162 Squadron Light Night Striking Force Battle Orders

162 Squadron Light Night Striking Force Battle Orders

Recollections of 455 (Australian) Squadron August 1941 - April 1942

162 Squadron crew lists and record of operations from 19 December 1944 to 17 April 1945 and John Bolton's memoir.

Handwritten booklet and seven typewritten sheets

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MBoltonJD67631-170906-01

[Front of book]

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P. = photo

[Underlined] 162 SQUADRON. [/underlined]

[Underlined] CREW STATE. 23RD MARCH,1945. [/underlined]

[Underlined] PILOTS. [/underlined]

W/Cdr. Bolton. DFC.

[Underlined] “A” FLIGHT. [/underlined]

P S/Ldr. Eddy, DSO.
F/Lt. Lucas.
P F/Lt. Bland.
P F/O. Connor, DFC.
P F/Lt. Whitworth.
F/O. Knights, DFM.
P F/Lt. Marson.
P F/Lt. Haden, AFC.
P W/O. Hanley.
P/O. Jones. E.G.
P F/Lt. Finlay, DFM.
F/O. Philip.
P F/Lt. Skillman.
F/O Rawsthorn. DFC.

[Underlined] NAVIGATORS. [/underlined]

P S/Ldr. Waterkeyn.

P F/Lt. Fawcett.
F/O Barnicoat, DFC.
P F/O Layton.
P P/O Chappell.
P F/O Tulloch.
F/S Robjohns.
F/Lt. Forrest, DFC.
P F/S Nichols.
P F/O. Clark. J.
F/Lt Snelling, DFC.
F/S Walker.
P F/O Allsop. DFM.
F/O Kennedy.
P F/O Tempest.
F/O Grant.

[Underlined] ‘B’ FLIGHT [/underlined]

P S/Ldr. MacDermott. DFM.
F/Lt Marshall.
P/O Jones. B.D.
P/O McGown. DFC.
F/O Lowe, DFM.
P/O Inkpen.
P P/O Richards.
P F/O Watt.
P F/Lt Hopkin.
P F/O Spurr.
P F/Lt. Waller.
P F/Lt Abraham.
F/O. Burgess, DFC.
F/O Smith, DFM.
F/Lt Goodman. AFC.
F/Lt McClelland. DFC.

P F/O Morrow.
P F/O Crabb, DFM.
P F/O Hagues, DFC.
P F/O Fisher.
Sgt. Heggie.
F/O Lawrence.
P F/O McGregor.
P P/O Clark. PF.
P F/S Hanrahan.
P F/O Kilpatrick.
P Sgt Grigg.
P F/S Gannon.
F/O Wallis, DFC.
F/O Booth.
F/O Kerr-Jarrett
F/O Sergeant.

P F/Lt. Alexander.

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C.O.

[Underlined] No: 162 Squadron. [/underlined]

[Underlined] Date. 8th. April. 1945. [/underlined]

W/Cdr Bolton. DFC. J.D.

[Underlined] ‘A’ Flight. [/underlined]

S/Ldr Eddy. DSO.,DFC W.E.M.
F/Lt Lucas. W.E.
F/Lt Bland. H.V.
F/O Connor. DFC. B.A. {Aus).
F/L Whitworth. J.L.
F/O Knights. DFM. B.M.
F/O Marson. J.
F/Lt Haden. DFC., AFC. F.A.
W/O Henley. W.J.A. (NZ).
F/O Jones. E.G.
F/L Stewart. C.O.
F/L Finlay. DFM. T.
F/O Philip. R.T.
F/L Skillman. D.W.
F/L Rawsthorn. DFC. R.J. (Aus).

[Underlined] NAVIGATORS [/underlined]

S/Ldr. Waterkyn. DFC. S.R.

F/Lt. Fawcett. DFC I.J. (Aus).
F/O. Barnicoat. DFC. I.H.
F/O. Layton. F.
P/O. Chappell. B.W. (Aus).
F/O. Tulloch. W.A. (CAN).
F/Sgt. Robjohns. J.K. (Aus).
F/Lt. Forrest. DFC. H.L. (Can).
F/Sgt. Nichols. D.T. (Aus)
P/O. Clark. J.
F/Lt. Snelling. DFC. R.G.
P/O. Walker. H.G. (Aus).
F/O. Allsop. DFM. G.
F/O. Kennedy. A.E.
F/O. Tempest. K.
F/O. Grant. D.E. (N.Z.)

[Underlined] ‘B’ Flight. [/underlined]

S/Ldr MacDermott. DFM. P.A.C.
F/L Marshall. A.J.
P/O McGown. DFC. W.L.
F/O Lowe. DFM. M.C.
W/O Inkpen. H.
F/O Richards. J.H.B.
P/O Watt. J. (N.Z.)
F/Lt Hopkin. B.H.B.
F/O Spurr. C.W. (Aus).
F/L Waller. R.R. (Aus).
F/L Abraham. G.C.
F/O Burgess. DFC. E.F.
F/O Smith. DFM. P.A.F.
F/O Goodman. AFC. A.P.
F/L McClelland. DFC. D.

F/O. Morrow. DFC. T.M.V.
F/O. Crabb. DFM. J.L.
F/O. Fisher. A.H. (Can).
Sgt. Heggie. A.
F/O. Lawrence. J. (Can).
F/O. McGregor. D.G. (Can).
P/O. Clark. R.F. (Can).
F/Sgt. Hanrahan. I.T. (Aus).
F/O. Kilpatrick. J.P.P.
Sgt. Grigg. W.K.
F/Lt. Gannon. B.H.
F/O. Wallis. DFC. A.G.
F/O. Booth. C.H.
F/O. Kerr-Jarrett. DFC. I.
F/O. Sergeant. R.A.

[Underlined] Tour Expired. [/underlined]

F/O Jones. B.D. (N.Z.)

F/O. Hagues. DFC. A.
F/Lt. Alexander. DFM. J.

[Underlined] Detached. [/underlined]

Swain. D.H.

F/O. Bayon. M.H.

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[Underlined] RECOLLECTIONS OF 455 (AUSTRALIAN) SQUADRON [/underlined]

[Underlined] AUGUST 1941 – APRIL 1942 [/underlined]

After nearly 35 years it is difficult to remember much detail, and incidents that stick in one’s mind tend to be personal ‘line-shoots’. The following notes are mainly such recollections and throw regrettably little light on individuals in the Squadron, - either aircrew or ground crew.

From a pilot’s viewpoint the Hampden, as a medium bomber, handled vastly better than the Wellington whose controls seemed to be connected by elastic, or the Whitley which felt a very heavy bomber indeed. Its only vice was something which few people experienced – a kind of spiral descent with the rudders locked hard over, resembling a spin except that it took place in a fairly flat attitude and above stalling speed. It was apparently induced by heavy-footed application of the rudder with little or no bank, and recovery was said to be difficult once the rudders had locked themselves. On one occasion W/Cdr. Sheen at Upper Heyford set out to investigate the phenomenon; I cannot remember what success he had, but he certainly survived the experiment.

In retrospect and the light of subsequent statistics there seems no doubt that Bomber Command‘s effort up to the middle of 1942 was largely a waste of time, money, aircraft and men. Losses were very heavy and results almost negligible. Most navigators, like the rest of us, had little training or experience and there were virtually no aids. Some had a smattering of astro but were seldom able to use it, and D.F. loop aerials were usually out of effective range of suitable stations or subject to ingenious enemy interference. In conditions of cloud and darkness visual pinpoints were infrequent, and most navigation was unaided D.R. – a process not far removed from wishful thinking. There were, of course, spectacular and successful attacks by bomber forces and by individual aircraft, but these were exceptions to the normal routine. One sortie in which we played an inconspicuous but reasonably successful part was to Lubeck (March 28th./29th. 1942); [inserted] Satur 27 [/inserted] conditions were unusual in providing clear moonlight and a coastal target which was easy to identify and almost undefended, so that careful and accurate bombing runs were possible without the distractions of flak and searchlights. When no ground detail was visible one was apt to suppose that the target lay under the heaviest defences, - an assumption sometimes invalidated by elaborate decoys with flak, searchlights, dummy fires and bomb-bursts. Early in 1942 the introduction on a small scale of radar for navigation and target-marking began to change the picture. The first marking efforts may or may not have been accurate but I am afraid our reaction was sceptical – “They think the target is over there; still, they’re not doing too badly tonight”. When 8 Group really got going, however, the situation improved dramatically.

Individual names and vaguely remembered faces:-

W/Cdr. Gyll Murray, the Squadron’s first C.O.; his successor W/Cdr. Lindeman who took things very seriously; Derek French and “Runt” Reynolds the original flight-commanders; later flight-commanders Jimmy Clift and Dicky Banker (whose pipe and old 3-litre Bentley radiated solid invincibility); P/Os Metcalf and Tony Hibell who, with their crews and ourselves formed the initial English contingent; my first crew Sgt. Redwood (a quietly efficient navigator), Sgt. Baynes (a rather lugubrious but always willing wireless-operator) and P/O ‘Twon’ Symonds (who shared my discovery that the inter-comm. was an excellent medium for imitating Robertson Hare, the phrase “Oh Navigator” coming over particularly well); P/Os Mick Martin (of later fame) and Jimmy

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Catanach (an irrepressible character); Flt. Lt. Fleming (a gunnery specialist who seemed old enough to be our uncle); P/O Gordon Lind (a cheerful and determined navigator who took Sgt. Redwood’s place). With some interchange through illness or injury, and the loss-rate then prevalent, crew members tended to come and go but P/O Lind put up with me for 25 trips, Sgt. Baynes for 22 and P/O Symonds for 11 (until he was lost with another crew). One can only admire the navigators, wireless-operators and gunners who blithely entrusted themselves to pilots with as little experience as most of us had.

Line-Shoots, (not, I hope, too coloured by the passage of time) :-

[Underlined] Fuel Shortage [/underlined]

Returning from an expedition to Hamburg in our early days (September 15th./16th. 1941) [inserted] Sortie ③ [/inserted] we aimed to re-cross the coast north of the Wash. In due course the coast appeared with a sizable inlet on the port side, and we continued westwards with no anxieties except the readings of the fuel gauges. Searchlights seemed to be playing a new game which we watched with curiosity; several would point vertically upwards and swing down in unison to concentrate on an area ahead of us, repeating this behaviour again and again. At last the penny dropped when we saw what they were illuminating; our inlet was not the Wash but the Humber, and directly ahead was the Hull balloon barrage. A hasty alteration of course saved this situation, but the fuel readings were now very low indeed. None too soon a Drem system appeared, and without waiting for R/T contact we dropped the wheels in a tight circuit, encouraged by a green Verey light from the flare-path. Turning in for the final approach one engine began cutting in and out intermittently and, at the end of the landing run after a rather snake-like arrival, something roared overhead and disappeared.

The place turned out to be Hibalsdstow, a night-fighter station, and after reporting our night’s doings and asking for a message of thanks to be conveyed to the searchlight crews we repaired to the Mess. Over bacon and eggs someone came up and asked whether Twon and I were in the Hampden that had just landed. He proved to be a Beaufighter pilot who had followed us for some time under the hopeful impression that we were hostile, but had fortunately identified us visually. We, to our shame, had not seen him but Hibaldstow was his base and the green light had been intended for him. Dipping the tanks the following morning revealed almost no detectable fuel.

[Underlined] Unthinking Reaction [/underlined]

Apart from the corkscrew at a later date pilots were not taught evasive action, the official view apparently being that such behaviour was unworthy and that the efforts of ground defences should be ignored. When massive bomber streams developed as a defence against radar the collision risk made it essential to fly straight and level; in 1941/2 however we were operating in comparatively small numbers, and early in this period each crew planned its own route to the target. In such conditions it seemed to me foolhardy to sit still while being shot at, although the theory existed that one was as likely to weave into a shell-burst as out of one. Whether or not it was effective the feeling of doing something was of psychological benefit, and I began to ponder the best form of action to take. Radar-controlled flak and searchlights were just coming into use, though some enemy defences still relied on the old method of sound location. (This was well illustrated by the searchlight belt which stretched, as far as I remember, roughly from Hamburg to the Ruhr. It was often possible to cross this belt undetected provided one did so in a glide; as soon as the throttles were opened the searchlights sprang up behind). Whatever system was in use it was evident that the chap on the ground must assess the aircraft’s height, track and groundspeed to have a hope of hitting it, and had shot his bolt once he had pressed the trigger. Thereafter, the aircraft had the time of flight of the shell, which might be 15 seconds or so depending on height) in which to get out of the way. Until the advent of “Boozer” much later in the War there

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Was no sense of telling whether anyone was aiming at you, but gun-flashes were easy to distinguish and those some distance away could be ignored. The requirement therefore seemed to be to spot gun-flashes which might have personal intent and, unless on final approach to the target, to vary immediately one’s height, track or groundspeed. (At one stage the Germans were reputed to be cheating in this game by using flashless powder). If all three factors could be changed simultaneously the effect would obviously be greater, and the simplest way of doing this seemed to be a steep diving turn (as beloved by film-producers of the period), subsequently climbing back on course. The penalty was a small change in E.T.A. but no other appreciable effect on navigation, and time on target was not then critical. For want of anything better the same manoeuvre could be used when caught by searchlights, and I therefore set out to react instinctively with a steep diving turn whenever hostile activity was directed at us from the ground. At first the navigator grumbled, since he often had to grub around the floor for his pencils and instruments, but clusters of shell-bursts on our previous track made his concede that there might be something in it.

Disaster, however, nearly resulted from a ‘gardening’ expedition to the channel between the Friesian Islands and the mainland. The mine-laying process involved searching, at 1000 feet or so, until a prominent feature of the coast could be identified immediately below, and making a short timed run from this landmark to the planting point for the ‘vegetable’ which had to be released at controlled speed and a height of about 500 feet, in order that it should not drift too far on its parachute or break up by hitting the water too fast. On this occasion it was dark below cloud-base at about 1200 feet, and while looking for our pin-point we were suddenly coned by several searchlights. I reacted instinctively, and a few seconds elapsed before something occurred to me; we normally lost about 1500 feet in this manoeuvre, but had only started at 1000. The Hampden staggered out of the dive, the searchlights had lost us, being unable to depress sufficiently, but in their light reflected from the cloud we saw wave tops apparently flashing past the window. There was, perhaps, a second to spare.

[Underlined] A Heaven-Sent Opportunity [/underlined]

Some genius, presumably at Bomber Command, proposed that 5 Group Hampdens should help the rapidly vanishing Blenheims in low-level daylight operations, - an employment with a distinctly limited future. The role was filled very successfully by 2 Group Mosquitoes a year or two later, but the Blenheim and Hampden were far too slow and vulnerable for the job.

By way of a start we were given an exercise one afternoon (December 17th. 1941), which involved coming in over the coast and attempting to reach the ‘target’ represented by a level-crossing in East Anglia, without being intercepted by a squadron of Spitfires. The golden phrase at briefing was that we should ‘make use of natural cover’. East Anglia not being rich in mountains and valleys the cover, such as it was, must surely consist of vegetation. The opportunity was too good to be missed, since low flying without good cause was a serious crime.

At the first attempt we crossed the coast off track, and I remember a lighthouse-keeper looking down on us from his balcony. This seemed to be wrong, and we retreated out to sea for another approach. With the right landmarks all seemed to be going well and I settled down to the process of crossing a field, lifting to clear the far boundary and dipping down into the next field. We found that the Hampden’s tin belly made a most satisfying ‘zip’ as it touched the twiggy bits at the top of a tree, and I was enjoying things immensely; the rest of the crew, to their credit, made no comment though Sgt. Baynes from time to time reported sadly “Hit a tree”. I noticed a milkman, apparently startled by our approach, sprinting down someone’s garden path to catch his horse before it bolted.

