625 Squadron (We Avenge). Target - Dortmund, Germany.
Harding, Oliver (Flight Sergeant)
Killed in Action 1945-February-21
Birth Date: 1925-January-07
Born: Hodgeville, Saskatchewan
Parents: John & Jane Harding
Spouse:
Home: Hodgeville, Saskatchewan (parents)
Enlistment: Regina, Saskatchewan
Enlistment Date: 1942-November-25
Service
RCAF
Unit
625 (B) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)
We Avenge
Base
RAF Kelstern
Rank
Flight Sergeant
Position
Air Gunner
Service Numbers
R/203699
Target
Dortmund Germany
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)Crew or Other Personnel
Lancaster NG267
Mission
Lancaster Mk.I NG267
Ferry Flight Dortmund Germany 1945-February-20 to 1945-February-21
625 (B) Sqn (RAF) Kelstern
On the night of Tuesday 20th February 1945 Bomber Command operated a total of 1,283 sorties: The main force was split into four major attacks: 528 aircraft assigned to attack Dortmund, 173 aircraft to Dusseldorf, 128 aircraft to attack Monheim and 165 aircraft assigned to attack the Mittelland Canal near Gravenhorst (Later aborted by the Master Bomber because of cloud) Minor operations that night consisted of 289 aircraft: a total of 91 aircraft on a Diversionary Sweep across the North Sea, 66 aircraft to attack Berlin, 65 aircraft to carry out Radio Counter Measures, 45 aircraft on Patrol and 16 aircraft assigned to attack Mannheim and six aircraft on Resistance Work. From the night's operations there were a total of 25 aircraft (1.95%): 12 Lancaster aircraft (2.23%) from the attack on Dortmund, four Lancasters and four Halifaxes (4.62%) from the attack on Dusseldorf, two Halifax aircraft from the attack on Monheim (1.56%) and a single Liberator from No.223 Squadron (1.54%) on Bomber Support Duty carrying out Radio Counter Measures. From these 25 aircraft there were a total of 156 casualties; 85 airmen died (54.48%) died, six injured and 65 became Prisoners of War. The casualties came from 21 Bomber Squadrons flying out of 21 airfields operating in five Bomber Groups.Lancaster NG267 Mk.I - Ferry Flight Dortmund Germany - 1945-02-20 to 1945-02-21
Squadron: 625 (B) Sqn (RAF)
Start Date: 1945-02-20
Completion Date: 1945-02-21
Mission: Ferry Flight
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Dortmund Germany
Target Specific:
Base: Kelstern
Take Off Time: 21.22
Squadron Code:
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City:
Crash Specifics:
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason:
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim:
War Diary Unavailable
On the night of Tuesday 20th February 1945 Bomber Command operated a total of 1,283 sorties: The main force was split into four major attacks: 528 aircraft assigned to attack Dortmund, 173 aircraft to Dusseldorf, 128 aircraft to attack Monheim and 165 aircraft assigned to attack the Mittelland Canal near Gravenhorst (Later aborted by the Master Bomber because of cloud) Minor operations that night consisted of 289 aircraft: a total of 91 aircraft on a Diversionary Sweep across the North Sea, 66 aircraft to attack Berlin, 65 aircraft to carry out Radio Counter Measures, 45 aircraft on Patrol and 16 aircraft assigned to attack Mannheim and six aircraft on Resistance Work. From the night's operations there were a total of 25 aircraft (1.95%): 12 Lancaster aircraft (2.23%) from the attack on Dortmund, four Lancasters and four Halifaxes (4.62%) from the attack on Dusseldorf, two Halifax aircraft from the attack on Monheim (1.56%) and a single Liberator from No.223 Squadron (1.54%) on Bomber Support Duty carrying out Radio Counter Measures. From these 25 aircraft there were a total of 156 casualties; 85 airmen died (54.48%) died, six injured and 65 became Prisoners of War. The casualties came from 21 Bomber Squadrons flying out of 21 airfields operating in five Bomber Groups.
6 Bomber Group February 20/21, 1945
112 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 425, 426, 427, 429, and 432 Squadrons were ordered on an attack of the oil refinery at Monheim. The crews were over the target at between 14,000 and 16,000 feet, releasing 698,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused.
While the Halifaxes went to Monheim, 82 Lancasters from 419, 424, 428,431, 433, and 434 Squadrons were ordered on an attack at Dortmund. The crews were over the target at between 17,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 231,000 lbs of high explosives and 579,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
On the night of Tuesday 20th February 1945 Bomber Command operated a total of 1,283 sorties: The main force was split into four major attacks: 528 aircraft assigned to attack Dortmund, 173 aircraft to Dusseldorf, 128 aircraft to attack Monheim and 165 aircraft assigned to attack the Mittelland Canal near Gravenhorst (Later aborted by the Master Bomber because of cloud) Minor operations that night consisted of 289 aircraft: a total of 91 aircraft on a Diversionary Sweep across the North Sea, 66 aircraft to attack Berlin, 65 aircraft to carry out Radio Counter Measures, 45 aircraft on Patrol and 16 aircraft assigned to attack Mannheim and six aircraft on Resistance Work. From the night's operations there were a total of 25 aircraft (1.95%): 12 Lancaster aircraft (2.23%) from the attack on Dortmund, four Lancasters and four Halifaxes (4.62%) from the attack on Dusseldorf, two Halifax aircraft from the attack on Monheim (1.56%) and a single Liberator from No.223 Squadron (1.54%) on Bomber Support Duty carrying out Radio Counter Measures. From these 25 aircraft there were a total of 156 casualties; 85 airmen died (54.48%) died, six injured and 65 became Prisoners of War. The casualties came from 21 Bomber Squadrons flying out of 21 airfields operating in five Bomber Groups.
