Wellington HZ261 B. Mk. X - Bombing Dusseldorf Germany - 1943-06-11 to 1943-06-12
Squadron: 426 (B) Sqn (RCAF)
Start Date: 1943-06-11
Completion Date: 1943-06-12
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Dusseldorf Germany
Target Specific:
Base: RAF Dishforth
Take Off Time: 23:14
Squadron Code: OW-L
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: North Sea
Crash Specifics: unspecified
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: fighter
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim: unspecified, multiple
War Diary Unavailable

6 Bomber Group June 11/12, 1943

51 Halifaxes from 408, 419, and 427 Squadrons were joined by 63 Wellingtons from 426, 428, 429, 431, and 432 Squadrons on an attack at Dusseldorf. The crews were over the target at between 12,000 and 15,000 feet, releasing 145,000 lbs of high explosives and 275,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, severe damage was caused to this target. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)

426 Thunderbird Squadron (On Wings of Fire) RAF Dishforth. Wellington BX aircraft HZ 261 OW-L did not return from a night attack against targets in Dusseldorf, Germany, lost without a trace

There are multiple possible night fighter claims for this aircraft on this night, none definite and the Wellington may have crashed into the North Sea or near IJsselmeer, Netherlands

FS CE Schamehorn (RCAF), Pilot Officer ND Hayes (RCAF), Flying Officer JL Rawson (RCAF), FS DG Richardson (RCAF) and FS DA MacKenzie (RCAF) were all missing, presumed killed in action

The missing have no known grave and all are commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial

unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

unvetted Source Hon. Roll 1

unvetted Source Wellington HZ261 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...

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