June 25/26, 1943


    29 Halifaxes from 408, 419, 427, and 428 Squadrons were joined by 11 Wellingtons from 429, 431, and 432 Squadrons on an attack at Gelsenkirchen. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 23,000 feet, releasing 68,000 lbs of high explosives and 129,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was cloud cover and bombing was scattered.

    Sgt E. Dungey from 408 Squadron returned early as the port outer had a glycol leak.
    P/O B. Milligan RCAF and crew, flying Halifax II JB-858 coded EQ-S, failed to return from this operation.

      F/Sgt J. Male RCAF
      Sgt R. Wright RAF–POW
      F/O F. Culbert RCAF
      P/O J. McNess RAF
      P/O D. Aiken RCAF
      P/O J. Hunter RCAF
      P/O G. Acton RCAF
    7 crew were killed and 1 POW after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    P/O M. Ludlow from 419 Squadron returned early as the port inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.

    F/Sgt E. Johnson from 427 Squadron was hit by flak, there were holes in the wings and fuselage.
    W/Cdr D. Burnside RAF and crew, flying Halifax V DK-144 coded ZL-U, swung and crashed on takeoff. The crew was not injured.
    P/O G. Gagnon RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V DK-180 coded ZL-R, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt K. Shannon RAF–POW
      F/O R. Frost RCAF–POW
      Sgt C. Page RCAF–POW
      Sgt J. Hoolen RCAF–POW
      Sgt C. Munson RCAF–POW
      Sgt A. McKinnon RCAF–POW
    1 crew member was killed and 6 POWs after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    W/O2 F. Higgins RCAF and crew, flying Halifax V DK-190 coded ZL-F, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt F. Hunter RAF
      F/O G. Matynia RCAF
      W/O2 A. Young RCAF
      W/O2 R. Stickney RCAF
      W/O2 W. Kashmar RCAF
      P/O H. Froude RCAF
    All were killed after being shot down by a Nightfighter.

    Sgt D. Smith from 429 Squadron was attacked by an ME-110. The wireless operator and bomb aimer were injured and the Wellington caught fire. This was put out by diving the aircraft. They crash landed at Hardwick without further injuries to the crew.
     

    While most of the group went to Gelsenkirchen, 4 Wellingtons from 431 Squadron were ordered on a mining operation to St. Nazaire. The crews were over the garden at between 700 and 1,000 feet, sowing 8@1500 lb mines.

     All crews returned safely to base.
     
     


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