LAWSON, James

Weather fair, crews were briefed at 06:00 hrs. Target was viaduct at St Brieuc, France. Take off was at 07:35 hrs led by Wing Commander Meakin DFC of 464 RAAF Squadron, with 12 Ventura aircraft on the mission, rendezvous was made with 5 squadrons of fighters about 08:00 hrs.

Low level flying was maintained across the Channel to point of climb near the coast of France and turning by the Channel Island of Guernsey when 7/10^ths cloud in layers caused the task to be abandoned. A few minutes before the turn for base five separate attacks had been made on the rear of the flight, on the second formation box of aircraft. The attacks resulted in one aircraft Ventura MkII AE937 being shot down. The lost aircraft was piloted by W/O Noel Andrew Patrick Kane-Maguire 405357 RAAF (Pilot), F/S James Lawson 656112 RAFVR (Navigator), F/S Ernest Walter Goodheart 1376102 RAFVR (Wireless Operator & Air Gunner), F/S Arthur Joseph Galley 412004 RAAF (Rear Air Gunner). Another aircraft was badly shot up with both gunners being wounded but not seriously. One other machine suffered a burst tyre causing it to crash on landing, but no casualties. Remainder made base safely an unfortunate effort due entirely to poor weather.