Operation: Hemmingstedt Oil Refinery, Germany.

Date: 7/8th March 1945 (Wednesday/Thursday)

Unit: No. 408 (Goose) Squadron R.C.A.F.

Type: Halifax VII

Serial: NP718

Code: EQ-B

Base: R.A.F. Linton-On-Ouse, Yorkshire.

Location: Nordhastedt

Pilot: P/O. George David Daughters J/92736 - R/171460 R.C.A.F. Age 20. Killed (1)

Fl/Eng: Sgt. Joseph Huspeka, R/189644 R.C.A.F. P.O.W. No further details, but from Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Nav: W/O.2 Bernard Charles Patterson, R/195685 R.C.A.F. P.O.W. No further details, but from Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada.

Air/Bmr: F/O. Steven Lasko, J/39940 R.C.A.F. P.O.W. No further details, but from Pelly, Saskatchewan, Canada.

W/Op/Air/Gnr: P/O. Alfred George Allen J/95213 - R202416 R.C.A.F. Age 21. Killed (2)

Air/Gnr: P/O. Rupert George McManus J/95363 R.C.A.F. Age 37. Killed

Air/Gnr: W/O. 2 Nelson George Baird R/191011 R.C.A.F. Age 21. Killed (3)

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off at 18.43 hrs from R.A.F. Linton-On-Ouse, Yorkshire to bomb the Hemmingstedt oil refinery. 256 Halifax's took part in the raid together with a further 25 Lancaster's.

The bombing was inaccurate however and fell 2 - 3 miles from the target area. 4 Halifax's and 1 Lancaster were lost and most are thought to have been from anti aircraft fire. Halifax NP718 is reported to have been attacked by a night fighter and finally bought down by flak. (No claims from the night fighter squadrons for this loss)

(1) Further information on P/O. Daughters (courtesy Ralph Francis): When he was 16 or 17 he decided that he would join the RCAF. At that time birth records were kept by the church in Quebec and a birth record was really a baptismal certificate. As he was born on the 25th of February of 1925, it was a simple matter of removing the 5 and inserting a 4 to make himself one year older. That made him acceptable to the RCAF.

Not much is known about where he was training but one day, probably from the airfield at St. Hubert south of Montreal, he was on a solo flight in a Harvard Trainer and decided to visit Lennoxville. It was only a matter of following Highway 1 and turning right at Sherbrooke.

He approached the house at tree top height and in a Harvard Trainer that was very noisy, it scared his mother who knew it was her son. He then went on to buzz the town of Lennoxville at low level creating a small panic. Someone got the number of the aircraft and telephoned the authorities. Georgie appeared in Lennoxville about two days later with an R.C.A.F. policeman and they visited the complainant to determine the facts. It was a hot summer’s day and Georgie was in full uniform during the interrogation. That was the worst part of the day. After the information was obtained the policeman said to Georgie, “Go home and see your mother, but be back in half an hour.” That was the end of the incident as far as the family knows.

Note: George Edward Daughters was a WWI soldier who married one of the daughters of George McKillop. Two children were born: George David Daughters in 1925 and Isabella Jean Daughters in 1928. Later, circa. 1944/45, the family moved to Stanstead, QC a small town close to the Vermont border. Your correspondent spent the summer from July to September 1945 with his aunt and uncle in Stanstead, and no mention was ever made of the crash and death of their son on the 7th of March 1945 at an age of 20 years and 11 days.

(2) Further information on P/O. Allen (courtesy Ralph Francis): Georgie’s crew-mate, Alfred (Alfie) George Allen was a friend who lived in Sherbrooke. The connection between the Daughters and Allen families went back to when the McKillop and MacDonald families came to Canada on the same boat from Scotland. Alfie’s mother, Ellen MacDonald (but always referred to as “Nellie” was about the same age as Georgie’s mother, Isabella (but always referred to as “Bella”). Nellie married Jim Allen and lived in Sherbrooke. Although the two families were separated, Nellie Allen always attended family ceremonies in Montreal or Lennoxville. The Allens had three children” Harry Allen who became a Professor at Universite de Sherbrooke, Alfie, and Dorothy. No information is available about Dorothy beyond the 1940’s.

