May 1/2 1944

    26 Lancasters from 408, 419, and 426 Squadrons were joined by 89 Halifaxes from 420, 425, 427, 429, 431, 432, and 434 Squadrons on an attack of the rail yards at St. Ghislain. The crews were over the target at between 6,000 and 9,500 feet releasing 1,173,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused to the rail yards.

    W/Cdr D. Jacobs from 408 Squadron returned early as the bomb sight was u/s.
    F/O F. Brice returned without bombing as no T.I.s were seen.

    P/O J. McNary RCAF and crew from 419 Squadron,  flying Lancaster X KB-711 coded VR-C, failed to return from this operation. 

      F/O J. Normandale RAF--POW
      Sgt. A. Hill RAF--POW
      F/O F. Love RCAF--POW
      F/Sgt R. Long RCAF--POW
      P/O J. Chartrand RCAF
      Sgt. J. Wilson RCAF--POW
      Sgt. D. Sangster RCAF--POW
    6 crew were POWs and 2 were killed after being shot down by a Nightfighter.
    This was the first Canadian built Lancaster lost on operations.

    T/Sgt. L. White from 425 Squadron returned early as the port inner caught fire. The fire was extinguished and they landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    P/O L. Brouchu had the port outer u/s on return. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.

    F/O R. Penrose from 427 Squadron returned early as the starboard inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    W/O2 A. King returned early as the port inner was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.

    F/O A. MacDonald from 429 Squadron returned without bombing as they didn't see any T.I.s. 
    F/Lt J. Gellner swung on landing damaging the port undercarriage and wing. The Halifax ended up on a pile of crushed stone.
    F/O S. Leslie RCAF--Evd and crew, flying Halifax III LW-415 coded AL-K, failed to return from this operation.

      Sgt. G. Elliott RAF
      F/O R. Webster RCAF
      F/O J. Hawke RCAF
      W/O2 G. McCann RCAF
      P/O G. Vipond RCAF
      Sgt. E. Baldry RCAF
    6 crew were killed and one evaded after being attacked by a Nightfighter and exploding in mid-air.

    F/Lt R. Mead from 431 Squadron returned without bombing as there were no T.I.s.

    F/Sgt. H. Menzies from 432 Squadron returned early as the port inner caught fire. The fire was extinguished and they landed safely at base on 3 engines.
    S/Ldr A. Lowe returned early as the hydraulics were u/s.
    P/O W. Fernyhough was attacked by a JU-88. It was claimed damaged.

    P/O R. McCullough from 434 Squadron was hit by flak. There were holes in the wings, fuselage, mid-upper turret was u/s, and the starboard tire was flat.


     

    18 Halifaxes from 424 and 433 Squadrons were ordered on a mining operation to Lorient and St. Nazaire. The crews were over the garden at 15,000 feet sowing 34@1,500 lb mines.

    All crews returned safely to base.
     


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