25 Halifaxes from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 17 Wellingtons
from 420, 425, and 426 Squadrons on an attack at Hamburg. The crews were
over the target at between 12,000 and 22,500 feet, releasing 36,000 lbs
of high explosives and 96,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports,
the target was cloud covered and bombing was scattered. The weather was
poor, with icing forcing many crews to return to base.
W/Cdr W. Ferris from 408 Squadron returned early as the gyros and instruments
were u/s.
P/O T. Kaye returned early as the intercom was u/s.
Sgt K. Greig returned early due to severe icing.
Sgt I. MacKenzie had one engine go u/s on return. They landed safely
at Coltishall on 3 engines.
F/Sgt M. Marment returned early due to severe icing.
Sgt A .Grant was hit by flak, not serious.
F/O R Gamble encountered severe icing on return. The port inner was
u/s. They landed safely at Docking on 3 engines.
F/Lt W. Black RCAF
and crew, flying Halifax II DT-680 coded EQ-D, failed to return
from this operation.
Sgt S. Eardley RAF–POW
Sgt B. Howe RAF–POW
F/Sgt F. Waite RCAF–POW
Sgt J. Taplin RAF–POW
Sgt J. Aubry RCAF–POW
P/O I. Imrie RCAF–POW
The pilot was killed when he stayed too long keeping control for the rest
of the crew to jump. The rest of the crew were POWs.
W/Cdr M. Fleming from 419 Squadron returned early as the controls were
frozen due to severe icing.
F/O C. Porter, P/O M. McLaughlin, and F/Sgt. A. Bell all returned due
to severe icing.
Sgt A. Jackson returned early as the turrets were u/s.
S/Ldr D. Clark and crew flying Halifax II DT-615 coded VR-P were attacked
by a ME-110, there was no claim or damage.
Sgt B. Heintz returned early as one engine was u/s and the bomb doors
fell open. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
S/Ldr D. Clark and crew, flying Halifax II DT-615 coded VR-P, was involved
in a combat
with an ME-110. There were no claims or damage.
Sgt M. Gray was hit by flak over the target, the hydraulics were damaged.
P/O J. MacKenzie RCAF
and crew, flying Halifax II DT-630 coded VR-T, failed to return
from this operation.
Sgt W. Duthie RCAF
W/O2 L. Gonnet RCAF–POW
Sgt E. Marquand RCAF–POW
W/O2 R. Hill RCAF
Sgt L. Gonnett RCAF
F/Sgt A. Milton RAF–POW
4 crew killed and 3 POWs after being shot down by a Nightfighter.
Sgt G. Perks, S/Ldr D. Jacobs, F/Sgt R. Taylor and F/Sgt G. Tubman from
420 Squadron returned early due to severe icing.
F/Sgt J. Thomson returned early as the rear turret froze up.
F/Lt J. Hudson from 425 Squadron returned early as the rear turret was
u/s.
Sgt J. Brousseau, F/Sgt A. Jackson and Sgt J. Rivard returned early
due to severe icing.
P/O R. Smith returned early as one engine was u/s.
F/Sgt C. Spooner landed at East Wretham.
S/Ldr L. Crooks from 426 squadron returned early due to severe icing.
S/Ldr C. Dowie was hit by flak, the hydraulics were u/s, causing the
flaps, under carriage, and bomb doors to come down. They landed safely
at Coltishall.
W/O2 P. Maries was being guided by ground crew at Coltishall, when
they hit a truck causing damage to the port propeller, wing, and fuselage.