April30/May 1, 1944


    114 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 Squadrons were ordered to attack the rail yards at Somain. The crews were over the target at between 6,000 and 8,500 feet, releasing 1,196,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports the target was clear but many loads fell in open country.

    F/O W. Campbell from 420 Squadron landed at Chedburgh on return due to a fuel shortage.
    F/Lt E. Northern RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LW-476 coded PT-J, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt L. Franklin RCAF
      F/O F. Morrison RCAF
      P/O N. Venber RCAF
      F/Sgt C. Lines RAF
      P/O W. Young RCAF
      F/O A. Hall RCAF
    All were killed.

    F/Sgt R. Burton from 424 Squadron was hit by flak, not serious.

    P/O L. Brochu had the port outer go u/s outbound. They bombed the target and returned safely to base on 3 engines.

    F/O M. Strange from 427 Squadron was attacked by a Nightfighter, there were cannon shell holes in the tail and fuselage. They did not drop the load as it hung up over the target.

    F/Lt T. Rawlinson from 429 Squadron was hit by flak, not serious.

    P/O F. Badgery from 431 Squadron returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.

    F/O H. Smith from 432 Squadron was attacked by a JU-88, there was no claim or damage.
     

    While some crews went to Somain, 30 Halifaxes from 428, 433, and 434 Squadrons were ordered on a mining operation to Lorient, St. Nazaire, Cherbourg, Le Havre, Morlaix, St. Malo, and the Frisian Islands. The crews were over the gardens at between 8,000 and 15,000 feet, sowing 56@1500 lb mines.

    P/O R. McCullough and F/O W. Wright from 434 Squadron returned early as their navigation aids were u/s.
     


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