Squadron Operations: Summary Information
Overview
There follows below a list of the all of the operations flown by 550 Squadron and the aircraft involved on each. The information used to
build this page was taken in the first instance from the lists provided on the original Squadron Association web-site,
but has been augmented by new information gathered since that time (squadron operations logs, individual aircrew log books, and other sources).
This information is not yet complete: it has been build from the a number of sources (documentary and people) and compilation of complete lists is an ongoing task that is expected to take quite some time to complete. So please don't shout just yet if you spot an omission - work continues to build a more complete, and accurate, list.
Do however shout if you spot an error! Please email any corrections or information to the contact details in the link at the bottom of the page.
Operation Summary: The column headers should be fairly self-explanatory. The term "aborted" as used here covers a number of possibilities:
- the operation was cancelled before crews were briefed
- the crews have been briefed as to the target, and in some cases the planes may even have been bombed up and the crews on-board at their stations awaiting take-off, before the op has been stood-down
- finally a number of cases where the op was already under way and the planes en-route but for whatever reason the operation was aborted (e.g. the master bomber orders the attack cancelled due to weather conditions at target adversely affecting targeting).
Aircraft Deployed: When a link to a particular aircraft is given, this indicates aircraft known to have taken part in this raid (in the records currently available to the web-site author). A record of whether the aircraft returned or failed to return (FTR) is also logged.
Servicemen Deployed: Names of the crew in the operation.
Station Summary: This section is the information from the RAF North Killingholme Station Record Book for the operational date (if available).
Definitions of the abbreviations used are available: here.
Manageable Lists
The amount of data in the database is growing and this is resulting in the "all operations/targets" list getting rapidly bigger and thus slower to generate.
There are options to display shorter, more quickly generated, reports if you want to home in on something specific. For example, there are options to generate reports on operations to a single target, or by single aircraft (to all targets) or by single aircraft to a single target. There is, on the database-reports summary page, a short user guide (PDF format) on how to do this.
Operation/Target: Mardyck (09 May 1944 - 10 May 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Mardyck |
09 May 1944 |
10 May 1944 |
N |
Eighteen aircraft with crews were offered for operations, eleven of which were accepted and briefed to attack MARDYCK coastal battery approximately 6 miles west of DUNKIRK, situated on the sand dune and, being only a few hundred yards in area, was not an easy target to hit. All aircraft took off as usual - without incident. The weather became increasingly clearer on the outward journey, and over the target visibility was excellent with bright moonlight. The P.F.F marking was good, the markers going down exactly on time, and a good concentration was achieved. Spectacular results from this kind of attack cannot be expected but all crews were unanimous in expressing the view that the H.E. bomb flashes were exploding all around the markers and in some cases on the markers themselves. The defences were moderate, coming mainly from the Dunkirk area, night fighters were conspicuous by their absence. Once again good photographs were obtained and from these there is every reason to suppose that the attack was satisfactory. One aircraft "W" (F/O Sage) and crew failed to return, no news of it being received after take-off. |
| Aircraft Deployed |
Servicemen Deployed |
Aircraft Service Number |
Returned
or FTR |
Comments |
Crew Details |
ED562
|
Returned |
Primary 11,000 feet at 00.12 1/2 hrs. |
|
Operation/Target: Hasselt (11 May 1944 - 12 May 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Hasselt |
11 May 1944 |
12 May 1944 |
N |
Eighteen aircraft with crews were offered for operations, but only tweleve were accepted and briefed to attack the marshalling yards at HASSELT in north west Belgium. The target lay on the fringe of the small but compact town of Haselt on one of Germany's main lines to the West. Precision bombing of a hight order was necessary to achieve our objective wihout inflicting civilian casualites in occupied territory. The weather over the targe unfortunately was not good enough to permit sufficiently accurate marking for this pinpoint target. Haze prevailed and after investigating possibilities, the aircraft directing operations ordered the main force to bring their bombs home much to the disappointment of the boys. Of the twelve aircraft sent by 550 Squadron, five had released their bombs near the target area, another joined No. 3 Group's attack on the Marshalling Yards at LOUVAIN, 30 miles away - this target being well marked. Of the others F/S Maxwell "V" and Sgt Essex "G" landed with their full bomb load, the remained jettisoned part of their load over the sea. One pilot and his bomb-aimer with the assurance of Ripley himself with "a believe it or not" twinkle on their eyes, claimed to have taxied down the railway line to the right sport but their photograph shows open fields which suggest that thety were derailed. |