In the 1930’s and beyond, the entire McKillop family lived in Park Extension in Montreal. A block away on the same street from Grandfather’s house there was a family who were possibly Poles, Czechs or Ukrainians. Being about the same age and possibly going to the same schools, the sons of these families may have been one of either the two crew members who survived the crash: Lasko or Huspecka.

Biographical Notes:

P/O George David Daughters

Born in February 1924 to parents of English and Scots descent, George had a keen interest in flying and applied for enlistment soon after he turned 18 years of age. He had already served in the Air Cadets at Sherbrooke since October of 1941 rising to the rank of Sergeant by the time of joining the RCAF in June 1942. After completing high school, he was working as an apprentice machinist at the Canadian Ingersoll Rand Company.
After spending seven weeks at No.5 Manning Depot at Lachine, P.Q., and a temporary posting to No.8 Service Flying Training School, Moncton N.B., he was posted to No.5 Initial Training School at Belleville, Ontario on 11 October 1942. His Commanding Officer remarked:
" Good type and good motivation, very keen to fly. rather immature but willing and determined."
Selected for aircrew training, George was next posted to take Course No.72 at No. 13 Elementary Flying Training School at St. Eugene, Ontario on 9 January 1943, where he would get his first taste of actual piloting flying a Fleet Finch II aircraft. At the completion of the course, the Chief Flying Instructor made the comments, "An average student, no particular weakness."
Posted to No.13 Service Flying Training School at St Hubert, P.Q. on 21 March 1943 he graduated with his Pilots Badge on 29 October and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
After enjoying twelve days of pre-embarkation leave, George was struck off No.13 SFTS on 12 November 1943 reporting to No.1 "Y" Depot the next day. On the 24th of that month he embarked for the UK arriving at No.3 PRC, Bournemouth on 2 December. After nearly five months at 3 PRC, he was posted to No.15 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit at RAF Babdown Farm in Gloucestershire for training on the twin-engine Airspeed Oxford a much more difficult aeroplane to fly but a prerequisite to moving up to heavy bombers. His course there, number 90, lasted eight weeks from 24 April until 26 June 1944 when he was passed on to No.24 Operational Training Unit at Honeybourne. During his time at No.15(P) AFU he received his promotion to Flight Sergeant.
His course at Honeybourne lasted twelve weeks training on the Vickers Wellington bomber graduating on 20 September 1944 with the remarks: "An ex A.F.U. pilot who after a very slow start became a high average pilot and a very keen and efficient captain. This captain should be considered for a commission after some experience on operations."
Posted to No.1664 Heavy Conversion Unit at RAF Dishforth, Yorkshire he was introduced to the Handley Page Halifax heavy bomber and where he crewed up with the rest of his men. Granted a commission with the rank of Pilot Officer on 25 November, George and his crew joined 408 Squadron on 10 December 1944. He had completed 16 operations when he was reported as missing in action.

