6 Bomber Group May 22/23, 1944
27 Lancasters from 408 and 419 Squadron were ordered on an attack at Dortmund. The crews were over the target at between 20,000 and 21,000 feet, releasing 104,000 lbs of high explosives and 51,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing fell into the south eastern sector with serious damage being caused.
2 Halifaxes from 428 Squadron were ordered on a mining operation to St. Malo. The crews were over the garden at 8,000 feet, sowing 4@1500 lb mines.
112 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 432, and 433 Squadrons were ordered on an attack of the rail yards at Le Mans. The crews were over the target at between 7,000 and 9,000 feet, releasing 826,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
225 Lancasters and IO Mosquitoes of I and 5 Groups. 13 Lancasters lost, 5'5 per cent of the force
.This raid was a failure. The weather forecast had predicted a clear target but the marker aircraft found a complete covering of cloud. There was also interference on the Master Bomber's radio communications. The 5 Group method could not cope with these conditions and most of the bombing fell in the country areas around Brunswick. The city records show only a few bombs and there were no casualties. A reconnaissance aircraft flying through this area an hour later found it completely free of cloud.source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
630 Squadron (Nocturna Mors). Lancaster III aircraft JB 546 was shot down at Quakenbruck, Germany during night operations against Brunswick, Germany. Two of the crew, not Canadians, were also killed and four of the crew, not Canadians, were taken Prisoners of War.
