CANADA'S AIR WAR 1944updated 20/05/07

January 1944Full co-operation between Montreal Lab of TUBE ALLOYS and the Manhattan Project on

atomic research began in this month.

#7 (BR) Sqn. in BC begins to receive Catalina IV flying boats (RCAF Sqns.). 416 Sqn. re-equips with Spitfire IXb aircraft. 427 Sqn. begins to receive Halifax B.III aircraft (RCAF Sqns.). 438 Sqn. and 439 Sqn. begin to receive Hurricane IV aircraft for training and Typhoon Ib aircraft for operations (RCAF Sqns.).

In this month the RCAF reached its peak enlistment of 215,200 of all ranks, compared with 4,061 at the end of August, 1939, and 844 all ranks in 1930 (CCMA; 6th Year).

#3 Flying Instructor School, Arnprior, Ontario, closed during the month (http://www.bombercrew.com/BCATP.htm).

Saturday 1 Second British offensive begins in the Arakan area of Burma (Parham & Belfield).

Control of the North West Staging Route to Alaska via Alberta, BC and the Yukon transferred from #4 Training Command to Western Air Command.

1 198 Sqn. Typhoon Ib TP-U was damaged by flak attacking a ship in Boulogne harbour, but managed to return to crash land at it's base, WO J. Allen safe.

1 #11 AFU Oxford I LW914 crashed in England possibly due to an engine failure, Sgt D.S. Robertson killed (Peter www.rafcommands.com).

1 #304 Ferry Training Unit Beaufighter TF.X NE309 lost on a training exercise, flew into high ground on the Isle of Islay, F/O A.N. Book killed, F/O F.E. Osbaldeston RAF injured (www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk).

1 #1659 HCU RCAF Halifax II W1095 undershot a landing avoiding a construction crew and hit piles of construction materials, WO S.J. Pearce RAF, F/S E.A. Vigor and their crew safe. See Jan. 28-29, below.

1 #3 Training Command, Montreal, Quebec, W/C J.S. Williams MC AFC died in hospital of natural causes. W/C Williams was a pilot and a veteran of the First World War, where he had won his decorations.

1 #16 SFTS, Hagersville, Ontario, LAW Annie Parkin died in hospital of natural causes. 1 #27 RU(CHL) radar station, Marble Island, Alliford Bay, BC, security guards LAC W.G. Jones

and LAC J.F. Kelly drowned when the boat they were landing in overturned.

1-2 Bomber Command opened the New Year with an attack on Berlin by a force of 421 Lancasters. The German controllers managed to make an early interception of the bomber stream and despite diversions correctly guessed the target, leading to the loss of 28 bombers. The city was cloud covered and bombing was scattered, rcaf

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mostly falling into forested areas with only slight damage. Other operations included 38 Mosquitos as diversions, 6 RCM and 14 OTU sorties without loss (BC War Diaries). In England returning bombers found snow falling and FIDO was in operation where installed (T. Cachart).

1-2 7 Sqn. Lancaster III EE129 MG-V lost on an operation to Berlin, F/O D.W. Souchen, F/O E.J. Bedwell, F/L L.C. Kingsbury RNZAF, Sgt A.W.D. King RAF, Sgt D.T.M. Ingram RAF, F/S G.F. Mortimer RAF and F/S E. Parr RAF PoW.

1-2 7 Sqn. Lancaster III LB682 MG-A shot down by a night fighter over Germany, F/O C.J. Donahue DFM, S/L H.R. Jaggard RAF, Sgt G.V. Roberts RAF, S/L A.E. Taylor DFM RAF, F/O J.C. Osborne RAF, F/S R.G. Warwick RAF and WO J.T. Williams RAF killed. F/O Donahue had been injured Sept. 27, 1941, in the crash of a #22 OTU Wellington.

1-2 9 Sqn. Lancaster III JA711 WS-A lost over Germany, WO2 W.L. Doran, Sgt G.F.K. Bedwell RAF, Sgt E.D. Keene RAF, Sgt J. Sutton RAF, F/S N.F. Dixon RAF, F/S G.L. James RAF and F/O G. Ward RAF killed. This crew had crash landed a Lancaster Nov. 23-24, 1943.

1-2 12 Sqn. Lancaster III ND325 PM-C was partially abandoned before making a force landing in Germany, Sgt D.L. Smith RAF was killed when his parachute failed, WO2 E.A. Walters, P/O K.L. West RAF, Sgt R.H. Pearce RAF, Sgt E. Waterhouse RAF, Sgt K. Apps RAF and Sgt V.A. Panniers RAF PoW.

1-2 44 Sqn. Lancaster I W4831 KM-C lost over Germany, F/O W.A. Holmes A'Court, WO2 T.W. Myers, Sgt R. Dickinson RAF, P/O J.W. Woods RAF, F/O R.B. Baker RAF, F/O O.D. Blaha DFM RAF, Sgt R.A. Kidley RAF and Sgt H.A. Norton RAF killed.

1-2 61 Sqn. Lancaster III LM377 QR-F shot down over Germany by a night fighter, F/O G.E. Sharpe, Sgt W.J. Churcher RAF, Sgt B.G. Imber RAF, Sgt H. Patrick RAF, Sgt A. Ross RAF, F/O A.V. Shirley RAF and F/O E.A.C. Willard RAF killed.

1-2 83 Sqn. Lancaster III ND354 OL-A exploded and crashed over Germany, WO2 W.R. Halloran, W/C W. Abercromby DFC and Bar RAF, F/S A.F. Nairn RAAF, Sgt R.W. Allen RAF, Sgt W.A. Wall RAF, F/O W.J. James RAF and F/S A.B. Pearson RAAF killed, Sgt L.H. Lewis RAF was thrown clear and became a PoW.

1-2 101 Sqn. ABC equipped Lancaster III DV308/G SR-V lost over Belgium, F/O W.E. Suddick DFC, F/O F.J. Zubic, Sgt G.C. Connon RAF and Sgt L.F. Somers RAF killed, TSgt E. Jones USAAF, P/O D.J. Bell RAF and Sgt E.H. Harris RAF PoW, Sgt H.W. Bailey RAF evaded. The /G suffix to the aircrafts serial number indicates that the aircraft has secret equipment installed and is required to be guarded.

1-2 115 Sqn. Lancaster II DS796 KO-E force landed in England on return from an operation over Germany, F/S R.L. Francis, F/S R.E. Chantler RAF, Sgt G. Rawlings RAF, P/O D.M. Drew RAF, Sgt D.P. Nash RAF, Sgt K. Farmer RAF and Sgt W.N.W. Brown RAAF safe. See April 22-23, below.

1-2 156 Sqn. Lancaster III JA925 GT-L lost without trace, S/L R.E. Fawcett DFC RAF (Can.), F/S R.J. Bowen RAF, P/O P.R. Lyford DFC RAF, P/O G. Vickers DFC RAF, Sgt J. Bell RAF, F/S G.M. Headley RAF and F/S B.C. Hinks RAF missing. S/L Fawcett had also served in the desert were he had been shot down in a Lysander, and was on his third tour of operations on bombers.

1-2 207 Sqn. Lancaster I W4892 EM-T lost over Germany, P/O L.D. Gosney, P/O P.S. Watt RNZAF, 1Lt F.B. Solomon USAAF, Flight Officer W.A. DeBardeleben USAAF, Sgt W.J. Cant RAF, F/S H.M. Scott RAF, Sgt A.W. Lawrie RAF and Sgt F. Morgan RAF killed.rcaf

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1-2 405 Sqn. Lancaster III JB280 LQ-K shot down over Holland by a night fighter, F/S W.L.J. Clark, F/O T.H. Donnelly DFM MiD, F/O A.J. Salaba, Sgt R. Zimmer, Sgt L.G.R. Miller RAF, Sgt R.E. Watts RAF and Sgt B.S.J. West RAF killed (Awards).

1-2 405 Sqn. Lancaster III JB737 LQ-R lost over France, F/S B.C. Cameron, F/O A.P. Campbell, P/O J.B. Dunne, P/O T.D. Gavin and Sgt J. Redhead RAF killed, P/O D.N. Thompson and Sgt D.J. Leslie RAF PoW.

1-2 408 Sqn. Lancaster II LL631 EQ-G, F/S D.E. Hilker, claimed a Bf 109 that attacked them damaged (R. Koval). See January 2-3, below.

1-2 432 Sqn. Lancaster II, F/L C.K. Barrett, was damaged by British anti-aircraft fire over Southhampton (R. Koval). See January 21-22, below.

1-2 463 Sqn. RAAF Lancaster I W4897 JO-Q lost without trace, F/S C.D. Redgrave RCAF (USA), F/S S.W. Lawson RAAF, F/S M.E. Sadler RAAF, F/S W.A. Sampey RAAF, Sgt P. Chittenden RAF, Sgt A.G. Smith RAF and Sgt F.C. Eggleson RAF missing.

1-2 550 Sqn. Lancaster I DV345 crashed on fire in England returning from operations, WO2 C.W. Taylor, F/O R.H. Mawie RAF, Sgt P.P. O'Meara RAF (Eire), F/O G.M.H.H.F. de Menten de Horne RAF (Belg.), Sgt J.R. Rounding RAF, Sgt M.G. Capel RAF and Sgt E. Skelton RAF killed.

1-2 550 Sqn. Lancaster III DV189 BQ-T2 shot down over France by a night fighter, F/O J.G. Bryson RAF and Sgt T.F.M. Roxby RAF killed, F/S P.H. Evans, Sgt D.F. Fadden RAF, Sgt J.E. Donnan RAF, Sgt J.J. Sawkins RAF and Sgt W.C. Gundry RAF PoW.

1-2 630 Sqn. Lancaster III JB532 LE-X shot down over Germany by flak, F/L D.A. MacDonald DFC, F/S W.J. Roche RAAF, S/L K.F. Vare AFC RAF (NZ), Sgt R.F. Smale MiD RAF, F/O N.E. Westergaard DFC RAF, F/S J.M. Turnbull RAF, Sgt W.R. Tyrie DFM RAF and F/S W. Jenkins RAF killed.

Sunday 2 First convoy using Sikorsky R-4 Hoverfly helicopters for anti-submarine patrols sails from

New York.

#8 (Coastal) OTU Mosquito DZ557, WO Abel (RAF?), over Northumberland, England reported seeing "four rectangular black objects stationary in the sky", not identified (KeithBryers www.rafcommands.com).

#8 SFTS closed in Moncton, NB, and re-opened at Weyburn, Saskatchewan on this date (re-numbered #41 SFTS?, see below.) (http://www.bombercrew.com/BCATP.htm).

2 429 Sqn. Halifax V LK734 AL-C force landed from a training flight following under-carriage problems and an engine fire, F/O H.L. Heimbecker and his crew safe. See March 15-16, below.

2 #82 OTU Wellington III BK387 flew into high ground in poor visibility on an evening cross country, Sgt N.W. Crawford, WO2 J.E. Dalling, WO2 E.I. Glass, WO2 J. Henfrey, F/O J.J. McHenry, Sgt E. Savage killed. In 1993 the village of Oakworth placed a memorial stone near the crash site, and holds a wreath laying ceremony each year on the anniversary of the crash (Airforce, Fall 1993, ttp://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/wartime-memorial-canadian-soldiers-1.3923455 2017).

2 #4 B&G School, Fingal, Ontario, Aerodrome Control Officer F/O G.G.A. Green died of natural rcaf

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causes in the station hospital. 2 #36 SFTS, Penhold, Alberta, Oxford I AS674 crashed after hitting power lines near Red Deer in

poor visibility, killing F/O R.E. Lay RAF (Can.) and LAC(P) M.J. Clarke RAAF (A. Storr). CWGC states F/O Lay as English, with English parents and wife, but TSGNO says he was from Red Deer, Alberta. (Possibly by marriage?)

2 #41 SFTS(?), Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Harvard II AH190 crashed near Hume, Saskatchewan, while low flying, LAC(P) Bandi Sri Venugopal IAF killed. He is thought to be the only member of the Indian Air Force killed in the BCATP (Jagan www.rafcommands.com).

2 #4 Training Command, North West Staging Route, S/L I.M. MacLean RCAF (Bermuda) died in hospital in Edmonton, Alberta from injuries received Dec. 28, 1943 in a Norseman crash north of Fort St. John, BC.

2-3 After intense snow clearing at many stations (T. Cachart) Bomber Command was able to send 383 aircraft to Berlin again, plus 11 Mosquito diversions, 2 SERRATE Beaufighters, 26 GARDENING and 25 OTU sorties with the loss of 10 Pathfinder Lancasters and 17 from the bombing force, bombing was again scattered (BC War Diaries).

2-3 49 Sqn. Lancaster III JB231 EA-N "Nancy Pants" lost over Germany after a collision with another bomber took off most of one wing, F/O J.E.M. Young, F/O J.M. Scott, Sgt A.W. Vidow RAF, P/O M.L. Orchard RAF, Sgt E.B. 'Ted' Cachart RAF, Sgt M.O.A. Mahony RAAF and Sgt L.C. Crossman RAF PoW. Sgt Cachart was just 18 years old, having enlisted at 15 in 1940. He was later President of the 49 Squadron Association, and wrote a book, "Ted the Lad" in 2007 about his experiences in the RAF and as a PoW.

