Daily Operations

February 19/20, 1944

31 Lancaster from 408 and 426 Squadrons were joined by 98 Halifaxes from 419, 420, 424, 425, 427, 428, 429, 431, 433, and 434 Squadrons on an attack at Leipzig. The crews were over the target at between 19,000 and 25,000 feet, releasing 112,000 lbs of high explosives and 422,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and the attack was scattered. The crews were met by strong winds and fierce fighter attacks. 18 crews, or 128 men failed to return from operations.

F/O J. White from 408 Squadron returned early due to the oxygen system being u/s.
F/Sgt. P. Fillion returned early as the stbd outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Lt. W. Stewart was hit by flak, the port wing and fuselage was damaged.
F/O J. Frampton, RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster II DS-788 coded EQ-C, failed to return from this operation.

F/Sgt. B. Greip, RCAF–POW and crew, flying Lancaster II LL-632 coded EQ-G, failed to return from this operation.

F/Lt. E. Winn RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster II LL-720 coded EQ-R, failed to return from this operation.

F/O G. Richter, RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster II LL-719 coded EQ-V, failed to return from this operation.

F/O A. Byford of 419 Squadron, flying Halifax II JP-204 coded VR-E was involved in a combat with either a JU-88 or an ME-210.
F/O H. Brown and crew, flying Halifax II JP-200 coded VR-G, was in combat with an FW-190. There was no claim or damage.
P/O G. Scade and crew, flying Halifax II JD-459 coded VR-Q, were in combat with a JU-88. They were also hit by flak, which resulted in holes in the port wing.
P/O D. MacLeod, RCAF and crew, flying Halifax II JD-114 coded VR-V, failed to return from this operation.

F/O L. Lucas, RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax II LW-327 coded VR-A, failed to return from this operation.

F/Sgt H. Foy and crew from 420 Squadron, flying Halifax III LW-389 coded PT-N, in a combat with a JU-88, there was no claim or damage. They landed at Coltishall on return.
W/O2 J. Boadway landed at Harwell on return.

F/Lt. N. Loudoun from 424 squadron returned early as the radios were u/s.
F/O D. Crosbie bombed at flak position because of wrongly broadcasted winds.
F/Lt. E. Mallett landed at Downham Market on return due to a fuel shortage.

P/O R. Jarman from 426 squadron returned early as the port inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
P/O M. McKenzie, RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster II DS-776 coded OW-A, failed to return from this operation.

F/Sgt. C. Fisher from 427 squadron returned early as the rear turret was u/s.
F/Sgt. C. Coathup returned early due to severe icing.
F/O R. Laut returned early as the port inner was u/s, they landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Lt. F. Murray returned early as the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/O D. Olsvik, RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III LV-829 coded ZL-D, failed to return from this operation.

F/Sgt. K. Hawthorn from 428 squadron returned early due to severe icing.
F/Sgt. S. Side returned early due to severe icing.
F/O W. Blake and crew, flying Halifax II JN-967 coded NA-X, were hit by flak, there were holes in the fuselage, both turrets, one tire was flat and the under carriage was damaged. They were also in combat with an FW-190, and four times by a JU-88. Cannon fire entered the fuselage, and cut off oxygen supply to the rear turret. They landed safely at base without injuries.
F/O N. Brown and crew, flying Halifax II JN-967 coded NA-X, was involved in a combat with a JU-88. No claim of damage was made against the JU-88 and none sustained by the Halifax.
F/O A. Woolverton, RCAF and crew, flying Halifax II JD-271 coded NA-M, failed to return from this operation.

P/O E. Willey from 429 squadron returned early with technical problems.
F/Lt R. Hunt and crew, flying Halifax V LL-178 coded AL-V, were in combat with an ME-109. The mid upper gunner claims some strikes on the fighter, but no damage to the Halifax.
F/Lt. J. Bowen, RAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-993 coded AL-J, failed to return from this operation.

F/Lt. J. Stephen, RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-974 coded AL-Z, failed to return from this operation.

F/O L. Fincham, RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-662 coded AL-Q, failed to return from this operation.

F/Lt. J.Hill from 431 squadron returned early as both stbd engines were u/s. They landed safely at base on 2 engines.
F/Sgt. J. Artyniuk returned early as the port inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Lt. J. Valentine was attacked by an enemy aircraft there was no claim or damage. On return the stbd inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/O M. Sonshine, RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-905 coded SE-D, failed to return from this operation.

P/O J. Howell, RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-964 coded SE-T failed to return from this operation.

F/Sgt. J. Mitchell from 433 squadron returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Sgt. J. Monahan returned early as the overload pump was u/s.
F/Sgt. G. Hall landed at Coltishall on return due to a fuel shortage.
F/Sgt J. James and crew, flying Halifax III HX-275 coded BM-S, was in combat with an ME-109 and an FW-190. The rear gunner claims slight damage to the ME-109. No damage to the Halifax.
F/Sgt R. Thomas and crew, flying Halifax III HX-287 coded BM-U, was in combat with a JU-88. The Halifax suffered strikes on the port wing, no damage was claimed to the JU-88.
P/O R. McKay, RCAF and crew, flying Halifax III HX-230 coded BM-P failed to return from this operation.

F/O J. Hammond from 434 squadron returned early as the radios were u/s.
F/Sgt. H. Hawley and crew flying Halifax V LK-703 coded WL-W, was in combat with multiple JU-88s. Their Halifax was hit and lost 2 engines. They jettisoned the load and returned safely to base on 2 engines.
F/Sgt D. Evans RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-682 coded WL-R, was in combat with a single engined aircraft. Tracer was seen to hit the target.
F/O C. Murray, RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LL-255 coded WL-V failed to return from this operation.

S/Ldr. L. Cameron, RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LK-945 coded WL-O, failed to return from this operation.

P/O H. Beames, RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V LL-257 coded WL-Z, failed to return from this operation.