August 9/10, 1943
39 Halifaxes from 419, 427 and 428 Squadrons were order to attack Mannheim.
The crews were over the target at between 17,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing
129,000 lbs of incendiaries and 66,000 lbs of high explosives. According
to reports, the target was cloud covered and the attack was scattered.
F/Sgt S. Pekin from 419 Squadron returned early as the rear turret was
u/s.
F/O M. Ludlow RCAF
and crew, flying Halifax II JD-257 coded VR-F, failed to return from this
operation.
Sgt W. Scott RAF
F/O C. Wright RCAF
F/Sgt A. MacLaren RCAF
F/Sgt C. Smyth RCAF
F/Sgt D. See RCAF
F/Sgt W. de Molitor RCAF
All were killed.
P/O W. Weston from 427 Squadron returned early as the port inner was
u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/O D. Arnot returned early as the rear turret was u/s.
F/Sgt J. Milton returned early due to severe icing.
Sgt D. Welch landed at Elvington on return.
F/Sgt W. Biggs RAF and crew, flying Halifax V EB-257 coded ZL-P, were
attacked twice by FW-190s. On the second pass the FW-190 was shot down,
not before inflicting severe damage. The stbd wing caught fire and Sgt
J. Elliott, the Flt/engineer cut a hole through the fuselage and emptied
all the fire extinguishers to put the fire out. The elevators were seriously
damaged, requiring two crew members to hold the control column forward.
This was later tied forward with a piece of rope. The crew was able to
return to England.
Sgt R. Deegan RCAF
Sgt J. Elloitt RAF
Sgt J. Read RAF
Sgt A. Richards RAF
Sgt L. Moyer RAF
Sgt H. McLean RAF
F/Sgt R. Fisher RCAF
The Halifax crashed to earth at Hartford Bridge, all bailed out safely.
F/Sgt W. Kruse from 428 Squadron returned early as the port inner was
u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
Sgt B. Harrison returned early after they were attacked by an ME-109.
They were raked from end to end. Sgt J. Martin RAF, the wireless operator
and Sgt G. Colville RAF, the Flt/engineer were seriously injured. They
landed safely at base without further incident.