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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