6 Bomber Group August 23/24, 1943
59 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, and 434 squadrons were joined by 8 Lancasters from 426 squadron on an attack at Berlin. The crews were over the target at between 18,000 and 22,000 feet, releasing 130,000 lbs of high explosives and 126,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, this attack was successful with serious damage being caused in some industrial areas.
While most of the crews went to Berlin, 12 Wellingtons from 432 squadron were ordered on a mining operation to the Frisian Islands. The crews were over the garden between 4,000 and 6,000 feet, sowing 10@1500 lb mines. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
405 Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) RAF Gransden Lodge, Halifax II aircraft HR 923 LQ-V on a raid against targets in Berlin, Germany, was attacked by an Me109 fighter and badly shot up after completing its bomb-run. Short of fuel due to punctured fuel tanks and severely damaged, the Halifax diverted to Sweden, ditching south of Sandhammaren lighthouse, near Ystad, Sweden
Warrant Officer 1st Class H Smith (RCAF), Pilot Officer D P Davies (RCAF), Sergeant L F Cassidy (RCAF), Sergeant J S Gates (RCAF), Sergeant J H Flick (RCAF), Sergeant J C Catling (RAF) and Sergeant T O'Toole (RAF) were all safe after the ditching and were interned in Sweden. The crew were very well treated and even travelled around Sweden to play hockey against Swedish teams. They played 24 games before they were repatriated to England, 1944-03-16
Royal Air Force Serial and Image database
RAF Forced Landing - Halifax BII - Serial # HR923
The unknown RCAF hockey story from World War II Sweden
Bomber Command Museum Monthly ORB