BREST
22 Hampdens and 6 Stirlings; only 1 aircraft claimed to have bombed the target. 1 Hampden lost.
Minor Operations: 3 Hampdens to Cherbourg, 2 Hampdens minelaying off Brest. 2 Hampdens lost on the Cherbourg raid.
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OSTEND
25 aircraft; 1 Hampden lost.
Brest
10 Wellingtons and 7 Stirlings. A large white explosion was seen but no other results were observed, because of cloud. No aircraft lost.
5 Hampdens laid mines in the Wilhelmshaven area without loss.
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and flew Wellingtons from Mildenhall until the squadron was transferred to 4 Group, being based at several airfields in 4 Group while converting to Halifaxes and waiting for 6 Group to be formed. Started operating again from Middleton St George in January 1943 and flew from there until the end of the war, converting to Lancasters in April 1944.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Raids Flown
3
Group Wellingtons - 67 bombing, 18 minelaying, 3 leaflet
6
Group Halifaxes - 105 bombing, 33 minelaying, 1 diversion
6
Group Lancasters - 127 bombing
Total - 299 bombing, 51 minelaying, 4 others = 354 raids
Sorties and Losses
3
Group Wellingtons - 648 sorties, 24 aircraft lost (3.7 percent)
6
Group Halifaxes - 1,616 sorties, 66 aircraft lost (4.1 percent)
6
Group Lancasters - 2,029 sorties, 39 aircraft lost (1.9 percent)
Total - 4,293 sorties, 129 aircraft lost (3.0 percent)
14 Lancasters were destroyed in crashes.
POINTS OF INTEREST
419 was a very active squadron and holds many records for its heavy casualties. Of all the Canadian squadrons, it suffered the most losses (with 408 Squadron) and suffered the highest percentage loss.
In 6 Group, it carried out the most bombing raids (with 427 Squadron), flew the most sorties and suffered the most losses.
Suffered the most losses and the highest percentage loss in 6 Group Halifax squadrons and the highest percentage loss in all Bomber Command Halifax squadrons.
Carried out the most bombing raids and flew the most sorties in 6 Group Lancaster squadrons.
Victoria Cross: Pilot Officer A. C. Mynarski, posthumously, Cambrai,
