Extracts from Flight Lieutenant Hawker's diary
Title
Extracts from Flight Lieutenant Hawker's diary
Description
Dairy extracts by Flight Lieutenant Doug Hawker D.F.C., Arthur Dawson's pilot. The extracts record the main points of the crews' operations. Their first operation was to Juvisy on 18 April 1944, their last was to Bordeaux 10 August 1944, when they finished their tour.
In accordance with the conditions stipulated by the donor, this item is available only at the University of Lincoln.
In accordance with the conditions stipulated by the donor, this item is available only at the University of Lincoln.
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12 page typed document
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
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YDawsonAG1098590v1
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Extracts from the diary kept by F/L D E Hawker DFC, Pilot (New Zealand) of operations with No. 630 Squadron RAF No. 5 Group, Bomber Command, over enemy occupied Europe during the period April to August 1944. Crew members – Navigator F/S (later F/L) J A Warwick; Air Bomber F/S C R Griffin, New Zealand; Wireless Operator Sgt A G Dawson; Flight Engineer Sgt L Meace; Mid Upper Gunner Sgt R Adams; Rear Gunner Sgt J A R Miller.
APRIL 18TH 1944
Beautifully sunny day – Ground check in the morning – checked snags in afternoon. Briefed for ‘Ops’ – take-off 20.52 hrs for Juvisy and bombed marshalling yards with excellent results (see ‘Daily Mirror’). Quite uneventful trip until half-way home when an enemy aircraft attacked but successful evasive action fooled him. Shorty and Dusty both gave him a burst but were unable to see if any hits were scored.
Saw quite a heavy raid on London on the way home – one of our aircraft was shot down near Peterborough by an intruder.
Bombload – 13,750 lbs. (1,000 lbs and 500 lbs)
14 missing from the night’s operations.
APRIL 20TH 1944
Fine day with cold wind. Aircraft not ready to fly in morning. Air test in the afternoon. Briefing after tea for La Chapelle. Took off at dusk and bombed marshalling yards with seemingly good results. Flak heavier than previous raid, but we had an uneventful trip.
2 aircraft missing from East Kirkby
16 “ “ “ night’s operations.
Bombload – 13,750 lbs.
APRIL 22ND 1944
Fine sunny day – Air test, dinghy drill and flying practice in the morning. Briefed for Ops at 18.30 – meal 20.00 hrs, take off 23.00 hrs for Brunswick.
Attacked over target but evaded him by violent evasive action during which aircraft became uncontrollable.
Pilot unable to see out due to ice on windscreen – guns temporarily out of action due to ammunition jamming.
Having regained controls, bomb-run was completed – fighters were in abundance over target, flak was heavy, but after bombing the trip proved to be uneventful.
Landed 05.30 hrs.
Bombload – 8,000 lbs.
1.
[page break]
APRIL 24TH 1944
Dull day – Ground check in morning – briefing 17.00 hrs, take off 21.03 to Munich. Passed 1,000 ft over the Swiss Alps. Snow-capped peaks seen in the starlight. Spoof raid on Milan by Mosquitoes.
Munich strongly defended by searchlights, flak and fighters – no attacks, no damage. Searchlight belt blended in Augsberg.
New American incendiary bombs left the city blazing as we left for base.
Passed over N. Switzerland and into S. France via Paris, into wind for hours on end. Crossed French coast at morning twilight and touched down 07.23 – flying time 10.25 hrs. F/O Rackley landed at Corsica and killed his Rear Gunner.
Bombload – 9,000 lbs (incendiaries).
APRIL 26TH 1944
Nice sunny day. Ground test in the morning. Briefing 16.30 and take off 21.20 for Schweinfurt, small town in S.W. Germany where ball bearings are manufactured.
Fighters very active and lined route with flares from S. France to Germany.
We were ahead of stream and not attacked – overshot turning point and crossed Stuttgart and approached target from wrong side but attacked on time. Visability [sic] was good – moonlight during first 2 hours. Main force on Essen.
29 aircraft missing – 2 from East Kirkby.
Bombload – 9,000 lbs (incendiaries).
MAY 9TH 1944
Air test and bombing practice in the morning. Briefed 17.00 for Annecy. Take off 21.24 for Annecy on Swiss border where ball bearing factory was wiped out amongst the surrounding hills.
Brilliant moonlight en route but little opposition encountered. Landed 06.05 hrs.
Bombload – 6,500 lbs (500 pounders).
MAY 11TH 1944
Sunny day – Air test in the afternoon – briefing 17.30. Take-off for Bourg-Leopold in Belgium where target was German military camp. Met winds were out – force was late on target – markers were out. Some bombed, but shambles followed.; After 15 minutes orbiting we returned to base with bombs – jettisoned Cookie (4,000 lbs) in North Sea en route.
F/O Watt and F/O Jackson did not return from 630 Squadron. F/O Mallison pranged at Conningsby and prevented out landing until 02.30.
Bombload – 12,000 lbs
2.
[page break]
MAY 19TH 1944
Fine day – dinghy and parachute drills in morning. Air Test in the afternoon, tea 18.30 and briefed for Ops. Take-off 23.11 for Amiens to bomb the marshalling yards.
Target obscured by 10/10 cloud; descended to 6,500 feet to get below cloud but received message to return to base with bombs.
