6 Bomber Group September 17, 1944
173 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 431, 432,433 and 434 Squadrons were joined by 36 Lancasters from 419 and 428 squadrons on an attack of troop positions at Boulogne. The crews were over the target at between 2,000 and 10,000 feet, releasing 2,280,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing was accurate and these troops surrendered soon after.
While the above crews were at Boulogne, 5 Halifaxes from 429 and 433 Squadrons were ordered on a Sea Search. All crews returned safely, but unsuccessful. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
The aircraft (KC-V), piloted by Flying Officer F. Levy, was returning to its base at Woodhall Spa, England from the Russian base at Yagodnik after having participated in the attack from Yagodnik on the battleship Tirpitz, in Alten Fjord, Norway (Operation Paravane). It crashed on high ground in Norway, near the town of Nesbyen . All on board were killed. There were 9 men on board, two being crew members from an aircraft that had crashed on the way to Yagodnik.
There was one Canadian on board, Pilot Officer AF McNally. All of the others were in the RAF. They were, Flying Officers F Levy, CL Fox, JF Naylor and DC Shea DFC, Flight Sergeants EES Peck, GM McGuire, and DG Thomas, and Sergeant PW Groom. Naylor and Shea were from the crew of Squadron Leader DRC Wyness DFC.
