6 Group Unavailable
On the night of Saturday 10th April 1943 Bomber Command operated a total of 513 sorties: 502 aircraft were assigned to attack Frankfurt, Seven aircraft to lay sea mines off the Frisian Islands and four O.T.U. aircraft from No.92 Group to carry nickel raids. Complete cloud cover obscured the target. The operation was classed as a failure and only a few bombs fell in the S of the River Main. From the night's operations a total of 23 (Identified) aircraft (4.48%) all from the attack on Frankfurt: a total of nine Wellington's six Short Stirling's, five Lancasters and three Halifaxes became non effective and struck off charge. From these aircraft a total of 128 (Identified) airmen became casualties: 102 airmen died, two were injured 14 became Prisoners of War and seven were interned in a neutral country. These 23 aircraft came from six Bomber Group and were serving on 19 Squadrons flying out of 18 airfields; there would be many empty chairs in the various Messes, as the Committee of Adjustment would be emptying the cupboards and lockers sorting out the personal effects and telegrams would soon be dispatched to the next of kin with many family lives being changed forever.
Wellington aircraft X 3334 was shot down in the Darmstadt Forest, Germany. Four RAF crew members were also killed.