Jettisoned 2 bombs before returning. Rear turret unserviceable.
Bombload: 13,000 lbs.
MAY 21ST 1944
Cold windy day. Ground test in the morning. Briefed in afternoon for mining stooge. Take-off time 22.49 but aircraft not bombed up and ready until 23.35.
Took off 50 minutes late but made up time and dropped mines in Kiel Bay in correct position.
Fighters seen and flak moderately heavy but trip was uneventful. Landed first after a good trip.
3 Missing from East Kirkby
30 missing from main force.
Bombload: 6 mines (12,000 lbs)
3.
[page break]
MAY 22ND 1944
Warm day – briefing in the afternoon and took-off 22.30 hrs for Brunswick. Saw 2 aircraft shot down soon after crossing enemy coast. Passed through a very wide searchlight belt on the way to the target.
Over the target a patch of cloud obscured the land but P.F.F. attempted to mark. After 25 minutes orbiting just outside the target area, sky-marking was attempted but many aircraft did not trouble to bomb correct markers on the correct heading and the raid became unsuccessful.
Kite had pranged on our runway and we were diverted to Strubby. Flak, searchlight and fighters all very active.
Bombload – 14,500 (2,000 lbs and 12,500 lbs incendiaries).
5 aircraft missing from East Kirkby.
MAY 24TH 1944
Kite in for minor in the morning – air test 17.30, briefing 18.30 and take-off 22.50 for Antwerp. Target (Ford and General Motors Works in the vacinity [sic] of the docks) was well marked and we obtained a good photograph.
Flak heavy and fighter flares seen, but no incidents to us personally.
Bombload – 1 2,000 lbs and 12 ‘J’ type incendiaries.
No aircraft missing from East Kirkby.
MAY 27TH 1944
Sunny day – ground check in the morning. Briefed after tea and took off 23.50 for St Valerie en Caux on French coast where target was gun emplacements.
There was some delay in marking target – first flares wrongly placed – orbitted [sic] for 20 minutes. Few fighters present and flak very light, though one aircraft was seen shot into the sea.
Bombs were somewhat scattered.
Bombload – 11,000 lbs and 4-500 lbs.
JUNE 1ST 1944
Dull, cloudy day. Ground run in the afternoon – briefing 18.00. Took off for Saumur in France. Target marshalling yards and bridge. Good results. No incidents, bright moonlight night – no fighters seen, flak light.
Bombload – 13,000 lbs.
4.
[page break]
JUNE 4TH 1944
Dull, rainy day. Ground run in afternoon, meal 19.-00 hrs, briefing and waited for cold front to pass through. Take off 01.15 hrs for Maisy, on French coast where target was gun emplacement.
On reaching target cloud obscured ground and only glow of marking flares was visible for bombing.
Bombload – 9,000 lbs.
JUNE 5TH AND 6TH 1944 (‘D’ DAY)
Dull day. Ground check in afternoon – meal 21.00 hrs then briefing. Took off 01.20 am (6th June) for La Pernelle to bomb gun emplacement prior to landing of our troops on the French coast.
Good bombing effort. No fighters, flak light.
Bombload – 13,000 lbs.
JUNE 7TH 1944
Dull day. Ground run in afternoon. Briefing 20.00 hrs for Balleroy. Take off 23.20 for ammunition and tank concentration in France at Balleroy.
Weather good, but many kites bombed the wrong target. Quiet non-eventful trip from which we arrived back at Base first.
F/O Wilson missing.
Bombload – 18-500 lbs.
JUNE 9TH 1944
Dull day. Ground run in the morning. Briefing 20.00 hrs. Take off 21.15 for Etamps. Target was railway junction – much cloud and rain en route with some icing.
Bombed from below cloud – marking delayed for 20 minutes during which several kites were seen to be shot down. Just as bombs were released a shell hit starboard side and H2S was put unserviceable.
One aircraft missing from East Kirkby.
JUNE 21ST 1944
Dull, cold day. Ground run in morning – gunners changed ammunition from day to night type. Briefed after tea. Took off 22.30 for oil refinery at Weisseling (between Bonn and Cologne). Fighter flares seen from enemy coast onwards, and all the way to and back from target fighters were very active.
Flak was heavy over the target – 10/10 cloud covered ground whole way which prevented searchlights from picking us up. Marking was good and bombing also good. Heavy losses from this raid – 5 aircraft from our Squadron and 11 from
5.
[page break]
East Kirkby.
Bombload – 1 Cookie (4,000) and 16-500 lbs.
JUNE 24TH 1944
Sunny day – practised formation flying in the morning. After tea, briefed for ‘ops’. Took off in evening for Pommeréval in Pas de Calais area. Target was p-plane launching site and assembly plant in France. Good marking and bombing results.
Opposition from fighters and flak more strong than expected – dodged a flaming plane – crew seen to bale out. Three others seen shot down.
All aircraft from East Kirkby returned safely.
Bombload – 18-500 lbs.
JUNE 27TH 1944
Standby in morning for daylight ‘ops’ but as heretofore nothing transpired. Ground run in morning, then briefed for night ‘ops’ later in day. Took off at dusk for Marquise Mimoyecques – just across the French coast – where we bombed a ‘flying bomb’ site. Markers etc good.
Bombing well concentrated – attack very successful.
