Squadron: 35 (PFF) Sqn (RAF)
Start Date: 1944-02-19
Completion Date: 1944-02-20
Mission: Combat
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Leipzig Germany
Target Specific:
Base: RAF Graveley
Take Off Time: 23:51
Squadron Code: TL-J
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: Beedenbostel Germany
Crash Specifics:
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: fighter
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim: Ju88 flown by Felwebel Frank of NJG3
War Diary Unavailable
6 Bomber Group February 19/20, 1944
31 Lancaster from 408 and 426 Squadrons were joined by 98 Halifaxes from 419, 420, 424, 425, 427, 428, 429, 431, 433, and 434 Squadrons on an attack at Leipzig. The crews were over the target at between 19,000 and 25,000 feet, releasing 112,000 lbs of high explosives and 422,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and the attack was scattered. The crews were met by strong winds and fierce fighter attacks. 18 crews, or 128 men failed to return from operations.
Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
35 Squadron RAF (Uno Anima Agimus), Pathfinder Force, RAF Graveley. Halifax III aircraft HX325 TL-J was shot down by a Ju88 night fighter flown by Felwebel Frank of NJG3 on February 21, 1944 while engaged in an operation against targets in Leipzig, Germany. The aircraft crashed at Beedenbostel, Germany
Knight was killed by the night fighter. Sale, although wounded during the action, stayed at the controls so his crew could bale out, crash-landed his aircraft and managed to get out. It was his fiftieth trip. Sale was taken Prisoner of War and died in hospital a month later from his wounds. The rest of his surviving crew, Carter, Bodnar, Lamb, Rogers and Cross were taken as Prisoners of War
Halifax HX325 (19/02/1944) I No.35 Squadron
Aircraft losses from Graveley 1942-1945. I RAF Graveley
RAF Commands
Bronxville, New York, USA
