6 Bomber Group June 16/17, 1944
63 Halifaxes from 426, 431, 432, and 434 squadrons were joined by 37 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 squadrons on an attack of the oil plant at Sterkrade-Holten. The crews were over the target between17,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 878,000 lbs of high explosives through thick cloud. This attack was not very successful due to the cloud cover and the fact that the German fighter controller had his fighters orbit a beacon not far from the flight path. Many crews failed to return for that reason.
While part of the group went to Sterkrade, 101 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, 429, and 433 squadrons were ordered to attack a V-1 site in the Pas de Calais area called Sautrecourt. The crews were over the target between 14,000 and 17,000 feet, releasing 760,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the target was well hit. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
321 aircraft- 162 Halifaxes, 147 Lancasters, 12 Mosquitoes - of 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups to attack the synthetic-oil plant despite a poor weather forecast.
The target was found to be covered by thick cloud and the Pathfinder markers quickly disappeared. The Main Force crews could do little but bomb on to the diminishing glow of the markers in the cloud. R.A.F. photographic reconnaissance and German reports agree that most of the bombing was scattered, although some bombs did fall in the plant area, but with little effect upon production. 21
Germans and 6 foreigners were killed and 18 houses in the vicinity were destroyed.
Unfortunately, the route of the bomber stream passed near a German night-fighter beacon at Bocholt, only 30 miles from Sterkrade. The German controller had chosen this beacon as the holding point for his night fighters. Approximately 21 bombers were shot down by fighters and a further Io by Flak. 22 of the lost aircraft were Halifaxes, these losses being 13 ·6 per cent of the 162 Halifaxes on the raid. 77 Squadron, from Full Sutton near York, lost 7 of its 23 Halifaxes taking part in the raid.source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. Lancaster BX aircraft KB 728VR-V was shot down following an attack against the synthetic-oil plants at Sterkrade, Germany. Homeward-bound, the aircraft exploded following combat with night fighter pilot Unteroffizier Hans Schadowski of the 3/NJG 3 based at Vechta airfield in Germany, who was flying a Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4. The Lancaster crashed at Middelweg Road near Elden, Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands
Pilot Officer GE Quinn (RCAF), Flying Officer D Morrison (RCAF), Flying Officer AF Hupman (RCAF), Pilot Officer CS Johnston (RCAF), Pilot Officer E Fahy (RAFVR), Pilot Officer H Fletcher (RAFVR) and Pilot Officer JP McManus (RAFVR) were all killed in action
This was the 29th operation for this crew
There were two 419 Squadron Lancaster BX aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Smith, ES for information on Lancaster KB 734 VR-F
Bomber Command Museum Monthly ORB