In first wave, no opposition – quietest trip to date. All aircraft returned to Base.
Bombload – 13,000 lbs.
JULY 12TH 1944
Air test in afternoon in ‘Y’ York. Briefing in evening and took off to bomb marshalling yards at Culmont Chalindry [Culmont-Chalindrey] in Southern France. Took off 21.40 with ‘2nd Dickie’ – quiet trip with no excitement. Low cloud base on return but we managed to land OK – others diverted.
Bombload – 13,000 lbs.
JULY 15TH 1944
Fine, but cloudy day. Ground run in afternoon. Briefing in evening to bomb marshalling yards at Nevers in Southern France. Took off 22.00 and climbed above cold front at 10,000 feet.
Crossed French coast and reduced to 4,300 feet – bombing height. Some delay in marking – we did 3 runs before B/A could identify correct markers. Little
6.
[page break]
opposition – new type bomb used as ‘marker bomb’. Flew in ‘S’ Sugar – the first time we had operated with another kite than ‘O’ Oboe. All our aircraft returned to Base.
Bombload – 9 1,000 lbs and 4 500 lbs.
JULY 17TH AND 18TH 1944
Sunny day. N.F.T. and practise bombing in morning. Stood-by for ‘ops’ all afternoon and evening until briefing at 00.30 hrs.
Took-off 03.30 hrs and flew to Caen where we bombed military strong points at first light of day in support of 2nd Army. At daybreak we saw hundreds of bombers around us and soon the fighter escort flew from below to take up their positions as an umbrella.
In the Channel could be seen many ships which were landing reinforcements and supplies etc to our Armies. On first ‘daylight’ ops and most amazing sight.
Bombload 13,000 lbs.
JULY 19TH 1944
Fine, but cloudy, day. Another daylight trip! Briefed at 17.30 and took-off at 19.00 for Creil Thervigny (north of Paris) which is a p-plane depot.
Only 100 kites took part with an escort of 12 Spitfire Squadrons.
Near to target we were ahead of time, but no time wasting was inaugurated and consequently most kites overshot the target as it was being marked resulting in shambles.
Poor show! Flak fairly heavy and we were hit in nose and elevators as our bombs left. Nose, bomb-sight and bomb-aimer damaged.
Bombload – 13,000 lbs.
JULY 20TH 1944
Fine day. Ground run in the afternoon – briefing after tea to attack marshalling yards in Courtrai in Belgium.
Took-off at 23.00 hrs and climbed to 10,000 feet. Marking and bombing good. Little flak and fighter opposition, though 2 aircraft were seen to go down in flames.
Our gunners opened fire on unidentified aircraft which fired at us, but subsequently left us.
Bombload – 13,000 lbs.
7.
[page break]
JULY 23RD 1944
Fine day. Aircraft had new rudder fitted and we waited for her to do air test. Briefed with 57 Squadron by W/C Gibson (VC) to fly on mining stooge to Kiel Fiord. H2S camera attached.
Main force attacked Kiel itself as we dropped mines in the harbour.
Took off 23.00 and flew above cloud all the way with little fighter opposition. Target obscured by cloud but mines laid by H2S. Flak very heavy in target area and long straight run caused nervousness in the crew. No damage resulted and sortie subsequently proved to be very successful.
One of our aircraft flew into the sea on the way back with only the Navigator surviving.
Bombload – 4 2,000 lb mines (parachute type)
JULY 24TH 1944
Fine day. Ground run in the afternoon.
Briefing for Donges (oil dump) – 5 miles east of St Nazaire in France.
Took off 22.30 as we were wind finding – 50 minutes ahead of the others. Quiet journeys. Heavy flak at target and good concentration of searchlights.
One aircraft seen shot down. Main force to Stuttgart (Adams missing).
Bombload – 13,000 lbs.
JULY 25TH 1944
Cloudy day. Ground run on Oboe in afternoon and briefed for ‘Ops’ on 3rd night in succession.
Took off 22.00 and set course for Stuttgart. As we crossed the French coast fighters were evident and 5 aircraft were shot down in a very short time. Little opposition over Germany itself however until flak over target. Bombing was good in spite of cloud. Fires seen from 100 miles away.
All aircraft returned to own Bases.
Bombload – 8,000 lbs
JULY 26TH 1944
‘O’ Oboe was taken to Lyons by P/O Wilson and did not return. Hard luck!
8.
[page break]
JULY 30TH 1944
Cloudy day. Rose 02.30 and briefed to fly to the second front in Normandy to support the Second Army.
Took off 05.30 and flew above cloud to Cahagnes. Impossible to bomb because of thickening cloud, so we returned with bombload.
Bombload – 10,000 lbs.
JULY 31ST 1944
Fine, but cloudy day. Briefed in afternoon for daylight ‘ops’ into France to bomb marshalling yards South of Paris – Joigny.
Took off 17.30 and climbed to 14,000 (bombing height) with 200 Lancs, though we split at Riems on separate targets. No fighter opposition and little flak. Good results.
Directed to Syerston on return.
Bombload – 12,700 lbs.
AUGUST 2ND 1944
Fine day. After breakfast, briefed to bomb a flying bomb depot at Troissy St Maximin (NE of Paris). Take off put off an hour at a time from 11.40 until 17.00 hours.
[deleted] General [/deleted] [inserted] Usual [/inserted] fighter escort accompanied us.
