February 13/14, 1943
23 Halifaxes from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 69 Wellingtons
from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, and 428 Squadrons on an attack at Lorient.
The crews were over the target at between 13,000 and 18,000 feet, releasing
228,000 lbs of high explosives and 157,000 lbs of incendiaries. According
to reports, there were clear skies over the target, and severe damage was
caused again.
Sgt E. Sirett from 408 Squadron returned early as the port outer was
u/s. They landed safely at Pershore on 3 engines.
F/Sgt A. Grubert returned early as the stbd outer was u/s. They landed
safely at base on 3 engines.
F/O C. Hatle returned early as one engine was u/s. They landed safely
at Boscombe Down on 3 engines.
Sgt K. Greig returned early as the oxygen system was u/s. They landed
at Holmsley South.
Sgt D. Childers was hit by flak, not serious.
F/Sgt A. Ross landed at Beaulieu on return.
Sgt R. Wright landed at Middle Wallop on return.
Sgt A. Green from 419 Squadron returned early as the intercom was u/s.
W/Cdr M. Fleming returned early as the oxygen system was u/s
Sgt J. Clary from 420 Squadron landed at Pershore on return.
F/Sgt W. Horborenko landed at Exeter on return.
P/O S. Dunn landed at Breighton on return.
Sgt T. Lawson, F/Sgt J. Thomson, Sgt P. Cozens, and P/O J. Morton landed
at Pershore on return.
F/O L. Gibson, RCAF
and crew, flying Wellington III BK-330 coded PT-K, failed to return
from this operation.
F/O F. Chapman, RAF
Sgt B. Somerford, RAF
Sgt T. Hughes, RAF
F/Sgt D. MacDonald, RCAF
All were killed.
Sgt D. Parker from 424 Squadron returned early due to poor weather.
They landed at Beaulieu.
F/O C. Amies landed at Wickenby on return.
Sgt A. Harrison landed at Chipping Warden on return.
F/Sgt L. Forbes collided with another aircraft over York. The front
turret was damaged and control was momentarily lost. 2 crew members bailed
out, but control was regained and they landed safely at base.
Sgt J. Gauthier from 425 Squadron returned early as the stbd engine
was u/s. They landed safely at base on one engine.
P/O S. Murrell was involved in a mid-air collision with an Anson. They
landed safely at Harwell.
Sgt A. Steen from 426 Squadron landed at Pershore on return due to a
fuel shortage.
F/O J.McNeill landed at Moreton-in-the-Marsh on return due to a fuel
shortage.
Sgt A. Erickson from 427 Squadron returned early as they were lost.
Sgt E. Williams returned early due to severe icing.
F/Lt P. Peters landed at Harwell on return.
Sgt E. Eames landed at Harwell on return.
Sgt B. Chambers landed at Middle Wallop on return.
W/Cdr D. Burnside landed at Leeming on return.
Sgt G. Taylor was hit by flak, not serious. They landed at Ramsbury
on return.
S/Ldr D. Smith from 428 Squadron returned early as the engine tachometers
were u/s.
Sgt J. Cartier returned early as the dinghy blew out of the wing. They
landed safely at Dalton.
F/Lt F. Bowden had the load hang up over the target.
Sgt C. Pearce landed at Pershore on return due to a fuel shortage.
Sgt R. Buckham had the stbd engine u/s on return. They landed safely
on one engine at Wellesbourne Mountford.