2-3 57 Sqn. Lancaster III JB364 DX-M shot down over the target, F/O W.G. Cockwill, F/O D.A. Shewan, Sgt E.R. Hughes RAF, F/S R. Stevenson RAF, Sgt A. Cohen RAF and Sgt D.A. Dixon RAF killed, Sgt P.J. Barraball RAF PoW, badly injured.

2-3 57 Sqn. Lancaster III JB681 DX-J lost over Germany, F/O G.F. Nixon RCAF (USA), P/O G. Ely RAAF, Sgt S. Lewis RAF, Sgt R.W. Homewood RAF, Sgt A.S. Pilbeam RAF and Sgt K.H. Harper RAF killed, Sgt A.W.C. Ball RAF could not be identified post war and he is listed among the missing.

2-3 61 Sqn. Lancaster I DV401 QR-Z lost over Holland, F/S J.S. Baldwin, Sgt C. Ablett RAF, Sgt C.G. Crosby RAF, Sgt G.E. Heasman RAF, Sgt J.G. Holden RAF, Sgt J. Stock RAF and Sgt G.A. Tull RAF killed. See http://www.teunispats.net/fr-wwii.htm for details.

2-3 83 Sqn. Lancaster III JB114 OL-Q lost over Germany, F/O P.H. Ewing, F/O C.D. Wall, F/L L.W. Munro MiD RNZAF, F/S D. Cromar DFM RAF, P/O J.T. Hitchen RAF, F/S R.J. Hunter RAF and F/O G.R. Harris RAF killed.

2-3 83 Sqn. Lancaster III JB355 OL-J lost over Germany, F/O F.C. Allcroft DFC, Sgt A.W. Bell RAF, F/O A.W. Blakeman DFC RAF, P/O R.P. Watts RAF, F/S R. Ellwood RAF, F/S J.A. Thomas RAF and F/S J.B. Wood RAF killed. F/O Allcroft had crashed a #25 OTU Wellington Nov. 16-17, 1942.

2-3 83 Sqn. Lancaster III JB453 OL-F lost over Germany, F/O E.B. Stiles, F/S P. Traynor RAF, P/O D.C.J. McKendry RAF, F/O W.H. Dyke RAF, Sgt J. Banks RAF, Sgt J.M. Dunlop RAF and F/O I.G. Allan RAF killed.

2-3 100 Sqn. Lancaster III JB549 HW-C lost without trace, P/O G.W. Henderson, F/O J.M. Ogilvie, Sgt L.J. Loewenson RAF, Sgt G.H. Hendry RAF, Sgt N. Bowman RAF, Sgt R.E.L. rcaf

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Stoneman RAF and Sgt E.C. McLaughlin RAF missing.. 2-3 101 Sqn. ABC equipped Lancaster III DV269/G SR-M coned by searchlights and shot down by

flak over Germany, Sgt G.A. Beckett, F/L A.L. Lazenby DFC RAF, Sgt C.D. Brown RAF and Sgt D.H. Stephens RAF killed, F/O J. McClure, Sgt C. Lindsay RAF, F/O W. Craig RAF and Sgt A.A. Walton RAF PoW (http://www.bomber-command.de).

2-3 103 Sqn. Lancaster III JB747 PH-M lost over Germany, F/O G.S. Palin, WO E.T. Townsend RNZAF, Sgt H.A. Joint RAF, Sgt A.J. Larby RAF, Sgt J.W. Bateman RAF, Sgt C.R. Greenwell RAF and Sgt R.G. Creber RAF killed.

2-3 115 Sqn. Lancaster II DS667 A4-G lost over Germany, the pilot F/S R.J. Hayes was badly injured and died Jan. 26, but his crew, F/O E.F. Bridgman, Sgt J. Weatherston RAF, Sgt M.A. Booth RAF, Sgt F.W. Wardale RAF, Sgt F. Pearson RAF and Sgt J.R. Dodds RAF, survived as PoW. Details of the loss and a photo of F/O Bridgman's Caterpillar pin are in the Fall 2019 Newsletter of the Bomber Command Museum.

2-3 156 Sqn. Lancaster III JB317 GT-C shot down off Germany by a night fighter, Sgt A.D. Barnes RAF, Sgt R.V. Hillman RAF and Sgt A.J. Hackett RAF missing, F/S F.C.G. Colk, Sgt W. Hall RAF, F/O R.S. Smith RAF and Sgt R. Davis RAF PoW.

2-3 156 Sqn. Lancaster III JB553 GT-J lost over Germany, F/L A.N. McGlashan RAF and Sgt J.S. Scott RAF killed, WO1 L.J. Adair, P/O V.R. Purmal, P/O J. Borland DFC RAF, F/S D.C.G. Snelling RAF, Sgt D.B.G. MacKenzie RAF and Sgt A.B. Waller RAF missing.

2-3 405 Sqn. Lancaster III ND330 OL-O (on loan from 83 Sqn.) lost over Germany, Sgt W.J. Blakely, F/O D.J. Elliott, WO2 T.H. Nolan, F/S J. Anderson RAF, F/S J.D. Clarke RAF, F/S G.R. Evans RAF and WO A.W. Robinson RAF killed.

2-3 408 Sqn. Lancaster II LL631 EQ-G lost on an operation to Germany, F/S D.E. Hilker, and Sgt H.J. Mouland missing, F/O E. Deakin, P/O G.C. Morlock, WO2 L.P. Torpe, Sgt S.R. Sweetzir and Sgt H.C. Hawkins RAF PoW. TSGNO notes that the pilot, F/S Hilker, held control of the bomber until the crew could escape.

2-3 408 Sqn. Lancaster II DS729 EQ-D, P/O W. Phillips, was badly damaged by a night fighter which it claimed driven off and damaged (R. Koval). P/O Phillips possibly the same as P/O W.G. Phillips DFC (Awards)

2-3 426 Sqn. Lancaster II DS760 OW-M shot down over Germany by a night fighter and exploded, P/O C.A. Griffiths, F/S L. Offer, P/O F.R. Symons, F/S P. Allwell RAF, Sgt G. Jowett RAF and P/O R.H. Filbey RAF missing, P/O G. Sparks (wounded) and Sgt R.D. Cridland were thrown out of the aircraft and became PoW.

2-3 426 Sqn. Lancaster II LL634 OW-F, F/S R.H. Jarman, was the target of two night fighters that made 4 attacks on the bomber (R. Koval). See January 24-25, below.

2-3 432 Sqn. Lancaster II DS739 QO-Y lost over Germany, F/L J.A. Allen, Sgt J.A. Cobbett, F/O K. Crawford, F/O H.F. Doull, Sgt I.A.J. Dupuis, WO2 J.E. Scott and Sgt W.R. Collier RAF killed. F/L Allen had had to bail out of a Lancaster Dec. 16-17, 1943.

2-3 432 Sqn. Lancaster II DS788 QO-E, P/O T.B. Spink, was attacked by an aircraft identified as a "Focke-Wulfe Kurier", which caused damage that forced a manual bomb release over the target (R. Koval, Awards). This sortie was detailed in The R.C.A.F. Overseas - The Fifth Year.

2-3 432 Sqn. Lancaster II DS792 QO-U was attacked by a night fighter that they claimed shot down, but which inflicted heavy damage and put the bomber into a dive. The pilot, P/O J.A. McIntosh, managed to pull out after losing 13,000', and the crew returned to a landing rcaf

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at an emergency airfield in England where one undercarriage leg collapsed. On examination it was found both turrets and the rear fuselage were damaged, both engines on one side had their cowlings blown off, and every propellor had been hit by bullets. P/O McIntosh was awarded an immediate DFC for returning his crew safely in the damaged aircraft (R. Koval). This sortie was detailed in The R.C.A.F. Overseas - The Fifth Year. See March 24-25, below.

2-3 619 Sqn. Lancaster III JB123 PG-D lost over Germany, F/O J.A. Heffernan, F/O A.B. Bearcraft RAF, F/O L.C. Keeling RAF, F/O W.C.J. Lord RAF, Sgt K.W. Cheshire RAF, F/S K.M. MacDonald RAAF and WO E.S.I. Evans DFM RAF killed.

2-3 619 Sqn. Lancaster III LM423 PG-H shot down over Germany by a night fighter, F/O J.K. Cox RAF, Sgt C.G. Payne RAF, Sgt D. Burden RAF and Sgt J. Cooksey RAF killed, F/O R.W. Braid, Sgt G.J. Hawkins RAF and F/O G.M. Braid RAF PoW.

Monday 3 Explosion aboard a US Navy vessel in New York results in emergency flight in bad weather

to deliver blood plasma by US Coast Guard R-4 helicopter, the first rescue flight of a helicopter in North America.

3* 47 Sqn. Beaufighter LX919 was shot down into the sea by enemy fighters while on a sweep off Crete by eight squadron aircraft, WO1 R.J. Barratt and F/S W.H. Fairfield RAF missing (B. Cull).

3 65 Sqn. Spitfire IX MA847 lost on a RANGER over Belgium, F/O P.F. Waterman PoW. 3 198 Sqn. Typhoon Ib JR523 shot down over France on a RANGER, F/O H.H. MacKenzie killed. 3 400 Sqn. Mustang I AP191 SP-O shot down over Normandy on a cross-channel sweep, F/O

W.H. Jessiman MiD killed. F/O Jessiman's brother, Sgt G.H. Jessiman, had been lost over Germany just 2 weeks before.

3 418 Sqn. Mosquito FB.VI LR268 TH-J missing from a night INTRUDER, F/O D.C. Bissell and F/O J.E. McGrath missing (www.dehavilland.ukf.net; H.A. Halliday www.rafcommands.com). The possible crash site of this aircraft was found in 2012 (CBC As It Happens, http://www.aircrewremembered.com).

3 #9 AOS St. Jean, Quebec, WO1 J.E.T. Murdoch was killed in a car accident near Frelighsburg, Quebec.

3-4 #1658 CU Halifax II DT626 was on the crews final exercise before proceeding on operations when it crashed after partially breaking up in the air, near Pentrefoelas, Wales. F/O J.G. MacLeod, F/S W.C. Thompson, P/O A.H. Fotheringham RAAF, Sgt W. Pinder RAF, Sgt L. Dowse RAF, Sgt P. Rogerson RAF and Sgt R.H. Wright RAF killed. This loss was the subject of a book, Tragedy at Pentrefoelas by Terry R. Hill. As well a plaque commemorating this crew was unveiled at the local church Sept. 3, 2000 (BCL'HCU).

Tuesday 4 #162 (BR) Squadron equipped with Canso A aircraft, seconded to RAF Coastal Command

for the OVERLORD invasion, begins transferring from Dartmouth, NS to Reykjavik, Iceland (RCAF Sqns.) This was the first RCAF Squadron to transfer across the Atlantic by air (5th Year).

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Soviet army crosses pre-war Polish border (Oxford). 4 99 Sqn. Wellington X LN263 overshot a landing at Jessore, India, stalled and spun into the

ground, killing WO1 C.F. Larson, Cpl J. Brown RAF, AC1 C. Geoffrey RAF, F/O L.E. Richards RAF, F/S A.G. Ross RAF, F/S W.P. Rumsey RAF and F/O F.H. Tiplady RAF. This aircraft was the subject of a plastic model by Matchbox.

4 221 Sqn. Wellington HZ594 crashed off Sicily on an anti-submarine patrol, F/O W.F. Campbell, WO1 H.G. Reid, F/S C.J. Daley RAAF, F/S H.L. Walker RAAF, F/S W.D. Cock RAAF and Sgt G.G. Wilde RNZAF killed. (This Wellington was also recorded lost July 22, 1943, TSGNO).

4 245 (N. Rhodesia) Sqn. Typhoon Ib JR238 suffered an engine failure and came down on mudbank off the French coast. F/O K.W. Sim was helped to hide by French civilians, and was later taken across France to Spain, returning to England in June (vrajm www.rafcommands.com).

4 487 Sqn. RNZAF Mosquito FB.VI EG-W LR331 lost off France after attacking a V-1 site, F/O J.F. Parker killed, F/S H. Baird RNZAF missing (www.cambridgeairforce. org.nz).

4 #1657 CU Stirling I N3675 "W" stalled and dived into the ground making a slow approach with a burst tyre, WO2 W.J. Kilpatrick, F/S H.T. McDonald, F/S K.C. Seagrave RAF, Sgt T.R. Thompson RAF and Sgt J.F. Phillips RAF killed, Sgt A. McConnell RAF, Sgt F.V. Nolan RAF and Sgt W.C. Warman RAF injured.

