6 Bomber Group September 15/16, 1943
63 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429 and 434 squadrons were ordered to attack the Dunlop rubber factory at Montlucon. The crews were over the target at between 6,000 and 10,000 feet, releasing 116,000 lbs of high explosives and 228,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused to the complex. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
The aircraft, KC-N, piloted by Flight Lieutenant LG Knight, DSO MID, RAAF, was attempting to bomb the Dortmund-Ems Canal near Ladbergen, Germany but hit trees while in the target area and was seriously disabled. They hoped to be able to nurse the aircraft back to Britain, but its condition deteriorated and Knight held the aircraft steady while the crew bailed out but then the aircraft exploded when he attempted to crash land near den Ham, Netherlands .
Of the two Canadians in the crew, one, Flight Sergeant FE Sutherland evaded capture and the other, Flight Sergeant HE O'Brien was captured and became a PoW. Of the other crew members, Pilot Officer HS Hobday, Flying Officer EC Johnson DFC RAAF, Sergeant LC Woolard and Pilot Officer EG Kellow DFM RAAF evaded capture and Pilot Officer HE Grayston was taken prisoner.
With the exception of Woolard, this was the crew who dropped the UPKEEP bomb that broke the Eder Dam during the Dams Raid of 16/17 May 1943.
