Squadron: 12 (B) Sqn (RAF)
Start Date: 1944-01-05
Completion Date: 1944-01-06
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Stettin Germany
Target Specific:
Base: RAF Wickenby
Take Off Time: 23:56:00
Squadron Code: PH-E
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: Sweden
Crash Specifics: force-landed near Kalmar
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason:
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim:
War Diary Unavailable

6 Bomber Group January 5/6, 1944

35 Lancaster from 408, 426, and 432 squadrons were ordered on an attack at Stettin. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 24,000 feet, releasing 136,000 lbs of high explosives and 42,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damaged was caused. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)


12 Squadron (Leads the Field) RAF Wickenby. Lancaster III ND 324 PH-E was damaged during an operation against targets in Stettin, Germany and force-landed near Kalmar, Sweden

Flight Lieutenant W Kroeker (RCAF), Flying Officer C E Modeland (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant W D Smith, Flight Sergeant C Brooks RAF, Flight Sergeant J F Woodcherry RAF, Flying Officer G T Wood RAF and Flying Officer C J Butler RAF all survived to become Interned Prisoners

They returned to England 1944-09-24

Most of this crew, Flight Lieutenant Kroeker, Flight Lieutenant Modeland, Flight Lieutenant Smith, Flying Officer Wood, Flight Sergeant Brooks and Flight Sergeant Woodcherry would re-join 12 Squadron upon return to the UK. They would all be killed in action in Lancaster I aircraft RF 182 PH-P during a raid on the synthetic oil plant at Lutzkendorf, Germany 1945-04-05

General Royal air Force Serial and Image Database

General here - Lancaster ND424 of 12 Squadron

General RAF Commands