O6 Bomber Group August 25/26, 1944
182 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432,433 and 434 Squadrons were ordered to attack a number of coastal gun batteries at Brest. The crews were over the aiming points at between 9,000 and 13,000 feet, releasing 1,470,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing was accurate.
34 Lancasters from 419 and 428 squadrons were ordered on an attack of the Opel factory at Russelsheim. The crews were over the target at between 17,000 and 19,000 feet, releasing 132,000 lbs of high explosives and 153,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was hit and serious damage was caused.
14 Halifaxes from 433 squadron were ordered to attack Ferfay. The crews were over the target at 15,000 feet, releasing 88,000 lbs of high explosives. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
Events
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) Pathfinder Force, RAF Gransden Lodge. Lancaster BIII aircraft PB 233 LQ-O was returning from a raid against targets in Russelheim, Germany, when it was attacked by a night fighter that shot up the rear fuselage, the tail plane, and the starboard mainplane with cannon fire. The Lancaster returned to the UK safely but three of the crew had bailed out over enemy territory contrary to the captain's instructions. Flight Lieutenant HD Brown (RCAF) and FS KA Abbs (RAF) survived to be taken as Prisoners of War, but Pilot Officer RB Nairn (RCAF) was missing, presumed killed in action
Pilot Officer Nairn has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial
Flight Lieutenant WJL Weiker (RCAF), Flying Officer JS McDowell DFC (RCAF),Warrant Officer MJ Martin (RCAF) and Sergeant EJ New (RAF) survived and returned to RAF Gransden Lodge. The only other casualty wasWarrant Officer Martin with an ankle injury
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
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