4 #14 SFTS, Aylmer, Ontario, Harvard II #3209 and Harvard IIb FE662 collided and crashed near the airfield, A/LA P.D.G. Stratton RN killed, P/O Sweet, F/O Scevoir and A/LA Child RN seriously injured (M.L. McIntyre).

4-5 On this night the sorties of squadrons on Special Operations began to be included in the Bomber Command record, however it seems the reporting was not always complete. On this night 25 aircraft on Special Operations made drops without loss, including 6 Stirlings of 214 Sqn. (referenced in M. Peden). Bomber Command sent 80 bombers to two Flying Bomb (NOBALL) sites in France which made good attacks, as well as 18 Mosquitos to Berlin, Krefeld and Cologne, 4 RCM, 40 GARDENING and 8 OTU sorties, for a total of 175 sorties without loss (BC War Diaries).

428 Sqn. Halifax B.II aircraft make the first use by Bomber Command of high-level mines, dropping them on the harbour of Brest, France (RCAF Sqns.). This new weapon allowed anti-ship mines to be placed from safer altitudes (14,000-15,000') rather than below 6,000' as before, which kept the bombers out of the range of light and medium flak.

Wednesday 5 431 Sqn. Halifax V LK698 SE-W broke out of cloud near it's base in England on a training

exercise, pulled up, stalled and crashed, Sgt J.A.Y. Lamontagne, WO2 H.P. Morrison, F/S A.L. Schoenthaler, F/O G.A.W. Shank, WO K.H. Greenwood RAF and Sgt E.S. Barlow RAF killed.

5 #13 SFTS, St. Hubert, Quebec Harvard IIb #3296 and Harvard IIb FS978 collided in mid-air near Chambly, Quebec, P/O M.F. Relihan was killed in the latter aircraft.rcaf

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5 unknown unit, Sgt J.H. Taggart died in Canada, no details.

5-6 Stettin was the target of 358 bombers from Bomber Command on this night which made a heavy attack. Diversions to Berlin and other targets by 38 Mosquitos succeeded in delaying the night fighters. Other operations were 1 RCM Mosquito, 1 SERRATE Beaufighter and 6 GARDENING sorties, for a total of 404 sorties with the loss of 16 bombers (BC War Diaries).

5-6 12 Sqn. Lancaster III JB357 PH-S lost over Germany, Sgt P.F.J. Sykes, F/S A.G. Twitchett RAF, Sgt D. Leatherbarrow RAF, F/S D. Robertson RAF, Sgt S. Burnell RAF, Sgt C.W. Farrant RAF and P/O M. Hewitt RAF killed. This crew had had to belly land a damaged Lancaster Nov. 26-27.

5-6 12 Sqn. Lancaster III ND324 PH-E force landed near Kalmar, Sweden, F/L W. Kroeker, F/O C.E. Modeland, F/L W.D. Smith, F/S C. Brooks RAF, F/O J.F. Woodcherry RAF, F/O G.T. Wood RAF and F/O C.J. Butler RAF interned. They returned to England Sept. 24, 1944. See also April 5-6 1945.

5-6 35 Sqn. Halifax II HX160 TL-O was attacked by a night fighter enroute to the target, which badly injured the rear gunner P/O J.J.R.T. Godin. S/L Hutton RAF, the pilot, decided to continue on, but over the target the bomber was again hit, and the bailout order was given just before the aircraft exploded, Sgt K.A.J. Campbell RAF, P/O R.J. Child DFC RAF, F/L W.H.L.S. Way DFC RAF and P/O Godin killed, F/O W. Inverarity, S/L T.W.A. Hutton RAF, F/L P. Barber RAF and P/O D.R. Perrin RAF PoW, F/O Inverarity landed poorly and suffered a broken pelvis (R. Allenby). Details of the flight are in W.R. Chorley's BCL'44, pg. 13.

5-6 97 Sqn. Lancaster III JB191 OF-A lost over Germany, WO2 H.N. Dunnett, P/O V.S. Flack RAF, Sgt J.A. Hare RAF, F/O K.P. Rand RAF, Sgt R. Ferguson RAF and Sgt J. Roberts RAF killed, F/O R.G. Boston RAF PoW.

5-6 405 Sqn. Lancaster III ND341 (pilot F/L G.E. Coldrey) air gunner F/S R.H.J. Daoust was found dead in his turret when the bomber returned from operations, his cause of death is not known (R. Koval www.rafcommands.com). See June 2-3, below.

5-6 407 Sqn. Wellington, F/L R.C. Kenmuir and crew, damaged by flak on a patrol over the Bay of Biscay and crash landed on return (407 SH).

5-6 408 Sqn. Lancaster II, 2Lt M. (or N.R.) Humphrey USAAF, was forced to turn back due to icing severe enough to knock out one engine. Unable to maintain height on 3 engines due to the ice the crew were forced jettison all loose equipment until they were able to make a safe landing in England (R. Koval, 5th Year).

5-6 467 Sqn. RAAF Lancaster III LM431 PO-M lost without trace, WO2 L.M. Jackson, F/S H.S. Reid, P/O F.A. Connolly RAAF, Sgt D.A. Briggs RAF, F/S L.A. Jeffries RAF, Sgt M. Turner RAF and Sgt R.W.J. Evans RAF missing.

5-6 576 Sqn. Lancaster I DV333 UL-C2 shot down over Germany by a night fighter, Sgt N.A. Dixon, WO1 F.A. Larsen, F/L E.D. Smith RAF and P/O K.H.D. Wilde RAF killed, Sgt L.H. Kirkpatrick RAF, Sgt B.W. Suffolk RAF, F/O S.R. Wilkins RAF and F/S A.R. McAlhone RAF PoW.

Thursday 6 Soviet forces re-enter Poland (CJCA Headlines?). rc

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First #162 (BR) Canso A arrives in Reykjavik, 2 days after departing Dartmouth (5th Year).

Public announcement of development Allied jet aircraft made (ww2total.com Chronology/1944).

6 38 Sqn. Wellington MP679 lost over the Mediterranean while on a night patrol over a convoy. Another Squadron Wellington HZ727 had just joined the patrol, and it is believed the two aircraft collided in mid air. P/O L.G. Dalgliesh, F/O R.H. Head, F/O W.H. Bowen RAAF, F/O J.A. Cleary RAAF, F/O R.E. Berkley RAF and F/O M.G. Turner RAF missing on MP679 (Storr) and F/O K.R. Munro, F/S H. Cherns RAF, F/S I. Coles RAF, Sgt J. Harris RAF, F/S R.F. Ledger and Sgt K.A. Wright were also listed as lost from 38 Squadron on this date and may have been on HZ727 (CWGC).

6 91 Sqn. Spitfire XII EN223 crashed in France after the pilot, F/O H.F. Heninger RCAF (USA), radioed that he was bailing out. F/O Heninger did not survive. His family were from the USA but F/O Heninger was born in Calgary (K. MacLean www.rafcommands.com).

6 206 Sqn. Fortress II FA705 1-U missing on an anti-submarine patrol from the Azores, shot down attacking U-270, WO1 D.L. Heard, WO1 O.A. Keddy, S/L A.J. Pinhorn DFC RAF (Can.), F/O J.H. Duncan RAF, F/S T. Eckersley RAF, F/O F.D. Roberts RAF, Sgt R. Fabian RAF, F/L R. Brown RAF and WO R.N. Stares RAF missing. The U-boat was damaged and forced to return to port for repairs (U-boat.net, Peter Clare www.ww2talk.com). S/L Pinhorn was very experienced having flown Coastal Command operations since the war had begun.

6 #11 Air Gunnery School Martinet I aircraft JN492 and JN448 collided in mid-air and crashed into the sea off Ayre, Isle of Man, Sgt G.L. Brehaut and drogue operator LAC T.F. Pilmer RAF missing on one aircraft, and F/S R.J.N. Ford RAF missing on the other (www.rafcommands.com discussion page on LAC Pilmer).

6 #18 OTU Wellington X LN448 damaged it's undercarriage in a hard practice landing, which collapsed on the next landing, P/O R. Dubois and Sgt R.H. Jenkins RAF safe.

6 #24 OTU Whitley V BD283 TY-B crash landed after an engine failure while practicing circuits, P/O H.R. Jones, P/O D.B. Norton, Sgt Barnett, Sgt Chirks and Sgt Shellter injured (www.aviationarchaeology.org.uk). See June 7-8, below. Sgt Barnett may be the same as P/O G.H. Barnett (see Dec. 30, below)

6 #31 OTU, Debert, NS, Hudson V AM764 was practicing descending through cloud when it struck the ground near Dodderidge, NS, P/O J.A. Gordon RAF killed, Sgt D. Jeffrey RAAF, Sgt B.C.J. Gertie RNZAF and Sgt J.A. Easton RNZAF survived (#31 OTU/#7 OTU Roll of Honour).

Friday 7 #2 SFTS, Uplands, Ontario, Harvard II AH201 crashed, LAC W.O. Slassor RAF killed. 7 #24 EFTS, Abbotsford, BC, Cornell II #14586 dove into the ground near the airfield on a training

flight, WO2 J.E. Gibson killed.

Saturday 8 FIrst flight of Lockheed XP-80 Shooting Star jet fighter using the flightworthy Halford H-1

engine from DH.100 Vampire prototype. This was the second US jet fighter design. rcaf

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Although it did not see combat in the war the P-80 (later F-80) was the first US jet fighter to see operational service in the USAAF/USAF, saw combat in the Korean war, and was developed into the widely used T-33 training aircraft (later built under license in Canada as the CT-133 Silver Star with Rolls-Royce engines).

With fighting stalemated on the Sangro River after the capture of Ortona 417 Sqn. Spitfires are flying sorties over Italy and Yugoslavia searching for ground targets to attack (5th Year).

8 100 Sqn. air gunner Sgt C.B. Wallace died of injuries sustained Dec. 17, 1943 in the loss of 100 Sqn. Lancaster JB678.

8 #23 OTU Wellington X LN241 was practicing single engine handling when the operating engine cut out and the aircraft crashed before the other engine could be restarted, Sgt F.W. Dolter and his crew safe. See May 24-25, below.

8 #147 (BR) Sqn. RCAF, two Bolingbroke IV aircraft collided in mid-air off Tofino, BC. One landed safely but aircraft #9131 crashed into the sea, WO2 J.A. Horton, WO2 H.J. Hyde, WO2 J.A. Toner and passenger Private G.J. Jean of the Kent Regiment, Canadian Army, missing.

8 #37 SFTS, Calgary, Alberta, Harvard II AJ789 crashed, LAC J. Broadhurst RAF and Sgt K.H. Rosewell RAF killed (R.W.R. Walker).

Sunday 9 #163 (F) Sqn. RCAF moves from Sea Island to Patricia Bay, BC (RCAF Sqns.). 9 401 Sqn. Spitfire LF.IX MH827 was shot down by flak over France on a RHUBARB, F/O R.M.

Davenport RCAF (USA) evaded. He returned to England in April. See Aug. 18, below. 9 #16 OTU Wellington X HE320 was engaged in night bombing practise when an engine failed.

The crew parachuted out except for the rear gunner, Sgt L.G. Martin, who was killed when the aircraft crashed. Sgt V.G. Bailey RAF was found dead under his opened parachute. P/O B.W.J. Chenier and the rest of the crew, F/O G.K. Campbell, F/O J.B. Birkett RAF and Sgt R.E. Dennis RAF safe (Gillian, and G. Siggers Ford History Group via www.rafcommands.com)

9 #6 SFTS, Dunnville, Ontario, Harvard II #2872 crashed near Florence, Ontario on a navigation exercise, LAC(P) W.M. Taylor killed.

9 #34 SFTS, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Harvard II AJ756 crashed, LAC T. Dick RAF and Sgt F.G. Mallin RAF killed.

Monday10 Lancaster B.III bomber EE182 taken on service with the RCAF for cold weather testing

(Griffin CMA).10 681 Sqn. Spitfire PR.XI (Trop.) MB904 force landed on a PRU sortie over Burma, F/O V.E.

Cross RCAF (USA) evaded and walked back in 5 days (C. Shores, www.spitfires.ukf.net). See March 23, below.

10 #34 OTU, Pennfield Ridge, NB, Ventura I AE677 flew into the ground and was burnt out when both engines cut on approach to land, Sgt A.H. McNeil and Sgt K. Burrows RAF slightly injured (www.rootsweb.ancestry.com #34 OTU Accident and Mishap Reports). Two days later Ventura II AE871 was taxiing for take-off on the runway at night and was ordered to rcaf

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clear the runway by Flying Control. It did so and ran into an unmarked engine from this crash and was damaged, Sgt J.H.R. Dyos RAF and Sgt Thursfield RAF safe (www.rootsweb.ancestry.com #34 OTU Accident and Mishap Reports).

10-11 605 Sqn. Mosquito FB.VI HJ784 missing from an INTRUDER sortie over Holland, P/O K.J. Mulcair and F/S R.G. Aldworth RAF missing.

Tuesday11 Allies take Maungdaw, Burma [Jan. 9, wikipedia]; Germans shoot Count Ciano (CJCA

headlines), former Italian foreign minister and Mussolini's son-in-law.