| Aircraft Deployed |
Servicemen Deployed |
Aircraft Service Number |
Returned
or FTR |
Comments |
Crew Details |
ED562
|
Returned |
No target attacked, bombs jettisoned in sea. |
|
Operation/Target: Orleans (19 May 1944 - 20 May 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Orleans |
19 May 1944 |
20 May 1944 |
N |
Eighteen aircraft and crews offered for operations, fifteen of which were accepted and briefed to attack Marshalling Yards immediately north of the City of ORLEANS. The boys in the Squadron were delighted at the thought of being able to take to the air again after a lull of eight days. The take-off was of the usual 550 Squadron standard, the fifteen aircraft taking off in 14 minutes. The preliminary reports of the attack give every sign of it having been highly successful - another feather in the cap of Bomber Command and 550 Squadron. All reports speak of explosions of which the most outstanding one seems to have been at 00.46hrs early in the attack when debris was hurled up to 3000 ft. The explosions turned into a raging fire seen from 40 miles away. Photographs taken show that the Squadron were either on or very near the aiming point. W/Cdr Connellys' pre-bombing photo shows him travelling in the right direcvtion some 550 yards short of the aiming point - a promising preface, but his bombing pictures were unplottable due to the smoke. This was W/Cdr Connelly's first operatiuonl trip with the Squadron since taking command. P/O Marles in "T" (Tommy) made the round trip in spite of the rear turret being unservicebale from a few minutes after take-off. P/O Dukelow put up a creditable show on his maiden trip. All our aircraft returned safely to Base, and the crews satisifed with their nights work. |
Operation/Target: Dortmund (22 May 1944 - 23 May 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Dortmund |
22 May 1944 |
23 May 1944 |
N |
Sixteen aircraft and crews offered for operations all being accepted and were briefed to attack DORTMUND. |
Operation/Target: Aachen (24 May 1944 - 25 May 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Aachen |
24 May 1944 |
25 May 1944 |
N |
Seventeen aircraft and crews offered and accepted for operations. The crews were briefed to attack the Marshalling yards at AACHEN. With their mission successfully completed all aircraft and crews returned safely and unscathed. The take-off was good, as is usual, and the weather good. Two of the Squadrons aircraft were engaged in combat F/Sgt Barton ("T") and P/O Newman ("C") both proved inconclusive, the enemy breaking off the engeagement in both cases. Bombing photographs taken were of exceptional interest to the Intelligence, and confirm that the Squadon has assisted in adding some aches to AIX-LA-CHAPELLE. |
Operation/Target: Aachen (27 May 1944 - 28 May 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Aachen |
27 May 1944 |
28 May 1944 |
N |
Eighteen aircraft with crews offered for operations, fifteen of which were accepted and briefed to attack the Marshalling yards ROTHE-ERDE of AACHEN, east of the city. The fifteen aircraft took off in typical 550 Squadron style. Two aircraft "K" (P/O McCrea and "H" (P/O Purney) failed to return, but the majority of the others claim to have bombed the primary target, which despite a light haze, was clearly marked and in some cases visually identified. Information from crews and photographs taken suggests that the attack was successfully carried out. Poor visibility at Base made it necessary for ten aircraft to land at other airfields on their return, and were accommodated at Binbrook, Kelstern, Ludford-Magna and Waltham. The only three which made Base were "J" (W/Cdr Connolly), "S" (P/O Maxwell) and "P" (F/Lt Richard). With this trip the last named with his crew completed their tour.
Higher authority have officially recognised the destruction of a JU 88 by Sgt Campbell the rear gunner in "F" (Sgt White) on 22/23rd May 1944, as a result of supporting evidence having been recorded by five other bombers in the Command.
S/Ldr Graham (Australian) "B" Flight Commander affectionately know to the boys as "Bluey" completed his second tour of operations, rendered his Swan Song prior to his departure from the Squadron on posting to No. 1 Lancasters Finishing School, RAF Station Hemswell. "Bluey" was always keen and conscientious and extremely popular with the boys and it often needed a firm hand to keep him on the ground. Had he succeeded in getting his own way, he would have simply whistled through his second tour of operations.
