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January 09/10, 1943
25 Wellingtons from 420, 425, and 427 Squadrons
were joined by 13 Halifaxes from 408 and 419 Squadrons on a mining operation
to the Frisian islands. The crews were over the garden from between 500
and 1,200 feet, sowing 62@1500 lb mines.
Eight crews from 408 Squadron departed base
at between 16:34 and 16:40, they were over the garden at between 18:35 and
19:08, returning to base at between 20:48 and 21:31.
Five crews from 419 Squadron departed base at between 16:30 and 16:35, they were over the garden at between 21:13 and 21:50.
F/O C. Porter and crew flying Halifax II DT-616, coded VR-K, had his rear gunner fire at 2 flak ships, no damage was seen.
P/O M. Frederick and crew flying Halifax II DT-639, coded VR-B, landed at Croft on return.
W/O2 F. Barker RCAF
and crew, flying Halifax II W-7857 coded VR-O, failed to return from
this operation.
Sgt R. Sackville-Golden, RAF
F/Sgt H. Dunn, RCAF
F/Sgt V. Hugli, RCAF
W/O2 D. Watson, RCAF
Sgt W. Cameron, RCAF
F/Sgt W. Murphy, RCAF
All were killed.
Nine crews from 420 Squadron departed base
at between 16:37 and 16:43, they were over the garden at between 18:49 and
19:17, returning to base at between 20:33 and 22:06.
F/Sgt P. Townsend and crew, flying Wellington III X-3926 coded PT-A, returned early
at 17:08, as the stbd engine quit 3 minutes after take off. They jettisoned 300 gallons of fuel and returned
safely to base.
F/Sgt H. Kennedy and crew, flying Wellington III X-3800 coded PT-Z, returned without mining as they could
not find the pinpoint.
Nine crews from 425 Squadron departed base at between 16:43 and 16:51, returning at between 20:36 and 21:45.
Sgt J. Brousseau and crew, flying Wellington III X-3872 coded KW-A, returned
early at 17:32 as the stbd engine was u/s. They landed safely at base on one engine.
Sgt R. Lacerte and crew flying Wellington III X-3803 coded KW-H, landed
at Topcliffe on return due to poor weather at base.
F/Sgt A. Jackson and crew, flying Wellington III X-3648 coded KW-R,
landed at Topcliffe on return due to poor weather at base.
P/O R. Clinton and crew flying Wellington III BJ-652 coded KW-E landed at Topcliffe on return due to poor weather at base.
F/Lt R. Brinton and crew, flying Wellington III BK-539 coded KW-S, landed at Topcliffe on return as weather was bad at
Dishforth.
Sgt J. Michaud and crew, flying Wellington III BJ-605 coded KW-J, crashed
on landing, writing off their aircraft. The crew was not injured.
Seven crews from 427 Squadron departed at base at between 16:47 and 17:00, returning at between 20:55 and 21:55.
Sgt G. Gagnon and crew flying Wellington III Z-1626 coded ZL-G, returned
at 21:55 without mining as they could not find the pinpoint due to poor weather.
F/Lt D. Shedd and crew, flying Wellington III Z-1676 coded ZL-S, returned
at 21:44 without mining as they could not find the pinpoint due to poor weather.
Sgt E. Williams and crew, flying Wellington III BK-343 coded ZL-V,
returned at 21:32 without mining as they could not find the pinpoint due
to bad weather.
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