6 Bomber Group April 10, 1945
90 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 425, 426, and 432 Squadrons were joined by 110 Lancasters from 419, 424, 427, 428, 429, 431, 433, and 434 Squadrons on an attack of the rail yards at Leipzig. The crews were over the target at between 15,500 and 19,000 feet, releasing 1,532,000 lbs of high explosives.According to reports, the weather was good and severe damage was caused. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus), RAF Gransden Lodge, Pathfinder Force, Lancaster III aircraft ME 315, had just completed it's bombing run against the target at Leipzig, Germany when it was attacked from below by a German rocket powered fighter, an Me163 Komet, which shot away the rear gun turret, elevator and rudder of Lancaster ME 315 in one burst of 30mm cannon fire while it was still in the target area
Rear gunner Flight Lieutenant ML Mellstrom DFC (RCAF) was killed and lost in the attack. His remains were located, identified and initially buried in the Ingelsdorf Gemeinde Cemetery in Germany. Flight Lieutenant Mellstrom was later exhumed and buried at the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery
Lancaster ME 315, escorted by Mustang fighters, struggled back to England where, with only partial control of the aircraft and unsure if he could land safely, the pilot ordered most of the crew to bale out over RAF Woodbridge. The wounded mid-upper gunner was unable to bale and with the assistance of the flight engineer, Flying Officer CRG Ryan DFC (RCAF) who was instrumental in getting the stricken aircraft back, the pilot, Squadron Leader CH Mussells (RCAF) was able to make a successful emergency landing at RAF Woodbridge. Flying Officer Ryan was awarded his DFC for his efforts on this operation. All the crew members, except the missing rear gunner were able to return to their unit.
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