Information received from HQ Bomber Command that the King, on the recommendation of the Air Officer Commanding, had approved the Immediate Award of the Distinguished Flying Medals to F/Sgt LLOYD and Sgt. MOORE for their magnificient show on the night of 3/4th May after attacking their target at MAILLY. [As narrated earlier on page 1.] |
Operation/Target: Calais (02 Jun 1944 - 03 Jun 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Calais |
02 Jun 1944 |
03 Jun 1944 |
N |
16 aircraft offered for operations, but only 14 accepted, to attack defended areas on a coastal battery at CALAIS. |
Operation/Target: Wimereaux (03 Jun 1944 - 04 Jun 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Wimereaux |
03 Jun 1944 |
04 Jun 1944 |
N |
16 aircraft offered for operations and 14 accepted. Crews briefed to attack railborne coastal battery in the vicinity of the peace-time resort of Wimereaux near Boulogne. All the Squadron aircraft successfully took off in the usual style and claimed to have bombed their objective. The Squadron's striking force had to contend with thick cloud over most of the route, but found the target practicially clear at their bombing heights. P.F.F markers were prompt, and, as far as can be ascertained from the bombing photographs were accurate to within a hundred yards of the bombing point. P/O Holdsworth "B" sighted a twin engined aircraft while bombing, and shortly afterwards the mid upper gunner had a crack at a F.W. 190 which appeared to be acting as a decoy for a M.E. 110 which was attended to by the Rear Gunner. Neither of the enemy aircraft returned the Lancaster's fire, and the Pilot observed stikes on the F.W. 190, which is claimed as probably damaged. |
Operation/Target: Crisbecq (05 Jun 1944 - 06 Jun 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Crisbecq |
05 Jun 1944 |
06 Jun 1944 |
N |
The crews of the 18 aircraft which had been accepted for operations were briefed to attack a coastal battery commanding a strategic position on the Cherburg peninsula at CRISBECQ. All aircraft took off promptly and without incident. Although some cloud was encountered across England on the outward journey enough was seen to realise that the whole of southern England was on the move. Whilst flying across the Channel a vast armada, of ships was seen making their way towards France. At the target 10/10th cloud was encountered but the glow from the markers was seen quite distinctly beneath. All crews agreed that the bomb flashes, as far as could be judged were well centred around the marker. The Flak around the target was negligable and very few incidents were reported by our crews who all returned safely after participating in the opening phase of the invasion of Europe.
The A.O.C No. 1 Group has received a message from the A.O.C in C in which he states that a recent return showed 100% servicability of all first line aircraft throughout Bomber Command. This extraordinary degree of serviceability not only reflects the utmost credit upon the devoted efforts of all maintainance personnel during the intensive operations but is, and will be a major contribution towards winning the War. The Squadron personnel can justly, and with pride claim that they have and will continue to contribute towards the destruction of the Hun.
Since recording the above S.H.A.E.F. have issued a communique to the effect that surprisingly little resistance was offered by coastal defences which is very gratifying to the boys of the Squadron. The Squadron striking force of eigtheen aircraft who beat the spearhead by a matter of hours know now, like all the world that the spear was driven straight and true, leaving 550 Squadron to create more chaos behind the Hun's lines. |
Operation/Target: Achères (06 Jun 1944 - 07 Jun 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Achères |
06 Jun 1944 |
07 Jun 1944 |
N |
Nineteen aircraft and crews offered for operations and briefed to attack the rail junction at ACHÈRES, near Paris. The weather was cloudy and quite a few of the aircraft brought their bombs back on orders from the Master Bomber. The evidence of those who saw and bombed the markers together with the tale told by their photographs, gave every indication that this particular junction no longer exists. Two of our newer crews returned with very fine bombing prints. From this operation "F" (P/O Shervington and crew) failed to return. |