US President Roosevelt asks Congress for a new National Service law to prevent national strikes and give support to workers (D. Sommerville). See February 17, below.

11 104 Sqn. Wellington X LN721 lost attacking Piraeus, Greece, WO2 T.J. Beechinor, WO2 D.W. Bowell, F/S J.M. Hunter, F/S R.E. Williams and Sgt W.R. Jones RAF missing.

11 #17 OTU Wellington III BK333 crashed landing from a night exercise when an engine failed on approach, F/O K.G. Berry, P/O G.E. Clode, Sgt J.J. Golding, F/O E.W. Ward and Sgt R. Dawson RAF killed, Sgt W.E. Shillito injured.

11 #9 RD, St. Jean, Quebec Cpl W. Stein died of natural causes.11 #11 EFTS, Windsor Mills, Quebec, Finch II #4713 damaged and written off (R.W.R. Walker).11 #26 EFTS, Neepawa, Man. DH.82C Tiger Moth #3856 and #1268 crashed on this date, LAC

E.T. Griffiths RAF was killed in #3856 and LAC D.M. Hair RAF was killed on #1268.

11-12 Laholm, Sweden, two trains collided after signal lights were knocked out by a British launched OUTWARD balloon (wikipedia).

Wednesday12 First flight of a production Meteor I fighter, EE210/G (D. Nijboer).12 27 Sqn. Mosquito FB.VI HX946 lost over Burma, P/O W.A. Gunn and his navigator P/O W.C.

Luff RAF missing.12 Desert Air Force Headquarters, Foggia, Italy, Auster aircraft crashed, W/C L.C. Wade DFC & 2

Bars RAF (USA) killed (CWGC). W/C Wade fought in the desert and commanded 145 Squadron, having 25 victories. He joined in Canada in 1940 after having been turned down by the USAAC and trained there. Most references in 1941 and 1942 identify him as RCAF (USA) and it is possible he transferred to the RAF later. He was the highest scoring US pilot to serve exclusively in Commonwealth air forces (Imperial War Museum). He is buried in Texas.

Thursday13 C-in-C Bomber Command ACM Harris circulates letters to various top generals and air

marshals arguing against the diversion of Bomber Command to OVERLORD (invasion of France) transportation targets, wants to continue attacks on industrial centres (Polsson). General C.A. Spaatz, commanding the US Strategic Air Forces in England, also wished to remain independent of OVERLORD control (Oxford).

13 211 Sqn. Beaufighter "P" lost over Burma, F/S W.G. Adamson and Sgt G.W. Briggs safe. See rcaf

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March 24, below.13 413 Sqn. aero engine mechanic Cpl W.L. Johnston died in hospital in Ceylon of natural causes.13 15 Sqn. Lancaster III ED826 was on a cross country exercise when crashed on fire into tidal

flats in England, F/S C.W. Christie, F/S W.A. Houston, WO2 W.J. Hynes, Sgt R.A. Andrews RAF, Sgt J. Johnston RAF and Sgt K. Talbot RAF missing.

13 172 Sqn Leigh-Light Wellington XIV HF168 "L", P/O W.N. Armstrong, attacks and sinks U-231 NE of the Azores (discussion page www.rafcommands.com, www.uboat.net). Return fire from the U-boat badly wounded the tail gunner which resulted in his losing a leg (Lancaster, C. et al).

13 #32 OTU, Patricia Bay, BC, Hampden TB.I AD767 crashed at Dinner Point, Galiano Island, Sgt R. Hayes RAF killed. BC Times Colonist Patricia Bay Aircrash List 2009 states that this aircraft had made at least one sortie over Berlin when it was operational as a bomber. It was also recorded on strength with 415 Sqn. Coastal Command as a torpedo bomber before being sent to Canada (RCAF Sqns., H. Moyle, R. Allenby).

13-14 409 Sqn. Beaufighter VIf MM918 KP-N crashed in England on an patrol, F/O H.J. Kirton killed, F/O West safe.

13-14 #1656 HCU Halifax II DT781 "D2" caught fire and broke up in the air while on a night navigation exercise over England, F/O F.J. Hjartarson, F/S W.R. Wilson, F/S J.J. Clearly RAAF, Sgt R.H. Dolden RAF, Sgt R.C. Bradbury RAF and Sgt R. Burgess RAF killed.

Friday14 Soviet offensive from Leningrad begins. Despite plans for a strategic retreat being in place

Hitler insists positions be held despite advice of general commanding in region (Oxford).

#1 Training Command headquarters moved to Trenton (RCAF Sqns.).

In the US railway unions accept Roosevelt's labour proposals, withdrawing their strike threat and leading to control of the railways being returned to the railways by January 18 (D. Sommerville).

#9 EFTS, St. Catharines, Ontario; #17 EFTS, Stanley, NS and #33 EFTS, Caron, Saskatchewan shut down on this date (Chris www.rafcommands.com, www.bombercrew.com/BCATP.htm).

14 18 Sqn. Boston "FD507" was on an armed reconnaissance over Rome, Italy when it suffered a double engine failure. The pilot, WO1 D.E. Gibbon, held control until the crew had bailed out, but was unable to do so himself and was killed when the aircraft crashed.

14 404 Sqn. Beaufighter TF.Xc LZ179 EE-J missing from a convoy strike off Norway, P/O N.B. Hunt and F/O S.G. Joiner RAF missing (home.btconnect.com).

14 404 Sqn. Beaufighter TF.Xc LZ173 EE-W hit by flak attacking a convoy off Norway and crashed into the sea attempting to ditch on the return flight, F/O W. Wilkie and F/O W.L. Evans RAF missing (home.btconnect.com).

14 438 Sqn. Hurricane IV KJ228 crashed from a spin in England, F/O J.C.W. Hope killed.14 #1653 HCU Stirling III BF525 "A" missing on a cross country training flight, Sgt B.W. Matheson, rc

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F/O A. Nova, Sgt D.S.J. Richards RAF, F/S M.C. Barnard RAF, Sgt G.G.G. Rann RAF, Sgt R. Hunt RAF, Sgt N.E. Pratt RAF and Sgt W.C. Freeborn RAF missing.

14 #9 SFTS, Centralia, Ontario, Anson II #7272 crashed practicing authorized low flying, LAC(P) A.M. Di Filippo and P/O J.F. Henning killed.

14 #32 OTU, Patricia Bay, BC, Canadian built Hampden TB.I AN136 crashed on Mount Tuam, Galiano Island, within 500 m of the wreckage of Hampden AN105 that crashed the previous October. Sgt H.C. Birch RAF killed (BC Times Colonist Patricia Bay Aircrash List 2009, H. Moyle).

14-15 Bomber Command sent out 673 sorties on this night, 496 Pathfinders and Main Force bombers to Brunswick, 82 to NOBALL sites in France, 17 Mosquitos to diversion targets, 9 RCM, 2 SERRATE, 29 GARDENING and 36 OTU sorties. German controllers were not fooled and were directing night fighters to the stream very quickly, leading to a running fight and the loss of 38 of the bombers. Damage to Brunswick was light, with bombs falling in countryside and other towns (BC War Diaries).

14-15 9 Sqn. Lancaster III ED721 WS-S lost over Germany, WO2 D.A. Powley, F/S A.K. Trevena RAAF, F/O E.J. Argent RAF, F/O F.E. Forshew RAF and F/O G. Fradley RAF killed, Sgt W. Lyons RAF and Sgt H.T. Jolliffe RAF PoW. P/O Argent, Sgt Lyons, Sgt Fradley and F/S Travena had survived the ditching which had claimed the life of F/S Knox Dec. 20-21, 1943.

14-15 12 Sqn. Lancaster III JB542 PH-M shot down over Germany by night fighter attack and flak, P/O K.R. Middlemiss DFC, P/O R.S. Yell DFC RAAF, Sgt W.J.C. MacDonald RAF, Sgt T.A. Finch RAF, F/S J.H. Nutt RAF, Sgt S. Bates RAF and Sgt K.B. Reeves DFM RAF killed. This crew had been through a landing accident with a Lancaster Nov. 26-27, 1943.

14-15 44 Sqn. Lancaster I R5729 KM-A shot down over Germany by a night fighter, P/O L. Curatolo, F/S D.S. Mullin, F/S P.R. Hughes RAF, Sgt S.H. Weldon RAF, Sgt T. Whiteley RAF, Sgt G.H. Williams RAF and Sgt G. Armitt RAAF killed. P/O Curatolo had made a force landing in a #14 OTU Wellington Aug. 3, 1943. This aircraft R5729 featured in photos taken of an earlier operation, one of which, showing the aircraft running-up it's engines illuminated by headlights, is one of the most famous images of the Lancaster bomber (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/gallery/2018/apr/01/100-years-of-the-raf-in-pictures).

14-15 156 Sqn. Lancaster III JA975 GT-N shot down by flak and night fighter attack over Germany, F/O E.W. Smith, F/L C.R. Stannard RAF, F/O S. Colbert RAF, P/O D.M. Davies RAF, F/S G.C. Johnson DFM RAF and F/O E. Hone DFC RAF killed, F/S G.W. Bramley RAF missing.

14-15 156 Sqn. Lancaster III JB483 GT-M lost over Germany, WO2 H.H. Kinghorn, WO V.A.M. Hedges DFC RAAF, F/S R.C. Strange RAAF, P/O G. Palmer RAF, Sgt N.R.J. Evans RAF, F/S E.D. Panniers RAF and Sgt K.L. Johnson RAF killed.

14-15 156 Sqn. Lancaster III LM344 GT-H lost over Germany, F/O F.E. Lampin, Sgt A.E. Head RAF, Sgt S.F. May RAF, Sgt A.W. Mortimer RAF, Sgt D.A. Neal RAF, P/O J.F. Webster RAF and P/O E.C. Bagot RAAF killed.

14-15 156 Sqn. Lancaster III ND357 GT-G shot down over Holland by a night fighter, S/L E.S. Alexander DFC DFM, W/C N.R. Mansfield DFC RAF (NZ), WO C.H. Lawrance DFM RAF, rcaf

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WO B.A. Trott RAF, F/L C.R. Swinney DFC RAF, F/S V.N. Cawdery RAF and F/O G.W. Penrose RAF killed.

14-15 166 Sqn. Lancaster III EE137 AS-C2 lost over Germany, Sgt J.M. Preston, WO W.V. Butler RAF, Sgt R.E.W. Cheeseman RAF, Sgt F.C. Collins RAF and F/S R. Soo RAF killed, F/S J.W. Thomas RAF and Sgt J. Holden RAF PoW.

14-15 207 Sqn. Lancaster I DV369 EM-D lost on an operation to Germany, pilot P/O D.C. Balfour RAAF was killed but his crew, F/S L.C. Smart, Sgt J.H. Fraser, Sgt E. Colwill RAF, Sgt E.E.L. Richardson RAF, Sgt H. Taylor RAF, Sgt E.V. Yeo RAF and Sgt J.F. Potter RAF survived as PoW.

14-15 207 Sqn. Lancaster III DV191 EM-Q lost over Germany, pilot F/O G.W. Jones RAF and his navigator Sgt E.W.H. Johnston RAF were killed, but the rest of the crew, F/S R.F. Barre, Sgt S.G. Pocknall RAF, Sgt S.T. Willis RAF, Sgt B. Connors RAF and Sgt A. Jefferies RAF PoW.

14-15 207 Sqn. Lancaster III EE197 EM-N had an engine fail outbound on an operation. After feathering the propellor and jettisoning part of the bomb load they bombed the target and then were attacked by a single engined fighter which inflicted damage to the fuselage and another engine before being evaded. They were then hit by flak that destroyed the aileron control. They managed to return to England where the aircraft broke up on landing, F/S C.E.D. Stewart RAF was injured, Sgt M. Sherman, P/O F.W. Gallagher RAF, WO A. Young RAF, F/S R.P. Scott RAF, Sgt. S. Fawcett RAF and Sgt K. Waddington RAF safe. Pilot P/O Gallagher was awarded an immediate DFC and flight engineer F/S Stewart an immediate DFM for this sortie. See June 21-22 below.

14-15 207 Sqn. Lancaster III LM383 EM-R lost over Germany, F/S G.J. Ferguson, Sgt J.A. Morrish RAF, Sgt S.H. Rattray RAF, Sgt R.E. Swann RAF, Sgt G.A. Walton RAF and P/O P.N. Kingston RAAF killed, Sgt T. Bowskill PoW.

14-15 405 Sqn. Lancaster III JA974 LQ-V was hit by flak and blew up over Germany, WO2 L.D. Annis, F/O J.W. Astbury, P/O H.A. Floren, Sgt E.C. Houlding, WO2 N. Leone, F/O J.J.H.O. Souaillard and F/L W. Thatcher killed. WO Annis had survived the crash landing of a 427 Sqn. Wellington April 26-27, 1943.