Heavy flak over target, most of our kites were damaged, including 18 holes in ‘O’ Oboe (new kite). Target identified and fly bomb base attacked with success.
All aircraft returned to Base.
Bombload – 13,000 lbs.
AUGUST 5TH 1944
Fine day. Rose 06.15 hours for briefing to fly to St Leu D’Esserent (another flying bomb dept NE of Paris).
Took off 10.30 and flew in stepped-down V-formation.
Cloud thickened as we crossed the French Coast and 7/10 over cloud made identification difficult. Bombing in 3s very scattered, though ours were close to target. Light-moderate flak, no fighters.
Bombload – 13,000 lbs.
9.
[page break]
AUGUST 9TH 1944
Fine day. Ground run in the afternoon – briefing for ‘ops’ on Chatellerault an oil dump in S France.
On reaching target, markers had not appeared and orbiting was necessary prior to bombing. No target defences and no fighters, though two of our aircraft went down in flames (? bombed from above – photo-flash?).
Good show with bags of smoke. ‘Joe Lennon’ completed his tour on this trip.
Bombload – 10,000 lbs.
AUGUST 10TH 1944
Ground run in the afternoon and then briefed for operations.
Took off 17.30 for Bordeaux (submarine oil tanks) with armour-piercing bombs. Only 60 kites unescorted in daylight to the Bay of Biscay. The Brest Peninsula showed up well and some flak was sent up from Lorient.
Darkness fell before we turned into bomb the target at which opposition was light. Successful sortie.
Bombload – 11,000 lbs (armour piercing)
TOUR ENDED
18.4.44 Aircraft, Lancaster B.III – ND 527; LE-O
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[deleted] 21.5.44 “ [/deleted]
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7.6.44 “
9.6.44 “
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24.6.44 “
27.6.44 “
12.7.44 “
10.
[page break]
15.7.44 Aircraft, Lancaster BI – ME 796; LS-S
18.7.44 Lancaster BIII – ND 527;LE-O
19.7.44 “
20.7.44 “
23.7.44 “
24.7.44 “
25.7.44 “
30.7.44 Lancaster BI – LL 972; LE-T
31.7.44 “
2.8.44 Lancaster BI – LM 287; LE-O
[symbol]
9.8.44 “
10.8.44 “
Citation on award of DFC to D E Hawker:-
This officer has completed a tour of operational duty during which he has attacked some of the principal targets in Germany and many others in enemy occupied territory, all of which have been heavily defended. On various sorties, F/O Hawker’s aircraft has been damaged by anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighters. On one occasion, during an attack on Munich he observed a number of Ju. 88’s flying in his direction. By fine airmanship, this officer enabled his gunners to drive the enemy off and he then flew his damaged aircraft safely back to base. His fine leadership, courage and determination to accomplish his task successfully has been depicted in the excellent photographs obtained.
Navigator J A Warwick was awarded RAF Navigation warrant First Class No. 70 as Flying Officer J A Warwick on 24.1.46 following a course at the Air Navigation School at RAF Shawbury. Campaign Stars and Medals:- 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, War Medal 1939-45.
No. 630 Squadron RAF No. 5 Group – Coded LE.
Motto ‘Nocturna mors’ (Death by night)
Formed from ‘B’ Flight No. 57 Squadron at East Kirkby on November 15 1943, when eleven Lancaster Mk IIIs were allotted. Their first operation was to Berlin the night of November 18th. The Squadron disbanded on July 18th 1945; a Lancaster BI/III unit throughout its existence, 2,147 sorties were made for a cost of 64 Lancasters missing and 6 crashed. It dropped 10,347.318 tons of bombs, laid many mines and, up to its disbandment, gained the following awards: 1 DSO; 1 bar to DSO; 1 BEM; 42 DFCs; 4 bars to DFCs; 11 DFMs and 1 AFM.
11.
References in “Lancaster – The Story of a Famous Bomber” (by Bruce Robertson – Harleyford Publications Ltd – first published Autumn 1964) to aircraft used by the crew of F/L D E Hawker of 630 Squadron RAF, No. 5 Group, during their tour of operations April 18th to August 10th 1944.
p.183 Lancaster B.111 ND 527. 630 Sq (LE-O). Lost 27 July 1944. 378 hours. One of 600 Mark B.111 Lancasters ordered from A V Roe (Chadderton) and delivered from December 1943 to May 1944 with Merlin 38 engines.
(We flew 27 sorties in this aircraft from April 18 to July 25 1944 and it was lost on 26/27 [inserted] July [/inserted] when taken to Lyons by P/O Wilson.)
p.182 Lancaster B.1 ME 796. 630 Sq (LE-S) 14 May 1944. Lost (Revigny) 18 July 1944. 127 hours. One of 250 Mark B.1 Lancasters ordered from Metropolitan-Vickers in May 1942 and delivered from November 1943 to January 1944 with Merlin 22 engines initially installed up to ME 639 and Merlin 24 engines from ME 640 except for ME 668-9 with Merlin 22 engines.
(we flew this aircraft July 15 1944 to Nevers, the first time in an aircraft other than ND 527 LE-O for Oboe.)
p.175 Lancaster B.1 LL 972. 630 Sq (LE-T) May 1944. Lost (Stattin) 16/17 August 1944. 178 hours.
p.176 Lancaster B.1 LM 287. 630 Sq (LE-O); 1651/68/60 CUs; became 5759 M, Swinderby.
