Postgram from 5 Group Headquarters to Officer Commanding 617 Squadron

Postgram from 5 Group Headquarters to Officer Commanding 617 Squadron

Message is a copy of Headquarters Bomber Command signal congratulating crews that their attacks on Le Havre and Boulogne succeeded in virtually destroying German naval assets in those harbours.

1944-06-20

One-page typewritten document

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MCheshireGL72021-181210-020002

[underlined] POSTAGRAM [/underlined]
R.A.F. Form 1924
Originator’s Reference Number:- SY.574
Date:- 20th June, 1944.

To: Base Commander, Coningsby, Station Commander Woodhall, O.C. No. 617 Squadron
From: H.Q. No. 5 Group

Herewith copy of H.Q.B.C’S A.313 dated 18th June, 1944 from A.O.C. in C. HQ. Bomber Command.

[underlined] TOP SECRET. [/underlined]
Following for crews not for publication or to be repeated outside crew circle of addresses.
Begins:-
The attacks on Le Havre and Boulogne succeeded in virtually destroying the entire German Naval Forces in these harbours. Nearly one hundred Naval and Naval Auxiliary Craft were sunk or damaged. The proportion [inserted] sunk [/inserted] at least sixty being remarkably high. For security reasons not too much was made of this greatest of Air-Sea victories but crews can be satisfied that their efforts have altered the entire aspect of the Naval war in the Channel.
NOT TO BE QUOTED.
ENDS.

Originator’s Signature [initials indecipherable] Beale S/O
Time of Origin 201100B