Stuttgart
{{webimage,wardiaries.jpg,float:right;width:150px;,Book no longer in print}}494 Lancasters and 2 Mosquitos of 1,3,5, and 8 Groups in the last raid of the current series on the target. German fighters intercepted the bomber stream while over France on the outward flight; there was a bright moon and 39 Lancasters were shot down. 7.9% of the force.
6 Bomber Group July 28/29, 1944
46 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 428 Squadron were joined by 186 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 424, 425, 425, 427, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 Squadrons on an attack at Hamburg. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 22,000 feet, releasing 2,019,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, some bombing fell into the port area, otherwise the attack was scattered. On this attack, 6 Group suffered their highest losses. 22 crews failed to return.
As well as the crews that went to Hamburg, 5 Halifaxes from424 Squadron were ordered on a mining operation to Heligoland. The crews were over the garden at between 12,000 and 15,000 feet, sowing 20@1500 lb mines. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
403 Lancasters and 2 Mosquitos of 1;3;5 and 8 Groups wee involved in the last raid of the current series on this target. German fighters intercepted the bomber stream while over France on the outward flight. There was a bright moon and 39 Lancasters were shot down.
12 Squadron (Leads The Field). Lancaster aircraft LM 107 was lost during night operations to Stuttgart, Germany. Flying Officer E.D. Figg, FS J.P. Alton (RAF), Sergeant S.V. Day (RAF), Flying Officer J Downing and Flight Lieutenant I.W. Saunders (RAF) were killed.
