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, piloted by Flight Lieutenant HS Wilson, took off from Coningsby at 23:59 on September 15, heading for the Dortmund-Ems Canal near Ladbergen, Germany {{linkgooglemap, 52.142,7.712,}}. It was shot down by light flak in the target area, and made a belly landing at the Mittelland Canal between the villages of Recke and Obersteinbeck {{linkgooglemap, 52.357,7.685,}}, about 9 km NE of Hoerstel, Germany {{linkgooglemap,52.296,7.584,}}. After about 15 minutes the 12,000 lb bomb exploded, killing all of the crew.
There were two Canadians in the crew, Flying Officer GH Coles and Warrant Oficer 1st Class L Mieyette. The other 6 crew members (Flight Lieutenant HS Wilson, Flying Officer TW Johnson, Flying Officer JA Rodger, Flight Sergeant TH Payne, Flight Sergeant E Hornby and Sergeant CM Knox) were with the RAF.