14-15 405 Sqn. Lancaster III ND341 LQ-S shot down over Germany, F/L W.B. Cloutier DFC, WO2 A.K. Lawrence, P/O A.S. Parker, F/L E.A. Sanderson and Sgt K.S. Joslyn RAF killed, P/O J.J. March, F/O S.E. Neville RAF and Sgt C.A. Dunnett RAF PoW.

14-15 405 Sqn. Lancaster III ND423 LQ-K lost over Germany, F/O G.R. Drimmie DFC, F/O J.F. Gilbey, F/S R.F. Peterson, F/L R.B. Jarvie RAF, Sgt E.A. Lane RAF, Sgt J.J. Waddell RAF and F/S D.F. Smith RAF killed.

14-15 405 Sqn. Lancaster III LQ-D, F/O D.E. Biden, hit and damaged by flak which wounded the flight engineer, Sgt E.A. Wilkinson, and caused a fire in the fuselage. While the fire was being fought a night fighter attacked the bomber, knocking out an engine and the turrets and wounded two more crew members, F/O H.R. Farb and WO A.L. Weaver. On return to England a wheels up landing was made due to the damage (405 SH). The bomber was later repaired. The Squadron diary entry for this sortie was reproduced in The R.C.A.F. Overseas - The Fifth Year, but dates it as occurring January 30-31.

14-15 408 Sqn. Lancaster II DS767 EQ-Q lost over Germany, F/O S. Dawson RAF (Can.), P/O J.B. Cameron, P/O J.A. Earle RCAF (USA), P/O L.L.H. Hansen, WO2 H. MacLennan RCAF (USA), P/O C.C.Van D. Spencer and Sgt B.G. Capel RAF killed. This crew had survived rcaf

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the ditching of a 426 Sqn. Lancaster II Oct. 18-19, 1943.14-15 408 Sqn. Lancaster II LL699 EQ-C lost over Germany, Sgt L.A. Carr, F/O W.H. Timmins, F/S

A.R. Williams, F/S M.L. Wiper, Sgt A.W. Tattersfield RAF and F/S G. Deighton RAF killed, F/O W.R. Glen PoW.

14-15 426 Sqn. Lancaster II DS686 OW-D, F/L T.R. Shaw, was attacked by a twin engined and two single engined night fighters, claiming one of the latter destroyed (R. Koval, 5th Year). See January 27-28, below.

14-15 432 Sqn. Lancaster II DS740 QO-Z lost over Germany, WO2 W.H. Hoppus, P/O D.T. Lyng, P/O D.A. Rae, Sgt K.E. Evans RAF, Sgt C.F. Tarr RAF, F/S E.F. Howe RAF and F/O G.V. Holmes RAF killed.

14-15 432 Sqn. Lancaster II DS850 QO-M was hit by incendiary bombs over the target and abandoned when it was realized it could not reach base due to leaking fuel tanks, Sgt J.H. Aplin RAF (Aus.) and Sgt R.A. Hutchinson RAF were killed, F/L C.V. Wales, F/S G.C. Pike, F/L G.H. Rainville DFM, Sgt A.L.J. Thomas RAF, F/S J.S. Evans RAF and F/S W.J.T. Garvey RAF PoW.

14-15 432 Sqn. Lancaster II LL636 QO-B "Miss Kingsville", S/L W.W. Strachan, was badly damaged by a Bf 109 and a reported "four engined aircraft with square wingtips", claiming damage on the latter (R. Koval, http://www.lancaster-archive.com). This sortie was detailed in The R.C.A.F. Overseas - The Fifth Year.

14-15 514 Sqn. Lancaster II LL679 JI-J2 lost over Germany, F/S A.E. Dimock, Sgt E.J. Oakley, Sgt J.W. Hennis RAF, Sgt R.F. Laishley RAF, F/S J.S. Gallagher RNZAF, F/S L. Kell RNZAF and F/S P.E. Mason RNZAF killed. F/S Dimock had been injured Aug. 1, 1943, in the loss of a #30 OTU Wellington.

14-15 514 Sqn. Lancaster II LL685 JI-G2 shot down by a night fighter over Germany, F/O P.P. Boulter RAF (Can.), F/O J.L. Martin, F/O J.A. Sneddon DFM, F/O E.H. Thomas DFM, F/O F.G. Rosher DFM RAF, S/L E.F. Sly DFC AFM RAF and P/O W.L. Harvey DFM RNZAF killed.

14-15 550 Sqn. Lancaster DV306 BQ-E shot down over the target by a night fighter, Sgt L.K. Gilmar, F/O K.L. Agnew RAF, F/O D.W. Cobbin RAF, Sgt R. Laverick RAF, Sgt F.T. Stiling RAF and Sgt R. Willis RAF killed, P/O J.L. McKeown PoW.

14-15 576 Sqn. Lancaster I ME585 UL-H2 crashed in Germany, Sgt R.L. McManus, Sgt J.W.T. Anderson RAF, Sgt D.G. Mann RAF, Sgt R. Mosley RAF, Sgt J.K. Mosman RAF, Sgt F.D. Robbins RAF and F/O B.N.J. Price RAF killed.

14-15 626 Sqn. Lancaster I ME576 UM-A2 crashed in Germany, WO2 A.M. Goodall, F/S K.N. Elkington RAF, Sgt B.G. Martin RAF, Sgt R.C. McLaren RAF, Sgt L.J. Pasfield RAF, Sgt M.A. Brooke RAF and Sgt A.A. Johnson RAF killed.

Saturday15 In England US General Eisenhower takes over command of Supreme Headquarters, Allied

Expeditionary Force, or SHAEF, and Operation OVERLORD, the invasion of France, and on the same day in France German General Erwin Rommel takes command of the armies in Normandy, charged with stopping an invasion of France in Normandy (Polsson).

#111 (F) Sqn. stands down at Patricia Bay, BC for redeployment overseas to England (RCAF rcaf

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Sqns.).

An earthquake at San Juan, Argentina kills 10,000 (other reports 1,600) in the worst natural disaster in Argentina's history (wikipedia). (This is referenced in the musical Evita).

15 608 Sqn. Hudson VI FK569 destroyed by fire after crashing on take-off in Italy, WO1 E.G.L. Roberson killed (J. Baugher).

15 USAAF 307th Ferry Sqn. A-20G 43-9546 written off after a forced landing near Calgary, Alberta (AAIR).

mid-January, deception Operation FORTITUDE NORTH, creation of a phantom British 4th Army Group threatening to invade Norway, begins (Polsson). A similar phantom US army is also created threatening the Pas de Calais region of France.

Sunday16 Soviets reject Polish border proposals (CJCA headline).16 34 Squadron Hurricane aircraft lost on operations in Burma, Sgt J.R. Aitken RAF (Can.) killed.

Information on this loss from TSGNO, not found in CWGC. In a discussion page at the www.rafcommands.com website this is not cleared up but contributor Terry notes that a Cpl J.R. Aitken RAF was awarded a BEM in August of 1942 for bomb disposal work.

16 404 Sqn. Beaufighter TF.Xc LZ296 ditched in the sea off Norway following an engine failure probably from enemy action, no trace of aircraft or crew found on search, F/O M.A. Decloux and F/O J. Gilhespy RAF missing.

16 410 Sqn. Mosquito NF.XIII HK431 hit trees and crashed in England while landing, killing F/O A.B. Henderson and F/L C.F. Medhurst (www.dehavilland.ukf.net)

16* #1525 Beam Approach Training (BAT) Flight Oxford I HN469 struck trees on approach in bad weather and crashed, killing F/O J.R. Galbraith and 2 crew.

16 #32 OTU, Patricia Bay, BC, Expeditor 3T HB100 missing near Patricia Bay on a delivery flight from Rockcliffe, Ontario, F/L H.W. Donkersley DFC & Bar, S/L J.G. Flaherty, F/O E. Sowerby and S/L J. Pringle RAF missing. F/L Donkersley had earned his awards in a distinguished tour flying Torpedo Wellingtons (Fishingtons) with 69 Sqn. in the Mediterranean.

Monday17 Air Chief Marshall Arthur Tedder RAF appointed Deputy to SHAEF (Polsson).

417 Sqn. moves to a landing ground near Naples as part of the Allied plan to provide air cover to the planned landings at Anzio. Due to the lack of enemy fighters they began bombing ground targets at this time (RCAF Sqns., 417 SH).

17 179 Sqn. Wellington GR.XIV HF194 missing from an anti-submarine patrol from Gibraltar, F/S P.W. Crickmay, F/O W.Y. McNeil, F/S G.A. McGilvray RAAF, F/S S.R. Hoare RAAF, F/S R.D. Anthony RAAF and F/S T.M. Anderson RAAF missing on their first operation (A. Storr).

17 #14 AFU Anson I EG704 crashed in England, F/O E. Pennington, F/L O.J.C. Mason RAF (NZ) and F/O W. Francis RAF killed (E. Martyn via www.rafcommands.com).

17 #6 SFTS Dunnville Ontario Harvard II #3149 and Harvard IIb #3322 crashed near Dundalk, rcaf

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Ontario after a mid-air collision, LAC(P) R. Panting was killed in #3149 and LAC(P) H.C.E. Stewart in #3322.

17 #34 SFTS, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Harvard IIb FE921 crashed, Sgt J.M.A.A.G. Lanis RAF (Belgium) killed.

17 #45 Group, RAF Ferry Command, Ventura GR.V JT801 missing between Surinam and Brazil. According to J. Baugher the wreckage was later found 100 miles SE of Amapa, Brazil, but if the site was investigated is not recorded. WO2 G.A. Flood, F/O R.A. Wilkins and Ferry Captain P.K. Herndon (USA) have no known grave, possibly buried at the crash site.

17 #45 Delivery Group, RAF Ferry Command, Dakota III FZ632 ditched near the Azores on a delivery flight to England, P/O T.D. Thomson missing, the rest of the crew rescued.

Tuesday18 683 Sqn. Spitfire PR.XI EN504 crashed in Italy on a reconnaissance sortie, possibly due to

oxygen problems, F/O J.A. Vasicek was seen to leave the aircraft at low level but did not open his parachute and was killed.

18 #1659 HCU RCAF Halifax II R9386 "J" suffered an engine failure practicing circuits. An attempted landing on three engines went wrong, and while attempting an overshoot with full flaps the aircraft struck a tree and crashed, injuring F/S L.L. Petry RCAF (USA), WO2 J.H. Sharpe, F/O F.H. Baker, Sgt S.R. Hill RAF and Sgt J.S. Bradley RAF, with Sgt Hynes RAF and Sgt Johnson RAF safe. WO Sharpe died later that day of his injuries. See Jan. 19, and April 27-28, below.

18 #1659 HCU RCAF Halifax II LW334 FD-T flew into a hill in fog on a cross-country exercise, killing F/O W.L. Boisvert, WO1 G.E. Giff, Sgt G.H. Hivon, Sgt R.G. Kimball, F/O J.P. Lavallee, F/O W. Phillips. A cross was dedicated to this crew's memory on Jan. 18, 1994 (www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk and BCL'HCU).

18 #1 SFTS, Camp Borden, Ontario, Harvard II #3764 crashed practicing night circuits, killing LAC(P) K.C. Colquhoun.

18 #34 OTU, Pennfield Ridge, NB, Ventura II FD689 made a forced wheels up landing near Derby, NB, after both engines stopped when changing fuel tanks, Sgt J. Wood RAF, Sgt A.G.C. Vines RAF, Sgt L.J. Brooks RAF and Sgt J.A. Tonkin RAF safe (www.rootsweb.ancestry.com #34 OTU Accident and Mishap Reports).

18 #36 OTU, Greenwood, NS, Oxford V EB506 crashed at Kingston, NS, possibly due to an engine failure on take-off. F/L H.W. Church, F/L L.J. O'Connell DFC, F/O R.J. Walls RNZAF and F/O J.D. Walsh RNZAF were killed. F/L O'Connell had been awarded his DFC after a tour with 407 Squadron (407 SH).

Wednesday19 35 Sqn. Halifax II HX169 TL-A crash landed making a 3-engined landing in England, P/O D.J.

McLeod and F/S R. Blakey RAF slightly injured, Sgt L.V. Norton RAF, Sgt J.W.S. Burdon RAF, Sgt S. Jackson RAF, Sgt T. Nainby RAF and Sgt K.A.L. Mitchell RAF safe.

19 #1659 HCU RCAF F/S L.L. Petry RCAF (USA) died in hospital of the injuries from the previous days crash.

19 #14 SFTS, Aylmer, Ontario, Harvard II #2877 crashed practicing night flying, A/LA D. Baillie RN killed (M.L. McIntyre).

