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)
408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom) RAF Leeming. Halifax B Mk II aircraft BB 336 EQ-O lost from operations against the docks and shipping in Kiel, Germany, most likely shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleunant Paul Szameitat of 5/NJG3, although there were some unverified flak claims
The Halifax is believed to have crashed into the Wadden Sea
Squadron Leader Edward Gerard Gilmore DFC (RCAF), Pilot Officer Maxwell Palmer Hall (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant John Baillie Darroch (RAFVR), Flight Sergeant Potter George Oyler (RAFVR), Flight Sergeant James William Taylor Mason Smith DFM (RAFVR) and Sergeant Kenneth William Haynes (RAFVR) were all missing, presumed killed in action
The missing have no known grave and are all commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial
Sergeant Russell Thomas Wiggett (RCAF), the only survivor from his crew, was taken Prisoner of War.
Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1943 Part 1, 1 January - 22 June by Theo Boiten, page 55
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
408 Squadron Halifax II BB336 EQ-O Sq/Ldr Gilmore DFC
Bomber Command Museum Monthly ORB