Near our intended track was a wireless station with fairly tall masts,

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and I was anxious not to come on this unexpectedly. Aiming to clear the trees ahead I glanced aside to look for the masts, but lurking behind the line of trees was another much taller one which seemed to fill the entire view when I again looked where we were going. It was too late to do much, and we passed through the upper part of the tree with a splintering crashing sound.

There seemed to be no serious damage and each of the crew confirmed that he was unhurt, except the navigator. This was worrying, as Gordon Lind had been down in the nose below the pilot’s compartment and was not replying on the inter-comm. A slot in the floor by the pilot’s feet communicated with the bomb-aiming compartment and through this slot, while Sgt. Baynes was going forward to investigate, came two bloodstained fingers in rather a rude gesture. Gordon had seen the tree coming and instinctively recoiled, jerking his inter-comm. plug out of its socket as he did so. The perspex nose was smashed, subjecting him to a good deal of wind and noise, but he was fortunately unhurt apart from a cut on the face. We decided at this stage that it was best to go home but a problem arose on arrival, as the throttle would not close fully and the aircraft persistently drifted off the runway. We finally landed at the third attempt, and on reaching dispersal located the trouble. A control-rod inside the tailplane leading-edge had been severed so that one of the twin rudders was no longer connected, and pieces of wood lodged in the engine cowling were jamming part of the throttle linkage.

Feeling rather foolish, and with visions of charges of hazarding one of His Majesty’s aircraft, I was summoned before the C.O. who said simply the briefing should not be taken so literally. Perhaps my impression that he lacked a sense of humour was unjustified. I still have, or had until recently, a twig and fragment of perspex to illustrate this incident, but the low-level daylight Hampden proposal died a natural death.

J.D. Bolton. June, 1976.

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[Underlined] No 162 Squadron. [underlined]

[Underlined] CREW STATE. 22nd January 1945. [/underlined]

[Underlined] PILOTS. [/underlined]

W/Cdr Bolton, DFC.

[Underlined] ‘A’ FLIGHT. [/underlined

+ S/Ldr Eddy. DSO.

F/Lt Lucas.
F/Lt Bland.
F/Lt Hutchinson.
F/O Connor. D.F.C.
F/L Whitworth.
F/O Knights. D.F.M.
+ F/O Marson
F/Lt Haden. AFC.
W/O Henley
F/O E.G. Jones.
F/L Stewart.

[Underlined] NAVIGATORS. [/underlined]

S/Ldr Stanbridge.

F/L Alexander D.F.M.
F/O Barnicoat. D.F.C.
F/L Layton. D.F.C.
P/O Bird. D.F.C.
F/S Chappell.
F/O Tulloch.
F/S Robjohns.
F/L Forrest.
F/S Nicholls.
Sgt. Calrk.
F/L Snelling.
F/S Walker.

[Underlined] ‘B’ FLIGHT. [/underlined]

S/Ldr McDermott. DFM.
F/Lt Owen.
+ F/L Marshall.
F/O B.D. Jones.
F/O McGown. DFC.
F/O Lowe. D.F.M.
P/O Way.
W/O Inkpen.
+ F/O Richards.
P/O Watt.
F/Lt Hopkin.
+ F/O Spurr.

F/O Morrow.
F/O Crumplin. D.F.M.
F/O Crabb. DFM.
F/O Hagues.
F/O Fisher.
Sgt Heggie.
Sgt Fossitt.
F/O Lawrence.
F/O McGregor.
F/S Clark.
F/S Hanrahan.
F/O Kilpatrick.

+ Denotes crews on 7 days leave.

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[Underlined] 162 SQUADRON [/underlined]

[Underlined] LIGHT NIGHT STRIKING FORCE [/underlined]

MOSQUITO MK. XXV, XX.

BOURN

DECEMBER 18th 1944

[Underlined] BATTLE ORDERS [/underlined]

[Signature]

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1 [Underlined] 19.12.44 [/underlined]

3 aircraft

A S/Ldr Eddy
B F/Lt Owen
G W/O Way

Reserve H

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Nav. S/Ldr Stanbridge

Brief Nav. 1400
Brief Main 1445
Coffee & sandwiches 1500

Cancelled

Weather

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[Underlined] 20.12.44 [/underlined] 2

6 aircraft

A S/Ldr Eddy
B F/O Jones
C F/Lt Bland
F W/O Henley
G W/O Way
H F/Lt Owen

Reserve E

O.C. W/Cdr Bolten
Duty Navs. S/Ldt Stanbridge
F/O Tulloch

Cancelled

Weather

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3 [Underlined] 21.12.44 [/underlined]

6 aircraft (3 early Windowers COLOGNE and 3 BONN)

A S/Ldr Eddy
B W/O Henley
C F/Lt Lucas
F F/O Connor
G F/Lt Bland
E F/O Jones

Reserve H

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Tulloch

Meal 1315
Brief Nav. 1400
Brief Main 1500

A very good show all round. Visibility 800 yards for take-off and 1500 yards for return. All aircraft windowed and bombed successfully. Take-off somewhat straggling but should improve. Bombing-up completed only just in time owing to lack of armourers.

F (F/O Connor) lost top hatch on first attempt to take off, but was fitted with another, got off 10 minutes late and reached target with other aircraft. All slightly late due to wind change.

A (S/Ldr Eddy) landed at FORD.

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[Underlined] 22.12.44 [/underlined] 4

6 aircraft (3 early windowers and 3 )

E F/O Jones }
F F/Lt Marshall } E.W. 1844
G F/Lt Bland }

B W/O Henley }
C F/O Whitworth }
D P/O McGown }

Reserve H

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Lawrence
F/O Barnicoat

[Deleted] Brief Nav. 1400
Brief Main 1500
Coffee & sandwiches 1515 [/deleted]

Call 2300
Meal 2330
Brief Nav. 0015
Brief Main 0100

Cancelled

Weather

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7 [Underlined] 25.12.44 [/underlined]

[Drawing of a sprig of holly]

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SECRET – NOT/WT

[Station Stamp]

[Circled] 14 [/circled]

EMERGENCY

BOU T. BOURNE
GSD T. GRANSDEN
DOW T. DOWNHAM
LTS T. L/STAUGHTON
UPW T. UPWOOD
WTN T. WYTON
WBS T. WARBOYS

V GPH GPH 66/25 ‘O’ ‘O’

FROM PATHFINDERS 1130A
TO ALL P.F.F. STATIONS
SECRET COY BT

C. [Underlined] XMAS PUD AT 1930 [/underlined] (DURATION T.F.N)
22/105 + 25/109 + 14/139 + 15/128 + 15/142 + 14/571 + 140
+ 14/608 + 14/692 + 8/162 + 16/7 + 16/35 + 16/156
+16/405 + 16/582 + 16/635 + 6/1409 + ANY ODDS AND SODS
OF 1655

D. MXEXXX
[Underlined] METHOD [/underlined] WILL BE UNCONTROLLED MUSICAL CHAIRS.

(1) [Underlined] BLIND (DRUNK) MARKERS [/underlined] WILL FURTIVELY MARK THE A/P WITH LIGHT AND DARK BROWN T.I’S FROM TIME TO TIME.

(2) [Underlined] MASTER AND MISTRESS [/underlined] WILL ATTEMPT TO CONTROL THE PARTY (AND THEM SELVES) BUT IF CONDITIONS MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE, THEY WILL RETIRE FROM THE FESTIVITIES.

(3) [Underlined] LONGSTOP. [/underlined] (THE DRUNKEN ? – )
WILL SEE EVERYONE ELSE OFF AND FINALLY STAGGER INTO THE GLOOM SINGING LOUDLY AND UNMUSICALLY.

(4) [Underlined] BACKERS UP [/underlined] WILL DROP IN AT THEIR OWN DISCRETION.

(5) [Underlined] SUPPORTERS [/underlined] WHO [underlined] MUST [/underlined] BE ON TIME, BUT WILL NOT KEEP SOBER, WILL DROP EVERYTHING AND RUN AT THE FIRST SIGN OF ATTACK.

(6) THERE WILL BE NO EARLY RETURN OR CANCELLATION.
ALL CREWS WILL TURN TO PORT AFTER ATTACKING THE TARGETS

(M) [Underlined] BOMBLOADS [/underlined]
2 X 12 FIRKINS + 6 NOGGINS + 1 LONG DELAY (6 TO 36 HOURS)

ALL T.I’S FUSED VERY LOW.

(N1) [Underlined] ROOT [/underlined] BASE – BAR (A/P = PIG’S EAR) – BASE.

(N2) [Underlined] GEE WHIZ [/underlined] (LAVATORY CHAINS NORMAL)
[Underlined] JAY [/underlined] + JOHNNY WALKER

(N3) THE VILLAGE INN WILL BE OPEN.

BT 1130A

OO

TOD 1155A/K.WILCOCK

(COLD SOBER)

OPS
Stn Cdr
105 CO
162 CO √

AS FOR K WITH R

BOU K WITH R

R1200A FER AH

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[Underlined] 26.12.44 [/underlined] 8

6 aircraft ( )

E F/O Whitworth }
G W/O Henley } From GRAVELEY
F F/Lt Hutchinson }

A F/O Marson }
B F/O Lowe } From BASE
C F/O Knights }

Reserve H

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
S/Ldr Eddy (Graveley)
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Hagues
F/Lt Alexander (Graveley)

Meal 1300
Brief Nav. 1345
Brief Main 1430
Transport for Graveley 1200

Cancelled

Weather

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9 [Underlined] 27.12.44 [/underlined]

[Deleted] 7 [/deleted] 4 aircraft (E.W. OPLADEN)

E F/O Whitworth }
G W/O Henley } From GRAVELEY
F F/Lt Hutchinson }

A F/O Marson }
B F/O Lowe } From BASE
C F/O Knights }
H F/S Marshall }

No reserve

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
S/Ldr Eddy (Graveley)
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/Sgt Chappell
F/Lt Alexander (Graveley)

Meal [deleted] 1315 2015 [/deleted] 0115 Call 00.45
Brief Nav. [deleted] 1400 2100 [/deleted] 0200
Brief Main [deleted] 1445 2145 [/deleted] 0245
Transport for GRAVELEY 1245

Target changed 3 times and postponed twice. Graveley aircraft finally cancelled owing to ice.

Ground-crew chiefly responsible to very poor take-off. All aircraft very late – one 19 minutes.

H (F/Lt Marshall) and C (F/O Knights) did very well to make up time and arrive punctually on target . Other 2 aircraft late.

A (F/O Marson) had oxygen trouble which may have accounted for poor navigation.

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[Underlined] 28.12.44 [/underlined] 10

6 aircraft (FRANKFURT)

E S/Ldr McDermott
A P/O McGown
D F/Lt Lucas
F F/O Connor
G W/O Inkpen
H F/O Jones

No reserve

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Fisher
P/O Bird

Meal 1315
Brief Nav. 1400
Brief Main 1500

G (W/O Inkpen) cancelled. Pitot head u/s and only spare head found also u/s.

A much better take-off and quite a good attack.

E (S/Ldr McDermott) had U.H.F. and generator failure on take-off but bombed target successfully, visually identifying built-up area.

[Page break]

11 [Underlined] 29.12.44 [/underlined]

6 aircraft ( )

A F/Lt Marshall
H F/Lt Owen
B F/O Lowe
F F/Lt Hutchinson
D F/O Knights
E F/O Marson

No reserve

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Nav. S/Ldr Stanbridge

Meal 1315
Brief Nav. 1400
Brief Main 1500

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

[Underlined] 30.12.44 [underlined] 12

10 aircraft (8 HANOVER and 2 spoof DUISBERG)

A S/Ldr Eddy }
H F/Lt Owen } [deleted] 1835 [/deleted] 2050

G F/Lt Marshall }
E F/O Marson }
F F/Lt Hutchinson }
T W/O Inkpen }
B F/O Lowe } 1830
C W/O Way }
U [deleted] R [/deleted] P/O McGwon }
D F/O Knights }

Reserves [deleted U, [/deleted] V

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs, S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/Sgt Chappell

[Underlined] E C [/underlined]

Meal 1315
Brief Nav. 1400 1630
Brief Main 1445 1715

A very good effort on the part of aircrews, but ground crews still disorganised. Armourers late with bombing-up, and several aircraft not filled with oxygen. All aircraft took off exactly on time except T which had no oxygen. Nearly all were on target on time. Both attacks quite successful.

D (F/O Knights) had oxygen trouble and engine failure after leaving target. Returned on one engine and landed at WOODBRIDGE.

G (F/Lt Marshall) swung off flare-path on landing and ended up on belly – apparently undercarriage failure. Crew unhurt.

[Page break]

13 [Underlined] 31.12.44 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (2 E.W. OSTERFELD and 10 BERLIN)

C F/Lt Marshall }
X W/O Way } E.W. 1845

V S/Ldr McDermott }
A F/Lt Lucas }
U F/Lt Owen }
F F/Lt Connor }
Y F/O Jones } 1855
H F/Lt Hutchinson } or 1830
T W/O Inkpen }
E F/O Marson }
R P/O McGown }
B F/O Lowe }

[Grid of START, A/B and S/C times]

Reserves Z,S.

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/Lt Alexander

Meal 1315
Brief Nav. 1400
Brief Main 1445

C, Y, A, and B cancelled – u/s.

A chaotic start, due to aircraft not being ready; some had not even been refuelled. – N.C.O. i/c on a charge. Several which did get off were late, but crews did well to make up time and both attacks were quite successful.

F (F/O Connor) had stbd. engine fail and catch fire at enemy coast. Port engine would not run smoothly above +3lb boost. Bombed near TERSCHELLING and returned to base on port engine at +3lb. boost, WOODBRIDGE being covered with low cloud. Landing excellent in spite of drift.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 1.1.45 [/underlined] 14

10 aircraft (2 E.W. DORTMUND and 8 HANAU)

E F/O Connor }
V F/Lt Marshall } E.W. 1915

A S/Ldr Eddy }
B F/Lt Lucas }
H F/O Knights }
Y F/O Jones }
X F/O Lowe } 1855
R P/O McGown }
U [deleted] Z [/deleted] W/O Way }
T W/O Inkpen }

[Grid of START, A/B and S/C times]

Reserves G, [deleted] U.

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/Lt Forrest
P/O Bird

Brief Nav. 1400
Brief Main 1445
Coffee & sandwiches 1500

A much better take-off, though port engine of Z would not start, apparently due to c/o over-doping as pilot took reserve aircraft, and engine started perfectly immediately afterwards. – Clueless ground crew and pilot. Both attacks successful. Only one Oboe T.I. dropped on HANAU, but all crews saw and bombed it.

H (F/O Knights) early return. Rough running, wavering revs, and loss of power on one engine. Landed WOODBRIDGE.

[Page break]

15 [Underlined] 2.1.45 [/underlined]

10 aircraft (3 E.W. NUREMBURG and 7 BERLIN)

Y F/O Jones }
V F/Lt Owen } E.W. 1930
B F/Lt Lucas }

A S/Ldr Eddy }
S F/Lt Marshall }
C F/Lt Hutchinson }
X F/O Lowe } 1900
G F/O Marson }
R F/O Connor }
Z F/O Knights }

[Grid of START, A/B and S/C times]

Reserves T, U.

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Morris
F/O Lawrence

Brief Nav. 1345
Brief Main 1430
Coffee & sandwiches 1445

Take-off and landing times good – 6 aircraft down in 9 minutes. Both attacks very successful and all aircraft on BERLIN within 2 minutes.

Z (F/O Knights) landed at MANSTON with engine, generator and hydraulic trouble.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 3.1.45 [/underlined] 16

9 aircraft (6 and 3 )

Y F/O Jones } }
B F/Lt Lucas } }
X F/O Lowe } }

V S/Ldr McDermott } }
A F/Lt Hutchinson } } 2200
U F/Lt Owen } }
E F/O Marson } }
T W/O Way } }
R P/O McGown } }

Reserves G, C.

