Wellington HF542 B. Mk. X - Bombing Dusseldorf Germany - 1943-06-11 to 1943-06-12
Squadron: 429 (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 East Moor
Take Off Time: 23:08
Squadron Code: AL-O
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: Netherlands
Crash Specifics: Westendorp near Wisch, Gelderland
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: fighter
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim: Oberleutnant Manfred Meurer of the 3/NJG 1
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)

429 Bison Squadron (Fortunae Nihil) RAF East Moor. Wellington BX aircraft HF 542 AL-O was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Manfred Meurer of the 3/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Venlo airfield, Netherlands during an operation on targets in Dusseldorf, Germany

The Wellington crashed and blew up at Westendorp near Wisch, Gelderland, Netherlands

Flying Officer RP Davies (RCAF), FS DE Campbell (RCAF), and FS AJ MacLachlan (RCAF) were all killed in action

FS R Zeidel (RCAF) and Warrant Officer Class 2 LPR Taillefer (RCAF) were missing, presumed killed in action. The missing have no known grave and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial

There were three 429 squadron Wellington aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials HE 593 AL-Z and HZ 355 AL-G for additional information

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