Both these aircraft were from 450 Mark B.1 and B.11 Lancasters ordered from Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft in April 1942 and delivered as 100 Mark 11 with Hercules XVI engines (October 1943 to March 1944) and 350 Mark 1 with Merlin 24 engines (November 1943 to August 1944) initially installed.
(We flew LL 972 (LE-T) on 2 sorties, Cahanges (30 July 1944) and Joigny (31 July 1944) and then finished our tour on LM 287, the replacement LE-O for Oboe, with four sorties on August 2, 5, 9 and 10 1944.)
APRIL 18TH 1944
Beautifully sunny day – Ground check in the morning – checked snags in afternoon. Briefed for ‘Ops’ – take-off 20.52 hrs for Juvisy and bombed marshalling yards with excellent results (see ‘Daily Mirror’). Quite uneventful trip until half-way home when an enemy aircraft attacked but successful evasive action fooled him. Shorty and Dusty both gave him a burst but were unable to see if any hits were scored.
Saw quite a heavy raid on London on the way home – one of our aircraft was shot down near Peterborough by an intruder.
Bombload – 13,750 lbs. (1,000 lbs and 500 lbs)
14 missing from the night’s operations.
APRIL 20TH 1944
Fine day with cold wind. Aircraft not ready to fly in morning. Air test in the afternoon. Briefing after tea for La Chapelle. Took off at dusk and bombed marshalling yards with seemingly good results. Flak heavier than previous raid, but we had an uneventful trip.
2 aircraft missing from East Kirkby
16 “ “ “ night’s operations.
Bombload – 13,750 lbs.
APRIL 22ND 1944
Fine sunny day – Air test, dinghy drill and flying practice in the morning. Briefed for Ops at 18.30 – meal 20.00 hrs, take off 23.00 hrs for Brunswick.
Attacked over target but evaded him by violent evasive action during which aircraft became uncontrollable.
Pilot unable to see out due to ice on windscreen – guns temporarily out of action due to ammunition jamming.
Having regained controls, bomb-run was completed – fighters were in abundance over target, flak was heavy, but after bombing the trip proved to be uneventful.
Landed 05.30 hrs.
Bombload – 8,000 lbs.
1.
[page break]
APRIL 24TH 1944
Dull day – Ground check in morning – briefing 17.00 hrs, take off 21.03 to Munich. Passed 1,000 ft over the Swiss Alps. Snow-capped peaks seen in the starlight. Spoof raid on Milan by Mosquitoes.
Munich strongly defended by searchlights, flak and fighters – no attacks, no damage. Searchlight belt blended in Augsberg.
New American incendiary bombs left the city blazing as we left for base.
Passed over N. Switzerland and into S. France via Paris, into wind for hours on end. Crossed French coast at morning twilight and touched down 07.23 – flying time 10.25 hrs. F/O Rackley landed at Corsica and killed his Rear Gunner.
Bombload – 9,000 lbs (incendiaries).
APRIL 26TH 1944
Nice sunny day. Ground test in the morning. Briefing 16.30 and take off 21.20 for Schweinfurt, small town in S.W. Germany where ball bearings are manufactured.
Fighters very active and lined route with flares from S. France to Germany.
We were ahead of stream and not attacked – overshot turning point and crossed Stuttgart and approached target from wrong side but attacked on time. Visability [sic] was good – moonlight during first 2 hours. Main force on Essen.
29 aircraft missing – 2 from East Kirkby.
Bombload – 9,000 lbs (incendiaries).
MAY 9TH 1944
Air test and bombing practice in the morning. Briefed 17.00 for Annecy. Take off 21.24 for Annecy on Swiss border where ball bearing factory was wiped out amongst the surrounding hills.
Brilliant moonlight en route but little opposition encountered. Landed 06.05 hrs.
Bombload – 6,500 lbs (500 pounders).
MAY 11TH 1944
Sunny day – Air test in the afternoon – briefing 17.30. Take-off for Bourg-Leopold in Belgium where target was German military camp. Met winds were out – force was late on target – markers were out. Some bombed, but shambles followed.; After 15 minutes orbiting we returned to base with bombs – jettisoned Cookie (4,000 lbs) in North Sea en route.
F/O Watt and F/O Jackson did not return from 630 Squadron. F/O Mallison pranged at Conningsby and prevented out landing until 02.30.
Bombload – 12,000 lbs
2.
[page break]
MAY 19TH 1944
Fine day – dinghy and parachute drills in morning. Air Test in the afternoon, tea 18.30 and briefed for Ops. Take-off 23.11 for Amiens to bomb the marshalling yards.
Target obscured by 10/10 cloud; descended to 6,500 feet to get below cloud but received message to return to base with bombs.
Jettisoned 2 bombs before returning. Rear turret unserviceable.
Bombload: 13,000 lbs.
MAY 21ST 1944
Cold windy day. Ground test in the morning. Briefed in afternoon for mining stooge. Take-off time 22.49 but aircraft not bombed up and ready until 23.35.
Took off 50 minutes late but made up time and dropped mines in Kiel Bay in correct position.
Fighters seen and flak moderately heavy but trip was uneventful. Landed first after a good trip.