P/O Alfred George Allen

Upon the completion of his schooling at St. Patrick Academy in Sherbrooke in 1941, Alfred obtained a position as a draughtsman for the Sherbrooke Machinery Co until he enlisted in the RCAF in November 1942.
Sent to No.5 Manning Depot at Lachine, 17 November 1942 - 9 January 1943 and then to the Pre-Aircrew Education Detachment (PAED) at McGill University to bring his educational requirements up to RCAF standards. Posted to No.14 Service Flying Training School, Aylmer, Ontario 7 March - 1 May 1943 and from there to No.6 Initial Training School at Toronto until 9 July 1943. Selected for training as a wireless air gunner, Alfred was next posted to No.4 Wireless School, Guelph, Ontario where he completed Course No.73 with a pass mark of 78.5% on 28 January 1944. Posted to No.1 Bombing and Gunnery School, Jarvis, Ontario 14 February 1944 where he graduated with his Wireless Air Gunners badge on 27 March with the notation on his record, "Above average student". Posted to No.1 "Y" Depot, Halifax Alfred embarked for the UK on 29 April 1944 arriving at No.3 PRC Bournemouth on 8 May 1944.
Posted to No.7 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit, Bishops Court, Ireland for a five-week course honing his skills flying in Anson aircraft. On 11 July 1944 Alfred was next posted to No.24 Operational Training Unit at RAF Honeybourne, Worcestershire training on the Vickers Wellington bomber. He completed his course there with the remarks, "An above average pupil, keen and confident. Has shown only one weakness of reception of Group broadcasts". Posted to 61 Base at Dalton, Yorkshire on 4 October, he joined 408 Squadron on 10 October 1944. When Alfred was lost on the night of 7 March 1945 he had completed 14 operational sorties against the enemy.

P/O Rupert George McManus

Rupert enlisted in the RCAF soon after his 36th birthday, his age and a slight deficiency in his right eye precluded him from being considered for any other aircrew position than as an air gunner. After a variety of occupations, he was working as a Toolmaker for the Canadian Vickers Company in Montreal at the time of his enlistment. The interviewing officer at the time made the following comments on his assessment.
" Wife working, one boy 16 years of age also working. Been thinking of joining last three years. Like the idea of flying. Not interested in ground crew. Feel he can see more action. Had this idea of joining for some time, wife's father killed in the last war, had certain objections at first, now made up her mind. Knows that according to his age can only be A.G."
Taken on strength at No.5 Manning Depot, Lachine 11 August 1943 and then posted to No.23 Pre-Aircrew Education Detachment at Toronto to bring his educational requirement up to aircrew standard 4 October that year. After two weeks at No.13 Service Flying Training School, St. Hubert P.Q., Rupert was posted to No.10 Bombing and Gunnery School at Mount Pleasant, Prince Edward Island on 27 November 1943. While attached to No. 10 B&GS he undertook a four-week course at No.4 Aircrew Graduate Training School, Valleyfield, P.Q., where recruits were taught survival skills should they be shot down over enemy-held territory. Completing his time at No.10 B &GS on 24 march 1944 he spent the next month at No.3 Advanced Ground Training School at Three Rivers P.Q. before being dispatched back to Lachine to await embarkation to the UK. Embarked in Halifax on 3 May arriving at No.3 PRC Bournemouth on 11 May 1944. One month later Rupert was posted to No.24 Operational Training Unit at RAF Honeybourne until 4 October when he was returned to 61 Base at Dalton joining 408 Squadron on 10 December 1944. Rupert was participating in his 15th sortie when he was lost.

