April 4, 1945 - Meresburg Oil Plant

According to the Daily Ops reports at www. rcaf.com, 93 Lancasters from 419, 424, 427, 428, 429, 431, 433, and 434 Squadrons were ordered to attack the Leuna synthetic oil plant at Merseburg on Aril 4, 1945. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 20,500 feet, releasing 568,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and the attack was scattered. The report notes that F/O R. Christenson from 433 Squadron did not bomb as the load hung up over the target. See Cameron Clare Campbell's notes for a complete description of this operation.

April 8, 1945 Hamburg - Shipyards

"90 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 425, 426, and 432 Squadrons were joined by 100 Lancasters from 419, 424, 427, 428, 429, 431, 433, and 434 Squadrons on an attack of the ship yards at Hamburg. The crews were over the target at between 16,500 and 19,000 feet, releasing 1,661,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the weather was poor and the attack became scattered. This was the last time 6 Group was to attack Hamburg." www.rcaf.com

See Cameron Clare Campbell's journal notes for a description of this operation. Poor weather at Skipton on Swale forced most of the returning crews to divert to other bases. R.A Christensen along with 7 other crews landed at Turweston OTU, and returned to base the next day.

April 10, 1945 Leipzig - Rail Yards

90 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 425, 426, and 432 Squadrons were joined by 110 Lancasters from 419, 424, 427, 428, 429, 431, 433, and 434 Squadrons on an attack of the rail yards at Leipzig. The crews were over the target at between 15,500 and 19,000 feet, releasing 1,532,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the weather was good and severe damage was caused. One crew from 433 was lost, hit by flak, as reported in www.rcaf.com.

"F/O R. Grisdale RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster I PB-903 coded BM-F, failed to return from this operation.

Sgt R. Thurston RAF
F/O I. Zierler RCAF
F/O W. McLeod RCAF
P/O J. Hirak RCAF
P/O F. Seeley RCAF
P/O D. Roberts RCAF

All were killed. According to witnesses, this Lancaster was hit by flak, the stbd inner was seen to be feathered. Then a small explosion was seen, the aircraft flipped onto its back and spiraled to the ground. No parachutes were seen." www.rcaf.com

April 13, 1945 Kiel Dockyard

"104 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 425, 426, and 432 Squadrons were joined by 105 Lancasters from 419, 424, 427, 428, 429, 431, 433, and 434 Squadrons on an attack of the port area of Kiel. The crews were over the target at between 14,000 and 19,000 feet, releasing 1,921,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports the attack was scattered with some damage." www.rcaf.com

Ten crew, including R.A.Christenson landed at Bruntingthorpe on return due to poor weather at base. They flew to Skipton-on-Swale the next day.

April 16, 1945 Schwandorf Railway Yards

"122 Lancasters from 419, 424, 427, 428, 429, 431, 433, and 434 Squadrons were ordered on an attack of the rail yards at Schwandorf. The crews were over the target at between 9,500 and 12,000 feet, releasing 1,152,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused." www.rcaf.com

April 18 and 19

F/Affil means fighter affiliation. According to www.bbc.co.uk, fighter affiliation involved a fighter aircraft making a mock attack on bombers which was filmed by camera, in place of guns in the turrets,and permitted air gunners to practise.

April 22, 1945 - Bremen

"100 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 425, 426, and 432 squadrons were joined by 99 Lancasters from 419, 424, 427, 428, 429, 431, 433, and 434 squadrons on an attack at Bremen. All of the crews were sent home on the master bombers orders due to poor weather, dust, and smoke over the target. On this run, the log notes that the crew landed with their bomb load." www.rcaf.com

April 25, 1945 Wangerooge-Coastal Guns

"92 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 425, 426, and 432 squadrons were joined by 100 Lancasters from 419, 424, 427, 428, 429, 431, 433, and 434 squadrons on an attack of the coastal guns at Wangerooge."

"The weather was clear and the crews were over the target at between 10,000 to 12,000 feet, releasing 2,100,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports the target area was well cratered. This operation proved to be the last over enemy territory after two and a half years of effort. The 6 Group crews would not be asked to carry bomb loads over enemy held territory. As well as this being the last operation, the group suffered its final casualties, but not at the hands of the enemy. Sadly the 4 crews that failed to return were all due to mid-air collisions." www.rcaf.com

 

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