3 Missing from East Kirkby
30 missing from main force.
Bombload: 6 mines (12,000 lbs)
3.
[page break]
MAY 22ND 1944
Warm day – briefing in the afternoon and took-off 22.30 hrs for Brunswick. Saw 2 aircraft shot down soon after crossing enemy coast. Passed through a very wide searchlight belt on the way to the target.
Over the target a patch of cloud obscured the land but P.F.F. attempted to mark. After 25 minutes orbiting just outside the target area, sky-marking was attempted but many aircraft did not trouble to bomb correct markers on the correct heading and the raid became unsuccessful.
Kite had pranged on our runway and we were diverted to Strubby. Flak, searchlight and fighters all very active.
Bombload – 14,500 (2,000 lbs and 12,500 lbs incendiaries).
5 aircraft missing from East Kirkby.
MAY 24TH 1944
Kite in for minor in the morning – air test 17.30, briefing 18.30 and take-off 22.50 for Antwerp. Target (Ford and General Motors Works in the vacinity [sic] of the docks) was well marked and we obtained a good photograph.
Flak heavy and fighter flares seen, but no incidents to us personally.
Bombload – 1 2,000 lbs and 12 ‘J’ type incendiaries.
No aircraft missing from East Kirkby.
MAY 27TH 1944
Sunny day – ground check in the morning. Briefed after tea and took off 23.50 for St Valerie en Caux on French coast where target was gun emplacements.
There was some delay in marking target – first flares wrongly placed – orbitted [sic] for 20 minutes. Few fighters present and flak very light, though one aircraft was seen shot into the sea.
Bombs were somewhat scattered.
Bombload – 11,000 lbs and 4-500 lbs.
JUNE 1ST 1944
Dull, cloudy day. Ground run in the afternoon – briefing 18.00. Took off for Saumur in France. Target marshalling yards and bridge. Good results. No incidents, bright moonlight night – no fighters seen, flak light.
Bombload – 13,000 lbs.
4.
[page break]
JUNE 4TH 1944
Dull, rainy day. Ground run in afternoon, meal 19.-00 hrs, briefing and waited for cold front to pass through. Take off 01.15 hrs for Maisy, on French coast where target was gun emplacement.
On reaching target cloud obscured ground and only glow of marking flares was visible for bombing.
Bombload – 9,000 lbs.
JUNE 5TH AND 6TH 1944 (‘D’ DAY)
Dull day. Ground check in afternoon – meal 21.00 hrs then briefing. Took off 01.20 am (6th June) for La Pernelle to bomb gun emplacement prior to landing of our troops on the French coast.
Good bombing effort. No fighters, flak light.
Bombload – 13,000 lbs.
JUNE 7TH 1944
Dull day. Ground run in afternoon. Briefing 20.00 hrs for Balleroy. Take off 23.20 for ammunition and tank concentration in France at Balleroy.
Weather good, but many kites bombed the wrong target. Quiet non-eventful trip from which we arrived back at Base first.
F/O Wilson missing.
Bombload – 18-500 lbs.
JUNE 9TH 1944
Dull day. Ground run in the morning. Briefing 20.00 hrs. Take off 21.15 for Etamps. Target was railway junction – much cloud and rain en route with some icing.
Bombed from below cloud – marking delayed for 20 minutes during which several kites were seen to be shot down. Just as bombs were released a shell hit starboard side and H2S was put unserviceable.
One aircraft missing from East Kirkby.
JUNE 21ST 1944
Dull, cold day. Ground run in morning – gunners changed ammunition from day to night type. Briefed after tea. Took off 22.30 for oil refinery at Weisseling (between Bonn and Cologne). Fighter flares seen from enemy coast onwards, and all the way to and back from target fighters were very active.
Flak was heavy over the target – 10/10 cloud covered ground whole way which prevented searchlights from picking us up. Marking was good and bombing also good. Heavy losses from this raid – 5 aircraft from our Squadron and 11 from
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East Kirkby.
Bombload – 1 Cookie (4,000) and 16-500 lbs.
JUNE 24TH 1944
Sunny day – practised formation flying in the morning. After tea, briefed for ‘ops’. Took off in evening for Pommeréval in Pas de Calais area. Target was p-plane launching site and assembly plant in France. Good marking and bombing results.
Opposition from fighters and flak more strong than expected – dodged a flaming plane – crew seen to bale out. Three others seen shot down.
All aircraft from East Kirkby returned safely.
Bombload – 18-500 lbs.
JUNE 27TH 1944
Standby in morning for daylight ‘ops’ but as heretofore nothing transpired. Ground run in morning, then briefed for night ‘ops’ later in day. Took off at dusk for Marquise Mimoyecques – just across the French coast – where we bombed a ‘flying bomb’ site. Markers etc good.
Bombing well concentrated – attack very successful.
In first wave, no opposition – quietest trip to date. All aircraft returned to Base.
Bombload – 13,000 lbs.
JULY 12TH 1944
Air test in afternoon in ‘Y’ York. Briefing in evening and took off to bomb marshalling yards at Culmont Chalindry [Culmont-Chalindrey] in Southern France. Took off 21.40 with ‘2nd Dickie’ – quiet trip with no excitement. Low cloud base on return but we managed to land OK – others diverted.
