December 2/3, 1943
36 Lancasters from 408, 426, and 432 Squadrons were ordered on an attack
at Berlin. The crews were over the target at between 19,000 and 22,000
feet, releasing 112,000 lbs of high explosives and 74,000 lbs of incendiaries.
According to reports, the target was cloud covered with some damage caused
in the industrial area.
F/O R. Clark from 408 Squadron returned early as the rear turret was
u/s. They landed at Topcliffe.
P/O S. Laine landed at Mildenhall on return due to poor weather at
base.
P/O L. Morrison had the rear turret and intercom u/s on return.
All other crews landed at Honeybourne on return due to poor weather
at base.
P/O P. Logan from 426 Squadron returned early as the navigation aids
were u/s.
F/Sgt R. Jarman returned early as they were unable to climb through
the icing.
F/O A. Martens returned early as they were unable to maintain height
due to icing.
P/O J. Brown was hit by flak, not serious.
P/O D. Berry was hit by flak, the port outer and stbd outer was u/s.
They landed safely at Manston on 2 engines.
P/O A. Davies landed at Horham due to a fuel shortage.
F/Sgt J. Coulombe was attacked 5 times by a JU-88. On the last pass,
tracer was seen to enter the JU-88 which dove steeply away. Damage to their
Lancaster was: port inner u/s, port tire flat, and fuel tanks holed. They
landed safely at Snetterton Heath on 3 engines.
F/O M. Shaw RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster II DS-770 coded OW-J,
failed to return from this operation.
Sgt A. McDonald, RAF
F/O R. Waddington, RCAF
F/Sgt F. McKernan, RCAF
Sgt D. Pearson, RAF
F/O J. Cumming-Bart, RCAF
Sgt H. Keast, RCAF
All were killed.
Sgt W. Pay, F/O A. Mercer, and F/Lt C. Barrett from Squadron all returned
early with frozen guns. They all landed at Topcliffe.
F/Sgt P. Dennis returned early as one engine was u/s. They landed safely
at base on 3 engines.
F/O H. Hatfield was hit by flak, the stbd wing was damaged.
Sgt J. McIntosh was hit by flak, the rear turret, port and stbd inner
engines were damaged. They landed safely at Manston on 2 engines.
F/O C. Wales, flying Lancaster II DS-851 coded QO-D, was attacked
by an enemy aircraft. The hydraulic system was damaged. On landing they
overshot and crashed into a field severely damaging the Lancaster.
Sgt J. Dickinson RAF
F/Sgt J. Evans RAF
Sgt J. Garvey RAF
Sgt J. Aplin RAF
Sgt D. Thomas RAF
F/Lt G. Rainville RCAF
The crew was unhurt.
P/O T. Spink landed at Pershore on return.
F/Sgt A. Slegg, RCAF
and crew, flying Lancaster II LL-618 coded QO-F, failed to return
from this operation.
F/Sgt J. Goodwin, RCAF
Sgt J. Wadsworth, RAF
W/O2 G. Lowle, RCAF
F/Lt S. Baker, RCAF
W/O2 A. Morgan, RCAF
Sgt W. Stinson, RCAF
Sgt W. Green, RCAF
All were killed.
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