Operation/Target: Flers (09 Jun 1944 - 10 Jun 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Flers |
09 Jun 1944 |
10 Jun 1944 |
N |
18 aircraft offered and briefed for operations. The attack was made against the enemy airfield at FLERS and all the aircraft took off to time and without incident. The weather difficulties less than expected and all crew claim a successful attack. Owing to low cloud over the target, bombing took place at heights from 1500 ft to 6000 ft and several reports of visual identification indicate that the airfield believed to be used by day fighters, was both accurately marked and bombed, several explosions were seen. The whole force on this target returned without loss. |
| Aircraft Deployed |
Servicemen Deployed |
Aircraft Service Number |
Returned
or FTR |
Comments |
Crew Details |
ED562
|
Returned |
Primary 3,500 ft at 03.22 hrs. |
|
Operation/Target: Achères (10 Jun 1944 - 11 Jun 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Achères |
10 Jun 1944 |
11 Jun 1944 |
N |
Eighteen aircraft were offered for operations, sixteen of which were accepted and briefed to attack the railway station at ACHÈRES, on the main Paris-Rouen line. The aircraft took off in the usual Squadron style and successfully completed their missions, claiming to have bombed the target from 4000 ft to 10,000 ft. The haze over the target was insufficient to prevent visual identificiation and the bombing photographs bear out the general opinion that the attached was successful. The rear gunner of "K" (F/O Dubois) reported having fired at a J.U. 88 which did not return fire. The rear gunner of "E" (P/O Purvis) saw a JU 88 attacking a Lancaster which it apparantly shot down. He gave it a short burst at 650 yards range as the fighter turned in to attack, both gunners beaded the Hun, who after some ineffectual return fire dived steeply and exploded on the ground. All the Squadron striking force returned safely to base. |
| Aircraft Deployed |
Servicemen Deployed |
Aircraft Service Number |
Returned
or FTR |
Comments |
Crew Details |
ED562
|
Returned |
Primary 7,000 ft at 01.10 hrs. Bomber green T.I. |
|
Operation/Target: Gelsenkirchen (12 Jun 1944 - 13 Jun 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Gelsenkirchen |
12 Jun 1944 |
13 Jun 1944 |
N |
Nineteen aircraft offered for operations and briefed to attack synthetic oil plant at GELSENKIRCHEN four miles north of Essen. All the squadron aircraft carried nearly six tons of H.E. including a "Cookie" and claimed to have bombed the markers. The weather offered no unusual difficulties the target, however, was a more than usually elusive one even for the Ruhr, consisting as it did of a compact and highly vulnerable plant in a sparsely built up area. First impressions culled from our crews are very optimistic, although it appears that there were two areas collecting both markers and bombs. The main concentration of both markers and bombs seems to have achieved the fireworks which only a highly inflammable target could provde. Most of the crews report a vivid yellow explosion early in the bombing period which started with a flame estimated to reach several thousand feet and finished in a pall of oily black smoke. Those who bombed later report a cleary defined fire area, which strengthens that belief that the attack was a highly successful one. Good photographs were obtained and all the aircraft returned safely to base.
F/L Waite and P/O Rogers and their crews completed the first operational tour on this sortie. |
| Aircraft Deployed |
Servicemen Deployed |
Aircraft Service Number |
Returned
or FTR |
Comments |
Crew Details |
ED562
|
Returned |
Primary 19,000 ft at 01.00 hrs |
|
Operation/Target: Le Havre (14 Jun 1944 - 15 Jun 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Le Havre |
14 Jun 1944 |
15 Jun 1944 |
N |
16 aircraft were called for to attack the dock area of the French port of Le Havre one hour after sunset, which necessitated a daylight take-off, much to the delight of all the crews. Weather conditions at the target were ideal for the operation. All the aircraft and crews returned safely and are looking forward eagerly to some more daylight raids - referred to as the bomb aimers paradise. One aircraft failed to take off owing to a tyre bursting on the perimeter track and only 15 aircraft participated.