Bombload – 13,000 lbs.
JULY 15TH 1944
Fine, but cloudy day. Ground run in afternoon. Briefing in evening to bomb marshalling yards at Nevers in Southern France. Took off 22.00 and climbed above cold front at 10,000 feet.
Crossed French coast and reduced to 4,300 feet – bombing height. Some delay in marking – we did 3 runs before B/A could identify correct markers. Little
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opposition – new type bomb used as ‘marker bomb’. Flew in ‘S’ Sugar – the first time we had operated with another kite than ‘O’ Oboe. All our aircraft returned to Base.
Bombload – 9 1,000 lbs and 4 500 lbs.
JULY 17TH AND 18TH 1944
Sunny day. N.F.T. and practise bombing in morning. Stood-by for ‘ops’ all afternoon and evening until briefing at 00.30 hrs.
Took-off 03.30 hrs and flew to Caen where we bombed military strong points at first light of day in support of 2nd Army. At daybreak we saw hundreds of bombers around us and soon the fighter escort flew from below to take up their positions as an umbrella.
In the Channel could be seen many ships which were landing reinforcements and supplies etc to our Armies. On first ‘daylight’ ops and most amazing sight.
Bombload 13,000 lbs.
JULY 19TH 1944
Fine, but cloudy, day. Another daylight trip! Briefed at 17.30 and took-off at 19.00 for Creil Thervigny (north of Paris) which is a p-plane depot.
Only 100 kites took part with an escort of 12 Spitfire Squadrons.
Near to target we were ahead of time, but no time wasting was inaugurated and consequently most kites overshot the target as it was being marked resulting in shambles.
Poor show! Flak fairly heavy and we were hit in nose and elevators as our bombs left. Nose, bomb-sight and bomb-aimer damaged.
Bombload – 13,000 lbs.
JULY 20TH 1944
Fine day. Ground run in the afternoon – briefing after tea to attack marshalling yards in Courtrai in Belgium.
Took-off at 23.00 hrs and climbed to 10,000 feet. Marking and bombing good. Little flak and fighter opposition, though 2 aircraft were seen to go down in flames.
Our gunners opened fire on unidentified aircraft which fired at us, but subsequently left us.
Bombload – 13,000 lbs.
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JULY 23RD 1944
Fine day. Aircraft had new rudder fitted and we waited for her to do air test. Briefed with 57 Squadron by W/C Gibson (VC) to fly on mining stooge to Kiel Fiord. H2S camera attached.
Main force attacked Kiel itself as we dropped mines in the harbour.
Took off 23.00 and flew above cloud all the way with little fighter opposition. Target obscured by cloud but mines laid by H2S. Flak very heavy in target area and long straight run caused nervousness in the crew. No damage resulted and sortie subsequently proved to be very successful.
One of our aircraft flew into the sea on the way back with only the Navigator surviving.
Bombload – 4 2,000 lb mines (parachute type)
JULY 24TH 1944
Fine day. Ground run in the afternoon.
Briefing for Donges (oil dump) – 5 miles east of St Nazaire in France.
Took off 22.30 as we were wind finding – 50 minutes ahead of the others. Quiet journeys. Heavy flak at target and good concentration of searchlights.
One aircraft seen shot down. Main force to Stuttgart (Adams missing).
Bombload – 13,000 lbs.
JULY 25TH 1944
Cloudy day. Ground run on Oboe in afternoon and briefed for ‘Ops’ on 3rd night in succession.
Took off 22.00 and set course for Stuttgart. As we crossed the French coast fighters were evident and 5 aircraft were shot down in a very short time. Little opposition over Germany itself however until flak over target. Bombing was good in spite of cloud. Fires seen from 100 miles away.
All aircraft returned to own Bases.
Bombload – 8,000 lbs
JULY 26TH 1944
‘O’ Oboe was taken to Lyons by P/O Wilson and did not return. Hard luck!
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JULY 30TH 1944
Cloudy day. Rose 02.30 and briefed to fly to the second front in Normandy to support the Second Army.
Took off 05.30 and flew above cloud to Cahagnes. Impossible to bomb because of thickening cloud, so we returned with bombload.
Bombload – 10,000 lbs.
JULY 31ST 1944
Fine, but cloudy day. Briefed in afternoon for daylight ‘ops’ into France to bomb marshalling yards South of Paris – Joigny.
Took off 17.30 and climbed to 14,000 (bombing height) with 200 Lancs, though we split at Riems on separate targets. No fighter opposition and little flak. Good results.
Directed to Syerston on return.
Bombload – 12,700 lbs.
AUGUST 2ND 1944
Fine day. After breakfast, briefed to bomb a flying bomb depot at Troissy St Maximin (NE of Paris). Take off put off an hour at a time from 11.40 until 17.00 hours.
[deleted] General [/deleted] [inserted] Usual [/inserted] fighter escort accompanied us.
Heavy flak over target, most of our kites were damaged, including 18 holes in ‘O’ Oboe (new kite). Target identified and fly bomb base attacked with success.
All aircraft returned to Base.
Bombload – 13,000 lbs.
AUGUST 5TH 1944
Fine day. Rose 06.15 hours for briefing to fly to St Leu D’Esserent (another flying bomb dept NE of Paris).
Took off 10.30 and flew in stepped-down V-formation.
