Page 15 - 576 Squadron History

The Americans readily agreed and contributed to this plan. Direct orders were given by the Air
Ministry to Bomber Command to undertake these operations at the end of January.
The Dresden raid produced a particularly fierce fire storm and the loss of life was considerable.
576 Squadron detailed 14 Lancasters and crews for this operation and 1 failed to return, that
of Pilot Officer R. R. J. Young and crew.

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On the night of the 21/22 February the Squadron detailed 16 Lancasters and crews for an attack
on Duisburg. The target was cloud covered but searchlights were evident lighting up the cloud
below the bomber stream as it flew over the target. There was also moderate heavy flak. Night
fighters were much in evidence and Flying Officer R. Burnell and crew recorded 6 separate
sightings without being attacked.

The Lancaster of Flying Officer D. C. Crofts R.A.A.F and crew was attacked from head on by a jet
fighter. This was engaged by the front gunner who fired several long bursts until the fighter
disappeared down to starboard. A few days later this crew were credited with the destruction of a
German jet fighter
From this operation the Lancasters and crews of Flight Lieutenant C. H. Living R.C.A.F and Flight
Lieutenant C. D. Thieme failed to return. In addition the Lancaster of Flight Lieutenant K. Halnan

R.C.A.F and crew was hit by flak over the target. It was abandoned over France between Rheims
and Juvincourt and all the crew were reported as safe.

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Night fighters were active on the 23/24 February when 15 Lancasters and crews from the
Squadron attacked Pforzheim. This was a devastating area bombing attack.
Flight Lieutenant H. Leyton-Brown and crew were involved in a combat with a Ju 88 which they
claimed as destroyed and Flying Officer B. H. O’Neill R.C.A.F and crew were also involved in a
combat sustaining damage to their aircraft but also scoring hits on the attacking Ju 88.

During February the Squadron had flown on 10 night time operations detailing 140 sorties from
which four failed to return and two were abandoned over France. The increasing night fighter
activity was noted in the Squadron records.

The Squadron Commanding Officer, Wing Commander B. D. Sellick DFC and bar, left the
Squadron after completing a third tour and it was he who was largely responsible for the high
efficiency and morale of the unit. In addition Squadron Leader B.A. Templeman-Rooke DFC and
bar, who had commanded ‘A’ Flight, was promoted to Wing Commander and left to take over
command of 170 Squadron. During his 10 month stay with the Squadron he had been an
inspiration to all.

st
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The month of March 1945 opened with 2 daylight raids on the 1 and 2 against Mannheim and
Cologne. A heavy night raid followed on the 5/6 March on Chemnitz when the Squadron detailed
th
15 Lancasters and crews. The centre and the south of the city suffered severe fire damage and
the Siegmar tank engine factory was completely destroyed. The Lancaster of Flight Lieutenant F.
E. Dotten R.C.A.F and crew lost an engine but they continued on 3 and bombed from 13,500 feet.
The Lancaster was attacked by a Ju 88 and fire was exchanged with the gunners claiming hits on
the night fighter. The Lancaster and crew of Flight Lieutenant C. J. Rouse R.C.A.F failed to return
from this operation.