6 Bomber Group February 25/26, 1944
19 Lancasters from 408 and 426 Squadrons were joined by 44 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, 432, and 433 Squadrons, on an attack at Augsburg. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 25,000 feet, releasing 76,000 lbs of high explosives and 184,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the weather was clear and severe damage was caused.
While the above crews went to Augsburg, 50 Halifaxes from 419, 428,429, 431, and 434 Squadrons were ordered on a mining operation to KielBay. The crews were over the garden at between 12,000 and 15,000 feet, sowing 78@1500 lb mines. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom) RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Lancaster II aircraft DS 845 EQ-T was orbiting at the final turning point leading to an operation against targets in Augsburg Germany when the engines began to lose power. Unable to maintain altitude, the Lancaster was abandoned near Abbeville, France, where it crashed. The entire crew survived
Flying Officer A W Bockus (RCAF), Flight Sergeant E A S Hetherington (RCAF), Sergeant S Thorvardson (RCAF) and Pilot Officer P E Fillion (RCAF) survived and were captured to become Prisoners of War
Sergeant R P Gigg (RAFVR) evaded until captured near Arras, France and became a Prisoner of War
Flying Officer R E Barnlund MiD (RCAF) and Sergeant K E Lussier DFC (RCAF) survived and both became Evaders
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
Search for France - Crashes 39-45
Bomber Command Museum Monthly ORB