Operation 'Coup de Main' / Operation Tonga - 5/6 June 1944

[Geoffm]

Hi,

I'm not sure where you are with this project but my father Walter McGeachin RAAF (deceased) was navigator on Halifax LL403 9UG which operated on Tonga, lifting a Hamilcar glider. According to the log kept by the Tarrant Rushton tower commander LL403 was the first tug away with a Hamilcar (4 left from Tarrant Rushton) making this the first combat operation for this massive glider. Crossing the French coast my father momentarily turned his head away from his chart table and a piece of flak came up through his maps and continued on into the foot of the Pilot F/O Bob Baird. They continued on and the glider is listed as released on target. LL403 9UG got back to England safely but the crew was unable to operate again on D-Day due to the pilots injuries.

I have collected a large amount of information on my father and his aircraft and crew on D-day and after which I'm happy to share. Let me know.

Cheers,

Geoff