19 #34 EFTS, Assiniboia, Man., Cornell II #10863 crashed near Assinibioa after a wing broke off in rcaf

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flight, P/O F.C. Pritchard and LAC(P) W.C. Lockhart RAF killed.19 #34 OTU, Pennfield Ridge, NB, Ventura II AE907 was practicing circuits in poor weather

conditions when the pilot, Sgt G.W. Shapka, had to take take action to avoid another aircraft and lost sight of the airfield. Attempts by the airfield to bring the aircraft back by firing flares failed, and then the radio communication was lost, either by radio failure or or crew error. After several hours of trying to find their location the airfield at Digby, NS, was sighted, but the engines failed on approach and the aircraft came down on a road on top of a pickup truck, Sgt P.N.H. Harricks RAAF was badly injured and Sgt G.W. Shapka injured (www.rootsweb.ancestry.com #34 OTU Accident and Mishap Reports).

19 In a repeat accident, Anson II #7164 (LAC(P) Cunningham) on approach to land came down in mid-air on top of Anson II #8561 (LAC(P) M. Storos), both landing safely in a piggy-back embrace (Airforce, Winter, Spring 1991). A similar accident also occurred in Australia in 1940.

Thursday20 US forces begin an attack to cross the Rapido River below Cassino (ww2total.com

Chronology/1944), in an attempt to enter the Liri Valley approach to Rome (W.L. Allen).

Soviet Army launches a winter offensive, capturing Novgorod on this date (LoN).20 #1653 HCU Stirling III LJ455 H4-C crashed while landing from a night navigation exercise, WO2

R.D. Poe, F/S J.K. Callow RAAF, P/O S.G. Johnson DFC RNZAF, Sgt R. Hallam RAF, Sgt R.J. Teague RAF, Sgt A.J. Wood RAF and Sgt F. Tempan RAF killed, F/S J.P. Bartington RAF and Sgt W.H. Spilbey RAF died of injuries.

20-21 Bomber Command returned to Berlin with a force of 769 Lancasters, Halifax and Mosquitos, which bombed on Pathfinder skymarking and H2S through clouds. There is, however, no German record of this attack at all, which indicates the bombers missed completely, or the bombing was very good, and the records were suppressed. As well, the 419 Squadron history notes no report of flak over the target, while reporting the operation as a great success based on the size of the flame-glow through the clouds.

Other operations include 19 diversion Mosquitos, 6 RCM sorties, 5 SERRATE, 29 GARDENING and 20 OTU sorties, 35 bombers were lost (BC War Diaries).

20-21 48 Sqn. Hudson VI EW897 crashed in the sea west of Gibraltar, P/O R.H. Garnham killed, WO2 R.L. Baxter, F/S I.B. Stavert RAF missing and 1 crew unknown.

20-21 57 Sqn. Lancaster III JB419 DX-E lost over Germany, P/O J.C. MacGillivray, F/S J.P. Irwin RAAF, Sgt F. Wilson RAF, F/S N. Cottrell RAF, Sgt R.S.W. Cowdrey RAF and Sgt D.R. Mills RAF killed, Sgt J.S. Whittle RAF PoW.

20-21 76 Sqn. Halifax V LK921 MP-R lost over Germany, F/S A.L.P. Gibson, P/O V. Parrott, F/S l.J. McCarthy RAAF, Sgt C.C. Vicary RAF, F/S J.L. Miriams RAF, F/S F.W. Hickman RAF and Sgt J.T. Hadland RAF killed.

20-21 76 Sqn. Halifax V LL116 MP-X hit by flak over the target which killed the bomb aimer F/O H.D.G. Morris RAF. While returning over Germany the bomber was again hit by flak and rcaf

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was finally abandoned over the coast of France where Sgt R.J. Prior RAF, Sgt H. Fisher RAF and Sgt L. Stokes RAF (injured) were taken PoW, WO2 J.M. Trach (or J. McTrach), P/O G.G.A. Whitehead RAF, Sgt J.M. Fisher RAF and Sgt B. Compton RAF evaded (www.conscript-heroes.com IS-9 files).

20-21 78 Sqn. Halifax II LW291 EY-M lost over Germany, F/O W.R. McGregor, WO2 F.R. Moffat, F/O R.G. Selman, Sgt N. Legg RAF, Sgt J.A. Stewart RAF and Sgt H.W. Rudelhoff RAF killed, Sgt H.H. Bennett RAF PoW. F/O McGregor, WO Moffat and F/O Selman were all from British Columbia.

20-21 83 Sqn. Lancaster III ED974 OL-Y lost over Germany, F/O G.I. Ransom, Sgt P.V.D.V. Vickers RAF (Rhod.), F/S C.F. Plumb RAF, F/S F.T. West RAF, F/S A.W. Coote RAF and F/S A.E. Millard DFM RAF killed, Sgt G.S.A. MacKinnon RAF PoW.

20-21 101 Sqn. ABC equipped Lancaster III LM387 SR-O lost without trace, WO2 N.G. Dowler, F/L S.W.W. Perry, Sgt T.W. Durie RAF, Sgt R.A. Hart RAF, Sgt P.F. Searle RAF, F/O R.J. Wilson RAF, WO F. Stokes RAF and Sgt W.E. Whitfield RAF missing. F/O Wilson was the special operator.

20-21 102 Sqn. Halifax II JD461 DY-Y lost over Germany, Sgt E. Smith and Sgt F. Moss RAF killed, Sgt R. Compston RAF, Sgt D. Courtney RAF, Sgt E.W.B. Evans RAF, Sgt W.J.M. Eastwood RAF and Sgt D.V. Metcalfe RAF PoW.

20-21 102 Sqn. Halifax II LW227 DY-X attacked by a night fighter and abandoned over Germany, WO2 F.F. Yeager, WO R.G. Wilding RAF, Sgt J.L. Corrigan RAF, Sgt R.W. Chandler RAF, Sgt J.C. Heap RAF, Sgt T.K. Buxton RAF and Sgt C.H. Shepperd RAF PoW.

20-21 102 Sqn. Halifax II LW337 DY-F "Old Flo" hit by flak over the target, set on fire and broke up in a dive, Sgt K.F. Stanbridge RAF, F/S E.A. Church and Sgt J. Bremner RAF killed, WO2 C.G. Dupueis missing, F/O G.A. Griffiths DFM RAF, F/S R.C. Wilson RAF, F/O L.A. Underwood RAF and Sgt H.L. Bushell RAF PoW. These were 3 of 7 Halifax bombers lost by 102 Sqn. on this operation. In 2008 it was announced that the crash site of this aircraft had been found due to the efforts of F/S Wilson and the remains of Sgt Bremner RAF identified (aestorm www.rafcommands.com, A. Levy, Daily Mail). A book on the search for this missing aircraft by F/S Wilson was published in 2015, Into the Dark, Fighting High Publishing.

20-21 115 Sqn. Lancaster II LL650 KO-J shot down over Germany by a night fighter, WO2 B.J. Lobb, F/S R. Brotherton RAF, P/O D. Canning RAF, Sgt J.D. Groves RAF, Sgt J. Hill RAF and Sgt A. Mickus RAF killed, F/S W.F.J. Hocking RAF PoW.

20-21 158 Sqn. Halifax III LV773 NP-R lost over Germany, F/S H.W. Spackman, P/O R.H. Thompson, F/S A.J. Poulton RAF, Sgt D.P. Fowler RAF, Sgt L.G. Neary RAF, Sgt A. Radley RAF and Sgt R.J. Standley RAF killed.

20-21 166 Sqn. Lancaster I R5862 AS-N2 shot down over Germany by a night fighter, F/S L.W. Mattin, F/S R.W. Sutton RAF, Sgt D.J. Edwards RAF, F/S C.B. Jeffery RAAF and Sgt A.A. Mansfield RAF killed, Sgt C.H. Rusk and Sgt M.F. Early RAF PoW.

20-21 415 Sqn. Albacore I X9280 lost attacking an enemy destroyer off Calais, France, S/L E.W. Cowan and F/O D.T. Wood RAF missing.

20-21 419 Sqn. Halifax II DT731 VR-M shot down by several night fighter attacks over Germany. On fire, with the undercarriage down, and descending despite full power on the engines, the bailout order was given and F/S I.V. Hopkins, WO2 W.E. MacKenzie, F/O A. Cormack, Sgt W.D. McCaghey, Sgt J. Chambers RAF, Sgt E.R. Jenkins RAF and TSgt F.S. Paules rcaf

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USAAF became PoW (419 SH). See April 19, 1945.20-21 419 Sqn. Halifax II HX162 VR-X was attacked by a fighter over Germany and damaged, then

crippled by flak. Sgt F.G. Sanderson was severely wounded and Sgt D.J. Ferguson RAF killed in the fighter attacks, but the rest of the crew, F/O H.L. Bullis (wounded), WO A.H. Towers (wounded), F/S M.A. Potter, F/S R. Bonathan RAF and Sgt E.H. Boisvert USAAF (wounded), bailed out and were taken PoW. F/O Bullis, the pilot, intended to try to crash land with the wounded Sgt Sanderson, but was forced to leave when part of a wing burned off, Sgt Sanderson was killed in the crash, P/O Bullis PoW. See W.R. Chorley's BCL'44 Pg. 14, and 419 Squadron history for details.

20-21 426 Sqn. Lancaster II LL628 OW-Y lost over Germany, P/O E.S. Hawkes DFC, F/L L.N. McCaig DFC, P/O R.J. Orr, P/O R.D. Polson, P/O T.J. Preece, P/O R.W. Elliott RAF and P/O G.R. Ketcher DFM RAF killed. All of this crew except P/O Elliott had survived a difficult sortie Sept. 23-24, 1943 in which P/O Ketcher and P/O Hawkes had been injured.

20-21 427 Sqn. Halifax V EB246 ZL-S "Sierra Sue" lost over Germany, P/O J.G. Coflin, P/O N.E. Cook, F/S B.E. Findlay, Sgt B.C. Prill, P/O R.S. Thompson RAF, F/S C. Cook RAF and Sgt J.S. Child RAF killed (R. Koval).

20-21 427 Sqn. Halifax V LL191 ZL-N crashed in England after hitting high tension lines and trees making it's third attempt to land, killing F/O L.G. Biddiscombe RAF. A local farmer and his wife, Joe and Noel Mutimer, risked their lives to pull three of the crew to safety, for which they received the BEM. F/O W.A. Cozens RAF, Sgt J. McGowan RAF, Sgt W.L. Stockford RAF and Sgt H.P. Whittaker RAF were injured, 2 of whom died that same day and Sgt Stockford died Jan. 23. Sgt R.B. Nairn and F/S C.L. Bernier RAF were safe. See Aug. 26, below.

20-21 428 Sqn. Halifax V LK739 NA-P shot down by flak on an operation to Germany, Sgt W.R. Wynveen PoW, F/S F.F.E. Reain, Sgt W.E. Fell, F/O A.R. Fisher, F/O Y. Lavoie, Sgt L.R. Fryer and Sgt W.T. Banner RAF evaded. F/S, later F/O Reain, was later awarded an MiD.

20-21 428 Sqn. Halifax II JP191 NA-B, S/L W.A.G. McLeish, was damaged by gunfire from another Halifax but returned safely (R. Koval, Awards). See August 3, below.

20-21 428 Sqn. Halifax II JN968 NA-I, S/L C. Bartlett, had it's fuselage shot up by a night fighter, and later the mid-upper turret, rudders and fins were damaged by a flak hit, but returned safely (R. Koval). [S/L Bartlett possibly C.S. Bartlett RCAF, later W/C on 434 Sqn., see June 12-13, below.]

20-21 428 Sqn. Halifax II, P/O D. Curley, returned on three engines after being hit by flak (R. Koval).20-21 429 Sqn. Halifax V LL197 AL-L shot down by a night fighter over Germany, F/O A.A. Ayers

RCAF (USA), P/O N.E. Carter RCAF (USA), P/O B.N. Forster, F/O H.D. Paddison, F/O J.M. Ramsay and F/S W.H. Bryant RAF killed, Sgt R.A. Saffran PoW. P/O Paddison had come through a crash of a #23 OTU Wellington Aug. 17-18, 1943.

20-21 429 Sqn. Halifax V LK993 AL-J, F/O A. MacDonald, claimed damage on a night fighter that attacked it (R. Koval). (F/O MacDonald possibly either F/L A. MacDonald lost June 10-11, below, or F/O A.I. MacDonald, reference March 18-19, below?).

20-21 434 Sqn. Halifax V LK656 WL-C was hit twice by flak an operation to Germany which knocked out the electrical system, damaged the oxygen system, set a fire in the bomb bay and cut the rudder cables (R. Koval). After putting out the fire the pilot, F/S F. Johnson, managed to return to England where it was abandoned, F/S Johnson and Sgt J. Campbell injured, Sgt S. Phillips, P/O R. Davis, Sgt A. Hessian, Sgt W. Whitton and Sgt D. Tofflemeir (crew rcaf

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RAF and/or RCAF) safe.20-21 434 Sqn. Halifax V LL135 WL-R shot down by flak over the target, F/O C.S. Brest RCAF

(USA), F/O M. Gnius, Sgt J.R. Morgan, Sgt L.H. Doe RAF and P/O H.B. Hill RAF (Eire) killed, F/O W.M. Kipp and F/O J. Snowsell PoW.

