Lovell took off from West Raynham in Mosquito II DZ656, coded TW:J, to provide support to a raid to Friedrichshaven. It was during this mission that he was shot down and crashed approximately 11 miles north of Hasselt, which is 2 miles north of Helchteren. He had just taken over the squadron's A Flight from another officer who was declared missing 24 hours earlier. The other member of crew of DZ656 was Warrant Officer, R. Lilley, DFC.