[Ed: the summary sheet says 16 aircraft called for op. But the detail in the battle order records only 15 aircraft.] |
Operation/Target: Sterkrade (16 Jun 1944 - 17 Jun 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Sterkrade |
16 Jun 1944 |
17 Jun 1944 |
N |
Nineteen aircraft and crews were offered, accepted and briefed to attack the syntheic oil plant at STERKADE on the north western edge of the Ruhr. All the aircraft took off without incident, but one aircraft "B" (P/O Beeson) was forced to abandon shortly afterwards due to the Port Inner Engine becoming unserviceable. The remainder found cloudy conditiions over most of the route, and some icing troubles were encountered. Over the target conditions of 10/10th cloud, tops above 10,000 ft and from two to three thousand feet thick prevailed. However the glow of the PFF markers could be clearly seen through the cloud and the concentration was not so good as had been the case recently. Crews opinions were mixed and it is possible that bombing was somewhat scattered. Flak at the target was reported as moderate to intense, it being heavier than on previous sorties to the Ruhr, and night fighters were active. F/O Thygessen "N" had an indecisive combat, being fired at by an unidentified aircraft and returned fire, no damage or casualties were sustained. A member of "O" (F/O Wareham) thought he was seeing things when he spotted 15 enemy aircaft flying in formation, as they was on a reciprical course to "O", took no notice, he decided that Brer Rabbits advice was good so "laid low and said nothing". After a long period of sixty-nine successful sorties, it is regretted that three of our aircraft failed to return, no news being received since take off. "V" (S/Ldr Smith DFC - "B" Flight Commander), "H" (F/O Neilsen) and "P" (P/O Packham). Among the crew of F/O Neilson was the Squadron Bombing Leader F/Lt McConnell. They will be sadly missed, for they were all jolly good fellows. |
Operation/Target: Pas de Calais (22 Jun 1944 - 23 Jun 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Pas de Calais |
22 Jun 1944 |
23 Jun 1944 |
N |
The seventeen aircraft and crews were again offered and accepted were briefed to attack a "Doodle Bug" (Flying Bomb) lair in the Pas de Calais soon after lunch, the Squadron's first real day-light excursion after almost a week of stand-ups and stand-downs without any operations taking place. Great excitment prevailed at having the opportunity of taking part in a Mind-Sumers day's dream, not to mention the satisfaction given to the Station personnel and the local inhabitants of seeing the boys take off and return between lunch and tea time. The weather conditions were almost ideal, the Lancasters raced the clounds and get to the target first, where visibility was excellent. In the concentrated queue of aircraft making for the target, most or our crews were, at one time or another, able to recognise our own Lancasters. An inconspicious, but effective fighter cover completed the picture. The general impression was that is a very quiet trip, the Luftwaffe was either too busy elsewhere or too "browned off" to interfere. One aircraft "G" (P/O Lord) had to return early due to engine trouble. The remaining aircraft successfully bombed the target including "S" (F/Lt Redmond) which after having been badly damaged by enemy flak crashed near Tunbridge Wells, after all the members of the crew had baled out without injury. Two others were damaged by flak and one member of "M" - F/O Strecke - sustained a slight shrapnel wound in his feet. The cameras recorded a good concentration of bombs in the target area. |
Operation/Target: Saintes (23 Jun 1944 - 24 Jun 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Saintes |
23 Jun 1944 |
24 Jun 1944 |
N |
Seventeen aicraft and crews were again offered and accepted and briefed for operations against a marshalling yard outside the small Basque town of SAINTES some sixty miles north of Bordeaux. The weather over the target was good and visibility likewise, the markers were both prompt and accurate and effective. Earlier photographs disclose that extensive yards with a marker burning brightly in the centre of the tracks and at least one stick of bombs bursting along the central tracks, on which were standing several lines of rolling stock.
Photographs taken later in the attack prove that the marshalling yard took a heavy concentrated straffing.
The trip concluded the first operational tour fo F/O Bowen-Bravery and his crew. |
Operation/Target: Pas de Calais (24 Jun 1944 - 25 Jun 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Pas de Calais |
24 Jun 1944 |
25 Jun 1944 |
N |
Eighteen aircraft and crews were offered, accepted and briefed to attack another flying bomb lair in the Pas de Calais. P/O Boocock in "O" was forced to abandon the mission owing to engine trouble, otherwise the Squadron effort passed without incident, and all the remaining aircraft claimed to have bombed the markers in clear weather. All crews agree that the searchlight belt has been brightened up, three of our aircraft were held in the cones of searchlights for varying periods although the Ack Ack response seems to gave been spasmodic. Sightings of enemy aircraft were few and far between, being exceeded by glimpses of pilotless planes seen crossing the Channel. |
Operation/Target: Pas de Calais (27 Jun 1944 - 27 Jun 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Pas de Calais |
27 Jun 1944 |
27 Jun 1944 |
N |