20-21 434 Sqn. Halifax V LL141 WL-H lost over Germany, F/O J.T. Clinkshill, Sgt E.W.H. McCaffrey, F/O W.R. Sloan, Sgt V.G. Baker RAF, F/S C.J. Jones RAF, Sgt C.C. Cassy RAF and Sgt D.J. Gillam RAF killed.

20-21 434 Sqn. Halifax V LL179 WL-K shot down over Germany by a night fighter, F/S G. Mould killed, P/O P.R.A. Dack, Sgt J.A. McKenna and Sgt E.J.C. Porter RAF missing, P/O W.C. Drum, F/S A.M. Wilson and Sgt R.T. Cox RAF PoW.

20-21 466 Sqn. RAAF Halifax III HX278 HD-Z shot down by a night fighter over Germany, WO J.P. Morrow RAF, F/L W.G. Baldwin RAAF, F/O W.L. Clemo RAAF, WO K.E. Rimmington RAAF, Sgt J.M.M. Fleming RAF, F/S F. Rushworth RAF, P/O M.R. Sparrow RAF and F/S J.T. Gilchrist RAF killed. WO Morrow was married to a resident of Winnipeg.

20-21 622 Sqn. Lancaster I R5483 GI-D lost, F/L D.A. Claydon, F/S P.J. Maher, Sgt S.E. James RAAF, F/S H. Graham RAF, P/O W.H. Davies RAF, Sgt D.F. Bache RAF, Sgt W.G.J. Shields RAF and Sgt F. Mosley RAF killed.

20-21 630 Sqn. air gunner P/O B. Davis was found unconscious in his turret probably due to lack of oxygen caused by icing in his mask and oxygen tube. He died before his aircraft, Lancaster III JB294, landed in England.

Friday21 US attack to cross the Rapido defeated with heavy casualties (ww2total.com

Chronology/1944). See January 22, below.

Final plan of OVERLORD invasion, with 5 invasion beaches over a 50 mile length of coast in Normandy, approved (Polsson).

21 258 Sqn. Hurricane flight was waiting to escort bombers over Eastern India, and was practicing combat using only gun cameras when one pilot fired his cannons in error, shooting down the Hurricane flown by F/O N.M. Scott, who has no known grave. F/O Scott had flown, as a Sgt, off HMS Indomitable into Java and had flown in combat in Sumatra and Java (T. Kelly).

21 21 Sqn. two Mosquito FB.VI aircraft were part of an attack on targets in the Pas de Calais of France (NOBALL site?) when one was hit by flak and collided out of control with the other, both plunging into the sea, pilot F/O W.S. Johnston and P/O L. Hocking RAF were missing from Mosquito HX958, S/L A.M.L. Alderton RAF and Lt B.L. Chaiet USAAF (ex RCAF) missing in Mosquito HX960 (C. Thomas and others at www.rafcommands.com).

21 #84 OTU Wellington X LN238 crashed into a wood after an engine failure practicing circuits, F/O C.L.R. Spooner, F/O H. Hoyle RAF and Sgt G.C. Ogilvie RAF killed, Sgt Dunmall RAF injured.

21 #105 (Transport) OTU Wellington Ic DV695 missing from a navigation exercise, WO2 L.N. Fresque missing and 2 RAF missing or killed, possibly F/L W.J. Pershke RAF and F/O A.B. Parr RAF, both missing on this date (malcolm_raf rafcommands.com).

21 #1661 HCU Stirling III EF151 struck a tree and crashed attempting a belly landing after an engine failure and with the undercarriage half deployed. WO2 G.C. Munro and Sgt A.F. rcaf

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Cooper RAF were killed in the crash, Sgt W.G.A. Venables RAF died of injuries, and F/S F.C. Biddle, Sgt A.S. Humphreys RAAF, Sgt E. Docherty RAF and Sgt R. Southey RAF survived, injured.

21 #1 OTU RCAF, Bagotville, Quebec, Harvard IIb FE393 was reported overdue on a cross country flight between Bagotville and Quebec City. After a search the wreckage was found near St. Urbain, Que, F/L L.E. Price and Capt. A. Steinberg, Canadian Army Dental Corp., killed. F/L Price had previously flown Spitfires in North Africa.

21 #3 B&G School, MacDonald, Man., repaired Battle R7422, now a I.T turret trainer, has it's fifth and final accident, and third belly landing, 12 miles from the airfield after an engine cut. It was not repaired (S. Shail).

21 #32 OTU, Patricia Bay, BC, Canadian built Hampden TB.I AN122 collapsed it's undercarriage when it swung on taking off, Sgt J.S.T. Budgen safe (H. Moyle).

21 USAAF 90th Ferry Sqn. P-39Q damaged landing at Grande Prairie, Alberta (AAIR).

21-22 Magdeburg was the target of Bomber Command on this night with 645 bombers and 3 Mosquitos sent there, as well as a diversion of 34 Lancasters and Mosquitos to Berlin, 111 bombers to NOBALL sites in France, 13 other diversion Mosquitos, 8 RCM, 5 SERRATE, 8 GARDENING and 16 OTU sorties, a total of 843 sorties. The diversions did not work and the bomber stream was intercepted early. The Pathfinders arrived late, and the bombing was also drawn by decoys, falling outside the city. For this Bomber Command lost 58 bombers, the worst loss of the war so far (BC War Diaries). The 419 Squadron history notes one crew reported seeing 6 bombers explode along the route, likely the result of Schräge Musik attacks.

Operation STEINBOCK, or the "Baby Blitz", a series of German night attacks on London, begins with 2 waves of attacks during the night totalling 447 sorties using pathfinding techniques, radio guidance and Düppel (chaff). Many older radars were masked by the Düppel, but Mosquito night fighters switched to free ranging attacks. The number of targets exceeded the number of night fighters, but 16 bombers were shot down by them plus 9 by anti-aircraft gunfire, and 18 more lost to other causes (A. Price). Only 30 tons of bombs fell in the City due to jamming and heavy defences (ww2total.com Chronology/1944). Among the effective measures was the use proximity fused anti-aircraft shells, that had a simple radar sensor in their nose that would fire the explosive if it passed near an aircraft (H.A. Halliday www.rafcommands.com). This series of attacks were meant as revenge on London for the bombing of Berlin and other German cities. A force of 600 bombers had been built up for these operations, mostly twin-engined but including some 4 engined He 177 heavy bombers (wikipedia).

21-22 10 Sqn. Halifax II HX165 ZA-J lost over Germany, F/S W.A. Dunbar DFM RAF (Can.), F/L R.R. Dixon DFC RAF, P/O H. Gracey RAF, Sgt F.C. Perrett RAF and F/S H.A. Paul RAF killed, F/O J.L. Brown RAF and F/S S.V. Harris RAF PoW.

21-22 35 Sqn. Halifax II LW323 TL-N forced to turn back after a night fighter attack, the aircraft was struck off due to damage after landing at an emergency airfield in England, F/O K.A. Petch, Sgt R. Cederbraun RAF, P/O C.L. Potter RAF (Argentina), P/O T.M. Telford RAF, Sgt W.H. Curness RAF, F/S J. Shirley RAF and P/O J.N. Napier AFM RAF safe (C. Meunier and H. rcaf

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Welting at www.rafcommands.com).21-22 35 Sqn. Halifax III LV787 TL-K lost without trace, F/O D.A. MacGregor RCAF (USA), F/O P.R.

Hales RAF, Sgt F. Buchan RAF, P/O D.H. Kent RAF, Sgt W.J. Gowdy RAF, Sgt L.G.W. Watts RAF and Sgt J.S. Grigg RAF missing.

21-22 51 Sqn. Halifax III LV774 MH-B lost over Holland, F/O G.B. Pronger, Sgt J. O'Sullivan RAF, Sgt G.J. Bucknall RAF, F/S D. Entwistle RAF, P/O J. Lanaghan RAF and F/O J.A. Price RAF killed, Sgt M.S. Smith RAF PoW. See http://www.teunispats.net/fr-wwii.htm for details.

21-22 76 Sqn. Halifax V LK912 MP-N lost over Germany, Sgt A.W. McGrath, Sgt H.W. Bloomfield RAF, Sgt A.C. Pope RAF, Sgt V.W. Piedot RAF, Sgt K.A. Hicks RAF, Sgt E.G. Bird RAF and Sgt D.E. Pinkard RAF killed.

21-22 76 Sqn. Halifax V LL185 MP-G lost off the coast of Holland, Sgt F. Hughes RAF and Sgt A. Abrahams RAF killed, WO2 J. Sutherland, Sgt C. Walker RAF, Sgt P.C. Gizzi RAF, Sgt K.C. Southward RAF and Sgt G.A. Shield RAF missing. This entire crew had been involved in the loss of a #1663 HCU Halifax Nov. 26, 1943. W.R. Chorley states that WO Sutherland was from the USA but TSGNO states he is from Winnipeg.

21-22 78 Sqn. Halifax II JP117 EY-Y crashed in England after returning from an operation over Germany, possibly due to flak damage, Sgt W. Walker RAF slightly injured, F/O F. Sait, Sgt W. Hockler RAF, F/O F. Henderson RAF, Sgt S. Howard RAF, Sgt W. McLean RAF and Sgt W.G. Baron RAF safe.

21-22 78 Sqn. Halifax II LW300 EY-H was shot up and damaged by a night fighter outward bound but the crew elected to continue their sortie. On return the aircraft ran out of fuel and landed in the North Sea in rough conditions. All seven of the crew got out of the aircraft but only F/O N.A. Marston RAF and Sgt D.W. McMillan were able to deploy and enter the life rafts. Despite their best efforts they were unable to get the rafts near to the other crew members before they succumbed to the cold. Sgt M.G. Mulligan, F/S D.R.H. Rees RAF, Sgt P. Fowler RAF, F/O C.B. Watt RAF and Sgt E. Moxen RAF missing. F/O Marston and Sgt McMillan were later picked up by a destroyer and received gallantry awards for their efforts to save the rest of their crew.

21-22 97 Sqn. Lancaster III JB299 OF-W lost over Germany, WO2 W.A. Parsley, F/S P.A. Marsh RAAF, F/L F.J. Roberts DFC RAF, Sgt E.J. Devine RAF, F/S R. Dudley DFM RAF, F/S G. Young DFM RAF and Sgt F. Martin RAF killed.

21-22 102 Sqn. Halifax II HX149 DY-J shot down leaving the target by a night fighter, Sgt I. Davies RAF, Sgt J.T.A. Mitchell RAF and Sgt K.S. Crisfield RAF killed, F/O D.C.E. Bradshaw, Sgt R.J. Irvine, F/S J.W. Gregory RAF and Sgt D.L.F. Bellamy RAF PoW.

21-22 102 Sqn. Halifax II HX150 DY-M shot down over Germany outbound by a night fighter and exploded when it hit the ground, Sgt L.J. Wilson RAF killed, F/S H.T. Ellis RAF, Sgt R. Symcox RAF and Sgt J.S. Fraser RAF have no known grave, F/S W. Millar, F/O F.J. Payne RAF and Sgt S.G. Adams RAF PoW (O. Clutton-Brock).

21-22 102 Sqn. Halifax II JN952 DY-L shot down over Holland by a night fighter, pilot P/O M.F. Headly RCAF (UK) held the bomber under control to allow the crew to escape but it exploded before most could get clear. P/O Headley, F/S J.F. Blair, F/O O.K. Nelson, Sgt R.H. Stanley and Sgt J. Boland RAF missing, WO2 E.T. Watt and Sgt J.A. White RAF PoW.

21-22 102 Sqn. Halifax II LW274 DY-R went down in the sea off England, Sgt R.W. Chadwick RAF and Sgt N. Taylor RAF killed, F/O A.L. Clogg, F/O L.W. O'Neill, Sgt J.M. Smith RAF, Sgt R.C. Betts RAF and Sgt D.G. Forster RAF missing.rcaf

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21-22 115 Sqn. Lancaster II DS777 A4-C shot down by a night fighter in the target area, Sgt J.W. Shelton RAF killed, F/S E.D. Moncrieff RAAF, Sgt K.W.J. Baxter RAF and Sgt P. Lynch RAF missing, F/S R.B. Becker, F/S A.G. Davison RAAF and Sgt C.V. Luck RAF PoW.

21-22 158 Sqn. Halifax III HX335 NP-P lost over Germany, Sgt R.D. Livingstone, Sgt E.W. Brookes RAF and Sgt J.R. Starr RAF killed, Sgt J. Hill RAF, Sgt T.W. Holmes RAF, Sgt T.J. Anderson RAF and Sgt R.H. Boldero RAF PoW.

21-22 207 Sqn. Lancaster I R5895 EM-B lost over Germany, F/O C. Travers, F/S E.C. Clunas RAAF, P/O J.M. Read RAF, Sgt L.F. Abel RAF, P/O R.W. Sharp RAF, Sgt R.A.B. Boydon RAF and Sgt R. Coding RAF killed. W.R. Chorley states F/O Travers may be from the USA.