Cloud thickened as we crossed the French Coast and 7/10 over cloud made identification difficult. Bombing in 3s very scattered, though ours were close to target. Light-moderate flak, no fighters.
Bombload – 13,000 lbs.
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AUGUST 9TH 1944
Fine day. Ground run in the afternoon – briefing for ‘ops’ on Chatellerault an oil dump in S France.
On reaching target, markers had not appeared and orbiting was necessary prior to bombing. No target defences and no fighters, though two of our aircraft went down in flames (? bombed from above – photo-flash?).
Good show with bags of smoke. ‘Joe Lennon’ completed his tour on this trip.
Bombload – 10,000 lbs.
AUGUST 10TH 1944
Ground run in the afternoon and then briefed for operations.
Took off 17.30 for Bordeaux (submarine oil tanks) with armour-piercing bombs. Only 60 kites unescorted in daylight to the Bay of Biscay. The Brest Peninsula showed up well and some flak was sent up from Lorient.
Darkness fell before we turned into bomb the target at which opposition was light. Successful sortie.
Bombload – 11,000 lbs (armour piercing)
TOUR ENDED
18.4.44 Aircraft, Lancaster B.III – ND 527; LE-O
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15.7.44 Aircraft, Lancaster BI – ME 796; LS-S
18.7.44 Lancaster BIII – ND 527;LE-O
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30.7.44 Lancaster BI – LL 972; LE-T
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2.8.44 Lancaster BI – LM 287; LE-O
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Citation on award of DFC to D E Hawker:-
This officer has completed a tour of operational duty during which he has attacked some of the principal targets in Germany and many others in enemy occupied territory, all of which have been heavily defended. On various sorties, F/O Hawker’s aircraft has been damaged by anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighters. On one occasion, during an attack on Munich he observed a number of Ju. 88’s flying in his direction. By fine airmanship, this officer enabled his gunners to drive the enemy off and he then flew his damaged aircraft safely back to base. His fine leadership, courage and determination to accomplish his task successfully has been depicted in the excellent photographs obtained.
Navigator J A Warwick was awarded RAF Navigation warrant First Class No. 70 as Flying Officer J A Warwick on 24.1.46 following a course at the Air Navigation School at RAF Shawbury. Campaign Stars and Medals:- 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, War Medal 1939-45.
No. 630 Squadron RAF No. 5 Group – Coded LE.
Motto ‘Nocturna mors’ (Death by night)
Formed from ‘B’ Flight No. 57 Squadron at East Kirkby on November 15 1943, when eleven Lancaster Mk IIIs were allotted. Their first operation was to Berlin the night of November 18th. The Squadron disbanded on July 18th 1945; a Lancaster BI/III unit throughout its existence, 2,147 sorties were made for a cost of 64 Lancasters missing and 6 crashed. It dropped 10,347.318 tons of bombs, laid many mines and, up to its disbandment, gained the following awards: 1 DSO; 1 bar to DSO; 1 BEM; 42 DFCs; 4 bars to DFCs; 11 DFMs and 1 AFM.
11.
References in “Lancaster – The Story of a Famous Bomber” (by Bruce Robertson – Harleyford Publications Ltd – first published Autumn 1964) to aircraft used by the crew of F/L D E Hawker of 630 Squadron RAF, No. 5 Group, during their tour of operations April 18th to August 10th 1944.
p.183 Lancaster B.111 ND 527. 630 Sq (LE-O). Lost 27 July 1944. 378 hours. One of 600 Mark B.111 Lancasters ordered from A V Roe (Chadderton) and delivered from December 1943 to May 1944 with Merlin 38 engines.
(We flew 27 sorties in this aircraft from April 18 to July 25 1944 and it was lost on 26/27 [inserted] July [/inserted] when taken to Lyons by P/O Wilson.)
p.182 Lancaster B.1 ME 796. 630 Sq (LE-S) 14 May 1944. Lost (Revigny) 18 July 1944. 127 hours. One of 250 Mark B.1 Lancasters ordered from Metropolitan-Vickers in May 1942 and delivered from November 1943 to January 1944 with Merlin 22 engines initially installed up to ME 639 and Merlin 24 engines from ME 640 except for ME 668-9 with Merlin 22 engines.
(we flew this aircraft July 15 1944 to Nevers, the first time in an aircraft other than ND 527 LE-O for Oboe.)
p.175 Lancaster B.1 LL 972. 630 Sq (LE-T) May 1944. Lost (Stattin) 16/17 August 1944. 178 hours.
p.176 Lancaster B.1 LM 287. 630 Sq (LE-O); 1651/68/60 CUs; became 5759 M, Swinderby.
Both these aircraft were from 450 Mark B.1 and B.11 Lancasters ordered from Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft in April 1942 and delivered as 100 Mark 11 with Hercules XVI engines (October 1943 to March 1944) and 350 Mark 1 with Merlin 24 engines (November 1943 to August 1944) initially installed.
(We flew LL 972 (LE-T) on 2 sorties, Cahanges (30 July 1944) and Joigny (31 July 1944) and then finished our tour on LM 287, the replacement LE-O for Oboe, with four sorties on August 2, 5, 9 and 10 1944.)
Collection
Citation
Doug Hawker, “Extracts from Flight Lieutenant Hawker's diary,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed April 22, 2025, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/36940.
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