429 Squadron RCAF Halifax 5/6 March 1945
 

We are investigating a report in "Journeys End" that describes a Halifax from No.429 Squadron as crashing in Kent with the loss of all on board. The target on the 5/6 March 1945 had been Chemnitz and Bohlen.

Any information on the location/aircraft/crew and cause would be appreciated.

Graham Holmes
Lashenden Air Warfare Museum

Re: 429 Squadron RCAF Halifax 5/6 March 1945
 

Graham,

From a post on this forum of 19.1.2007 this may be the Halifax:

LV996 ZL-E 427 SQUADRON
Airborne 1652 5Mar45 from Leeming. Homebound, crashed at Halling some 4 miles SW of Gillingham. Kent, after running out of fuel. All were buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery. This Chemnitz raid was part of Operation Thunderclap. F/L M.W.Sanderson RCAF KIA P/O W.R.Strand RCAF KIA P/O J.P.Nault RCAF KIA P/O H.N.Prince KIA P/O A.S.Leroux RCAF KIA F/S A.G.Caldwell RCAF KIA F/S P.F.Gonroski RCAF KIA "

It says 427 Squadron in the post, but CWGC has 429 Squadron for these Canadians, also confirmed by their website http://www.429sqn.ca/429sqnrh.htm

Regards,

Leendert

Re: 429 Squadron RCAF Halifax 5/6 March 1945
 

My notes have this aircraft as being with 427 Squadron when lost. The ZL code was 427 Squadron, 429 Squadron used AL. It was common at the time for crews to be lent from one Squadron to another to make up the numbers required for a raid. 427 and 429 Squadrons both operated Halifaxes from Leeming at this time.

Re: 429 Squadron RCAF Halifax 5/6 March 1945
 

Graham,

I research the allied air raids on my home town for many years. The No. 427 Squadron does not flew the mission to Chemnitz on 5/6th March 1945.
The Halifax III LV996 with the crew of F/L Sanderson flew with No. 429 Squadron. The Squadron ORB say code "K". But I don´t know with which squadron code ZL- or AL-. Sure it is possible that the aircraft was lent of No. 427 Sqdn.
Nault was WO2, Prince and Leroux F/S at the time of loss.

Regards,
René

Re: 429 Squadron RCAF Halifax 5/6 March 1945
 

427 Squadron was in the process of converting to the Lancaster at this time. The last op flown by 427 Sq with a Hali was March 2/3,1945 on a mining sortie. LV-996 was transferred to 429 Sq and it flew two ops. The first to Cologne on March 1 and then the loss to Chemnitz on March 5/6,1945.
Hope this helps.
Richard

Re: 429 Squadron RCAF Halifax 5/6 March 1945
 

Thanks for that Richard. Can I ask what your source is?

Re: 429 Squadron RCAF Halifax 5/6 March 1945
 

Hello Bill. Data came for ORB's.

Richard

Re: 429 Squadron RCAF Halifax 5/6 March 1945
 

Thank you all for your useful contributions.

Graham Holmes
Lashenden Air Warfare Museum