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Lawrence

Meal 1630
Brief Nav. 1715
Brief Main 1800

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break}

17 [Underlined] 4.1.45 [/underlined]

10 aircraft (2 attacks on BERLIN)

V S/Ldr McDermott }
E F/O Marson }
X F/O Owen } 1950
T F/O Connor }
H F/Lt Hutchinson }

Y W/Cdr Bolton }
U F/Lt Marshall }
B F/Lt Lucas } [deleted] 2250 [/deleted] 2350
C F/O Knights }
G W/O Way }

[Grid of START, A/B and S/C times]

Reserves S, Z.

O.C. S/Ldr Eddy
Duuty Navs. F/Lt Alexander
F/O Hagues
F/O Lawrence

I

Brief Nav. 1500
Brief Main 1545
Coffee & sandwiches 1600

II

Meal 1830
Brief Nav. 1915
Brief Main 2000

B, C, and G cancelled owing to snowstorm at take-off time.

Both attacks ruined by 139 Sqdn’s poor timing and scattered marking.

T (F/O Connor) landed at FOULSHAM due to generator and A.S.I. failure, and icing.

H (F/L Hutchinson) landed at LITTLE SNORING with generator and hydraulic trouble “LARGETYPE” very helpful and ingenious in giving him his fixes.

S/Ldr Stanbridge did trip with oxygen tube in mouth, owing to lack of connecting socket. Passed out near BREMEN when tube fell out, but revived at 14,000’ and navigated successfully to target.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 15.1.45 [/underlined] 18

10 aircraft (4 E.W. HANOVER and 6 BERLIN)

A S/Ldr Eddy }
Y F/O Jones }
B F/Lt Lucas } E.W. 2150
X F/O Lowe }

S F/Lt Marshall }
J F/Lt Bland }
U W/O Way }
C F/O Knights } 2215
V [deleted] Z [/deleted] P/O McGown }
E W/O Henley }

[Grid of START, A/B and S/C times]

Reserves G, [deleted] V [/deleted]

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
S/Ldr McDermott
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Morrow
F/O Crumplin

Meal 1615
Brief Nav. 1700
Brief Main 1745

A very successful night. Take-off still slightly straggled, but both attacks went very well.

[Page break]

19 [Underlined] 6.1.45 [/underlined]

9 aircraft (2 E.W. HANAU and 7 )

S S/Ldr McDermott }
A F/O Marson } E.W. 1900

U F/Lt Owen }
C F/O Knights }
Y F/O Jones }
B F/O Connor }
Z W/O Way }
H F/O Whitworth }
E W/O Henley }

Reserves G, R.

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
S/Ldr Eddy
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Lawrence
F/Sgt Robjohns

Brief Nav. 1400
Brief Main 1445
Coffee & sandwiches 1500

U, C, Y, B, Z, H & E Cancelled – Weather

Both aircraft off on time and both windowed successfully on time. Only glow of markers visible owing to cloud.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 7.1.45 [/underlined] 20

10 aircraft (3 E.W. MUNICH, and 7 HANOVER)

U F/Lt Owen }
H F/O Connor } E.W. 2230
Y F/O Jones }

A S/Ldr Eddy }
V F/Lt Marshall }
B F/Lt Lucas }
Z W/O Way } 2150
C F/O Whitworth }
R [deleted] D [/deleted] W/O Henley }
W F/O Marson }

[Grid of MINS LATE, START, A/B and S/C times]

Reserve [deleted] R [/deleted]

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Layton
F/O Lawrence

Meal 1600
Brief Nav. 1645
Brief Main 1730

Take-off very poor indeed. Only one aircraft on time – B (F/Lt Lucas). C (F/O Whitworth) 22 minutes late owing to frozen snow on airscrews. Last snow had fallen at 1500 hrs. and no attempt had been made to clean it off since then. ‘D’ not refuelled owing to bowser breakdown. Average time late – 7 minutes. ‘Y’ had not been bombed-up. Several aircraft had no dinghies.

H (F/O Connor) took off with pitot-head cover on. Fault of aircrew & groundcrew; rigger on charge. Completed trip & landed at WOODBRIDGE.

R (W/O Henley) sent V.H.F. message saying trouble with fuel feed from main tanks; preparing to abandon aircraft. Aircraft missing, but crew believed safe in HOLLAND.

[Page break]

21 [Underlined] 8.1.45 [/underlined]

6 aircraft ( )

S F/Lt Owen
D F/O Knights
Y F/O Richards
T W/O Inkpen
G F/Lt Bland
J F/O Whitworth

Reserve W

O.C. S/Ldr McDermott
Duty Navs. F/Lt Alexander
F/O Hagues

Brief Nav. 1415
Brief Main 1500
Coffee & sandwiches 1515

Cancelled – Weather

[Page break]

[Underlined] 9.1.45 [/underlined] 22

8 aircraft ( )

W F/Lt Owen
H F/Lt Whitworth
X F/O Richards
F F/Lt Bland
T W/O Inkpen
C F/O Knights
S P/O Way
E F/O Marson

Reserves A, V.

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Crabb

[Deleted] Brief Nav. 1400
Brief Main 1445
Coffee & sandwiches 1500 [/deleted]

Meal 2030
Brief Nav. 2100
Brief Main 2200.

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

23 [Underlined] 10.1.45 [/underlined]

9 aircraft (HANOVER)

B F/Lt Lucas
V [deleted] U [/deleted] F/Lt Owen
W W/O Inkpen
F F/Lt Whitworth
X F/O Richards
G F/Lt Bland
D F/O Knights
S F/O Jones
E F/O Marson

[Grid of START, A/B and S/C times]

Reserves A, [deleted] V. [/deleted]

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/Lt Alexander
F/Sgt Chappell

Brief Nav. 1400
Brief Main 1445
Meal 1515

X Cancelled- weather doubtful and inexperienced crew.

An excellent show all round. All aircraft off on time in spite of difficult conditions of snow on aerodrome. Attack very successful, and all aircraft on target within 1 minute. Weather very poor for return with low cloud and more snow, but all crews coped very well.

B, W, and D diverted to WYTON.

Remainder landed at base.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 13.1.45 [/underlined] 24

12 aircraft (6 and 6 spoof)

V S/Ldr McDermott }
A F/Lt Whitworth }
Y F/O B. Jones }
C F/O Knights }
U P/O Watt }
G F/Lt Bland }

S F/Lt Marshall }
F F/O Connor }
X F/O Richards } Spoof 2245
B F/O E. Jones }
T W/O Inkpen }
E F/Lt Haden }

Reserves D, W.

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Crumplin
F/O Barnicoat

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

25 [Underlined] 14.1.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (4 E.W. MERSEBURG and 8 BERLIN)

V S/Ldr McDermott }
S F/O Spurr }
F F/O Connor }
T F/O Richards }
U P/O Watt } 2100
H [deleted B [/deleted] F/Lt Haden }
Y F/Lt Hopkin }
A F/Lt Stewart }

D F/Lt Whitworth }
B [deleted] C [/deleted] F/O Knights }
X P/O Way } E.W. 0001
G F/Lt Bland }

Reserves [deleted] H, [/deleted] Z

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
S/Ldr Eddy
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Crabb
F/O Crumplin

[Underlined] E.W. Others. [/underlined]

Meal 1845 1545
Brief Nav. 1915 1615
Brief Main 2000 1700

A very good effort especially by new crews. Take-off good in spite of being very rushed owing to H hour being brought forward. Marking on BERLIN very scattered and defences mor effective than of late. MERSEBURG aircraft off rather late owing to last-minute change of flare-path. Attack successful.

T (F/O Richards) returned on one engine from BERLIN and landed at FRISTON. – A very good effort for his 1st operation.

4 aircraft hit by flak.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 16.1.45 [/underlined] 26

12 aircraft (3 E.W. and 9 )

F F/O Connor }
C F/O Lowe } E.W. [deleted] 2030 2115 [/deleted] 2215
V F/O Spurr }

A S/Ldr Eddy }
Y F/Lt Hopkin }
B F/Lt Stewart }
W P/O McGown } [Deleted] 2030 2040 2140 [/deleted] 0030
G F/Lt Bland }
S F/Lt Marshall }
H F/Lt Haden }
U F/Lt Owen }
E F/Lt Whitworth }

Reserves D, X

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/Lt Forrest
F/O Morrow

Meal [deleted] 1500 [/deleted] 1515 1900
Brief Nav. [deleted] 1530 [/deleted] 1600 1945
Brief Main [deleted] 1615 [/deleted] 1645 2030

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

27 [Underlined] 17.1.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (MAGDEBURG)

A S/Ldr Eddy
U F/Lt Owen
C F/Lt Bland
W P/O McGown
B F/Lt Whitworth
Y F/Lt Hopkin
H F/Lt Haden
Z F/O Richards
D F/Lt Stewart
X F/O Lowe
E F/O Marson
S F/Lt Marshall

[Grid of START, A/B and S/C times]

Reserves F, V

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Morrow
F/Sgt Clark

CALL 2359
MEAL 0030
BRIEF 0115

Brief Nav. 1415
Brief Main 1500
Coffee & sandwiches 1515

Take-off very poor but attack successful. Fires still burning in larger area from attack on previous night by heavies. Nearly all aircraft hampered for speed and height apparently by icing and some were late owing to this.

S (F/Lt Marshall) found incorrect wind and used it, with result that he saw no T.Is and returned 30 minutes early.

C (F/Lt Bland) landed at WOODBRIDGE with electrical trouble, changed batteries, and returned to base.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 18.1.45 [/underlined] 28

12 aircraft (STERKRADE)

F F/O Connor
X F/O Lowe
B F/Lt Haden
V F/O Richards
E F/O Marson
W F/O Spurr
G F/Lt Stewart
U P/O Watt
A F/Lt Hutchinson
Z P/O Way
D F/Lt Whitworth
S F/Lt Marshall

Reserves H, Y

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
S/Ldr McDermott
Duty Navs. F/L Alexander
F/O Morrow
F/Sgt Robjohns

Meal 1930
Brief Nav. 2015
Brief Main 2100

Take-off 2 minutes late. Attack a complete wash-out owing to 10/10 cloud up to 25,000’ A few crews caught glimpses of T.Is which disappeared immediately and all bombed on GEE. Weather very rough for return but all crews coped very well.

[Page break]

29 [Underlined] 19.1.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (2 E.W. and 10 )

S F/O Spurr }
Y P/O Watt } E.W.

A S/Ldr Eddy }
V S/Ldr McDermott }
E F/O Knights }
Z P/O Way }
D F/O Connor }
X F/Lt Marshall }
B F/Lt Hutchinson }
U F/Lt Owen }
G F/Lt Bland }
W P/O McGown }

Reserves C, H

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/Lt Forrest
Sgt Heggie

Meal 1515
Brief Nav. 1600
Brief Main 1645

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

[Underlined] 20.1.45 [/underlined] 30

12 aircraft (6 spoof , and 6 )

U F/Lt Owen }
E F/O Marson }
J F/O Spurr }
G F/Lt Bland } Spoof [deleted] 2045 [/deleted] 2345
X P/O Watt }
F F/O Connor }

S P/O Way }
D F/Lt Stewart }
W P/O McGown }
C F/Lt Haden }
Y F/Lt Hopkin }
A F/Lt Hutchinson }

Reserves H, V

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O McGregor
F/Sgt Robjohns

[Underlined] Spoof Remainder [/underlined]

Meal 1830 1430
Brief Nav. 1915 1500
Brief Main 2000 1545

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

31 [Underlined] 21.1.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft ([Deleted] 3 E.W. [/deleted] and [deleted] 9 spoof [/deleted] 12 KASSEL)

D F/Lt Hutchinson } }
J F/O Spurr } } [deleted] E.W. 0015 [/deleted]
H F/Lt Haden } }

B S/Ldr Eddy } }
S F/Lt Marshall } }
E F/O Marson } }
X F/O Richards } } [deleted] Spoof oo25 [/deleted] 2030
F F/O Connor } }
Y F/Lt Hopkin } }
G F/Lt Bland } }
W P/O McGown } }
U F/Lt Owen } }

Reserves C, V

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Tulloch
Sgt Fossitt

Meal [deleted] 1900 [/deleted] Brief Nav 1615
Brief Nav. [deleted] 1945 [/deleted] Brief Main 1700
Brief Main [deleted] 2030 [/deleted] Coffee & sandwiches 1715

Take-off very rushed owing to fooling about with targets, routes, times, winds, etc. Crews had only 10 minutes from end of briefing to get into aircraft, but coped very [inserted] well [/inserted] and only P/O McGown was late off. Attack very successful with marking concentrated at first though becoming a little scattered. Too much backchat on R/T during landing.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 22.1.45 [/underlined] 32

12 aircraft (3 E.W. DUISBURG, 3 E.W. GELSENKIRCHEN, and 6 HANOVER)

V S/Ldr McDermott }
C F/O E. Jones } E.W. 2000
W W/O Inkpen }

A F/Lt Hutchinson }
Y F/O B. Jones } E.W. [deleted] 2015 [/deleted] 2230
H F/O Haden }

G F/Lt Bland }
U P/O Watt }
D F/Lt Whitworth }
S P/O Way } 1915
E F/Lt Stewart }
X F/O Lowe }

Reserves B, J

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Barnicoat
F/Sgt Hanrahan

[Underlined] E.W.1 E.W.2. Remainder. [/underlined]

Meal 1500 1745 1415
Brief Nav. 1545 1830 1445
Brief Main 1630 1915 1530

A very successful night. All 3 take-offs quite good and all attacks successful. 2 excellent ground-detail photographs from S/Ldr McDermott on DUISBURG, and one from W/O Inkpen

V (S/Ldr McDermott) 2 miles 205° from A.P. heading S.W.
W (W/O Inkpen) 3 3/4 miles 310° from A.P. heading S.E.

[Page break]

33 [Underlined] 23/1/45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft ( )

B F/Lt Lucas
J P/O McGown
H F/O Connor
V P/O Watt
D F/Lt Whitworth
X F/Lt Hopkin
A F/O E. Jones
Z P/O Way
E F/Lt Stewart
Y F/O B. Jones
K F/O Knights
U F/Lt Owen

Reserves [deleted] G, [/deleted] S

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Layton

Meal [deleted] 2359 [/deleted] 1400
Brief Nav. [deleted] 0030 [/deleted] 1445
Brief Main [deleted] 0115 [/deleted] 1530

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

[Underlined] 24.1.45 [/deleted] 34

12 aircraft ( )

B F/Lt Lucas
U F/Lt Owen
H F/Lt Haden
J P/O McGown
A F/O E. Jones
V W/O Inkpen
E F/Lt Stewart
X F/O Lowe
F F/O Connor
Z P/O Way
D F/Lt Whitworth
Y F/Lt Hopkin

Reserves G, S

O.C. S/Ldr McDermott
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Morrow

Meal 1415
Brief Nav. 1500
Brief Main 1545


Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

35 [Underlined] 27.1.45 [/underlined]

8 aircraft ( )

B F/Lt Lucas }
J P/O McGown }
F F/O Connor }
Z P/O Way }
D F/Lt Whitworth } 1910
U W/O Inkpen }
C F/O Knights }
Y F/Lt Hopkin }

Reserves E, V.

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Morrow

Meal 1415
Brief Nav. 1445
Brief Main 1530

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

[Underlined] 28.1.45 [/underlined] 36

12 aircraft (2 spoofs MAINZ and 10 BERLIN)

E F/Lt Stewart }
B F/O Connor } Spoof 2018

S [deleted] V [/deleted] W/Cdr Bolton }
A F/Lt Hutchinson }
Y F/O B. Jones }
C F/O Knights }
W P/O McGown }
D F/Lt Whitworth } 2040
Z F/Lt Hopkin }
J W/O Inkpen }
U [deleted] S X [/deleted] F/O Lowe }
G F/Lt Bland }

Reserves [deleted] S U [/deleted], H

O.C. S/Ldr McDermott
Duty Navs. F/O Morrow
F/O Barnicoat

Meal 1500
Brief Nav. 1545
Brief Main 1630

V cancelled – u/s and all reserves.

