Wellington DF637 Mk. III - Bombing Wilhelmshaven Germany - 1943-02-19 to 1943-02-20
Squadron: 420 (B) Sqn (RCAF)
Start Date: 1943-02-19
Completion Date: 1943-02-20
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Wilhelmshaven Germany
Target Specific:
Base: Middleton St George
Take Off Time: 17:55
Squadron Code: PT-F
Radio Code:
Return Base: Coltishall UK
Return Time: 23:451
Crash City:
Crash Specifics:
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: fighter
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim:
War Diary Unavailable

6 Bomber Group February 19/20, 1943

25 Halifaxes from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 66 Wellingtons from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, and 429 Squadrons on an attack at Wilhelmshaven. The crews were over the target at between 12,000 and 19,000 feet, releasing 213,000 lbs of high explosives and 154,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the attack was scattered with very little damage. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)

Aircraft was damaged by flak and then attacked by a Bf 110 night fighter. The rear gunner Warrant Officer 2nd Class Beresford baled out but did not survive. The pilot, Flight Sergeant RE Taylor (RCAF), managed to fly the damaged aircraft on one engine back to a safe landing in Coltishall, England. Taylor was awarded a DFM for this sortie. D Parker, R Koval, FF Years

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