Seventeen aircraft were offered, accepted and briefed to attack another lair of the "Doodle Bug" in the Pas de Calais. The trip was largely without incident "M" (P/O Clarke) had, however, a close brush with an unidentified enemy fighter who opened fire at point blank range with no effect. This was the only sighting reported. All our aircraft returned safely and claimed to have bombed the primary target. Opposition over the target was reported as being negligible. |
Operation/Target: Domleger/Pas de Calais (29 Jun 1944 - 29 Jun 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Domleger/Pas de Calais |
29 Jun 1944 |
29 Jun 1944 |
N |
Seventeen aircraft were offered, accepted and briefed for another daylight attack on the lair of the "Doodle Bug" at DOMLEGER in the Pas de Calais. Fifteen aircraft took off without incident about noon, but two aircraft were unable to leave the "deck" owing to last minute snaggs, which had developed after a somewhat hectic bombing up and servicing. All the aircraft, it is claimed, reached the target area. Most of them broke cloud before bombing and found the target area free of cloud., Opposition was reported once again as being slight and all our aircraft returned safely to base. |
Operation/Target: Oisemont-Neuville (30 Jun 1944 - 30 Jun 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Oisemont-Neuville |
30 Jun 1944 |
30 Jun 1944 |
N |
Nineteen aircraft and crews were offered, accepted and briefed to attack OISEMONT-NEUVILLE yet another lair of the "Doodle Bug". Once again the aircraft took off successfully at 06.00hrs and all returned safely at approximately 09.45hrs. The target was obscured by cloud through which all bombs were released. No opposition from enemy fighters was reported and the Flak was slight and spasmodic. The port outer engine of "D" (F/Lt MacAleavey) cut when the aircraft was setting course over the base, but "Mac" and his crew were determined not to be deprived of a daylight show and carried on, the aircraft making what height it could, and although deprived of certain navigational aids, bombed on a D.R. rim from several thousand feet below the stream, after having reached the target in time. The successful completion of this trip enabled the Squadron once again to chalk up one more 100% effort. Although the Squadron has only operated on fifteen occasions during the month it has certainly been the busiest month so far, due to cancellations and one recall. It is however noteworthy that the Squadron's operational hours far exceeds those of any other month since its formation, as does the tonnage of bombs dropped. |
Operation/Target: Pas de Calais (02 Jul 1944 - 02 Jul 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Pas de Calais |
02 Jul 1944 |
02 Jul 1944 |
N |
The nineteen aircraft and crew offered were accepted for operations. All took off successfully shortly before miday without incident as usual. Eighteen returned at 15.45 hours. "D" (P/O Hussey) returned earlier through engine failure and was sent out to jettison part off the bomb load before landing. The target was the Flying Bomb Site in the Pas de Calais and the weather over the target was good. Most crews brought back enthusiastic reports. Markers were well placed and most of the crews were able to map read their positions to good purposes. The evidence of our own cameras makes it reasonable to suppose that the operation was highly successful. No Luftwaffe opposition was experienced the defence being confined to light flak.
W/Cdr Connolly returned from six days leave and S/L Nicolas proceed on leave on completion of his second tour of operations.
The Squadron was given a definite stand down until the evening of 3rd July which was much appreciated by the boys, who needless to say took full advantage. |
Operation/Target: Orleans (04 Jul 1944 - 04 Jul 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Orleans |
04 Jul 1944 |
04 Jul 1944 |
N |
Fifteen aircraft and crews offered, accepted and briefed for operations, but owing to a swing on take off by "S" (P/O Vaughan) the aircraft failed to take off and crashed at the end of the runway, preventing "F" (P/O Shaw) from taking off. Fortunately there were no casualties and although fire broke out it was soon under control and confined to one wing only, thanks to the speed and efficiency with which the Fire Party worked. The bomb load did not blow up. The remaining thirteen aircraft took off successfully and reached their target a Marshalling yard just north of Orleans in Eastern France. The markers over the target area were puntual and accurate. Many of the crews found visual confirmation of the town lay-out, thanks to good visibility. The bombing appeared to be reasonably concentrated and an encouraging red explosion lasting several seconds was seen. Good photographs were obtained and the attack is considered successful. P.R.U. photographs confirm this. |
Operation/Target: Dijon (05 Jul 1944 - 05 Jul 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Dijon |
05 Jul 1944 |
05 Jul 1944 |
N |
Fourteen aircraft and crews offered, were briefed for operations. All the aircraft took off in good time and without incident to bomb a rail centre on the outskirts of DIJON in Eastern France. The weather en route and over the target was good, a full moon with visibility excellent. The markers were punctual and accurate and many crews found visual confirmation in the town layout, the river, canal and marshalling round houses themselves. The bombing, from all accounts, was reasonable concentrated and there was an encouraging red explosion lasting several seconds soon after the attack opened. Good photographs are obtained. Flak was negligible, and no enemy night fighters were encountered.