WO2 Nelson George Baird

Nelson, the youngest of the four Baird brothers, enlisted in the RCAF in September 1942. Like his brother Gordon, he was working as a clerk for the Winnipeg Electric Company after graduating from Daniel McIntyre Collegiate.
After moving around on various temporary postings he was sent to No.7 Initial Training School at Saskatoon on 6 March 1943. Nelson completed the course there in May that same year and although his marks and position in the class were not outstanding he did manage to pass the exam. Posted to No.6 Elementary Flying Training School at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, he was eager to become a pilot like his older brother. Unfortunately, Nelson failed his final ground school examinations with the result that his flying training was discontinued and he was re-selected for training as an Air Gunner. Reporting to No.2 Air Gunners Ground Training School at Trenton, Ontario on 29 July 1943 he completed his training there on 5 October and was subsequently posted to No.3 Bombing and Gunnery School at MacDonald, Manitoba on 6 October graduating with his Air Gunners badge on 12 November 1943.
Posted to No.1 "Y" Depot he embarked at Halifax on 14 December arriving at No.3 PRC Bournemouth on 22 December 1943. Two months would elapse before he was next posted to No.24 Operational Training Unit at RAF Honeybourne on 22 February 1944. Here he was participating in Rear Gunner Course No.44 on Whitley aircraft. From the notation on his exam results, it would appear that he was partly exempted:
"This N.C.O. worked well in ground school and obtained good results. He continued to make good progress in Gunnery Flight showing enthusiasm and ability. During his stay in the Operational Flight, he failed to complete the syllabus laid down owing to the fact that he replaced another A.G. who was grounded. rather than hold back the crew for a further 4 days, Group was contacted regarding the situation, and they approved his passing out. We are confident that his abilities will meet the required standard."
Nelson was posted to 6 Group Training Base at Dalton, Yorkshire from 9 May until early August 1944. It is unclear as to the reason but during this time he spent five weeks at the RAF Medical Rehabilitation Unit at Loughborough College. The month of August was spent back at Dalton when he was then posted to No.1659 Heavy Conversion Unit to train on the Handley Page Halifax bomber. Ready now to join a squadron, he was posted to No. 408 Squadron at Linton on Ouse, Yorkshire on 8 October 1944.

Nelson was posted in as a member of the crew of pilot F/O D.M. Wylie. Their first mission took place on the night of 30/31 October 1944, the target Cologne. Thirteen further sorties were flown by Captain Wylie and crew over the next two months culminating with another raid on Cologne on the night of 30/31 December.
During December, P/O Daughters and crew were posted into 408 Squadron. Besides Daughters, the crew members were, Huspeka, Patterson, Lasko, Allen, McManus and a tail gunner by the name of Sgt. D.J. Munroe. It is not clear from the squadron records when Nelson replaced Munroe or for what reason as the Operational Record Books only note the Captain of each aircraft. It is known that Nelson completed eight further sorties before he was lost for a grand total of 22. Whether all eight sorties were as a member of Captain Daughters' crew is not known. Sgt. D.J. Munroe survived the war.

(3) Tragically Nelson Baird's brother, R/95331 Fl/Sgt. Gordon Douglas Russell Baird was also killed earlier, 16th July 1942. Serving with 111 Squadron R.C.A.F and flying in a Kittyhawk aircraft - tragically killed when his aircraft crashed during fog between Cold Bay and Umnak. During the same operation, 4 other Kittyhawks were lost, all pilots killed. Further information see: F/Sgt. G. Baird Kittyhawk AL166

Neither his aircraft or remains were found over the Aleutian Islands and he is commemorated on the Ottawa Memorial.

The crew graves in Kiel War Cemetery (courtesy Ralph Francis)

Burial details:

P/O. George David Daughters. Kiel War Cemetery 1.B.11. Son of George Edward and Isabella (Bella) Daughters. Lennoxville, Quebec, Canada. (Originally from Montreal, Canada) Note: The C.W.G.C have been contacted by Ralph Francis in order to have the correct and full information posted on the casualty details for George and also for the records at Kiel Cemetery.

P/O. Alfred George Allen. Kiel War Cemetery 1.B.12. Son of Harry James Allen and Ellen Allen (Nellie), of Sherbrooke, Province of Quebec, Canada.

P/O. Rupert George McManus. Kiel War Cemetery Joint grave 1.B.13-14. on of William and Kate McManus, husband of Edna May McManus, of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada.

W/O. 2 Nelson George Baird. Kiel War Cemetery Joint grave 1.B.13-14. Son of James H. and Sarah A. Baird, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Dedicated to all relatives of the crew. With thanks to Ralph Francis for further information on George Daughters. Bill Chorley - "Bomber Command Losses Vol. 6". Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - "Bomber Command War Diaries". Oliver Clutton-Brock "Footprints On The Sands Of Time". Les Allison and Harry Hayward - "They Shall Not Grow Old". The Commonwealth Graves Commission.

Baird Island in Granville Lake, Manitoba was named after WO2 Nelson Baird in 1995

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