Squadron: 626 (B) Sqn (RAF)
Start Date: 1945-01-07
Completion Date: 1945-01-08
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Munich Germany
Target Specific:
Base: RAF Wickenby
Take Off Time: 18:47:00
Squadron Code: UM-C2
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: Germany
Crash Specifics: near Gmund am Tegernsee
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason:
Flak Battery: unspecified
Enemy Claim:
War Diary Unavailable

6 Bomber Group January 7/8, 1945

30 Lancasters from 419, 428, 431, and 434 were ordered to attack Munich.The crews were over the target at between 16,000 to 21,000 feet, releasing89,000 lbs of high explosives and 130,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports the central area of the city was hit and some industrial areas being severely damaged. This was the last major attack on Munich. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)


626 Squadron (To Strive and not to yield) RAF Wickenby. Lancaster III aircraft JB 661 UM-C2 was lost during an operation against targets in Munich, Germany. The cause of loss was not determined but is believed to have crashed near Gmund am Tegernsee, Germany. There are multiple night fighter claims not attributed to an aircraft serial number on this raid. Lancaster JB 661 was possibly one of the four bombers claimed by Oberfeldwebel Gunther Bahr of 1/NJG6 on this night or one of the single claims by Oberfeldwebel Heinrich Schmidt of 2/NJG6 or Oberleutnant Wilhem Engel of 3/NJG6

The entire crew was lost with this aircraft

Warrant Officer Class 2 Donald Ross Hutchins (RCAF), Flying Officer John Harvey Clark (RCAF), Pilot Officer Kenneth Ross Joslin (RCAF), Flight Sergeant Wayne John Rahkola (RCAF), Flying Officer Kenneth Albert Stroh (RCAF), Flying Officer Jean Paul Herbert Terreau (RCAF) and Sergeant Ernest Leather (RAFVR) were all killed in action

Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1943 1 January - 3 May by Theo Boiten, page 17

unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

General RAF Commands