6 Bomber Group August 12/13, 1944
36 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 424, 425, 426, 432, and 433 Squadrons were joined by 12 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 Squadrons on an attack of enemy troop positions at Falaise. The crews were over the target at between 7,000 and 8,000 feet, releasing 392,000 lbs of high explosives.According to reports, this attack was effective.
While some crews attacked Falaise, 48 Halifaxes from 415, 424, 427,429, 431, 432, and 434 Squadrons were joined by 21 Lancasters from 419 and 428 Squadrons on an attack at Brunswick. The crews were over the target at between 19,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 379,000 lbs of high explosives and 120,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, this attack was not marked by pathfinders and was scattered.
40 Halifaxes from 427, 429, 431, and 434 Squadrons were ordered on attacks of 2 V-1 sites at La Breteque and La Neuville. The crews were over the targets at between 9,000 and 10,000 feet, releasing 316,000 lbs of high explosives.
While the above attacks were taking place, 4 Halifaxes from 424 and433 Squadrons were ordered on a mining operation to Brest. The crews were over the garden at 13,000 feet, sowing 16@1500 lb mines. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
582 Pathfinder Squadron RAF (Praevolamus designates) RAF Little Staughton. The crew of Lancaster BIII aircraft ND 969 6O-F was intercepted and shot down by a night fighter on their 44th mission, returning from an operation against targets in Russelsheim, Germany
The Lancaster was probably shot down by Fw Erwin Egeler of the 12/NJG1 and and crashed near Papiermuhle, Dhron Bernkastel, Germany
FS RT Broad (RAFVR), FS WRC Parfitt (RAFVR) and FS K Archibald (RAFVR) were all killed in action
Flight Lieutenant EJ Trotter DFC,DFM,CD,CM (RCAF), Squadron Leader BM Mathers DFC (RAF)(Australia) and FS J Rawcliffe (RAFVR) survived and all were taken as Prisoners of War
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RAF Pathfinder Crew, 1944, 582 Squadron, Little Straughton - ...