HARALSON, OLIVER JOHN Rank: Sergeant Trade: Air Gnr. Service No: R/131571 Date of Death: 14/05/1943 Regiment/Service: Royal Canadian Air Force 419 Sqdn. Grave Reference 2. F. 19. Cemetery RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY CWGC - Cemetery Details
Took off at 23.44 hrs from R.A.F. Middleton St. George, County Durham to join a further 441 aircraft made up with 135 Halifaxes, 104 Wellingtons, 95 Stirlings and 10 Mosquitoes. The raid did start well but the bombers were drawn away by decoy markers made by the Germans. It is reported that 394 buildings were destroyed a further 716 seriously damaged with 302 people killed on the ground. 29 allied aircraft were lost on this raid with total crew killed; 102. p.o.w; 54. Just a single Crew member evading capture. Two aircraft from 419 Squadron R.C.A.F. were lost on this operation. The other, Halifax JD113 VR-Z flown by Fl/Sgt. Walter H.S. Buckwell R.C.A.F. lost 4 crew members killed with the remaining 3 made pow's. Halifax DT672 was shot down by the Luftwaffe ace Oblt. Manfred Meurer (3) of 3./NJG1 with combat taking place north east of Geldern at 6.200 mts. Time of attack: 02.31 hrs. Adams George
