R9451 MP-H from 76 Squadron



On 27th April 1942, the crew of Halifax R9451 MP-H from 76 Squadron took off at 2006 hrs from RAF Tain on the North East coast of Scotland to participate in an attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz which was moored at the time in Fættenfjord in Norway.

The crew reported that visibility was extremely good and that the sky was clear making it possible to map read right up to the target area. Smoke and haze were observed over the target but the crew distinctly saw Tirpitz as the bombs were released and also observed some bomb bursts which they believed to be very close to the ship.

The aircraft and crew returned safely to RAF Tain landing at 0430hrs on 28th April 1942.

Rank
Name
 Force Crew Position Age
Home Town
 Fate
F/Sgt ANDERSON Pilot Returned
Sgt ILIAN Navigator Returned
Sgt GOWERS W/Op Air Gunner Returned
Sgt REDDING W/Op Air Gunner Returned
Sgt SOUTHWARD Tail Gunner Returned
F/Sgt LAFRANCHISE Flight Engineer Returned


On 28th April 1942, the crew of Halifax R9451 MP-H from 76 Squadron took off at 2012 hrs from RAF Tain on the North East coast of Scotland to participate in an attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz which was moored at the time in Fættenfjord in Norway.

The weather conditions experienced were very similar to the previous nights operation to the same target. Tirpitz was identified by the crew and bombs dropped, bursts were seen close to the target. Light flak concentrations, searchlights and aerodromes were attacked with good results after the primary target had been bombed.

The aircraft and crew returned safely to RAF Tain landing at 0502 hrs on 29th April 1942.

Rank
Name
 Force Crew Position Age
Home Town
 Fate
F/Sgt ANDERSON Pilot Returned
Sgt ILIAN Navigator Returned
Sgt GOWERS W/Op Air Gunner Returned
Sgt REDDING W/Op Air Gunner Returned
Sgt SOUTHWARD Tail Gunner Returned
F/Sgt LAFRANCHISE Flight Engineer Returned
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