May 24/25, 1944
30 Lancasters from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 60 Halifaxes
from 424, 427, 429, and 433 Squadrons on an attack of the 2 railyards at
Aachen. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 20,000 feet,
releasing 810,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, one
rail yard was severely damaged with some damage to the others.
F/O A. Quinlan and F/Sgt E. Vaughan from 408 Squadron landed at Shipdam
on return due to a fuel shortage.
F/O W. Barclay from 419 Squadron returned early as the Navigation aids
were u/s.
F/Lt A. Byford returned early as Sgt R. Teeny RCAF, the wireless operator,
was sick.
P/O D. Robson RCAF
and crew, flying Lancaster X KB-706 coded VR-A, failed to return from this
operation.
Sgt J. Hoarty RAF
P/O P. Smith RCAF
F/O G. Lauder RCAF
Sgt T. Smith RAF
Sgt B. Morgan RAF
P/O W. Lillico RCAF
All were killed after being shot down by a Nightfighter.
P/O F. Dolter RCAF
and crew from 424 Squadron, flying Halifax III LW-157 coded QB-S, failed
to return from this operation.
Sgt M. Rume RAF
P/O G. Wilson RCAF
P/O N. Wilson RCAF
P/O J. Kellie RCAF
P/O J. Almond RCAF
P/O H. Wilson RCAF
All were lost without a trace.
F/Lt V. Stephen from 427 Squadron was attacked by an enemy aircraft.
They were severely damaged, the stbd elevator, tail, flaps badly damaged,
holes through out the length of the fuselage, rudder controls shot off,
and the fuel system was damaged. They were able to safely return to Woodbridge
without injuries to the crew.
F/O M. Sloski from 429 Squadron was attacked by an FW-190, there was
no damage or claim.
F/Lt H. Mitchell was attacked by an enemy aircraft, there was no claim
or damage.
P/O J. Mitchell RCAF
and crew, flying Halifax III HX-352 coded AL-L, failed to return from this
operation.
Sgt J. Jolley RAF
F/O D. McKenzie RCAF
F/O P. Nazar RCAF
P/O J. MacDonald RCAF
P/O H. Lapointe RCAF–POW
Sgt A. Smith RAF
6 crew were killed and 1 POW after being shot down by flak.
P/O M. Fernandez RCAF
and crew, flying Halifax III LW-124 coded AL-N, failed to return from this
operation.
P/O W. Stewart RCAF
F/O R. Rudd RCAF–POW
W/O2 L. Shelter RCAF–POW
F/Sgt H. Dawson RAF–POW
P/O R. Christie RCAF
P/O K. Jackson RAF
4 crew were killed and 3 POWs after being shot down by flak.
F/Lt T. Rawlinson RCAF
and crew, flying Halifax III LW-137 coded AL-K, failed to return from this
operation.
P/O A. Bates RAF
P/O G. Caunt RAF–POW
P/O A. Murphy RCAF
P/O W. Bush RAF–POW
P/O A. Shierlaw RCAF–POW
P/O J. Cochrane RCAF
4 crew were killed and 3 POWs after being shot down by a Nightfighter.
While some of the group attacked Aachen, 45 Halifaxes from 426, 428,
431, and 434 Squadrons were ordered on an attack of the Coastal Gun Batteries
at Trouville. The crews were over the target at between 6,000 and 7,500
feet, releasing 421,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing
was successful.
F/Sgt W. Wood from 434 Squadron returned early as the stbd outer was
u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
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