6 Bomber Group April 24/25, 1944
21 Lancasters from 408 and 426 squadrons were joined by 116 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, 429, 431, 432, and 433 Squadrons on an attack at Karlsruhe. The crews were over the target at between 15,000 and 23,000 feet, releasing 248,000 lbs of high explosives and 401,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and bombing was scattered. All crews commented on the severe icing to this target.
18 Halifaxes from 419, 428 and 434 Squadrons were ordered on a mining operation to St. Malo, Cherbourg and the Frisian Islands. The crews were over the garden at between 10,000 and 12,000 feet, sowing 36@1500 lb mines. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
The aircraft, piloted by Flight Lieutenant JL Cooper DFC, was returning to Woodhall Spa from an attack by 5 Group Bomber Command on the railway centre at Munich, Germany, when it was attacked by a night fighter piloted by Hauptmann Gerhard Raht of 4/NJG3, and crashed at 02:43 between Aichstetten and Tigerfeld, 5km NW of Zwiefalten . 6 of the crew survived and became PoWs. One, Flying Officer GJ Harden DFC, RAF was killed.
There was one Canadian in the crew, Flying Officer JHCA Lepine DFM. The others (Flight Lieutenants JL Cooper DFC and FE Drew DFC, and Flying Officers TW Clarkson, GJ Harden DFC, AE Pelly and FJ Tucker) were all in the RAF.
