6 Bomber Group April 16/17, 1943
27 Halifaxes from 408 and 419 Squadron were ordered on an attack at Pilsen. The crews were over the target at between 7,000 and 14,000 feet, releasing 104,000 lbs of high explosives and 31,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, this attack was a failure as there was no damage to the Skoda armaments factory.
While the Halifaxes went to Pilsen, 100 Wellingtons from 420, 424, 425,426, 427, 428, 429, and 431 Squadrons were ordered on an attack at Mannheim.The crews were over the target at between 12,000 and 16,000 feet, releasing118,000 lbs of high explosives and 91,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate with severe damage being caused. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
83 Squadron (Strike To Defend), Pathfinder Force, RAF Wyton. Lancaster BI aircraft R 5484 OL-V was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberfeldwebel Kurt Karsten of the 7/NJG 4, flying a Bf 110 from Juvincourt airfield during an operation against the Skoda Works in Pilsen, Czech Republic. The Lancaster crashed onto the house of Madame Chedeville, in the centre of Pontavert, Aisne, France
Flying Officer GA McNichol (RCAF) was killed in action
Flight Lieutenant HH Beaupre DFC (RCAF), Warrant Officer 1st Class CE Hobbs (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant TW Lewis DFC & Bar (RCAF)(USA), Flight Sergeant GS MacFarlane (RAF), Warrant Officer GC Mott (RAF) and Sergeant HR Willis (RAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War
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