June 10/11, 1944

    100 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, 429, 431, 432, 433, and 434 squadrons were joined by 10 Lancasters from 419 squadron on an attack of the rail yards at Versailles. The crews were over the target from between 6,000 and 8,000 feet releasing 788,000 lbs of high explosives. The rail yards were well hit.

    F/O R. Kent from 419 squadron was hit by flak, there were holes in the nose of the aircraft.
    F/O W. Barclay was fired upon by a friendly bomber, there was no damage.

    P/O R. Kalle from 420 squadron was attacked by an ME-109, there was no claim or damage.
    P/O L. Holoway, RCAF and crew failed to return from this operation. 

      Sgt. N. Binnie, RCAF--Evd
      F/O J. Lancaster, RCAF
      P/O R. Irwin, RCAF
      F/Sgt. B. Brakes, RAF--Evd
      P/O W. Chudzik, RCAF
      F/Sgt. H. Waller, RAF
      P/O F. Harrop, RCAF
    6 of the crew were killed and 2 evaded capture.

    F/O J. Dundas from 424 squadron were attacked by an ME-210, they claimed the enemy aircraft as damaged.
    F/O J. Keys was  attacked twice by enemy aircraft. Once by an ME-109, this was shot down and claimed destroyed. Next an ME-110 attacked, this was shot down and also claimed destroyed.

    P/O L. Brochu from 425 squadron was hit by flak, was not serious.
    P/O P. Hache was attacked by a twin engine enemy aircraft, there was no claim or damage.

    F/Lt. A. MacDonald, RCAF and crew of 429 squadron failed to return from this operation. 

      Sgt. N. McCarthy, RAF--Evd
      F/O W. Shields, RCAF--Evd
      P/O H. Hollison, RCAF--Evd
      F/Sgt. H. Guild, RAF--Evd
      F/O J. Calderbank, RCAF--Evd
      Sgt. T. Chapman, RCAF--Evd
    The pilot was killed but the rest of the crew evaded capture.

    F/O M. Chisholm from 431 squadron returned without bombing as they were early over the target and there were no T. I’s.
    P/O T. Shore was attacked by an enemy aircraft, there was no claim or damage.
    P/O J. Gustafson was attacked by an enemy aircraft, there was no claim or damage.

    F/O D. Best from 432 squadron returned without bombing as there were no T.I’s

    F/O T. Ellison from 433 squadron was hit by flak, 3 feet of the leading edge of the wing was torn off. Port fin and rudder were torn off, plus several holes in the stbd fin. They landed safely at Westcott.

    P/O R. McCullough and P/O K. MacDonald from 434 squadron returned early as they overshot the target.
    P/O A. Doran, RCAF and crew failed to return from this operation.

      P/O C. Neary, RAF
      F/O R. Warren, RCAF
      F/O T. Christie, RCAF
      F/O D. Hughes, RCAF
      P/O J. Nowlan, RCAF
      P/O G. Dunlop, RCAF
      P/O J. Handzuk, RCAF
    All were killed

    While the crews were attacking Versailles, 12 Halifaxes from 428 squadron were ordered on a mining operation to Brest, St. Nazaire, and Lorient. The crews were over the garden at between 8,000 and 9,000 feet sowing 48@1500 lb mines.

    F/O G. Gonyou had a tire blow on take off, they mined and landed safely at Colerne.
    P/O B. Walter, W/O2 W. Gay, and P/O S. Huston landed at Colerne on return.
     
     


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