February 24/25, 1944
35 Lancaster from 408 and 426 squadrons were joined by 52 Halifaxes
from 420, 424, 425, 427, 432 and 433 squadrons on an attack at Schweinfurt.
The crews were over the target at between 17,000 and 26,000 feet,
releasing 136,000 lbs of high explosives and 251,000 lbs of incendiaries.
According to reports, the attack was scattered.
F/O H. Chekaluck from 408 squadron was hit by flak, there were holes
in the fuselage and F/O Chekaluck was hit in the arm and leg. He was able
to land safely at Hampstead Norris.
P/O A. Bryson landed at Stanton Harcourt on return.
S/Ldr. W. Russell landed at Lindholme on return.
F/O D. Ryan landed at Wing on return.
F/O J. White landed at Gransden Lodge on return.
W/O2 J. Harvey landed at Westcott on return.
F/Lt. W. Stewart landed at Silverstone on return.
P/O H.Sherlock, RAF
and crew flying Lancaster II DS-844, coded EQ-X, failed to return from
this operation.
Sgt. H. Basten, RAF
F/O J. Hillman, RCAF
P/O H. Cunliffe, RAF
F/Sgt. R. Nurse, RAF
Sgt. A. Emerson, RCAF
F/Sgt. W. Walker, RAF
All were killed.
F/Sgt. A. Keiller, RCAF–POW, and crew flying Lancaster II DS-731, coded
EQ-O, failed to return from this operation.
Sgt. G. Parson, RAF–POW
F/O G. McKiel, RCAF–POW
Sgt. C. Hawkins, RCAF–POW
P/O A. Walker, RCAF–POW
P/O M. Hodgins, RCAF
Sgt. R. Loomer, RCAF–POW
1 crew member was killed and 6 POWs after being shot down by a nightfighter.
F/O H. Long, RCAF
and crew flying Halifax III LW-427, coded PT-C from 420 squadron failed
to return from this operation.
Sgt. W. Botterill, RAF
F/Sgt. R. Gile, USAAF
F/Sgt. D. Richardson, RCAF
P/O M. Knight, RCAF
Sgt. H. Hirst,
RCAF
Sgt. D. Crawley, RCAF
All were killed when shot down by a Nightfighter.
*Any decendants or relatives wishing information on the loss of this
aircraft and crew please email me.
F/O D. Crosbie from 424 squadron returned early as the fuel pumps were
u/s.
F/Sgt. R. Burton was hit by flak, there were holes in the wings. They
landed at West Malling on return due to poor weather at base.
F/Lt. R. Lawlor had the port inner go u/s on return. They landed safely
at Manston on 3 engines.
F/O W. Hill was attacked by an enemy aircraft. There was no claim or
damage. They landed at Bovington on return due to poor weather at base.
P/O H. Wilton and F/Sgt. D. MacKenzie landed at West Malling on return
due to poor weather at base.
F/Sgt. H. Kirkby landed at Oakley on return due to poor weather at
base.
W/O2 A. Mather and crew, flying Halifax III LW-438 coded QB-T, were
in combatwith
an ME-109 and an ME-110. They landed at Westcott on return due to poor
weather at base.
F/Sgt. C. Stewart landed at Wing due to poor weather at base.
F/O E. Kirk from 425 squadron returned early as the oxygen system was
u/s.
Sgt. E. Stowell returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed
safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Lt. H. Bow from 426 squadron returned early as the rear turret was
u/s.
P/O R. Jarman and crew, flying Lancaster II LL-634 coded OW-F, were
attacked by a JU-88, there was no claim or damage.
F/Sgt. C. McIllwain landed at Manston due to a fuel shortage.
F/Lt. J. Milton from 427 squadron returned early as the port engines
were vibrating badly.
F/Sgt. A. King returned early as the port inner was u/s. They landed
safely at Hurn on 3 engines.
F/Sgt. C. Coathup returned early as the electrical system was u/s.
F/O T. Cooper landed at Lyneham on return due to a fuel shortage.
P/O J. McIntosh from 432 squadron returned early as the oxygen system
was u/s.
F/Sgt. J. J. Cooper returned early as the fuel tanks were leaking badly.
F/O E. Reid swung off the runway on takeoff and crashed. The crew was
uninjured.
F/O W. Smith was attacked by an enemy aircraft, the hydraulics were
damaged. They landed at Little Horwood.
F/Sgt. D. Maddock was hit by flak, there were holes in the stbd wing.
They landed safely at Stanton Harcourt.
P/O H. Whaley landed at Little Horwood on return.
F/Lt. J. H. Cooper landed at Ford on return.
F/Sgt. W. Fernyhough landed at Waddington on return.
F/Sgt. J. Smith from 433 squadron returned early as their aircraft was
burning too much fuel.
P/O K. White landed at Tangmere on return due to a fuel shortage.
W/O2 C. Nielson was hit by flak, not serious.
S/Ldr. H. Patterson landed at Snaith on return.
F/Sgt. J. Monahan landed at Barford St. John on return.
F/Sgt. W. Russell landed at Chipping Warden on return.
F/Sgt. V. Meldrum, RCAF–POW, and crew flying Halifax III LV-871, coded
BM-M, failed to return from this operation.
Sgt. J. Frost, RAF–POW
F/Sgt. D. Ferguson, RCAF–POW
P/O O. Harding, RCAF
F/O D. Dormand, RCAF–POW
P/O G. Machesney, RCAF
P/O C. Lavery, RCAF
3 crew were killed and 4 POWs
F/Sgt. G. Fielding, RCAF–POW, and crew flying Halifax III HX-269, coded
BM-J, failed to return from this operation.
Sgt. J. Cowen, RAF–POW
Sgt. J. Mulvaney, RCAF–POW
P/O I. Thomas, RCAF–POW
Sgt. H. Whitt, RAF–POW
Sgt. J. McAnulty, RCAF–POW
Sgt. E. Wood, RAF–POW
All the crew were POWs.
While some of the group went to Schweinfurt, 21 Halifaxes from 419 and
428 squadron were ordered on a mining operation to Kiel Bay. The crews
were over the garden at 15,000 feet, sowing 30@1500 lb mines.
F/Sgt. N. Powers and W/O2 W. Forsberg from 428 squadron, both returned
early with the port outer u/s. Both crews landed safely at base on 3 engines.
There was also a Tactical Diversion the support these operations.
24 Halifaxes from 429, 431 and 434 squadrons made a sweep over the
North Sea at between 15,000 and 18,000 feet. All crews returned safely
to base.