On return to base Lancaster Mk II DS616 KO-G, crash landed at 0340 wrecking another Lancaster DS618 KO-P in the process.

Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan.

719 aircraft - 292 Lancasters, 185 Halifaxes, 118 Stirlings, 113 Wellingtons, 11 Mosquitos.

This attack was aimed at the Barmen half of the long and narrow town of Wuppertal and was the outstanding success of the Battle of the Ruhr. Both Pathfinder marking and Main Force bombing was particularly accurate and a large fire area developed in the narrow streets of the old centre of the town. It is probable that this fire was so severe that the first, small form of what would later become known as a 'firestorm' developed.
Because it was a Saturday night, many of the town's fire and air-raid officials were not present, having gone to their country homes for the weekend, and the fire services of the town - in their first raid - were not able to control the fires.
Approximately 1,000 acres - possibly 80 per cent of Barmen's built-up area - was destroyed by fire. 5 out of the town's 6 largest factories, 211 other industrial premises and nearly 4,000 houses were completely destroyed.

33 aircraft - 10 Halifaxes, 8 Stirlings, 8 Wellingtons, 7 Lancasters - lost, 4.6 per cent of the force.

Nose art from Lancaster DS627.

Translation German text: 4- Engine English airplane "Lancaster" shot down on 30 V 1943 near Hechtel (Belgium) by Night Fighter (II/N.J.G1)

Source: C. Vanhee - Book ? page 14

Sgt - Service No 1349738

Age: 20

RAFVR

Son of Charles Roughead Fleming and Janet Gibson Fleming, of Glasgow.

Heverlee War Cemetery - grave 10.B.1

Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Marcel ROSVELDS

Sgt - Service No 612466

Age: 21

RAF

Son of George and Dinah Thomas, of Maesteg, Glamorgan.

Heverlee War Cemetery - grave 10.B.7

Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Marcel ROSVELDS

Sgt - Service No 1483499

Age:

RAFVR

Son of

Heverlee War Cemetery - grave 10.B.2

Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Aircrew Remembered

Sgt - Service No 1367283

Age:

RAFVR

Son of

Heverlee War Cemetery - grave 10.B.3

Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Marcel ROSVELDS

P/O - Service No J17259

Age: 22

RCAF

Son of Henry and Daisy Coker, of Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.

Heverlee War Cemetery - grave 10.B.4

Source: Source: CWGC - Photo and more info on CANADIAN VIRTUAL WAR MEMORIAL

Sgt - Service No 975799

Age: 24

RAFVR

Son of Walter Ernest and Dorothy May Berry, of Laurence End, Luton, Bedfordshire.

Heverlee War Cemetery - grave 10.B.5

Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Marcel ROSVELDS

Sgt - Service No 1601720

Age: 19

RAFVR

Son of Frederick Charles and Florence Tickner; nephew of Mr. W. E. Tickner, of Claygate, Surrey.

Heverlee War Cemetery - grave 10.B.6

Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Marcel ROSVELDS