Operational Performance

Raids Flown

4 Gp

Wellingtons

11 Bombing

8 Minelaying

6 Gp

Whimpys

31

15

6

Halifaxes

172

17

6

Lancasters

8

5

267 Raids

 

222

45

 

Sorties & loses

4 Gp

Whimpys

158 Sorties

7 ac lost (4.4%)

6 Gp

Wimpys

384

21 (5.5%)

6

Hallys

2519

49 (1.9%)

6

Hallys

114

1 (0.9%)

   

3175

78 (2.5%)

 

 

Total sorties of 3221 (including 45 airlifting 1055 POW’s back to England). Operational/Non-Operational Flying hours: 17,289/10,934. Bombs dropped: 9356 tons. Victories: 7 en ac destroyed, 1 probably destroyed, 10 damaged. Casualties: Operational: 71 aircraft; 451 aircrew of whom 82 were killed, 322 missing, 23 POW, 7 injured; 17 proved safe. Non-operational: 11 aircraft; 25 personnel, of whom 15 were killed, 10 injured.

429 sqn had the distinction of suffering the most Wellington losses in 6 Group.

Honours and Awards: 2 bars to DFC, 45 DFC’s, 1 AFC, 1 CGM, 7 DFM’s.

 

Sources: Bomber Commmand War Diaries, Reap the Whirlwind, Crucible of War: RCAF Official History, RCAF Squadron Histories and Aircraft 1924-1968, Thunderbirds at War: Diary of a Bomber Squadron