Take-off quite good in both cases, and attacks fairly successful. Crews need to estimate their own positions for making calls on circuit to speed up landing procedure. Present average landing interval 2 mins between aircraft.

W (P/O McGown) damaged tailplane through swinging when running up without chocks on dispersal. – His 2nd accident through carelessness. Group suggest course at Sheffield.

[Page break]

37 [Underlined] 29.1.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (8 BERLIN and 4 spoof)

B F/Lt Lucas }
Y F/O B. Jones }
D F/Lt Whitworth } [Deleted] 1945 [/deleted] 2145
V F/Lt Hopkin }

H {deleted] A [/deleted] F/Lt Hutchinson }
X P/O McGown }
G F/O E. Jones }
U P/O Watt } [Deleted] 1935 2005 or 1905 [/deleted] 1935
E F/Lt Stewart }
Z P/O Way }
K {deleted] C [/deleted] F/O Knights }
J W/O Inkpen }

[Grid of START, A/B and S/C times]

Reserves [deleted] H, [/deleted] S, C

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
Sgt Clark
F/Sgt Nicholls

Spoof

Meal 1400 1615
Brief Nav. 1445 1700
Brief Main 1530 1745

Spoof cancelled – Weather

Take-off spoilt by Spitfire making an emergency landing, followed by Stirling landing without permission. Attack quite successful but all aircraft diverted to MANSTON owing to snowstorm at base.

G (F/O E. Jones) landed at BRADWELL BAY.

All others landed at MANSTON.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 31.1.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (4 spoof and 8 )

B F/Lt Lucas }
W F/O Spurr }
C F/Lt Bland } Spoof 0245
A F/Lt Hopkin }

S F/Lt Marshall }
F F/O Marson }
Z P/O Way }
G F/O E. Jones }
V F/O Lowe }
D F/Lt Whitworth }
T F/O Richards }
Y F/O B. Jones }

Reserves

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
S/Ldr Eddy
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/Sgt Nicholls
Sgt Clark

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

39

[Underlined] SUMMARY FOR JANUARY 1945 [/underlined]

OPERATIONAL NIGHTS 14
NUMBER OF ATTACKS 23
AIRCRAFT CALLED FOR 133
AIRCRAFT DESPATCHED 128
CANCELLED BY UNIT (WEAHTER) 4
CANCELLED BY UNIT (SERVICEABILITY) 1
EARLY RETURNS 1
OTHER ABORTIVE SORTIES 1
ENGINE FAILURES 2
AIRCRAFT DAMAGED BY ENEMY ACTION 5
AIRCRAFT DAMAGED BY ACCIDENTS 4 (minor airframe damage)
AIRCRAFT MISSING 1 {crew safe)

CREWS AIRCRAFT

STRENGTH AT BEGINNING OF MONTH 18 16
STRENGTH AT END OF MONTH 22 18

TARGETS ATTACKED BERLIN 7
HANOVER 4
HANAU 2
DORTMUND 1
DUISBURG 1
GELSENKIRCHEN 1
KASSEL 1
MAGDEBURG 1
MAINZ 1
MERSEBURG 1
MUNICH 1
NUREMBURG 1
STERKRADE 1

PROMOTIONS:- F/O WHITWORTH to F/LT
F/LT OLSEN to A/S/LDR on posting to 163 Squadron.

COMMISSIONS:- W/O WAY

DECORATIONS:- S/LDR STANBRIDGE D.F.C.
F/LT DOWNES (Adjutant) D.F.C.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 1.2.45 [/underlined] 40

⑱ aircraft (2 spoof DUISBURG, 10 BERLIN I, and 6 BERLIN II)

K [deleted] G [/deleted] F/Lt Bland }
W F/O Spurr } Spoof 1905

F S/Ldr Eddy }
Z F/Lt Hopkin }
H [deleted] D [/deleted] F/Lt Whitworth }
Y F/O B. Jones }
A F/O Marson }
V F/O Lowe }
B F/Lt Lucas } [Deleted] 1955 [/deleted] 2025
T F/O Richards }
C F/O E. Jones }
S F/Lt Marshall }

D [deleted] H [/deleted] F/Lt Hutchinson }
J P/O McGown }
K F/O Knights }
U P/O Watt } [Deleted] 0230 [/deleted] 0400
E F/Lt Stewart }
Z P/O Way }

[Grid of START, A/B and S/C times]

No reserves

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
Sgt. Clark
F/O Lawrence

I II
Meal 1415 [deleted] 2045 [/deleted] 2245
Brief Nav. 1500 [deleted] 2130 [/deleted] 2330
Brief Main 1545 [deleted 2215 [/deleted 0015

D cancelled Swung & bogged on take-off. Reserve u/s.

A disastrous night. One aircraft failed to take off, one returned early and 3 were damaged in accidents. Attacks fairly successful.

D (F/Lt Hutchinson) swung on take-off and bogged. Got into reserve aircraft but found petrol cocks jammed.

W (F/O Spurr) taxied into gun-pit – sheer carelessness.

Z (P/O Way) apparently forgot flaps, came in much too fast, overshot and finished up on belly – also carelessness.

K (F/O Knights) early return. Landed WOODBRIDGE where tail-wheel collapsed.

[Page break]

41 [Underlined 2.2.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (2 E.W. WANNE EICKEL, 4 spoof MANNHEIM, and 6 MAGDEBURG)

H F/O Bland }
U F/O Spurr }
F F/Lt Hutchinson }
V F/Lt Marshall } 2000
B F/Lt Lucas }
T F/O Richards }

G F/O B. Jones }
E F/O Marson } E.W. [deleted] 2215 [/deleted] 2345

D F/Lt Witworth }
Y F/Lt Hopkin }
C F/O E. Jones } Spoof [deleted 2224 [/deleted] 2354
S F/O Lowe

[Grid of START, A/B and S/C times]

No reserve

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
S/Ldr Eddy
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/Lt Alexander
F/O Lawrence

[Underlined] I E.W. & Spoof [/underlined]

Meal 1445 [deleted] 1715 [/deleted] 1830
Brief Nav. 1515 [deleted] 1800 [/deleted] 1915
Brief Main 1600 [deleted] 1845 [/deleted] 2000

A very successful night. Take-off the best so far, and landing times also very good. All crews on MAGDEBURG claim to have bombed within 15 seconds of H hour.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 3.2.45 [/underlined] 42

10 aircraft (4 OSNABRUCK, 2 E.W. BOTTROP, and 4 spoof OSNABRUCK)

Y W/Cdr Bolton }
D [deleted] F [/deleted] F/Lt Stewart }
V P/O McGown } [Deleted] 1940 [/deleted] 1925
C F/O Knights }

A F/Lt Lucas }
T F/O Richards } E.W. [deleted] 1915 [/deleted] 1930

G F/Lt Bland }
U P/O Way }
E F/O Marson } [Deleted] Spoof 1910 [/deleted] 1925
S F/Lt Marshall }

Reserves [deleted] D, J, [/deleted] H Z

O.C. S/Ldr Eddy
Duty Navs. F/Lt Alexander
F/Lt Snelling
F/O Kilpatrick

Meal [deleted] 1415 1445 [/deleted] 1430
Brief Nav. [deleted] 1445 1530 [/deleted] 1515
Brief Main [deleted] 1530 1615 [/deleted] 1600

A very good take-off and both attacks successful. All aircraft late on target at OSNABRUCK but markers late as well, due to wind change. G, U, E and S dropped green T.Is, well grouped with 139’s yellows. Visibility very poor for return due to smoke haze. Camera serviceability much improved, and only one electrical failure. 8 photographs of T.Is out of 10 attempts.

D (F/Lt Stewart) swung on take-off, but taxied back very quickly and got off on time. This aircraft seems to have a marked tendency to swing.

[Page break]

43 [underlined] 4.2.45 [/underlined]

11 aircraft (3 E.W. BONN, and 8 HANOVER)

A S/Ldr Eddy }
T P/O McGown } E.W. [deleted] 1945 2028 [/deleted] 2045
E F/Lt Stewart }

W [deleted] Z [/deleted] F/Lt Hopkin }
H F/Lt E. Jones }
Y F/Lt B. Jones }
C F/O Knights } [Deleted] 1940 1940 [/deleted] 1940
U P/O Way }
B F/Lt Whitworth }
S F/O Spurr }
V F/O Lowe }

[Grid of START, A/B and S/C times]

Reserves [deleted G [/deleted] F,J

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. [deleted] S/Ldr Stanbridge [/deleted]
F/Lt Alexander
F/O McGregor
F/Sgt Nicholls

Meal 1415
Brief Nav. 1500
Brief Main 1545

Take-off again excellent. Aircraft windowed successfully at BONN, but cloud interfered with heavies’ attack. HANOVER attack spoilt by 139 Sqdn. dropping the first T.I., the only one on time – in the wrong place, apparently on NIENBURG.

T (P/O McGown) steered the wrong course after leaving the target and arrived back 54 minutes late – not a very bright effort.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 5.2.45 [/underlined] 44

12 aircraft (3 spoof, and 9 BERLIN)

Y F/O B. Jones }
F F/Lt Stewart } Spoof
J F/O Spurr }

A F/Lt Lucas }
U F/O Richards }
D F/Lt Whitworth }
V F/O Lowe }
E F/O Marson }
Z F/Lt Hopkin }
[Deleted] S [/deleted] G F/Lt Bland }
S F/Lt Marshall }
H F/O E. Jones }

Reserves C, W

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. F/Lt Alexander
P/O Bird
Sgt Fossitt

Meal [deleted] 1830 1845 [/deleted] 1945
Brief Nav. [deleted] 1915 1930 [/deleted] 2030
Brief Main [deleted] 2000 2015 [/deleted] 2115

Spoof cancelled – Weather.

Remainder – Take-off rather ragged and attack spoilt by cloud up to 27,000’. A few crews caught glimpses of Tis and bombed their glow. The others had trouble with Loran and bombed on D.R.

[Page break]

45 [Underlined] 6.2.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (6 and 6 )

B F/Lt Lucas }
W P/O Way }
E F/O Marson }
V F/O Lowe } 0100 to 0200
G F/Lt Bland }
Y F/O B. Jones }

S [deleted] Z [/deleted] F/Lt Marshall }
C F/O Knights }
J F/O Spurr }
H F/Lt Hutchinson } 0100 to 0200
T F/O Richards }
F F/Lt Stewart }

Reserves D, [deleted] S [/deleted] Z

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
S/Ldr Eddy
Duty Navs. F/Lt Alexander
F/O Fisher
F/Sgt Hanrahan

Meal 2030
Brief Nav. 2115
Brief Main 2200

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

[Underlined] 7.2.45 [/underlined] 46

12 aircraft (8 E.W. CLEVE and bomb DUISBURG and 4 MAGDEBURG)

G F/Lt Bland }
[Deleted S [/deleted] W F/Lt Marshall }
C F/O E. Jones }
V F/O Lowe }
A F/O Marson } E.W. [deleted] 2000 [/deleted] 2200
T F/O Richards }
D F/Lt Whitworth }
J F/O Spurr }

B F/Lt Hutchinson }
Y F/O B. Jones } 1950
F F/O Connor }
U [deleted] Z [/deleted] W/O Inkpen }

Reserves H, [deleted] U [/deleted]

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. F/Lt Alexander
F/O Fisher
Sgt Fossitt

Meal 1445
Brief Nav. 1515
Brief Main 1600

Take-off good. Attacks on CLEVE and DUISBURG successful. Nothing visible at MAGDEBURG, owing to 10/10 cloud from 31,000’ to below 19,000’, but all crews bombed on Loran.

[Page break]

47 [Underlined] 8.2.45 [/underlined]

10 aircraft (E.W. [deleted] WNNE EICKEL [/deleted] WANNE EICKEL and [deleted] bomb [/deleted] 6 BERLIN, [deleted] and 6 [/deleted] )

Y F/O B. Jones }
F F/O Connor } E.W. [deleted] 2030 [/deleted] 0400
U W/O Inkpen }
A F/Lt Hutchinson }

V S/Ldr McDermott }
C F/O E. Jones }
T {deleted] S [/deleted] F/O Spurr } 2230.
B F/Lt Lucas }
Z P/O Way }
D [deleted] E [/deleted] F/Lt Whitworth }

Reserves E, G, J.

O.C. S/Ldr Eddy
Duty Navs. [deleted] S/Ldr Stanbri [/deleted]
F/Lt Alexander
F/Lt Fawcett
F/O McGregor

1st Meal [deleted] 1700 1630 [/deleted] 17.00
Brief Nav. [deleted] 1715 [/deleted] 17.45
Brief Main [deleted] 1800 [/deleted] 18.30

2nd Meal [deleted] 23.00 [/deleted] 00.30
Brief Nav. [deleted] 23.45 [/deleted] 01.45
Brief Main [deleted] 00.30 [/deleted] 02.00

Take off on Berlin spoilt by F/O E. Jones who took off 10 mts early! Rest of 1st take off good. A very good raid on Berlin, all our crews bombed very nearly on time, and reported exceptionally good marking by 139.

On 2nd take off 3 a/c off on time, but W/O Inkpen got boged [sic] leaving dispersal, got off late in Res a/c (25 mts late) & was late on E W run but bombed successfully.

A good raid.

[Page break]

48

12 aircraft (3 EW and bomb, and 9 )

V S/L McDermott. }
F F/O Connor. } E W 22.30
J F/P Spurr. }

B F/L Lucas. }
S F/L Marshall. }
E F/O Marson. }
Z P/O Way. }
C F/O E. Jones. } 20.00
U F/O Lowe. }
D F/L Whitworth. }
T F/O Richards. }
G F/L Bland. }

Reserves H & Y.

O.C. S/Ldr Eddy.
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge.
F/L Fawcett.

Meal 15.00
Brief Nav. 15.45
Brief Main 16.30

E.W. Meal 17.30
Brief Nav. 18.15
Brief Main 19.00

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

49 [Underlined] 10.2.45. [/underlined]

12 aircraft [deleted] 2 E W on HANOVER and 10 [/deleted]

B F/L Lucas }
Z P/O Way } [deleted] E W 19.30 [/deleted] 23.30

A S/L Eddy }
T F/O Richards. }
E F/O Marson. }
W P/O McGowan. }
C F/L Hutchinson } 23.30
U F/L Lowe. }
F F/O Connor }
J W/O Inkpen. }
G F/L Bland. }
S F/L Marshall. }

Reserves D.Y.

O.C. S/Ldr McDermott.
Duty Nav. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/L Alexander .
F/O Morrow.

Meal ① 14.45 ② 23.00
Brief Nav. 15.15 23.45
Brief Main. 16.00 00.30

Take off good and attack very successful. All a/c bombed between -1 & +2 except one with instrument trouble, which bombed at H+5. A good concentration of Red T.Is. All a/c stacked over base [inserted] on return [/inserted] while 105 took off. Landing v. good, but unnecessarily noisy (on VHF)

[Page break]

[Underlined] 11.2.45. [/underlined] 50

12 aircraft. [Deleted] HANOVER [/deleted]

Z [Deleted] P/O Way. [/deleted] F/O B. Jones }
B F/L Lucas } EW [deleted] 22.00 [deleted] 03.00

V S/L McDermott. }
D F/L Whitworth. }
W P/O McGowan }
[Deleted] A [/deleted] E F/O Marson. }
T F/O [deleted] B. Jones. [/deleted] Richards }
G F/L Bland. } 03.50
J F/O Spurr. }
[Deleted] H [/deleted] H F/O E. Jones. }
U P/O Watt. }
A F/L Hutchinson. }

Reserves [deleted] H.C. [/deleted] S.C.

