Bielefeld: Vielesible viaduct

Bielefeld: Vielesible viaduct

Target photograph of Bielefeld Viaduct. Railway runs left to right across centre with Johannisbach river running top to bottom and Gummibahn railway by-pass running from bottom centre and joining the main railway to left of viaduct. One or more bomb explosions can be seen directly around the viaduct. Bomb craters all over the image. Captioned ‘V’, 4?°’, '2612 WS 22-2-45 /8" 13700 185° 1557 Bielefeld K1 1 HC 12000 DT C31 secs F/L Gumbley J 617'. The note above the image outlines operations by 617 Squadron on 6, 14, 22 February and 13,14 March 1945 when viaduct was finally destroyed. Explanation of photograph taken by Flying Officer Gill's aircraft on 22 February 1945 shows impact of bombs dropped on that raid, two pieces destroyed but total destruction not until 14 March 1945.

1945-02-22

Printed note and one b/w photograph mounted on an album page

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SGillK1438901v20034, SGillK1438901v40002-0007

BIELEFELD: VIELESIBLE VIADUCT

No 617 SQUADRON RAIDS TOOK PLACE ON THE 6/02/45, 14/02/45, 22/02/45, 13/03/45 AND THE VIADUCT WAS FINALLY DESTROYED ON 14/03/45.

THE PHOTO BELOW WAS TAKEN BY F/O GILL'S LANCASTER ON 22/02/45 IT SHOWS THE IMPACT OF TALLBOY BOMBS DROPPED FROM 13700FT.

ON THIS RAID TWO PIECES OF THE VIADUCT WERE DESTROYED, BUT TOTAL DESTRUCTION WAS NOT ACHIEVED UNTIL 14/03/45.

V 4B"
[photograph]
2692 WS 22-2-45/8" 13700 185° 1557 BIELEFELD K1
1 HC 12000 DT C31 SECS F/L GUMBLEY J 617

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