26 Halifaxes from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 64 Wellingtons from 420, 424, 425, 426, 427, and 428 Squadrons on an attack at Cologne. The crews were over the target at between 12,000 and 18,000 feet, releasing 186,000 lbs of high explosives and 167,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the south-west sector was damaged in this raid.
Sgt E. Troy from 408 Squadron returned early as the compasses were u/s.
P/O W. Sherk from 419 Squadron had the port outer go u/s outbound. They bombed from 9,000 feet and returned safely to base on 3 engines.
Sgt J. Clary from 420 Squadron returned early as the stbd engine was
u/s. They landed safely at base on one engine.
F/Sgt B. Chamney, RCAF W/O2 P. Mitchell, RCAF F/Sgt L. Kellaway, RCAF
Sgt P. Heden from 424 Squadron was hit by flak, there were holes in the fuselage and tail plane.
Sgt R. Lacerte from 425 Squadron had the port engine go u/s. They crash landed at Harwick without injuries.
F/Sgt H. Rands RCAF and crew from 426 Squadron, flying Wellington III Z-1599 coded OW-M, failed to return from this operation.
F/Sgt H. Vey, RCAF–POW Sgt W. Cameron, RCAF Sgt R. Williams, RAF Sgt R. Dean, RAF
Sgt G. Taylor RAF and crew from 427 Squadron, flying Wellington III BK-268 coded ZL-C, crashed on return at Woolfax Lodge.
Sgt J. Partos, RAF Sgt A. Marlow, RAF Sgt K. Smith, RCAF F/Sgt R. Lewis, RAF Sgt W. Harwood RAF and crew, flying Wellington III BJ-886 coded ZL-F, failed to return from this operation.
Sgt H. Steel, RAF F/Sgt T. Smith, RCAF Sgt V. Caplin, RAF F/Sgt C. Leach, RCAF
Sgt R. Parkinson from 428 Squadron returned early as the port engine
was u/s. They landed safely at base on one engine.
S/Ldr F. Holmes from 429 Squadron returned early as they had an electrical
failure.
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