Daily Operations

December 20/21, 1943

33 Lancasters from 408, 426, and 432 Squadrons were joined by 83 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431, and 434 Squadrons on an attack at Frankfurt. The crews were over the target at between 17,000 and 22,000 feet, releasing 288,000 lbs of high explosives and 427,000 lbs incendiaries. According to reports, some bombing was situated around a decoy fire but creep back brought the bombing bay into the city. Some serious damage was caused.

F/Lt W. Wilton from 408 Squadron returned early as the rear turret was u/s.
2nd/Lt M. Humphrey returned early as some instruments were u/s.
F/Lt R. Burns had the port inner go u/s over the target. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
P/O L. Morrison RAAF–Evd and crew, flying Lancaster II DS-704 code EQ-W, failed to return from this operation.

P/O K. Brager RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster II DS-758 coded EQ-H, failed to return from this operation.

F/O L. Lucas from 419 Squadron returned early as the stbd inner and radios were u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Sgt R. Herbert returned early as the compasses were u/s.

P/O J. Brown from 426 Squadron returned early as the oxygen system to the mid upper turret was u/s.
P/O S. McDonald returned early as one engine was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
P/O W. Griffin RCAF–POW and crew, flying Lancaster II DS-763 coded OW-U, failed to return from this operation.

P/O F. Stuart RAF and crew, flying Lancaster II LL-630 coded OW-D, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt A. King from Squadron had the port tire blow on takeoff. On return the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Sgt C. Fisher was attacked by an enemy aircraft, there were a few holes in the fuselage.
F/O G. Weldon was attacked by an enemy aircraft on the bombing run. The stbd inner and hydraulics were u/s. On final approach the stbd outer quit. They landed safely at base on 2 engines.
F/Sgt C. Coathup landed at Spilsby on return.
F/O R. Lacerte RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax V LK-627 coded ZL-K, failed to return from this operation.

F/O J. Grieve RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-644 coded ZL-C, failed to return from this operation.

F/O A. Day-Winter from 428 Squadron bombed Mannheim.
P/O E. Skyes landed at Mildenhall on return due to an engine problem.
P/O W. Armour RAAF and crew, flying Halifax V EB-252 coded NA-P, failed to return from this operation.

F/Sgt J. Keighan RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax V LK-928 coded NA-B, failed to return from this operation.

P/O E. Willey and F/O J. Keenan from 429 Squadron returned early with technical problems.

P/O P. Davis from 431 Squadron returned early as F/Sgt B. Clarke RAF, the rear gunner was sick.

F/Lt C. Wales from 432 Squadron was attacked by a JU-88, there were no claims or damages.
F/O A. Mercer was attacked by a JU-88 with air to air rockets, there was no damage or claim.
F/O D. Von Laufer landed at Graveley on return.

P/O J. Snelgrove from 434 Squadron returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Sgt J. Keane returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
P/O J. Pollard landed at Leeming on return.
F/Sgt R. Stanley landed at New Market on return.
P/O W. Ferrier RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-686 coded WL-L, failed to return from this operation.

P/O A. Austin RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax V LK-970 coded WL-N, failed to return from this operation.

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