6 Bomber Group October 8/9, 1943
16 Lancasters from 408 and 426 squadrons were joined by 70 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431, and 434 squadrons and 14 Wellingtons from 432 squadron on an attack at Hannover. The crews were over the target at between 18,000 and 22,000 feet, releasing 272,000 lbs of high explosives and 294,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the sky was clear and an accurate attack was made with severe damage being caused. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
115 Squadron RAF (Despite the Elements) RAF Little Snoring. Lancaster II aircraft DS 691 KO-B was shot down from 20000 feet by a combination of flak and night fighter (probably Hauptman Hans-Wolfgang von Niebelschutz of Stab IV/NJG5) during an operation against targets in Hanover Germany. The Lancaster crashed at 01:32 3 km South of Fuhrberg, Germany 22 km NNE of Hanover
Flight Sergeant William Frederick Nethersole (RAAF) and Flight Sergeant Herbert John Willis DFM (RAFVR) were killed in action
Flight Lieutenant Wilfred Collins Blewett (RCAF), Flying Officer William Pryde (RCAF), Flying Officer Arthur Sidney Cade(RAFVR), Sergeant Daryl Eugene Davis (RAFVR) and Sergeant Walter Thomas Mitchell (RAFVR) all survived and were captured to become Prisoners of War.
This was the only aircraft lost by 428 Squadron RCAF lost on this operation
115 Squadron
