Bourke, Joseph Michael John (Flight Lieutenant)

War Diary Unavailable

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6 Bomber Group January 21/22, 1944

45 Lancasters from 408, 426 and 432 squadrons were joined by 69 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431, 433, and 434 squadrons on an attack at Magdeburg. The crews were over the target at between 18,000 and 23,000 feet, releasing 290,000 lbs of high explosives and 454,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the attack was scattered with little damage. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)

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Outbound shot down from 21000 feet over Perleberg Germany

Lancaster aircraft LL 672 was shot down by German Major Heinrich Wittenstein flying a JU-88 aircraft while engaged in a night trip to Magdeburg, Germany. Sergeantt P McQueeny (RAF) was also killed. Two Canadians, Flight Lieutenant JM Bourke, Flying Officer EJ Clare, and three RAF members of the crew were taken Prisoner of War.

Major Wittenstein had shot down 83 four engine aircraft, at night, using the upward firing cannons. After the war, Earl James Clare of Port Credit, Ontario said, Our aircraft was attacked twice by a night fighter and was on fire as five of us baled out. I can't tell you what happened to Al Williston, whether he hit the tailplane or if it exploded before he got out. The JU-88 got caught in the explosion and it also was on fire. Major Wittenstein was killed but his radar operator baled out. The radar operator reported that they were hit by machine gun fire from the Lancaster and were on fire.

January 21 1944 Operations Record Book

RAF Commands