There is a good write up of this operation in Chris Blanchett’s excellent book “From Hell, Hull and Halifax”. Pages 64-68 describe the preparations and operation from No4 groups perspective. It also gives details of the ditching. The pilot W/C B V Robinson sounds quite a character, he even went back into the ditched Halifax to retrieve his pipe!

I would also recommend digging out a copy of F/Lt R.C.Rivaz’s book “Tail Gunner”. He was the rear gunner of Halifax V9978 A-apple and also recounts the ditching (His second)!

How these guys did what they did amazes me.

It sounds like after the bombing runs the large bomber formation broke up and they headed back in twos and three’s having running battles with the fighters swarming over them!

None of the descriptions have any of the Halifaxes having a crew of eight but is certainly wasn’t unusual for a second pilot to be aboard.