O.C. S/Ldr Eddy.
Duty Nav. S/Ldr Stanbridge.
F/L Alexander.
Sgt. Clark.

Call 22.00
Meal 19.00 22.30
Brief Nav. 19.45 23.15
Brief Main 20.30 24.00

Cancelled.

Weather

[Page break]

51 13.2.45.

12 aircraft 8 on [deleted] Magdeburg [/deleted] MAGDEBURG, 2 EW on [deleted] Bӧhlen [/deleted] BOHLEN, 2 spoof on [deleted] Bonn [/deleted] BONN.

U [deleted] B F/L Lucas. [/deleted] P/O Watt } GQ 1514
J F/O Spurr. } E.W. 22.00

S F/L Marshall. }
H F/O E. Jones. } Spoof. [deleted] 20.45 [/deleted] 00.20

Y F/O B. Jones. }
D F/L Whitworth. }
T. F/O Richards. }
E F/O Marson. }
V W/O Inkpen. } [Deleted] 21.45. [/deleted] 21.55
F F/O Connor. }
B {deleted] U P/O Watt. [/deleted] F/L Lucas }
A F/L Hutchinson. }

Reserves W. (normal) G (Tis)

O.C. S/Ldr Eddy.
Duty Nav. S/Ldr Stanbridge.
F/L Fawcett.
Sgt. Heggie.
F/O Morrow.

Meal [deleted] 16.00 [/deleted] ① & E.W. 16.30 Spoof. 19.15.
Brief Nav. [deleted] 16.45 [/deleted] 17.15 20.00
Brief Main [deleted] 17.30 [/deleted] 18.00 20.45
Off 19.30 22.20

Take off and landing excellent.

A very good attack on Magdeburg, our a/c on time, marking concentrated.

Aircraft windowed successfully at Bonn, but the Spoof at Bӧhlen was spoilt by high cloud. Tis went out of sight at once.

[Page break]

14.2.45. 52

12 aircraft. 6 on [deleted] Berlin [/deleted] BERLIN 6 on [deleted] Dessau [/deleted] DESSAU.

1. V S/L McDermott. }
B [deleted] H [/deleted] F/O E. Jones. }
Y F/O B. Jones. }
D F/L Whitworth. } 21.00
T W/O Inkpen.}
A F/L Hutchinson. }
[Deleted] F F/O Connor. [/deleted]

2. Z F/O Lowe }
G F/L Bland }
U P/O Watt. } [Deleted] 01.50 [/deleted] 00.20
[Deleted] E [/deleted] F F/O Connor. }
[Deleted] F/L Hutchinson. [/deleted] }
C W/O Henley. }
W P/O McGowan. }

Reserves. [Deleted] EB. [/deleted] S or J.

O.C. S/Ldr Eddy.
Duty Nav. S/Ldr Stanbridge.
F/O Kilpatrick.
F/O Barnicoat

Meal (1) 16.00 (2) 19.15
Nav. Brief 16.45 20.00
Main Brief 17.30 20.45

Take off and landing on both attacks excellent. Only two markers dropped on Berlin, our a/c bombed the floaters the Tis were not seen owing to cloud. A fairly good attack.

The attack on Dessau was also fairly good although the Tis rapidly disappeared in cloud.

[Page break]

53 15.2.45.

12 aircraft, 4 on Mannheim, 8 on Berlin.

F F/O Connor. }
Z W/O Inkpen. }
D F/L Stewart. } 19.35.
W P/O McGowan. }

A S/L Eddy }
S F/L Marshall. }
E F/O Marson. }
T F/O Richards. }
B F/L Lucas. } 20.00
Y F/L Hopkin. }
G F/O Knights }
J F/O Spurr. }

Res. H. [deleted] K. [/deleted] V.

O.C. S/Ldr McDermott.
Duty Nav. S/Ldr Stanbridge.
F/S Nichols.
F/S Clark.
Sgt Grigg.

Meal 14.30
Brief Nav. 15.15
Brief Main 16.00

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

16.2.45. 54

12 aircraft.

J F/O Spurr }
F F/L Stewart }
W P/O McGowan. } [Deleted] 19.35 [/deleted] 04.40
A F/L Hutchinson. }

Y F/O B. Jones. }
F F/O Marson. }
T F/O Richards. }
B F/L Lucas. }
Z F/L Hopkin. } [Deleted] 20.05 [/deleted] 04.40
D F/O Knights }
U P/O Watts. }
G F/O E. Jones. }

Reserves H. V.

O.C. S/Ldr Eddy.
S/Ldr McDermott.
Duty Nav. S/Ldr Stanbridge.
F/O Crabb.
F/L Fawcett.

Call 23.00
Meal [deleted] 14.30 [/deleted] 23.30
Brief Nav [deleted] 15.15 [/deleted] 00.00
Brief Main [deleted] 16.00 [/deleted] 00.45
Off 02.10

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

55 17.2.45.

12 aircraft

J F/O Spurr. }
H F/L Stewart }
Y F/L Hopkin. } 19.35
B F/L Hutchinson. }

A S/Ldr Eddy. }
V F/L Marshall. }
E F/O Marson. }
Z W/O Inkpen. }
G F/O Connor. } 20.05
W F/O Watt }
D F/O Knights. }
T F/O Richards. }

Reserves [deleted] X [/deleted] Y. W. X.

O.C. S/Ldr McDermott.
Duty Nav S/Ldr Stanbridge.
F/L Snelling.
F/S Nichols.

Meal 14.30.
Brief Nav 15.15
Brief Main 16.00

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

[Underlined] 18.2.45 [/underlined] 56

8 aircraft ( )

V S/Ldr McDermott
B F/Lt Lucas
Y F/O B. Jones
F F/O Connor
W P/O McGown
C F/O E. Jones
U P/O Watt
H W/O Henley

Reserves A, J

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/Sgt Nicholls

Meal 1415
Brief Nav. 1500
Brief Main 1545
Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

57 [Underlined] 19.2.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft ([Deleted] 8 [/deleted] 12 ERFURT [deleted] and 4 [/deleted])

A F/Lt Lucas } }
Y F/Lt Hopkin } }
F F/O Connor } }
U P/O Watt } }
C F/O E. Jones } } [Deleted] 1950 [/deleted] 2000
T F/O Richards } }
E F/Lt Stewart } }
J F/O Spurr } }

G W/O Henley } }
W F/Lt Waller } }
D F/O Finlay } } [Deleted] 1950 [/deleted] 2000
S W/O Inkpen } }

[Grid of START, A/B and S/C times]

[Deleted] O [/deleted] Reserves H, V

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. F/O Morrow
F/O Hagues
F/Sgt Robjohns

Meal 1430
Brief Nav. 1515
Brief Main 1600

A very successful night. Take-off excellent, - 12 a/c in 7 minutes, - and landing times also good. All aircraft bombed T.Is, from heights varying between 12,000’ and 6,500’. Bombing very concentrated, with 2 large explosions and 2 fires. Built-up area seen, and also flying debris from bomb bursts.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 20.2.45 [/underlined] 58

12 aircraft ( 9 BERLIN and 3 spoof MANNHEIM)

B S/Ldr Eddy }
S F/Lt Marshall }
C F/O Knights }
V F/Lt Waller }
E F/O Marson }
W P/O McGown } 2130
F F/O Finlay }
Y F/O B. Jones }
A F/Lt Hutchinson }

Z F/Lt Hopkin }
H W/O Henley } Spoof [deleted] 0015 0040 [/deleted] 0050
T F/O Richards }

Reserves D, U

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
S/Ldr McDermott
Duty Navs. F/O Morrow
F/O Lawrence
F/Sgt Nicholls

Main Spoof

Meal 1600 [deleted] 1915 [/deleted] 1945
Brief Nav. 1645 [deleted] 2000 [/deleted] 2030
Brief Main 1730 [deleted] 2045 [/deleted]

A [deleted text] good night. [Deleted text] Both take-offs [deleted text] good, and [deleted text] attacks successful. [Deleted text] Gee release on MANNHEIM seems to have produced a fair concentration of markers.

[Page break]

59 [Underlined] 21.2.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (9 BERLIN and 3 E.W. WORMS)

S [deleted] V [/deleted] S/Ldr Mc Dermott }
A F/Lt Hutchinson } E.W. [deleted] 2045 [/deleted] 2030
X F/O B. Jones. }

B F/Lt Lucas }
J F/O Spurr }
D F/Lt Stewart }
T W/O Inkpen }
F F/O Connor } [Deleted] 2300 2240 [/deleted] 0015
U P/O Watt }
C F/O Knights }
W P/O McGown }
H F/O E. Jones }

Reserves G, [deleted] S [/deleted] Z

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. F/Lt Alexander
F/Lt Forrest

E.W. Main

Meal 1600 [Deleted] 1745 1730 1830 [/deleted] 1900
Brief Nav. [Deleted] 1645 [/deleted] 1630 [deleted] 1830 1815 [/deleted] 1945
Brief Main [Deleted] 1730 [/deleted] 1715 [deleted] 1915 1900 [/deleted] 2030

Both take-offs and landing times good, and attacks successful. Searchlights active on both targets, but not much flak. Decoys very active over BERLIN, especially to the north.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 22.2.45 [/underlined] 60

12 aircraft (BERLIN)

1 Y F/Lt Hopkin
2 E F/O Marson
5 S F/Lt Marshall
11 G F/O Finlay
7 V W/O Inkpen
4 C F/O E. Jones
6 W F/Lt Waller
3 D F/Lt Stewart
9 Z F/O Richards
10 H W/O Henley
8 U P/O Watt
12 F F/O Connor

[Grid of START, A/B and S/C times]

Reserves A, [deleted] X [/deleted] B

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/Lt Fawcett

Meal 1500
Brief Nav. 1545
Brief Main 1630

Quite a good attack, though cloud obscured results. Running-up time and taxying time reduced to 9 minutes for runway 252, which seems successful in daylight.

[Page break]

61 [Underlined] 23.3.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (BERLIN)

A W/Cdr Bolton
Y F/Lt Hopkin
H W/O Henley
W P/O Way
C F/O Knights
U F/Lt Waller
G F/Lt Bland
J F/O Spurr
B F/O Finlay
S F/Lt Marshall
E F/O Marson
D F/Lt Whitworth

Reserves T, X

O.C. S/Ldr Eddy
Duty Navs. F/O Morrow
Sgt Heggie

Meal 1500
Brief Nav. 1545
Brief Main 1630

Attack spoilt by 10/10 cloud from below 14,000’ to above 27,000’. A few crews managed to bomb T.Is, and one, P/O Way, obtained a photograph.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 25.2.45 [/underlined] 62

12 aircraft (ERFURT)

S [deleted] Y[/deleted] F/Lt [deleted] Hopkin [/deleted] Marshall
D F/Lt Whitworth
J W/O Inkpen
B F/Lt Stewart
W P/O Watt
E F/O E. Jones
T F/O Richards
F F/O Connor
X F/O Lowe
G F/Lt Bland
Z [deleted] P/O Way [/deleted] F/Lt Waller
C [deleted] F/O Knights [/deleted] W/O Henley

Reserves H, Y

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Kilpatrick
F/O Allsop

Meal 1500
Brief Nav. 1545
Brief Main 1630

A good attack, though drifting cloud made it difficult to see T.Is. Some crews descended to 5,500’ to bomb, and saw built-up area, fires and flying debris from bomb bursts. Weather very rough for return with cloud @ 700’ A very good show all round.

C (W/O Henley) landed at WOODBRIDGE.

B (F/Lt Stewart) slightly damaged by flak.

[Page break]

63 [Underlined] 26.2.45 [/underlined]

10 aircraft (BERLIN)

V S/Ldr McDermott
B F/O Marson

[Inserted] POSTAGRAM Originator’s Reference Number:- BC/S.23191/P.

TO: X [Underlined] No. 162 Squadron X [/underlined] (Copies R.A.F. Station,
BOURN, H.Q.No. 8(PFF) Group, and Air ministry,
S.10.A., Kingsway.

Date:- 20th March, 1945.

From: Headquarters, Bomber Command. [Initials]

His Majesty, the King, on the recommendation of the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, had approved the Immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Flight Lieutenant F. A. HADEN, AFC., (119529).

[Signature]

[Underlined] Group Captain. [/underlined]

[Stamp] [Signature] 162 Sqad. [/inserted]

Meal 1500
Brief Nav. 1545
Brief Main 1630

An excellent attack. Target area burning well from American attack during the day. Weather clear and ground detail clearly visible; T Is concentrated and plottable visually; timing very good and attack over by H+3.

A (F/Lt Haden) hit by flak on bombing run. Pilot slightly wounded by perspex splinters in face but carried on to bomb.

[Page break]

63 [Underlined] 26.2.45 [/underlined]

10 aircraft (BERLIN)

V S/Ldr McDermott
B F/O Marson
Y F/Lt Hopkin
H [deleted] C [/deleted] F/O E. Jones
W F/O Lowe
A F/Lt Haden
J F/O Spurr
G F/O Finlay
G F/O Richards
D F/Lt Stewart

Reserves [deleted] F [/deleted] Z, U

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
Sgt Fossitt
Sgt Grigg

Meal 1500
Brief Nav. 1545
Brief Main 1630

An excellent attack. Target area burning well from American attack during the day. Weather clear and ground detail clearly visible; T Is concentrated and plottable visually; timing very good and attack over by H+3.

A (F/Lt Haden) hit by flak on bombing run. Pilot slightly wounded by perspex splinters in face but carried on to bomb.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 27.2.45 [/underlined] 64

12 aircraft (BERLIN)

A S/Ldr Eddy
U P/O Watt
H W/O Henley
W F/Lt Waller
G F/Lt Bland
S F/Lt Marshall
F F/O Connor
Z P/O Way
E F/O Marson
Y F/Lt Hopkin
D [deleted] C [/deleted] F/Lt Whitworth
J F/O Spurr

Reserves [deleted] D [/deleted] C, T

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
S/Ldr McDermott
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/Sgt Robjohns

Meal 2145
Brief Nav. 2230
Brief Main 2315

A fair attack. Marking somewhat scattered and, owing to cloud, only floaters visible. All crews bombed these, but [deleted word] 50% paid little attention to the correct heading.

[Page break]

65 [Underlined 28.2.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (BERLIN)

U [deleted] S F/Lt Marshall [/deleted] P/O Watt
D F/Lt Stewart
T F/O Richards
E F/O Finlay
J F/O Lowe
C F/O E. Jones
Z P/O Way
B F/Lt Haden
B F/Lt Waller
H W/O Henley
Y W/O Inkpen
F F/O Connor

Reserves [deleted] U [/deleted] S, V.

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Morrow

Meal 1515
Brief Nav. 1600
Brief Main 1645

Good take-off and landing times, with 11 aircraft down in 15 minutes. Attack well timed and successful with 2 large explosions. A good ending to excellent month.

[Page break]

66

[Underlined] SUMMARY FOR FEBRUARY 1945 [/underlined] (LAST MONTH IN BRACKETS)

OPERATIONAL NIGHTS 19 (14)
NUMBER OF ATTACKS 33 (23)
AIRCRAFT CALLED FOR 224 (133)
AIRCRAFT DESPATCHED 223 (128)
CANCELLED BY UNIT (WEAHTER) – (4)
CANCELLED BY UNIT (SERVICEABILITY) 1 (1)
EARLY RETURNS 1 (1)
OTHER ABORTIVE SORTIES – (1)
ENGINE FAILURES – (2)
AIRCRAFT DAMAGED BY ENEMY ACTION 3 (5)
AIRCRAFT DAMAGED IN ACCIDENTS [deleted] 3 [/deleted] 4 (4)
AIRCRAFT MISSING – (1)

CREWS AIRCRAFT

STRENGTH AT BEGINNING OF MONTH 22 (18) 18 (16)
STRENGTH AT END OF MONTH 25 (22) 18 (18)

TARGETS ATTACKED:- BERLIN 12 (7)
MAGDEBURG 3 (1)
BONN 2 (-)
DUISBURG 2 (1)
ERFURT 2 (-)
HANOVER 2 (4)
MANNHEIM 2 (-)
WANNE EICKEL 2 (-)
BOHLEN 1 (-)
BOTTROP 1 (-)
CLEVE 1 (-)
DESSAU 1 (-)
OSNABRUCK 1 (-)
WORMS 1 (-)

PROMOTIONS:- F/O MARSON to F/LT
P/O BIRD to F/O

COMMISSIONS: SGT CLARK

DECORATIONS F/O HAGUES D.F.C.

