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 10 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 raid419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Middleton St George. Lancaster BX aircraft KB 734 VR-F missing during a night operation to bomb the synthetic oil plants at Sterkrade, Germany
The Lancaster was shot down by night fighter pilot Unteroffizier Gustav Sarzio of 6/NJG 1, from Deelen airfield in Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4 G9+JP. The bomber crashed at Utrechtseweg 48, Zeist (Utrecht), Netherlands
Flight Lieutenant Ernest Sutton Smith KC (RCAF), Pilot Officer Michael Baran (RCAF), Pilot Officer Glen William Taylor (RCAF), Pilot Officer William Henry Gardiner (RCAF), and Pilot Officer Sidney Albert Wilson (RCAF)(attached from 434 Sqn) were all killed in action
Sergeant Robert Edward Porter (RCAF) survived and evaded capture until January 1945, when he was captured and taken as Prisoner of War
Sergeant John William Albert Trussler (RAFVR) survived and was taken Prisoner of War
There were two 419 Squadron Lancaster BX aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial KB 728 VR-V for information on this aircraft and crew
The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1944 Part 3 12 May - 23 July, page 67
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
419 Squadron RCAF 1941 to 1945 Crew of Lancaster KB734
16/17061944 419 (Moose) Squadron RCAF Lancaster X KB734 Flt Lt Ernes...
Bomber Command Museum Monthly ORB