6 Group Unavailable
9 Squadron (Per Noctem Volamus). The crew of Lancaster aircraft HK 788 were returning from operations over enemy territory when their aircraft crashed and exploded at Wantage, Berkshire, England. All seven members of the crew were killed
On the night of the 7 April 1945, 175 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitos were tasked by 5 Group, to destroy the benzol plant at Molbis, near Leipzig. (Benzol in a key ingredient of aviation fuel) Situated south of the city, and less than two miles east of Böhlen, Molbis had become a familiar destination for 5 Group via a well-trodden route across Belgium to pass south of Cologne. 9 Squadron prepared 12 Lancasters, each loaded with 1 x 2,000lb HC, 7 x 1,000lb MC and 4 x 500lb GP. They took off from RAF Bardney between 18.31 and 18.46hrs. The whole force found itself delayed by wrongly forecast head winds, and although it would reach the target area, not every aircraft would do so in time to participate in the attack. Green target indicators (TI) were released from 15,000 feet at 22.48hrs and the flare force followed up between 22.50 and 22.57hrs to enable the low-level Mosquitos to drop red and green TIs among the chimneys of the plant. The approaching main force crews were greeted by clear skies and the highly accurate and visible marking was an invitation for them to plaster the aiming-point with high explosives. Hugh and his crew in Lancaster HK788 were reported to have arrived back over England on fire and dived into the ground at Lyford, Oxfordshire, killing all seven crew, who were on their twenty-third operation.Richard S. James, 9 Squadron RAF, Association Historian
