October 8/9, 1943
16 Lancasters from 408 and 426 squadrons were joined by 70 Halifaxes
from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431, and 434 squadrons and 14 Wellingtons from
432 squadron on an attack at Hannover. The crews were over the target at
between 18,000 and 22,000 feet, releasing 272,000 lbs of high explosives
and 294,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the sky was clear
and an accurate attack was made with severe damage being caused.
S/Ldr A. Mair from 408 squadron returned early as they were late getting
away.
F/Sgt R. Young was hit by flak, not serious. They landed at Leconfield
on return.
F/Sgt L. Morrison landed at Chedburgh on return.
All other crews landed at Bury St. Edmonds on return.
Sgt J. Parker from 419 squadron returned early as the rear turret was
u/s.
F/O J. Westland returned early as the port inner was u/s. They landed
safely at base on 3 engines.
All other crews landed at Great Ashfield, Thorpe Abbot, Coltishall,
or Mildenhall on return.
F/Sgt A. Olsson from 426 squadron was attacked by a JU-88, this was
claimed destroyed.
F/Lt T. Kneale was attacked by a JU-88, there was no claim or damage.
They landed at Snetterton Heath on return.
Sgt J. Coulombe landed at Mildenhall on return.
All other crews landed at Snetterton Heath on return.
F/Sgt H. Holland from 427 squadron returned early as the stbd inner
was u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines.
F/Lt G. Laird returned early as some instruments were u/s.
All crews landed at Hethel, Great Ashfield, Coltishall, Snetteton Heath,
or Horsham St. Faith on return.
F/Sgt F. Kelly RCAF
and crew, flying Halifax V LK-900 coded ZL-D, failed to return from this
operation.
Sgt M. O’Donovan RAF
F/O S. Thorn RCAF
F/Sgt L. Skerry RCAF
Sgt E. Scraton RAF
Sgt M. Harrington RCAF
Sgt R. Thompson RAF
All were killed.
F/Sgt W. Armour from 428 squadron was involved in a collision over the
target, 2 feet off the stbd rudder was missing.
Sgt D. Curley landed at Bury St. Edmonds on return.
All other crews landed at Marston Moor on return.
All crews from 429 squadron landed at Great Ashfield, Coltishall,
or Horsham St. Faith on return.
F/Sgt K. Williams RAF
and crew, flying Halifax II JD-323 coded AL-S, failed to return from this
operation.
Sgt L. Head RAF
Sgt E. Chapman RAF
Sgt R. Board RAF
Sgt V. Bucksey RAF
Sgt M. Hitchin RAF
F/Sgt W. Kozicki RCAF
All were killed.
All crews from 431 squadron landed at Shipdam on return.
F/Sgt I. Chalmers RAAF
and crew, flying Halifax V DK-265 coded SE-C, failed to return from this
operation.
Sgt G. Beeken RAF
Sgt F. Stubbings RAF
F/O S. Walker RAF
Sgt R. Mather RAF
Sgt W. Hamil RCAF
Sgt H. Evans RCAF
All were lost without a trace.
Sgt J. Ryan RCAF
and crew, flying Halifax V LK-657 coded SE-K, failed to return from this
operation.
Sgt D. Adams RAF
Sgt T. Ashcroft RAF
F/O R. Fisher RAF
F/O R. Baker RAF
W/O1 A. Rollack RCAF–POW
Sgt F. Rudd RCAF
W/O P. Hay RAF
7 crew were killed and one POW after being hit by flak and blowing up in
mid-air.
F/Sgt T. Spink from 432 squadron returned early as the engines were
running poorly.
P/O R. Sullivan returned early as the intercom was u/s.
F/Sgt J. Poole returned early as the pilot was sick.
Sgt A. Slegg was hit by a falling bomb, the port elevator was damaged.
F/Sgt P. Dennis was attacked by an ME-110 and 2 JU-88s, there was no
claim or damage.
F/Lt C. Barrett was attacked by an enemy aircraft, there was no claim
or damage.
F/O W. fisher was attacked by a JU-88, there was no damage or claim.
Later they were attacked by another JU-88, this was hit and a piece of
the port wing broke off, the port engine burst into flames and it dove
into the ground.
W/O2 D. Baker RCAF
and crew, flying Wellington X LN-451 coded QO-W, failed to return from
this operation.
W/O1 C. Hurl RCAF
W/O2 G. Thompson RCAF
Sgt J. Black RAF
Sgt J. Taylor RAF
All were killed.
F/O G. Perks from 434 squadron had the port outer u/s on return. They
landed safely at Chedburgh on 3 engines.
All other crews landed at Shipdam on return.
F/O F. Small RCAF
and crew, flying Halifax V LK-647 coded WL-C, failed to return from this
operation.
Sgt F. Tiley RAF
F/O J. Turcotte RCAF–POW
F/O D. MacDonald RCAF
Sgt R. Swindale RAF
Sgt A. Steinacker RCAF
F/Sgt W. Ballantyne RCAF
6 crew were killed and one POW after being shot down by a Nightfighter.
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