[Page break]

67 [Underlined] 1.3.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (BERLIN)

V S/Ldr McDermott
D F/Lt Whitworth
W F/O Spurr
B F/Lt Haden
T W/O Inkpen
G F/Lt Bland
Y F/Lt Hopkin
C [deleted] A [/deleted] F/O Knights
S F/Lt Marshall
F F/O E. Jones
X F/O Lowe
A [deleted] C [/deleted] F/O Marson

Reserves H, U

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. F/Lt Fawcett
F/Sgt Clark

Meal 1515
Brief Nav. 1600
Brief Main 1645

A fair attack with marking rather scattered and poorly timed. 139 failed to adjust H hour and most crews had to waste over 10 minutes.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 2.3.45 [/underlined] 68

12 aircraft (3 BERLIN and 9 KASSEL)

A F/Lt Bland }
Y F/Lt Hopkin }
C F/O Knights } 2000
S F/Lt Marshall }
H W/O Henley }

U P/O Watt }
B F/Lt Stewart } 2030
X [deleted] Z P/O Way [/deleted] F/O Richards }

F F/Lt Whitworth }
Z [deleted] X F/O Richards P/O Way [/deleted] W/O Inkpen }
E F/O Finlay } 2000
W F/Lt Waller }

Reserves G, V

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
F/O Lawrence
Meal 1515
Brief Nav. 1600
Brief Main 1645

Both attacks successful though TIs quickly went into cloud at KASSEL. Cloud was thin however, and most crews, after running up on a glow, could see TIs & bomb. Defences fairly active on both targets.

[Page break]

69 [Underlined] 3.3.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (BERLIN) 3 Y and 9 bombers

L F/Lt Stillman }
M F/Lt Abraham } Y

B F/Lt Lucas
Y F/O B. Jones
A F/Lt Haden
X [deleted W [/deleted] P/O McGown
H W/O Henley
E F/Lt Stewart
S F/Lt Waller
G F/O Finlay
Y P/O Watt
T F/O Richards

Reserves R, Z

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/O Tulloch
Sgt Heggie

Meal 1515
Brief Nav. 1600
Brief Main 1645

Neither Y aircraft marked owing to poor range, and most 139’s markers were late and scattered, which caused a poor attack.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 4.3.45 [/underlined] 70

[Deleted] ⑮ [/deleted] 12 aircraft (9 BERLIN and 3 siren-tour KIEL, LUBECK, HAMBURG< WILHELMSHAVEN)

V S/Ldr McDermott }
C F/O Knights }
U F/Lt Hopkin }
[Deleted] B F/O Philip [/deleted] }
{Deleted S F/O Burgess [/deleted] }
D F/Lt Whitworth }
[Deleted] T F/O Smith [/deleted] }
G F/O Rhys } 0330
Y F/O B. Jones }

Z P/O Way }
B [deleted A [/deleted] F/Lt Haden }
W P/O McGown }

M S/Ldr Eddy }
R F/Lt Bland } U/T Y
L F/Lt Lucas }

Reserve F, T.

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Stanbridge
S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/Lt Alexander
P/O Clark
F/O McGregor

Y [deleted] Bombers [/deleted] All a/c

Meal [deleted] 1645 1630 1530 [/deleted] 2215
Brief Nav. [deleted] 1730 1715 1615 [/deleted] 2300
Brief Main [deleted] 1815 1715 [/deleted] 2345

139 again late on BERLIN, though quite well concentrate.

R (F/Lt Bland) attacked 4 targets but mistook WESERMUNDE for WILHELMSHAVEN.

M (S/Ldr Eddy) spent an hour looking for HAMBURG, and dropped 2 bombs on WILHELMSRAUSAS.

L (F/Lt Lucas) dropped all bombs on WILHELMSHAVEN.

[Page break]

71 [Underlined] 5.3.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (9 BERLIN and 3 siren tour KIEL, LUBECK, HAMBURG, HANOVER.)

M F/Lt Stewart }
R F/Lt Bland } U/T Y
L F/O Knights }

W F/Lt Waller
B W/O Henley
U P/O Watt
A F/O Philip
V F/O Smith
Z F/O Lowe
C F/O Rhys
S F/O Burgess
T F/O Richards

Reserve G

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
S/Ldr McDermott
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/O Hagues
[Deleted] F/Sgt Nichols [/deleted] F/O Tulloch

Meal 1515
Brief Nav. 1600
Brief Main 1645

R cancelled. Spinner could not be fitted.

Attack on BERLIN scattered. M (F/Lt Stewart) and L (F/O Knights) both failed, apparently owing to inexperienced set-operators, and dropped full load on KIEL.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 6.3.45 [/underlined] 72

6 aircraft (Formation on WESEL) Daylights.

U S/Ldr McDermott
G F/Lt Bland
[Deleted] A [/deleted] Y F/O B. Jones
A F/Lt Whitworth
S P/O Way
R F/O Rhys

Reserve T

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn

Brief Nav 1300
Brief Main 1330

A very fine effort by all concerned. Attack laid on at 2 3/4 hours notice when some of the crews were still airborne on N.F.Ts. Aircraft got ready and bombed up on time but briefing very rushed and crews had only 15 minutes from end of briefing to start up. Aircraft started up in the correct order and took off very rapidly in pairs behind 105’s leaders. Only 2 crews had previous experience of this type of operation, but formation was excellent and attack completely successful. Very slight opposition – no fighters.

[Page break]

73 [Underlined] 6.3.45 [/underlined]

4 aircraft (BERLIN)

M F/L Skillman }
R F/L Abraham } Y

A F/L Hopkin
B F/O Finlay

Reserves L, X

O.C. S/ldr Eddy
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/O Barnicoat

Meal 1515
Brief Nav. 1600
Brief Main 1645

A very successful attack. Both ‘Y’ aircraft marked after excellent runs, within 60 seconds of correct time.

L (F/Lt Skillman) obtained photograph showing ground detail of TEMPELHOF aerodrome.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 7.3.45 [/underlined] 74

12 aircraft (10 BERLIN and 2 siren tour HANOVER, BERLIN, DESSAU)

D F/Lt Whitworth
Y F/O B. Jones
G W/O Henley
X F/O Smith
G F/Lt Haden
Z F/O Burgess
A F/O Philip
W P/O McGown
E F/O Knights
U P/O Watt

M S/Ldr Eddy }
R F/Lt Lucas } U/T Y

Reserves L, T

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. F/Lt Alexander
F/O Layton

Main Y

Meal 1645 1945
Brief Nav. 1730 2030
Brief Main 1815 2115

A cancelled – swung twice when attempting to take off, and finally went across main road into ploughed field.

Attack on BERLIN quite good, though 3 aircraft – W (P/O McGown) Z (F/O Burgess) and U (P/O Watt) bombed DESSAU owing to poor navigation while time-wasting.

M (S/Ldr Eddy) and R (F/Lt Lucas) had a very successful siren tour.

[Page break]

75 [Underlined] 8.3.45 [/underlined]

11 aircraft (6 BERLIN, 3 spoof HANOVER, and 2 siren tour OSNABRUCK, HANOVER, BREMEN)

R F/Lt Bland }
M F/O Connor } U/T Y

B F/Lt Haden }
T F/O Richards } Spoof
E F/O Rhys }

Y F/Lt Hopkin
Z F/O Lowe
W P/O McGown
G F/O Finlay
S F/O Burgess
U F/Lt Waller

Reserves L, J

O.C. S/Ldr McDermott
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/O Morrow
F/O Kennedy
[Underlined] Spoof and Main U/T Y [/underlined]

Meal 1530 1730
Brief Nav. 1615 1815
Brief Main 1700 1900

A concentrated and successful attack on BERLIN, and a good spoof on HANOVER.

M (F/O Connor) had a successful siren tour.

R (F/Lt Bland) had Y U/S and bombed BREMEN on GEE.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 9.3.45 [/underlined] 76

12 aircraft (11 BERLIN and 1 siren tour OSNABRUCK)

M F/Lt Skillman }
R F/Lt Abraham } Y

L F/Lt Lucas U/T Y

Y F/O B. Jones
B F/Lt Stewart
T F/O Richards
D F/Lt Whitworth
W F/Lt Waller
A F/O Philip
V F/O Smith
E W/O Henley
U P/O Watt

Reserves F, Z

O.C. S/Ldr Eddy
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/Sgt Chappell
F/Sgt Hanrahan

[Deleted] Y Main [/deleted]

Meal [deleted] 1700 1645 [/deleted] 1530 [deleted] 1845 [/deleted]
Brief Nav. [deleted] 1745 1730 [/deleted] 1615 [deleted] 1730 [/deleted]
Brief Main [deleted] 1830 1815 [/deleted] 1700 [deleted] 1815 [/deleted]

A good attack on BERLIN with concentrated marking. T.Is disappeared quickly into cloud but all crews bombed either glow or floaters above. Both Y aircraft marked.

L (F/Lt Lucas) had Y U/S on siren tour and bombed OSNABRUCK on GEE.

[Page break]

77 [Underlined] 10.3.45 [/underlined]

9 aircraft (BERLIN)

M W/Cdr Bolton }
R F/Lt Abraham } Y

A F/Lt Haden
Z F/O Lowe
G F/O Finlay
T F/O Burgess
S F/Lt Goodman
C F/O Knights
E R/O Rhys

Reserves L, B

O.C. S/Ldr McDermott
Duty Navs. F/Lt Alexander
P/O Clark (Can.)

Meal 1530
Brief Navs. 1615
Brief Main 1700

Quite a concentrated attack though even floaters showed only as a glow in cloud at 20,000’. Occasional glimpses of TIs were obtained when vertically overhead. One ‘Y’ aircraft marked,
R (F/Lt Abraham). The other had ‘Y’ U/S and dropped bomb only.

C (F/O Knights) hit by flak which fractured fuel pipe. Landed at COLTISHALL.

T (F/O Burgess) had engine trouble, bombed estimated position of HAMBURG, and landed at CARNABY.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 11.3.45 [/underlined] 78

12 aircraft (9 BERLIN and 3 siren tour HANOVER, BRUNSWICK< MAGDEBURG)

M F/O E. Jones }
L F/O Spurr } U/T Y
R F/Lt Goodman }

V S/Ldr McDermott
G W/O Henley
U P/O Watt
J F/Lt Whitworth
Z F/O Smith
E F/O Marson
W P/O McGown
Y F/O B. Jones
A F/O Philip

Reserves C, F

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
F/Lt Hopkin
Duty Nav. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/Sgt [deleted] Hanrahan [/deleted] Walker
F/O Crabb

Meal 1530
Brief Nav. 1615
Brief Main 1700

A good attack on BERLIN with markers very concentrated and well timed. All 3 ‘Y’ aircraft successfully completed siren-tour.

[Page break]

79 [Underlined] 13.3.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (6 BERLIN, 4 spoof BREMEN, and 2 E.W. HERNE)

L F/Lt Lucas }
R F/Lt Bland } U/T Y

Y F/Lt Hopkin }
W [Deleted] P/O McGown [/deleted] F/O Rhys } E.W. [deleted] Spoof [/deleted]
A F/O Philip }
U P/O Watt } Spoof

S F/Lt Marshall
G F/O Knights
Z W/O Inkpen
E F/Lt Marson
[Deleted] T [/deleted] V F/O Burgess
B F/Lt Haden

[Table of times for some aircraft]

Reserves D, F

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
F/Lt Stewart
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/O Booth
P/O Clark (Scot.)

Meal 1545
Brief Nav. 1630
Brief Main 1715

Planning chaotic, largely owing to Group’s failure to provide details in time for briefing. All 3 attacks nevertheless successful with large explosion on each target.

L (F/Lt Lucas) marked BREMEN

R (F/Lt Bland) had Y U/S and dropped bombs only.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 14.3.45 [/underlined] 80

12 aircraft (10 BERLIN and 2 siren tour BREMEN, HANOVER. BERLIN)

L F/O Jones }
R F/O Spurr } U/T Y

F F/Lt Stewart
Z P/O Way
B F/Lt Haden
T W/O Inkpen
D F/Lt Whitworth
U F/O Burgess
A F/O Philip
S F/Lt Marshall
C F/O Knights
Y F/O B. Jones

Reserves G, W

O.C. S/Ldr McDermott
F/Lt Lucas
Duty Navs. F/Lt Alexander
F/O Fisher
F/O Tempest

Meal 1600
Brief Nav. 1645
Brief Main 1730

A very successful attack on BERLIN, with marking again well timed and concentrated. Both Y aircraft had equipment U/S. R (F/Lt Spurr) bombed BREMEN only; L (F/O Jones) bombed BREMEN and HANOVER.

F (F/Lt Stewart and S (F/Lt Marshall) plotted 2100x and 3000x respectively from A.P. Centre of marked area about 2300x from A.P.

[Page break]

81 [Underlined] 15.3.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (10 BERLIN and 2 siren tour ERFURT, WEIMAR, JENA)

L F/Lt Bland }
R F/Lt Goodman } U/U Y

B F/Lt Lucas
U P/O Watt
G F/O Rhys
Z F/O Smith
E F/Lt Marson
Y F/O B. Jones
D F/Lt Whitworth
W P/O McGown
F F/Lt Stewart
S F/Lt Hopkin

Reserves A, U.

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/Lt Gannon
F/Lt Snelling

Meal 1600
Brief Nav. 1645
Brief Main 1730

A good attack on BERLIN, marking well timed though not so concentrated as of late. Aircraft still early on target, in spite of time in hand being cut from 5 to 3 mins. (Average 1.85 mins.)

Bot ‘Y’ aircraft attacked all 3 targets, though only one, L (F/Lt Bland), marked ERFURT.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 16.3.45 [/underlined] 82

12 aircraft (4 BERLIN, 6 spoof HANAU, and 2 siren tour OSNABRUCK, BERLIN, BRUNSWICK)

L F/O E. Jones }
R P/O Way } U/T Y

V S/Ldr McDermott
A F/O Philip
T W/O Inkpen
U P/O Watt

B F/Lt Haden }
W P/O McGown }
C F/O Knights }
S F/O Burgess } Spoof
E F/Lt Marson }
Y F/O Smith }

Reserves F, G

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
F/Lt Skillman
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/O Kilpatrick
P/O Clark (Scot.)

Meal 1600
Brief Nav. 1645
Brief Main 1730

Fair attacks on BERLIN and HANAU with cloud obscuring T.Is from time to time on both targets. Both ‘Y’ aircraft attacked OSNABRUCK and BERLIN, but had equipment U/S before reaching BRUNSWICK.

[Page break]

83 [Underlined] 17.3.45 [/underlined]

8 aircraft (2 Y BERLIN and 6 spoof NUREMBURG)

L F/Lt Skillman }
R F/Lt Abraham } Y

W F/Lt Hopkin
D F/Lt Whitworth
Y F/O B. Jones
A F/O Philip
T F/Lt Marshall
G W/O Henley

Reserves F, V

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
F/Lt Lucas
Duty Navs. F/Lt Alexander
F/Lt Forrest
F/O Jarrett


Meal 1600
Brief Nav. 1645
Brief Main 1730

Spoof attack good, though 1 oboe T.I. went wide, apparently a hang-up.

