April 8/9, 1943



    15 Halifaxes from 405, 408, and 419 Squadrons were joined by 64 Wellingtons from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, and 431 Squadrons  on an attack at Duisberg. The crews were over the target at between 15,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 85,000 lbs of high explosives and 137,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and bombing was scattered.

    F/O W. Colledge and P/O M. Sattler from 405 Squadron returned early due to severe icing.
    F/Lt L. Campbell returned early as the compasses were u/s.
    P/O C. Stovel had the port inner go u/s just before the target. They were hit by flak on return and the Halifax had all the engines quit and go into a spin. P/O G. Bisson RCAF, the 2nd Pilot, Sgt A. Whitteron RCAF, the Flt/engineer, F/Sgt W. Wagner RCAF, the Mid upper gunner, and F/Sgt A. Cox RAF, the Rear gunner, all bailed out. P/O Stovel was able to get the Hailfax under control at a 1,000 feet and 3 engines were started again. This process was completed one more time before they safely made it back to base. “ A RATHER SHAKEY TRIP”.

    F/O C. MacIntosh and crew from 419 Squadron flying Halifax II DT-672 coded VR-D were attacked by a JU-88, there was no claim or damage.
    Sgt J. Morris RCAF and crew from 419 Squadron, flying Halifax II   BB-327 coded VR-Q, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt L. Turner RCAF–POW
      Sgt K. Godbold RAF
      F/O A. Hickey RCAF
      Sgt R. Amos RAF
      Sgt P. Ireland RCAF
      Sgt D. Way RCAF
    6 crew were killed and one POW.

    F/Sgt J. Thomson from 420 Squadron returned early as the stbd engine was u/s. They landed safely at base on one engine.
    F/Sgt W. Horborenko landed at Tempsford on return.
    F/O W. Walkinshaw RCAF and crew, flying Wellington X   MS-479 coded PT-F, failed to return from this operation.

      P/O K. MacDonald RCAF
      W/O2 D. Evans RCAF
      W/O2 F. Bemi RCAF
      W/O2 R. Rispin RCAF
    All were killed.

    F/O L. Brown from 424 Squadron returned early as the navigation aids were u/s.
    F/Sgt J. Ryan returned early as the rear turret was u/s.
    Sgt L. Wilson returned early as they were late taking off and poor weather.
    F/Sgt S. Nicolle was hit by flak, not serious.
    Sgt D. Parker was hit by flak, the port engine was u/s. They landed safely at base on one engine.

    P/O G. Anderson from 425 Squadron returned early due to severe icing.
    F/Sgt J.Smith RCAF and crew, flying Wellington X   HE-592 coded KW-Q, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt P. Smith RAF
      F/Sgt C. Burke RCAF
      F/O R. Cook RCAF
      P/O O. Schulz RCAF
    All were killed.

    F/Sgt S. Pennington from 426 Squadron returned early due to severe icing.
    F/Lt J. McNeill bombed Bocholt due to severe icing.
    F/Lt J. Millward was hit by flak, not serious. They landed at Oakington due to a fuel shortage.
    P/O J. Sammet was hit by flak, not serious. They landed at West Malling on return.

    Sgt A. Erickson from 427 Squadron returned early due to severe icing.

    Sgt R. Parkinson fron 428 Squadron returned early due to severe icing.
    Sgt R. Whitfield returned early as the intercom was u/s.
    Sgt K. Radcliffe was hit by flak, there were holes in the port wing and fuel tanks. They landed safely at Tangmere.
    Sgt L. Williamson was hit by flak, the rear turret was blown off, rudder and hydraulics were damaged. There was no fabric on the rear of the Wellington. Sadly Sgt L. Bertrand RAF, the rear gunner disappeared with the turret and was killed. The crew landed safely at West Malling without any further incidents.
    Sgt W. Harris landed at Topcliffe on return.
    P/O R. Buckham RCAF–POW and crew, flying Wellington III   DF-635 coded NA-I, failed to return from this operation.

      F/O N. Rodin RCAF–POW
      P/O G. Fletcher RAF–POW
      Sgt J. Fraser RCAF–POW
      Sgt T. Whitehead RAF–POW
    All crew were POWs after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    Sgt A. Jameson and W/O D. Jefferis from 429 Squadron returned early due to severe icing.
    Sgt J. Lancaster returned early due to the port engine being u/s and severe icing. They landed safely at base on one engine.
    Sgt R. Ellison was hit by flak, there were holes in the port wing.
    F/O B. Rawson was hit by flak, not serious. They landed at Downham Market on return.

    Sgt J. Reynoldson from 431 Squadron returned early as the generators were u/s.
    S/Ldr W. Mulford returned early as the navigator, F/O D. Gooderham RAF, was sick.
    Sgt R. Barclay and Sgt B. Jackson were hit by flak, not serious.
    F/Sgt L. Haynes landed at Wattisham on return.
    Sgt J. Avery landed at Tangmere on return.