Two new crews were detailed to carry out cross-country exercises to complete their training in the Squadron prior to becoming operationally efficient. |
| Aircraft Deployed |
Servicemen Deployed |
Aircraft Service Number |
Returned
or FTR |
Comments |
Crew Details |
ED562
|
Returned |
Primary 7,500 ft at 01.58 hrs. |
|
Operation/Target: Dijon (06 Jul 1944 - 06 Jul 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Dijon |
06 Jul 1944 |
06 Jul 1944 |
N |
Fifteen aircraft and crews were required for operations and were briefed and successfully took off at 19.00hrs to attack another flying bomb site in the Pas de Calais. One aircraft "Q" (F/O Wareham) was bogged down for a short time and it seemed that "Q" would not take-off, but the "A" Flight Commander - F/Lt MacAleavey - came along, leant against the wheel an within five minutes "Q" was airbourne. As on most of these targets, flak was neglligible and no fighters dared to brave the effective Spitfire cover. Excellent photographs were obtained, the bombing was concentrated and the attack once again was successful. The new Squadron Signals Leader, F/O Davidson, joined the Squadron vice [??] F/Lt Tippett who was admitted to R.A.F. Hospital, Rauceby suffering from Pleurisy and is likely to be off the Squadron strength for roughly three months. The weather was excellent so good in fact that it brought out visitors from Group Headquarters. Nine aircraft was required for operations in the morning.
P/O D F Laing, attached from No. 17 S.F.T.S under the Affiliiiation Scheme flew with P/O Shaw in "F", as second pilot. |
Operation/Target: Caen (07 Jul 1944 - 07 Jul 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Caen |
07 Jul 1944 |
07 Jul 1944 |
N |
The nine aircraft and crews who originally were briefed at 10.00hrs and later stood by for late afternoon operations for which a further nine crews were added and all briefed ay 17.30hrs. The eigthteen [Ed: hand-written note states 17] aircraft successfully took off at 19.30hrs to attack the town of CAEN in co-operation with the Allied armies in France. The attack was highly successful and thoroughly enjoyed by all members of the air-crews who participated in the strafe. A congratulatory message by signal was received on the Station as the crews were touching down. "From 2nd Army: - the heavy bomber attack which has just taken place was a wonderfully impressive show. The second Army would like their appreciation passed to all crews. Flak appeared to be intense at the beginning of the attack but died down during the attack". Later a further note of appreciation was struck by our receipt of the following message for all crew concerned in the operation: It was passed to our C in C by the AOC of TAF Group and reads: "The effort of your chaps we witnessed over Caen tonight made us all feel very proud to belong to the RAF". |
Operation/Target: Revigny (12 Jul 1944 - 12 Jul 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Revigny |
12 Jul 1944 |
12 Jul 1944 |
N |
Nineteen aircraft and crews were offered accepted and briefed for operations. All took off at 21.15hrs without incident to bomb Marshalling Yards at REVIGNY in Eastern France. The weather over the target was bad, which precluded accurate marking or visual identification on the target. Recco flares having failed to lighten the darkness, the Master of Ceremonies, for whose instructions our crews were waiting, felt obliged to call the party off. The gunners of one of our crews, P/O Bell and F/S Teasdale, Mid-Upper and Rear Gunners respectively of "C" (Sgt Town) accepted a challenge from an enemy fighter and claim to have shot it down in flames and to have seen it hit the deck. Two of our crews P/O Boocock and P/O Davies failed to return. Owing to bad weather conditions all the Squadron aircraft landed at ten different airfields in the Norfolk and Suffolk areas, one crash landed at Wattisham, and another crew abandoned their aircraft, all members making successful parachute descents. A signal was received from the Air Ministry stating that Sergeant J G Pearce has arrived in the UK. This N.C.O is one of three ordered to bale out whilst over enemy occupied territory when F/S Lloyd's aircraft got into difficulties whilst returning from Mailly on the 4th May. |
Summary Statistics
Based on the data in the lists displayed above, and keeping in mind that data is still being updated and thus not yet complete, the following statistics are generated:
Aircraft Deployment Statistics
| Aircraft deployments |
27 |
MAX Aircraft deployed
in single operation |
1
(Mardyck, 09 May 1944) |
These details were last updated: 21 November 2024
Note
this list is still being built and will take some time to complete
what is currently displayed is believed accurate but much more is still to be added
This note describes the options currently available to produce a smaller,
more manageable list and also describes planned future enhancements to the reporting facility.
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