R (F/Lt Abraham) marked BERLIN, 3 minutes late owing to U/S R/T and uncertainty of adjusted H hour.

L (F/Lt Skillman) had equipment U/S and, with TIs only, had to return. Oil-and-water trap exploded on way home damaging much equipment. Eventually undercarriage collapsed after swing while attempting to land with no brakes at WOODBRIDGE.

[Page break]

[Stamp] 32

BOU K WITH R
R 1523 ACG AR

STAND BY FOR B/CAST

B/CAST V GPH GPH101/17 OP OP

OAK
GRY
GSD
WTN
WBS
DOW
BOU
LTS
UPW
HBC
EDR

FROM GPH
TO ALL P.F.F. STATIONS
INFO [deleted word] HBC EDR
SECRET QWM BT

GPH 93/17 171355A FORM B 573. CORRECT IN PARA (C) 1. WHITEBAIT
6Y/139 + 2Y/162 + 5/128 ETC
NOT 27/162 AS SENT

BT 171535A

TOD 171535A BRINDLEY/AS FOR K WITH R

105 CO 162 CO

THANKS [initials]

[Page break]

[Underlined] 18.3.45 [/underlined] 84

10 aircraft (8 BERLIN and 2 E.W. WITTEN)

R W/Cdr Bolton Y

D F/Lt Stewart
Y F/O Smith
C F/O Knights
V F/O Burgess
E F/O Rhys
W P/O McGown
B F/Lt Haden

U P/O Watt }
T P/O Inkpen } E.W.

Reserves A, G

O.C. S/Ldr McDermott
Duty Navs. F/Lt Alexander
F/O Tulloch
Sgt Fossitt

[Underlined] E.W. Main [/underlined]

Meal 2330 1600
Brief Nav. 0015 1645
Brief Main 0100 1730

Both attacks very successful. T.Is disappeared fairly quickly into cloud at BERLIN but floaters remained clearly visible and were well concentrated. ‘Y’ aircraft marked 25 seconds late.

Good photographs of widespread fires from the 2 early windowers at WITTEN.

[Page break]

85 [Underlined] 19.3.45 [/underlined]

[Deleted] 10 [/deleted] 6 aircraft (BERLIN)

R F/Lt Skillman Y

[Deleted] W F/Lt Waller [/deleted]
[Deleted] G F F/O Connor [/deleted]
Y R/O B. Jones
[Deleted] E F/O Rawsthorn [/deleted]
[Deleted] F/Lt Goodman [/deleted]
A F/O E. Jones
U [deleted] F/O Richards [/deleted] F/Lt Marshall
D F/Lt Whitworth
Z F/O Lowe

Reserves [deleted] B, Z, J [/deleted] G

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
F/Lt Hopkin
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/O Kennelly

Meal [Deleted] 1600 1615 10 [/deleted] 2245
Brief Nav. [deleted] 1645 1700 [/deleted] 2330
Brief Main [deleted] 1730 1745 [/deleted] 0015

A good attack with T.Is well concentrated. Y aircraft marked on time. Effort reduced by 4 owing to doubtful weather.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 20.3.45 [/underlined] 86

10 aircraft (1 U/T Y BREMEN, and 9 KASSEL)

R F/Lt Lucas U/T Y

W F/Lt Waller
C F/O Connor
U P/O Watt
E F/O Rhys
V F/Lt McClelland
G F/O Rawthorn
T F/Lt Goodman
A F/Lt Bland
Z P/O Way

Reserves B, J

O.C. [Deleted] W/Cdr Bolton [/deleted] S/Ldr McDermott
F/Lt Stewart
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/O Wallis
F/Sgt Nichols

[Underlined] Y Remainder [/underlined]

Meal 2330 2230
Brief Nav. 0015 2315
Brief Main 0100 2359

Z (P/O Way) cancelled. Engine failed to start. 1st reserve had mag. drop and 2nd also failed to start. Query P/O Way’s system of starting. (Same trouble on 1.1.45)

Attack on KASSEL quite successful. R (F/Lt Lucas) had H2S failure on turn at BREMEN, and dropped bombs only.

[Page break]

39

WTN 251 OAK 544 GRY 375 DOW 366 GSD 562 BOU 226 UPW 989

V GPH GPH8/22

FROM AOC. PFF. 221245A

TO OFFICERS COMMANDING R.A.F. STATION, UPWOOD WYTON OAKINGTON GRAVELEY BOURN GRANSDEN LODGE AND DOWNHAM MARKET
QWM BT

A.195 22/MAR THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE A.O.C.-IN-C. BOMBER COMMAND. BEGINS. CONGRATUALTIONS TO ALL CONCERNED IN THE UNBROKEN SERIES OF THIRTY CONSECUTIVE NIGHT ATTACKS ON BERLIN. A MAGNIFICENT EFFORT. END. I HAVE REPLIED. BEGINS. YOUR MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATIONS WILL BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED BY ALL CONCERNED. I KCAN [sic] ASSURE YOU WE SHALL KEEP ON PRESSING UNTIL THE END. ENDS.

BT 221245A

CC LINE 6 CWQ I CAN ASSURE
TOD 1334 HATFIELD

SHQ –
162 CO
195 CO

162 CO. √
Stn. C.O

[Page break]

[Stamp] 34

B/CAST V GPH GPH3/22

247 WTN T 128 SQDN 163 SQDN
985 UPW T 139 SQDN
558 GSD T 142 SQDN
540 OAK T 571 SQDN
362 DOW T 608 SQDN
371 GRY T 692 SQDN
223 BOU T 162 SQDN

FROM A/V/M BENNETT 221030A
TO ALL RANKS NOS 128= 139 = 142 = 571 = 608 = 692 = 163 = 162 SQUADNS BT

P. 140 22/MAR YOUR MAGNIFICENT EFFORTS LAST NIGHT MADE A CONTRIBUTION IN THE RISING CRESCENDO OF ATTACK ON THE GERMAN CRIMINAL. IT WAS A NIGHT WHICH THE BERLINERS WILL REMEMBER TO THEIR SORROW. THE HEAT HAS BEEN TURNED ON AND YOU ARE KEEPING IT ON MAGNIFICENTLY. CONGRATUALTIONS.
= DONALD BENNETT.

BT 221030A

AS
TOD 221129A BRINDLEY/AR+

162 CO. √
Stn. C.O

[Page break]

87 [Underlined] 21.3.45 [/underlined]

⑳ aircraft (2 attacks BERLIN)

R F/Lt Skillman Y
Y F/Lt Hopkin
F F/O Connor
Z P/O Way
G F/Lt Bland
U F/O Lowe
A F/O Rawthorn
S F/Lt Marshall
B F/O Rhys
V F/Lt McClelland
C F/O Finlay
D F/Lt Goodman
W P/O McGown
T F/Lt Waller

E F/Lt Haden
Z P/O Inkpen
F [deleted] R D [/deleted] F/Lt Whitworth
W [deleted] V [/deleted] F/O Burgess
B [deleted] J [/deleted] F/O E. Jones
U F/O Smith

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
S/Ldr Eddy
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/Lt Fawcett
F/O McGregor

[Underlined] I II [/underlined]

Meal 1600 2230
Brief Nav. 1645 2315
Brief Main 1730 2359

A very successful night except for indifferent marking by 139. Ground crews and armourers coped very well in getting aircraft off again within 1 3/4 hours of landing.

R (F/Lt Skillman) had H2S failure and with TIs only, had to return.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 22.3.45 [/underlined] 88

8 aircraft (BERLIN)

R F/Lt Skillman Y

Y F/O B. Jones
B F/Lt Lucas
U P/O Watt
G F/O Finlay
Z P/O Way
C F/Lt Whitworth
S P/O Inkpen

Reserves A, J

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
Sgt Grigg

Meal 1630
Brief Nav. 1715
Brief Main 1800

A very good attack, with clear weather and marking well times and concentrated.

R (F/Lt Skillman) successfully marked 30 seconds early, and obtained an excellent photograph showing ground detail. Plotted A.P. 183° 2100 yards.

Y (F/O B. Jones) on last trip had undercarriage trouble and tail-wheel collapsed on landing.

[Page break]

89 [Underlined] 23.3.45 [/underlined]

10 aircraft (BERLIN)

C [deleted R [/deleted] F/O Lowe [deleted] U/T Y [/deleted]

D F/Lt Stewart
W F/O Burgess
G F/Lt Bland
S F/O Smith
B F/Lt Haden
Z P/O Inkpen
A F/O Rawsthorn
V F/Lt Hopkin
F F/O Connor

Reserves J, T

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
F/Lt Marshall
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/O Barnicoat

Meal 1830
Brief Nav. 1915
Brief Main 2000

‘A’ cancelled – Dinghy unserviceable and reserve aircraft had mag. drop.

A good concentrated attack both accurate bombing. Built-up area seen in light of bomb-flashes.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 24.3.45 [/underlined] 90

10 aircraft (BERLIN)

R S/Ldr Eddy U/T Y

B F/Lt Goodman
D F/Lt Whitworth
T F/O Richards
C F/O Finlay
U P/O Watt
F F/O Rawsthorn
V F/Lt McClelland
G F/O Jones
Z F/Lt Waller

Reserves J, S

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
F/Lt Lucas
Duty Navs. F/Lt Alexander
F/Sgt Hanrahan

Meal 1615
Brief Nav. 1700
Brief Main 1745

‘R’ cancelled – Brakes U/S and tyre burst at taxying point.

A good attack with marking and bombing concentrated.

V {F/Lt McClelland) arrived 3 minutes early and complained of a scarcity of marking. This was hardly surprising as T.Is were due to go down at -3 and -2. The point was repeatedly stressed at briefing.

[Page break]

91 [Underlined] 25.3.45 [/underlined]

10 aircraft (BERLIN)

R F/Lt Skillman Y

S F/Lt Marshall
F F/O Connor
T P/O McGown
B F/Lt Haden
Z F/O Lowe
A F/Lt Bland
U F/O Smith
D F/Lt Stewart
V F/O Burgess

Reserves C, J

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
F/Lt Hopkin
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/Sgt Hanrahan

Meal 1615
Brief Nav. 1700
Brief Main 1745

All cancelled (weather) except:-

R F/O Lowe U/T Y

Crew reported quite a good run, but photograph plot shows them to have been 13 miles south of A.P., heading WNW.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 27.3.45 [/underlined] 92

10 aircraft ([Deleted] BERLIN [/deleted]) (9 BERLIN and 1 siren tour BREMEN, MAGDEBURG, HANOVER)

R F/Lt Abraham Y

M F/O Connor U/T Y

F F/Lt Haden
Z P/O Inkpen
A F/Lt Whitworth
T F/Lt Waller
G F/O Finlay
Y F/O Burgess
B F/Lt Lucas
W P/O McGown

Reserves C, V

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/O Kennedy
F/Sgt Robjohns


Meal 1615
Brief Nav. 1700
Brief Main 1745

Quite a good attack on BERLIN. ‘Y’ aircraft marked 4 mins late as ‘H’ hour was brought forward 10 minutes and he could not make it. Photo-flash failed to ignite, and some mixed green/yellow TIs also seemed to fail. Built-up area seen in light of bomb flashes.

M (F/O Connor) had generator failure before take-off. Bombed BREMEN on D.R., assisted by visual pin-point.

[Page break]

93 [Underlined] 28.3.45 [/underlined]

10 aircraft ( )

R W/Cdr Bolton Y

M F/Lt Marson U/T Y

C F/O Knights
T F/O Spurr
D F/O Rawsthorn
V F/Lt McClelland
A F/O Philip
Y P/O Inkpen
B W/O Henley
S F/Lt Marshall

Reserves G, W

O.C. S/Ldr Eddy
F/Lt Abraham
Duty Navs. F/Lt Alexander
F/O Layton
F/O Alsop

Meal 1615
Brief Nav. 1700
Brief Main 1745

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

[Underlined] 29.3.45 [/underlined] 94

6 aircraft (3 BERLIN and 3 siren tour BREMEN, HANOVER)

L S/Ldr Eddy }
R F/O Lowe } U/T Y
M F/Lt Marson }

S F/Lt Marshall
B F/O Knights
W P/O Inkpen

Reserve G

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
F/Lt Lucas
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/O Morrow
P/O Chappell

Meal 1630
Brief Nav. 1715
Brief Main 1800

Marking on BERLIN somewhat scattered, and TIs obscured at times by cloud in various layers.

All 3 aircraft successfully completed siren tour, though M (F/Lt Marson) was very late on target.

[Page break]

95 [Underlined] 30.3.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (5 BERLIN, 5 ERFURT, and 2 siren tour HAMBURG, KIEL)

M W/Cdr Bolton Y

J F/Lt Waller
G F/Lt Bland
U F/Lt McClelland
E F/O Rawsthorn

B W/O Henley
T F/O Richards
A F/O Philip
W P/O McGown
F F/O Finlay

L F/O Connor }
R F/O Spurr } U/T Y

Reserves D, V

O.C. S/Ldr [deleted] Eddy [/deleted] McDermott
[Deleted] F/Lt Abraham [/deleted]
Duty Navs. F/Lt Alexander
F/Lt Snelling
F/O Lawrence
F/O Crabb

[Underlined] M,U,J,G,E,L,R, T,W,B,A,F

Meal [deleted] 1615 [/deleted] 1630 1845
Brief Nav. [deleted] 1700 [/deleted] 1715 1930
Brief Main [deleted] 1745 [/deleted] 1800 2015

‘R’ (F/O Spurr) cancelled – Mag. drop and V.H.F. u/s

Good attacks on BERLIN and ERFURT, with large explosions and columns of smoke at ERFURT. River clearly visible at BERLIN. ‘Y’ aircraft marked – plotted AP 120° 1.6 miles. Siren tour successful

E (F/O Rawsthorn) had navigator pass out from oxygen failure. Made second run over BERLIN at 12,500’ to ensure release of bomb.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 31.3.45 [/underlined] 96

10 aircraft ( )

L F/Lt Lucas }
R F/O Spurr } U/T Y
M F/O Jones }

T S/Ldr McDermott
F F/Lt Whitworth
W P/O Inkpen
B [deleted] A [/deleted] F/Lt Haden
S F/O Burgess
C F/O Knights
U F/O Smith

Reserves [deleted] B [/deleted] A, Y

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
F/Lt Marshall
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/Lt Gannon
F/O Fisher

Meal [deleted] 1630 [/deleted] 2130
Brief Nav. [deleted] 1715 [/deleted] 2215
Brief Main [deleted] 1800 [/deleted] 2300

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

97

[Underlined] SUMMARY FOR MARCH 1945 [/underlined] (LAST MONTH IN BRACKETS)

OPERATIONAL NIGHTS 27 (19)
NUMBER OF ATTACKS 64 (33)
AIRCRAFT CALLED FOR 285 (224)
AIRCRAFT DESPATCHED [deleted] 285 [/deleted] 279 (223)
NUMBER OF MARKER SORTIES 16 (-)
PERCENTAGE SUCCESSFUL 69% (-)
CANCELLED BY UNIT (WEATHER) – (-)
CANCELLED BY UNIT (SEVICEABILITY) 6 (1)
EARLY RETURNS 1 (1)
OTHER ABORTIVE SORTIES 2 – “Y” U/S (-)
ENGINE FAILURES 1 (-)
AIRCRAFT DAMAGED BY ENEMY ACTION 2 (3)
AIRCRAFT DAMAGED IN ACCIDENTS 3 (4)
AIRCRAFT MISSING – (-)

CREWS AIRCRAFT

STRENGTH AT BEGINNING OF MONTH 25 + 0 (22 + 0) 18 + 0 (18 + 0)
STRENGTH AT END OF MONTH 28 + 2 (25 +0) 16 + 3 (18 + 0)

TARGETS ATTACKED:- BERLIN 29 (12)
BREMEN 6 (-)
HANOVER 6 (2)
OSNABRUCK 3 (1)
ERFURT 2 (2)
HAMBURG 2 (-)
KASSEL 2 (-)
KIEL 2 (-)
BRUNSWICK 1 (-)
DESSAU 1 (1)
HANAU 1 (-)
HERNE 1 (-)
JENA 1 (-)
LUBECK 1 (-)
MAGDEBURG 1 (3)
NUREMBURG 1 (-)
WEIMAR 1 (-)
WESEL 1 (-)
WESERMUNDE 1 (-)
WILHEMSHAVEN 1 (-)
WITTEN 1 (-)

PROMOTIONS:- NIL

COMMISSIONS:- W/O INKPEN, F/SGT CHAPPELL, F/SGT CLARK, F/SGT ROBJOHNS, F/SGT WALKER.

