6 Bomber Group February 13/14, 1945
115 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 425, 426, 427, 429, and 432 Squadrons were ordered on an attack of the synthetic oil plant at Bohlen. The crews were over the target at between 17,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 588,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and bombing was scattered.
While the Halifaxes were attacking Bohlen, 67 Lancasters from 419, 424,428, 431, 433, and 434 Squadrons were ordered to attack Dresden in the 2nd wave. The crews were over the target at between 17,000 and 21,000 feet, releasing 485,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports bombing was accurate and a firestorm was started with an extreme loss of life. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus), Pathfinder Force. Lancaster aircraft PB 183 failed to return from a night raid against Dresden, Germany. F/Os D.B. Olson, J.A. Kaucharik, R.A. French, F.M. Gordon, E.W. Connolly, and F/Ls J. Armitt and J.K.Knights DFC were killed. One Canadian, Flight Lieutenant Frederick was taken Prisoner of War. This was an eight-man crew, an extra bomb aimer was on board to gain experience. The Dresden target had been suggested by the Russians and Bomber Command agreed to set up an operation. There was no flak or enemy fighter aircraft anywhere near Dresden and many veteran fliers who knew what to expect knew something was wrong. Dresden had almost escaped all bombing raids up to this point in the war, it was a,large city of civilians plus thousands of refugees escaping the Russian advance. After the raid Bomber Command realized they had been suckered by the Russians into murdering over 100,00 innocent civilians and refugees.
Bomber Command Museum Monthly ORB
