Gerald Haywood RCAF and crew – 576 Squadron - 1945
The Haywood crew were posted to 576 Squadron at RAF Fiskerton in the early part of 1945. The exact date is not recorded. The crew consisted of the following :-
F/O G Haywood RCAF
F/S F M Turner
Sgt E Deputat RCAF
Sgt J A Mazurk RCAF
Sgt W J Hammond
Sgt E F Jeffery
Sgt R C Abbott RCAF
This crew flew unaltered throughout their tour
……….
Haywood flew as Second Dickie / co-pilot in the experienced crew of F/O A H De Mille RCAF on the 13 February 1945 in ME671 to Dresden.
He then captained his own crew on the following operations :-
20/02/1945 – Dortmund - Point of Aim – PD271 - F/O G Haywood RCAF - Combat with unidentified enemy aircraft from behind. Attack broken off. No damage
21/02/1945 – Duisburg - Point of Aim – NG273 - F/O G Haywood RCAF – Sighted 4 jet aircraft
20/02/1945 – Dortmund - Point of Aim – PD271 - F/O G Haywood RCAF - Combat with Unidentified EA from behind. Attack broken off. No damage
21/02/1945 – Duisburg - Point of Aim – NG273 - F/O G Haywood RCAF - Sighted 4 jet aircraft.
28/02/1945 – Neuss - Army Support – LM294 - F/O G Haywood RCAF - Raid recalled due to uncertainty of position of friendly troops. Jettisoned 4,000lb bomb in sea on return.
01/03/1945 – Mannheim - Point of Aim – LM294 - F/O G Haywood RCAF
05/03/1945 – Chemnitz - Operation Thunderclap – PD271 - F/O G Haywood RCAF
08/03/1945 – Kassel - Point of Aim – RA563 - F/O G Haywood RCAF
11/03/1945 – Essen - Point of Aim – RA563 - F/O G Haywood RCAF
24/03/1945 – Dortmund - Oil – RA563 - F/O G Haywood RCAF
27/03/1945 – Paderborn - Army Support – RA563 - F/O G Haywood RCAF
31/03/1945 – Hamburg - Shipyards – RA563 - F/O G Haywood RCAF
03/04/1945 – Nordhausen - V weapons factory – RA563 - F/O G Haywood RCAF
04/04/1945 – Lutzendorf - Oil – RA563 - F/O G Haywood RCAF
09/04/1945 – Kiel - Ship yard and naval base – RA563 - F/O G Haywood RCAF
14/04/1945 – Cuxhaven - Port/Diversion – RA563 - F/O G Haywood RCAF
18/04/1945 – Heligoland - Naval base and airfield – RA563 - F/O G Haywood RCAF
22/04/1945 – Bremen - Army Support – RA563 - F/O G Haywood RCAF
25/04/1945 – Berchtesgaden - Hitler's chalet & SS barracks – RA563 - F/O G Haywood RCAF
04/05/1945 - Valkenburg Airfield - Operation Manna – RA563 - F/O G Haywood RCAF
07/05/1945 – Rotterdam - Operation Manna RA563 - F/O G Haywood RCAF
Compiled by David Fell
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