Daily Operations

December 2/3, 1944

131 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 432, 433, and 434 squadrons were joined by 48 Lancasters from 419, 428 and 431 squadron on an attack at Hagen. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 18,000 feet, releasing 1,424,000 lbs of high explosives and 262,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate with severe damage being caused. A factory making batteries for U-Boats was completely destroyed.
All crews commented on the severe icing to and from the target on this night.

F/O D. McTaggart from 415 squadron had the stbd outer u/s on return. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/O J. McGuire landed at Downham Market on return due to a fuel shortage.
F/O L. Belcher landed at North Pickenham on return due to a fuel shortage.

F/O F. Dawson from 419 squadron had the port outer u/s due to icing on return. They landed safely at Mendlesham on return.
F/O B. Hyndman had his Lancaster drop from 16,000 to 3,000 feet due to severe icing.
F/Lt A. Warner and crew, flying Lancaster X KB-786 coded VR-P, were attacked by an unidentified twin engine aircraft, there was no claim or damage.
F/Lt H. Collard, F/O N. Vatne, F/Lt A. Bishop, and F/Lt W. Armstrong landed at Mendlesham on return.
F/O G. Begg landed at Horham on return.

F/Lt L. Brand from 420 squadron landed at Linton on Ouse on return.

F/Lt D. Ross from 424 squadron returned early due to severe icing and some instruments being u/s.
F/O G. Reynolds returned early as they had a collision over base. There was damage to the nose of their Halifax.
F/Lt J. Stalberger was hit by flak, not serious.
P/O A. Mackie landed at Horham due to a fuel shortage.

P/O W. Corbett from 425 squadron returned early as they were unable to raise the under carriage.
F/O G. Perrier was hit by flak, not serious.

F/O R. Laturner RCAF and crew from 428 Squadron, flying Lancaster X KB-766 coded NA-O, encountered severe icing outbound. They could not maintain height so the crew bailed out and F/O Laturner crash landed the Lancaster near Beauvais Tille. Sadly Sgt M. Hempseed RAF , the Flt/Engineer, and F/O M. Sucharov RCAF , the navigator, were killed. The rest of the crew was uninjured.

F/O R. Laturner RCAF and crew from 428 Squadron, flying Lancaster X KB-766 coded NA-O, encountered severe icing outbound. They could not maintain height so the crew bailed out and F/O Laturner crash landed the Lancaster near Beauvais Tille. Sadly Sgt M. Hempseed RAF , the Flt/Engineer and F/O M. Sucharov RCAF , the navigator, were killed. The rest of the crew was uninjured.
F/Sgt L. Read, F/O R. Dench, F/O H. Walker, F/O N. Noel, F/O J. Lindsay, and S/Ldr M. Ferguson landed at Mendlesham on return.

F/Lt P. Robb from 429 squadron was hit by flak, not serious. They landed at Skipton on Swale on return.
F/O C. Pope landed at Woodbridge on return.

F/Lt F. Horan from 432 Squadron was hit by flak before the target. There were holes throughout the fuselage and F/O K. Lunny RCAF, the navigator, was slightly injured. They landed at Antwerp on return due to a fuel shortage.
F/O D. Frost and crew, flying Halifax VII NP-817 coded QO-D, were attacked by an FW-190, there was no claim or damage.
F/Lt J. Sales landed at Rackheath on return.

F/O N. Mara from 433 squadron was attacked by an ME-410, there was no claim or damage.
F/Lt W. Miller and F/Lt E. Barsby landed at Horham on return due to fuel shortages.
F/Lt W. Cook RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III MZ-807 coded BM-C, failed to return from this operation.

F/Lt T. Coghlan from 434 Squadron returned early as the port inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Lt R. Henry and crew, flying Halifax III MZ-435 coded WL-D, were attacked by an unidentified single engine enemy aircraft, the was no claim or damage.
F/Lt J. Rothenbush and crew, flying Halifax III MZ-913 coded WL-J, were attacked by an unidentified twin engine enemy aircraft, there was no claim or damage.
F/O G. Marlow landed at Linton on Ouse due to a fuel shortage.