation on the rail yards at Montzen, Belgium. The Halifax crashed at Cartilserveldweg Road, Eys, Limburg, Netherlands
Pilot Officer GW Snow CG(Belgium) w/palm (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant GF Maffre CG(Belgium) w/palm (RCAF), Flight Sergeant RA Meek CG(Belgium) w/palm (RCAF) and Pilot Officer VJ Cownden CG(Belgium) w/palm (RCAF) were all killed in action
Sergeant AW Fuller (RAFVR) survived and was taken Prisoner of War
Flying Officer AG Stacey (RCAF) and Flying Officer JEJ Arscott (RAFVR) survived and escaped capture as Evaders
There were two 434 Squadron Halifax v aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial LL 258 WL-N for additional information
RCAF Halifax LL-243-Oorlog in Limburg
Memorial Royal Canadian Airforce Halifax LL243-Wittem-...
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
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