6 Bomber Group May 12/13 1944
12 Lancasters from 419 Squadron were joined by 96 Halifaxes from 420, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, and 432 Squadrons to attack the rail yards at Louvain. Bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused to the rail yards.
19 Halifaxes from 424 and 428 Squadron were ordered on a mining operation to the Frisian Islands. The crews were over the garden at between 8,000 and 15,000 feet sowing 36@1,500 lb mines. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
120 aircraft - 96 Halifaxes, 20 Lancasters, 4 Mosquitoes - of 6 and 8 Groups. 3 Halifaxes and 2 Lancasters lost.
The bombing was more accurate than on the previous night and considerable damage was caused in the railways yards. The local report, which consolidates the 2 raids, confirms that the railways were badly damaged and says that parts of the system were still being repaired 6 months later. But civilian casualties were also heavy, with 160 people being killed and 208 injured in Louvain and its suburbs of Herent and Wilsele. Building damage in Louvain included 5 blocks of the university, 8 factories, 4 convents and a church.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