DECORATIONS:- S/LDR EDDY, S/LDR WATERKEYN, F/LT ALEXANDER, F/LT FAWCETT, F/LT HADEN. F/O MORROW. (ALL D.F.C.)

[Page break]

[Underlined] 1.4.45 [/underlined] 98

12 aircraft

L F/Lt Abraham Y

T F/O Richards
C F/O Knights
J F/O Burgess
F F/O Connor

Y S/Ldr McDermott
B F/Lt Lucas
U F/O Smith
E F/Lt Whitworth
A F/Lt Haden

M F/O Jones }
R F/O Spurr } U/T Y

Reserves G, W

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. F/Lt Alexander
F/O Layton
P/O Clark
Sgt Grigg

Meal 1615
Brief Nav. 1700
Brief Main 1745

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

99 [Underlined] 2.4.45 [/underlined]

14 aircraft (12 BERLIN and 2 siren tour HAMBURG, LUBECK)

L F/Lt Abraham Y

C F/O Knights
S F/Lt Marshall
A F/O Finlay
V F/Lt McClelland
E F/O Rawsthorn
W P/O McGown
F F/Lt Whitworth
Y P/O Inkpen
B W/O Henley
J F/Lt Waller
G F/Lt Bland

R F/O Lowe }
M F/O Connor } U/T Y

Reserves T, U

O.C. S/Ldr Eddy
F/Lt Haden
Duty Navs. F/Lt Alexander
F/Lt Fawcett
F/Sgt Nicholls

Meal 1900
Brief Nav. 1945
Brief Main 2030

A very good attack on Berlin with marking and bombing concentrated. Two large explosions seen. ‘Y’ aircraft marked but photo flash as usual failed to ignite.

‘R’ and ‘M’ had successful siren-tour.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 3.4.45 [/underlined] 100

12 aircraft (10 BERLIN and 2 siren tour MAGDEBURG, BERLIN)

L F/Lt Lucas }
F F/O Spurr } U/T Y
M F/O Jones }

S F/Lt McClelland
G F/O Rawsthorn
J F/O Burgess
Y F/O Smith
W F/O Spurr
V S/Ldr McDermott
E F/Lt Marson
T F/Lt Richards
B W/O Henley
C F/O Finlay

Reserves F, W

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/O Tulloch
Sgt Heggie

[Underlined] S,G,J,Y Remainder [/underlined]

Meal [deleted] 2045 [/deleted] 1915 [deleted] 1730 [/deleted] 1915
Brief Nav. [deleted] 2130 [/deleted] 2000 [deleted] 1815 [/deleted] 2000
Brief Main [deleted] 2215 [/deleted] 2045 [deleted] 1900 [/deleted] 2045

‘R’ cancelled – Hydraulics U/S. Crew took ‘W’ on main attack.

A very concentrated and successful attack on BERLIN, with good marking.

L (F/Lt Lucas) had successful siren-tour.

M (F/O Jones) had Y U/S and dropped bombs only on MAGDEBURG.

[Page break]

101 [Underlined] 4.4.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (5 BERLIN, 6 E.W. MERSEBURG, and 1 MAGDEBURG)

M F/Lt Abraham }
L F/O Jones } Y

Y F/Lt Hopkin
F F/O Connor
U P/O Watt

A F/Lt Stewart
V P/O Inkpen
C F/Lt Marson
S F/Lt Marshall
B F/Lt Lucas
J F/Lt Waller

R F/Lt Goodman U/T Y

Reserves G, T, Q

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
S/Ldr Eddy
Duty Nav. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/O Booth
F/O Kilpatrick
F/O Grant

Meal 1730
Brief Nav. 1815
Brief Main 1900

All attack successful. Weather clear at BERLIN but thin cloud at MERSEBURG. U/T Y aircraft marked MAGDEBURG. Excellent ground detail photographs.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 5.4.45 [/underlined] 102

12 aircraft ( )

M W.Cdr Bolton Y

C F/O Knights
V F/Lt McClelland
A F/O Philip
W F/O Richards

L F/O Connor }
Q F/O Spurr } U/T Y

B P/O Henley
S P/O Watt
E F/O Rawsthorn
Y F/O Smith
G F/O Finlay

Reserves F, S

O/C S/Ldr McDermott
Duty Navs. F/O Kerr-Jarrett
P/O Walker

Meal
Brief Nav
Brief Main

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

103 [Underlined] 6.4.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (

R F/Lt Abraham }
M F/O Jones } Y

S F/Lt Marshall
B P/O Henley
T F/O Richards
F F/Lt [deleted] Stewart [/deleted] Marson
Y F/O Smith
E F/O Rawsthorn
V F/Lt McClelland
C F/O Knights

L S/Ldr Eddy }
Q F/O Spurr } U/T Y

Reserves A, W

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
P/O Clark (Can)
F/Sgt Hanrahan

Meal 1730
Brief Nav. 1815
Brief Main 1900

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

[Underlined] 7.4.45 [/underlined] 104

[Deleted] 14 [/deleted] 10 aircraft (

Q F/Lt Abraham }
M F/P Jones } Y

[Deleted] R [/deleted] K F/O Spurr }
L F/O Connor } U/T Y

[Deleted] Y F/Lt Hopkin
B P/O Henley
J V F/Lt Waller
G F/O Finlay
U P/O Watt
E F/O Rawsthorn
W P/O Inkpen
C F/O Knights
T F/Lt Goodman
F F/Lt Stewart [/deleted]

Y F/Lt Hopkin
G F/O Finlay
J F/Lt Waller
F F/Lt Stewart
U P/O Watt
T F/Lt Goodman

Reserves A, S

O.C. S/Ldr Eddy
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
P/O McGregor
F/O Sargeant

Meal 1730
Brief Nav. 1815
Brief Main 1900

Cancelled

Weather

[Page break]

105 [Underlined] 8.4.45 [/underlined]

14 aircraft (2 Y and 2 U/T Y BERLIN and 10 DESSAU)

Q F/Lt Abraham }
M F/O Jones } Y

L S/Dr Eddy }
K F/O Spurr } U/T Y

J F/Lt Waller
B [deleted letter] P/O Henley
T F/O Richards
G [deleted] letter] F/O Finlay
Y F/O Smith
A F/O Philip
U P/O Watt
F [deleted] B [/deleted] F/Lt Stewart
V F/Lt McClelland
E [deleted letter] F/O Knights

Reserves [deleted] E [/deleted] W, S, R

O.C W/Cdr Bolton
F/Lt Marshall
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/O Morrow
F/O Barnicoat

Meal 1745
Brief Nav. 1830
Brief Main 1915

BERLIN attack fair; all Y aircraft [inserted] dropped [/inserted] but both U/Ts were a long way from A.P. Oboe attempted this target for the first time, and were also some distance from A.P., according to photographic plot. DESSAU attack a complete failure owing to total absence of markers from 139. Issue further complicated by 100 Group fooling about with TIs in the area. Some aircraft bombed these, others used GEE, & remainder joined heavy attack on LUTZKENDORF.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 9.4.45 [/underlined] 106

12 aircraft (5 BERLIN, 3 HAMBURG, and 4 E.W. KIEL)

Q F/Lt Abraham }
M F/O Jones } Y

T F/O Richards
B F/Lt Lucas
W W/O Inkpen

E F/O Rawsthorn }
Y F/Lt Hopkin }
A F/O Philip } E.W.
S F/Lt Marshall }

K F/Lt Marson }
R F/Lt Goodman } U/T Y
L F/O Connor }

Reserves J, F

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
F/Lt Stewart
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/O Hagues
P/O Robjohns
Sgt Grigg

Meal 1730
Brief Nav. 1815
Brief Main 1950

All attacks very successful. Both Y aircraft marked BERLIN, and 2 U/T Y marked HAMBURG. K (F/Lt Marson) had H2S U/S and dropped bombs only. Heavies going very well on KIEL with some opposition.

[Page break]

107 [Underlined] 10.4.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (7 BERLIN and 5 CHEMNITZ)

M S/Ldr Eddy }
Q F/O Spurr }
L F/O Connor } U/T Y
R F/Lt Goodman }
K F/Lt Marson }

U P/O Watt
C F/O Knights
V F/Lt McClelland
G F/O Finlay
W F/O Smith
B P/O Henley
J F/Lt Waller

Reserves E, T

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
F/Lt [deleted] Hopkin [/deleted] Lucas
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/O Crabb
F/O Kennedy

Meal 1730
Brief Nav. 1815
Brief Main 1900

BERLIN raid very successful with fires close to A.P. from previous attack. All U/T Y aircraft marked CHEMNITZ, but marking was scattered and generally undershot by 2 1/2 miles owing to Group having worked out the method incorrectly.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 11.4.45 [/underlined] 108

12 aircraft (7 BERLIN and 5 U/T Y singly BERLIN)

[Deleted] L W/Cdr Bolton } [deleted]
[Deleted] F/Lt Abraham } Y [/deleted]

L S/Ldr Eddy } H+12
M F/Lt Lucas } H+38
R F/O Spurr } U/T Y H+18
K F/O Finlay } H+5
Q F/Lt Marson } H+30

Y [deleted letter] F/Lt Marshall
F F/Lt Stewart
W [deleted letter] P/O Inkpen
A F/O Philip
T F/O Richards
E F/O Rawsthorn
U P/O Watt

Reserves B, V

O.C. [deleted] W [/deleted] S/Ldr Eddy
F/Lt [deleted] Hopkin [/deleted] Skillman
Duty Navs. F/O Hagues
F/O Tempest
F/Lt Fawcett

Y,F,W,A,T,E,U. L,Q,M,R,K.

Meal 1730 1945
Brief Nav. 1816 1815
Brief Main 1900 1900

All attacks successful in clear weather with good marking by Oboe. Fires seen burning close to A.P. Ground-details photographs from L (S/Ldr Eddy), M (F/Lt Lucas) and Q (|F/Lt Marson)

S/Ldr Eddy nearest – plotted A.P. 360° 1550 yards.

[Page break]

109 [Underlined] 13.4.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (2 Y STRALSUND, 8 HAMBURG, and 2 U/T Y HAMBURG)

Q W/Cdr Bolton }
L F/Lt Skillman } Y

M F/O Connor }
K F/O Lowe } U/T Y

V F/Lt Hopkin
A F/Lt Bland
T F/O Richards
F F/Lt Whitworth
W P/O McGown
B F/Lt Haden
J F/O Burgess
C F/O Knights

Reserves U, S

O.C. S/Ldr Eddy
F/Lt Abraham
Duty Navs. F/Lt [deleted] Fawcett [/deleted] Alexander
F/O Allsop
F/O Lawrence

Q,L,M,K Remainder

Meal 1830 2000
Brief Nav. 1915 2045
Brief Main 2000 2100

TI’s [inserted] glow [/inserted] visible through 10/10 cloud at HAMBURG though no results seen. Good spoof at STRALSUND but ‘L’ had H2S U/S and ‘Q’ had bombing gear U/S.

[Page break]

[Underlined] 14.4.45 [/underlined] 110

[Deleted] 12 [/deleted] 7 aircraft (BERLIN)

G F/Lt Bland
W [deleted letter] P/O McGown
B F/Lt Haden
J F/Lt Waller
C F/O Philip
S F/Lt Marshall
F P/O Henley

P F/O Spurr }
K F/Lt Marson }
Q F/Lt Goodman } U/T Y
L F/O Lowe }
M F/O Finlay }

Reserves E, V

O.C. [deleted] S/Ldr [/deleted] W/Cdr Bolton
S/Ldr Eddy
Duty Nav. F/Lt Gannon
F/O Wallis

Meal 1815
Brief Nav. 1900
Brief Main 1945

U/T Y aircraft cancelled – Weather

A very successful attack. Weather clear and Oboe marking good. Several large explosions with black smoke. Large fires seen at POTSDAM.

[Page break]

111 {underlined] 15.4.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (BERLIN)

M S/Ldr Eddy }
[Deleted] R F/O Finlay [/deleted]
K F/Lt Marson }
P F/O Spurr } U/T Y
L F/O Connor }
Q F/Lt Goodman }

Y F/Lt Hopkin
B F/O Knights
J F/O Burgess
E F/O [deleted] Whitworth [/deleted] Finlay
T F/Lt Richards
[Deleted] F/Lt Stewart [/deleted]

Reserves G, S

O.C. W/Cdr Bolton
F/Lt Abraham
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
P/O Clark (Scot)
P/O Clark (Can)

Meal 1730
Brief Nav. 1815
Brief Main 1900

F cancelled – Tyre burst and reserve a/c u/s

A bad start. F/O Tulloch went sick at briefing and the crews’ place was taken by F/O Finlay & F/O Allsop who returned U/S from 1st attack but got going again very quickly. F (F/Lt Stewart) had tyre burst at caravan & got into reserve a/c but found it U/S.

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[Underlined] 16.4.45 [/underlined] 112

12 aircraft ([deleted] 4 [/deleted] 3 Y + 7 MUNICH)

Q F/Lt Abraham Y

L F/O Connor }
[Deleted] F/Lt Goodman [/deleted] }
[Deleted] F/O Finlay [/deleted] } U/T Y
P F/O Lowe }
K F/Lt Bland }

C F/O Finlay
W P/O McGown
G P/O Henley
J F/Lt Waller
A F/O Philip
S F/Lt Marshall
E F/Lt Haden
Y F/Lt Goodman

Reserves [deleted] C, Y [/deleted] T

O.C W/Cdr Bolton F/Lt Stewart
Duty Navs. S/Ldr Waterkeyn
F/Sgt Hanrahan


Meal [deleted 1730 2200 [/deleted] 2230
Brief Nav. [deleted] 1815 2245 [/deleted] 2315
Brief Main [deleted] 1900 2330 [/deleted] 2359

T (F/Lt Bland) had engine cut on take-off. A/C swung and finished by running 50 yards backwards into dispersal.

Attack very successful in clear weather. 5 good ground-detail photographs all of same area.

E (F/Lt Haden) plotted on A.P.

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113 [Underlined 17.4.45 [/underlined]

12 aircraft (4 Y BERLIN and 8 INGOLSTADT)

Q W/Cdr Bolton }
L F/Lt Skillman } Y

P F/O Spurr }
K F/Lt Marson } U/T Y

W F/Lt Richards
E F/Lt Stewart
S F/Lt Waller
G F/Lt Bland
J F/O Burgess
A F/Lt Whitworth
Y F/Lt Hopkin
C F/O Knights

Reserves U, V, M/R

O.C. S/Ldr Eddy
F/Lt Marshall
Duty Navs. F/Lt Alexander
F/O Morrow
F/O Fisher

Meal 1730
Brief Nav. 1815
Brief Main 1900

Severe Cu. Nim with lightning, icing thermals etc. on way to Berlin. 3 of the 4 Y aircraft last ASIs on going through. 3 also had Y U/S but bombed on GEE. Attack on INGOLDSTADT airfield very successful. Airfield afterwards estimated 75% u/s.