21-22 405 Sqn. Lancaster III JB188 LQ-S lost over Germany, Sgt B.R. Morrison, F/L L.G. Speyer, P/O K.C. Wilson, Sgt W. Good RAF, Sgt J.H. Paul RAF, Sgt R.R. Stevens RAF and Sgt N. Pyke RAF killed.

21-22 408 Sqn. Lancaster II DS790 EQ-B shot down by a night fighter over Germany where it broke up in a dive, F/S C. Rankin RAF killed, P/O G. Currie, F/S H.D. Jones RAF, F/O G.M. Reid RAF and Sgt A.E. Elliott RAF missing, F/L J.B. Dinning, P/O J.B. Mill and P/O W. Johnston RAF were thrown clear and became PoW.

21-22 419 Sqn. Halifax II JD420 VR-D hit by flak on return from target, killing navigator WO2 W.J.K. Fletcher and wounding several other crewmen. The surviving crew, WO D.R. McDevitt, F/O F.E. Hovison, Sgt V.L. Hawkes, Sgt A.M. Bowman, WO2 W.H. Barnes and Sgt D.M. Board RAF bailed out of the aircraft and became PoW.

21-22 419 Sqn. Halifax II JD466 VR-E shot down over Germany, P/O J.B. Chess, Sgt R.W. Edwards, F/L A.G. Hermitage, WO2 W.B. Tobin, WO2 R.H. Walton, Sgt J.A. Wilson and Sgt R. Shields RAF killed.

21-22 419 Sqn. Halifax II JN953 VR-T, S/L E.C. Hamber, was attacked by a night fighter and then damaged by flak (R. Koval). See June 8-9, below.

21-22 426 Sqn. Lancaster II LL721 OW-U, F/L M.C. Wilson, damaged and possibly shot down a night fighter that attacked it (R. Koval). See January 27-28, below.

21-22 427 Sqn. Halifax V LK923 ZL-B was attacked and severely damaged by a night fighter over Germany which damaged the fuel tanks and controls. The crew managed to reach the target but soon after the engines began to fail and the aircraft was abandoned, rear gunner Sgt N. Smith and flight engineer Sgt R. Richards RAF were killed, pilot WO2 G.W.C. Toal missing, F/O R.A. Carson, F/S R. Fuller, WO2 W.J. Ogilvie and Sgt F. Spence RAF PoW (O. Clutton-Brock).

21-22 427 Sqn. Halifax V LL139 ZL-D shot down over Germany by a night fighter. The bail out order was given but the bomber exploded almost immediately. S/L D.M. Arnot DFC, P/O L.S. Gray, P/O L.W.W. Jones, W/C A.N. Martin, P/O R.O. Nickerson, P/O R.A.N Rondelet RAF (Can.) and P/O R. Dawson RAF were killed, F/O W.V. Thom was thrown clear and became a PoW. W/C Martin had been appointed commanding officer of 424 Sqn but was second pilot with this 427 Sqn. crew at the time of his death. W.R. Chorley notes that P/O Rondelet was born in Belgium, but he is listed by TSGNO as a resident of Quebec.

21-22 427 Sqn. Halifax V LL169 ZL-L was shot down by a night fighter on an operation to Germany, F/O J.E. Dickenson, Sgt N. Martin, Sgt W.H. Blake RAF, Sgt A.A. Deane RAF, F/O C.S. Lambert RAF, Sgt J.F. Pratt RAF and Sgt R.C. Bechtold RAF PoW.

21-22 427 Sqn. Halifax V LL176 ZL-Q lost over Germany, F/O E.L. MacKeighan, F/O V.M. Warwick, F/S R.N. Weir, Sgt J.I. Jones RAF, Sgt W.T. Morgan RAF and Sgt C.P. Ryan RAF killed, rcaf

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Sgt R.N. Lehman PoW.21-22 427 Sqn. Halifax V EB248 ZL-U, F/S C.H. Coathup, was attacked by a Wilde Sau night fighter

that damaged the engines on one side, and was then hit by flak, but returned safely to England (R. Koval). See April 18-19, below.

21-22 427 Sqn. Halifax V LK735 ZL-Z, F/S A.R. Clibbery, was attacked by a night fighter that left the fuselage and one engine damaged, both inner engines propellors damaged, and damage to the hydraulic system, oxygen system, mid-upper turret and instrument panel, but managed to return safely to England (R. Koval). Mid-upper gunner Sgt R.E. Qualle despite a badly damaged turret drove off the attacker. Both he and his pilot were awarded DFMs for this action (5th Year). See April 10-11, below.

21-22 428 Sqn. Halifax V DK237 NA-L shot down over the target by a night fighter, Sgt S.J. Smith injured, F/S R.E. Terry, F/S H.L. Allen, Sgt A.H. Murdock, Sgt N.E. Gregor, WO2 O.P. Yarnold and Sgt I.P. Roberts RAF PoW. See Jan. 24, below.

21-22 429 Sqn. Halifax V LL171 AL-U, P/O H. Mitchell, returned safely after being damaged by a night fighter (R. Koval). See February 15-16, below.

21-22 431 Sqn. Halifax V LK680 SE-R hit by naval flak and exploded over Germany, Sgt J.H. Di Pinto, F/O J.A. Linde, P/O W.J. Louth, WO1 J.P.S. McLeod, Sgt C. Gilroy RAF and Sgt W. Kingham RAF killed, F/S G.E. Krentz PoW.

21-22 431 Sqn. Halifax V, P/O W.R. Hewetson, returned early with a hole in it's nose following a mid-air collision (R. Koval). See January 28-29, below.

21-22 432 Sqn. Lancaster II DS843 QO-O shot down in the target area by a night fighter, Sgt D.L. Pocock, F/S W.J. O'Donnell RAAF, F/S J.S. Poole RAF and F/S E.M. Myer RAF killed, Sgt J.H. Williams RAF, F/S W.M. Tomson RAF and P/O M.P. Bailhache RAF PoW

21-22 432 Sqn. Lancaster II LL724 QO-N lost over Germany, P/O W.J. Douglas RCAF (USA), F/O D.R. Hunter, F/O L.F. Legace, F/O J.B. Mahoney, WO2 D.A. McDonald, F/S W.A. Peterson and Sgt W.G. Atkins RAF killed.

21-22 432 Sqn. Lancaster II, F/L C.K. Barrett, was damaged by flak that wounded the mid-upper gunner, P/O E. Logan, but returned safely (R. Koval). See April 24-25, below.

21-22 433 Sqn. Halifax III HX283 BM-R lost over Germany, P/O J.J.M.M. Couture, F/L A.G. Jira, F/O R.J. McMehen, F/O B.A. Russell, Sgt S.J. Swain, Sgt F.J. Seeley RAF and Sgt J.C. Webber RAF killed. One of two 433 Sqn. aircraft lost this night, the first operational losses by this squadron. F/O Russell may have been involved in a #10 OTU U-boat attack May 30, 1943.

21-22 433 Sqn. Halifax III HX289 BM-T was last heard transmitting a distress signal over France, but did not return to England, and was lost without trace, P/O C.L. Depper, F/O R.B. McClellan, F/O W.R. Reed, F/O J.H. Seymour, WO2 J.A. Wilson, P/O R.H. Megainey RAF and Sgt J.M. Townsend RAF missing.

21-22 434 Sqn. Halifax V LK699 WL-Z lost over Germany, WO2 F.W. Crossley, P/O M.G.E. Donoghue, P/O W.A. Glover, P/O R.A. Kerr, WO1 S.G. Stephenson, Sgt T.R. Lee RAF and Sgt J. Galloway RAF killed.

21-22 514 Sqn. Lancaster II DS824 JI-K lost in the Ijsselmeer, F/O E.A. Lane RAF, F/S W.H. Chapman RAAF, P/O J.K. Williams RAF, F/S L.N. Millis RAF killed, F/O D.F. Henshaw RAF, Sgt J.R. Keenen RAF and Sgt A. Pratt RAF missing. W.R. Chorley notes F/O Lane was married to Dorothy Mary Lane of Winnipeg. See http://www.teunispats.net/fr-wwii.htm for details.rcaf

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21-22 514 Sqn. Lancaster II LL627 JI-U lost in the Ijesslmeer, F/S P.W. Upton RAF and Sgt A. Brettell RAF killed, F/O W.L. Baker, P/O R.A.J. Bennett, P/O T.W. Dodd, Sgt K.A. Lowry RAF and WO D.J. Hughes missing.

21-22 514 Sqn. Lancaster II LL672 A2-C2 attacked and shot down by a night-fighter over Germany. According to TSGNO (from the book "Through Footless Halls of Air") the attacking night fighter was engulfed by the explosion of the bomb load which killed Sgt A. Williston and Sgt P. McQueeney RAF as well as the pilot of the night fighter, Maj. H.A.L.P. Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, an 83 victory night fighter ace. F/L J.M.J. Bourke, F/O J.E.S. Clare, Sgt S.G. Cuttler RAF, Sgt R.L. Smith RAF and Sgt J. Brewer RAF were taken PoW, and Maj. Wittgenstein's radar operator Fw F. Ostheimer and mechanic also bailed out and survived. Sgt Williston's brother Floyd Williston was the author of Through Footless Halls of Air, a book of biographies of airmen killed in the war. Their brother, F/S D.A. Williston was also killed in the Air Force, see Aug. 4, 1943. This crew had also been involved in a accident with a 620 Sqn. Stirling Oct. 15, 1943. Fw Ostheimer was shot down a second time and taken PoW. He also lost 3 brothers in the war (F. Williston via Bruno at www.rafcommands.com).

21-22 550 Sqn. Lancaster III EE107 BQ-O lost on an operation to Germany, WO2 W.P. Morris, Sgt P.P. Clarkin RAF, Sgt S.J.L. Jones RAF, WO G.K. Peasgood RAF, F/S S.J. Richards RAF and F/S G. Walker RAF killed, Sgt S. Sykes RAF was taken PoW.

21-22 630 Sqn. Lancaster III JB294 lost, F/S M. Marks, F/S J.W. Homewood RAF, Sgt W.G. Yorke RAF, F/S A.W. Reedman RAF, Sgt A.C. Stopp RAF and Sgt J.D. Morris RAF killed, Sgt P.J. Walker RAF PoW.

21-22 640 Sqn. Halifax III LW459 C8-W was damaged and radioed it was ditching the the English Channel, Sgt J.A. Haylock RAF (Can.), WO2 J. Sirovyak, F/O G.S. Walker, F/S D.W. Batten RAAF, Sgt J.R. Craig RAF and F/S S. Jones RAF missing. This was 640 Squadrons first loss.

Saturday22 US and British forces land at Anzio, just over 50 km from Rome. This operation was to

have supported the US attack on the Rapido and advance down the Liri Valley, but with the Germans holding on at the Rapido it became the major operation (W.L. Allen). The small size of the landing was a result of being part of a larger plan, and a shortage of shipping.

The landings achieved complete surprise, but within hours German units were moving toward the beachhead.

US and Commonwealth fighters stood patrols over the beachhead all day, claiming several victories for only 3 fighters lost (W.L. Allen).

This attack in Italy soon forced the Luftwaffe to re-deploy many of the bombers gathered for the Baby Blitz to Italy, reducing the planned size of the attacks on London (wikipedia).

#41 SFTS Weyburn, Saskatchewan, closed (see January 2, above) rcaf

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(http://www.bombercrew.com/BCATP.htm).22 417 Sqn. Spitfire VIII JF457 AN-A, S/L A.V. Houle DFC & Bar, was leading a formation over the

beachhead at Anzio when they intercepted 4 Fw 190s. S/L Houle shot one down, his eighth victory, before his aircraft was damaged by a second (R.V. Smith).

22 424 Sqn. Halifax III LW444 QB-H "Helzapoppin" overshot a landing in England following an engine failure on a training flight and ended up in a river, F/S H.J. Zacharias killed, F/O W.B. Cotnam and the rest of his crew safe. This was 424's first aircraft loss since returning from Tunisia. This Halifax had flown 56 bombing and 8 GARDENING sorties (http://www.bombercrew.com/noseart/painted.htm).

22 #8 OTU Mosquito FB.VI DZ473 crashed due to structural failure, F/L J.J. Jupp and F/S A. Mitchell RAF killed (Pierre Renier, www.rafcommands.com). This aircraft had been involved in the photo reconnaissance of Peenemunde that led to the identification of the V-2 rocket (M. Bowman). A die-cast model of this aircraft was later made by Corgi.

22 RAF School of Reconnaissance, Anson I EG321 crashed in England, possibly due to bad weather, F/O W.J. Rogers, Sgt R.M.P.J. Belpaire RAF (Belgium) and F/O W.S.T. Wardrope RAF killed (P. McMillan www.rafcommands.com).

22 #1 AOS, Malton, Ontario, Anson I #6351 crashed near Kinmount, Ontario, Sgt W.C. Isted, Sgt B.E. Lehman, LAC B.G.R. Allen RAF and LAC C