550 Squadron and RAF North Killingholme Association

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: Berlin (16 Dec 1943 - 17 Dec 1943)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Berlin	16 Dec 1943	17 Dec 1943	N	Fifteen crews were offered for operations and with aircraft loaned from No.100 Squadron. They briefed to attack targets in BERLIN. Two of the sorties were abortive but the remaining aircraft bombed the targets and returned safely to BASE.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
LM425	Returned	Primary 22,000 ft at 20.04hrs. Bombed centre of RP Flares.	F/Sgt A H Jefferies (P) P/O E C W Bull (F/Eng) Sgt H Simpson (Nav) F/Sgt D S Jeffrey (A/B) Sgt S A Keirle (W/Op) Sgt W G Upton (MU/AG) Sgt J W Whitley (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Frankfurt (20 Dec 1943 - 20 Dec 1943)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Frankfurt	20 Dec 1943	20 Dec 1943	N	Thirteen aircraft and crews were offered for operations and briefed to attack targets in FRANKFURT. Two aircraft returned early but the remainder successfully attached targets and returned safely to BASE. Air and ground training was carried out during the day and night.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
LM425	Returned	Abandoned. Heat in hydraulics to mid-upper turret causing failure of turret gunners thermal clothing, oil saturated and smoking.	F/Sgt A H Jefferies (P) P/O E C W Bull (F/Eng) Sgt H Simpson (Nav) Sgt S A Keirle (W/Op) Sgt W G Upton (MU/AG) Sgt J W Whitley (R/AG) F/O R Warren (A/B)

Operation/Target: Berlin (23 Dec 1943 - 24 Dec 1943)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Berlin	23 Dec 1943	24 Dec 1943	N	With aircraft loaned from 100 Sqdn, seventeen aircraft and crews were briefed for operations and to attack targets in BERLIN. Two aircraft cancelled at the last moment owing to unserviceability. Shortly after take-off two aircraft collided in mid-air, crashed and were burnt out, the crews of both being killed. One aircraft did not return - no news after take off. Two aircraft returned early, the remainder successfully attacked the targets and in spite of very bad weather conditions over BASE - GRIMSBY landed safely.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
LM425	Returned	Primary 22,000 ft at 04.03 hrs. Marking quite good. Bombed green TI 6 large red flares seen and some incendiary fires. Attack seemed to be mainly east of town.	F/Sgt A H Jefferies (P) P/O E C W Bull (F/Eng) Sgt H Simpson (Nav) Sgt S A Keirle (W/Op) Sgt W G Upton (MU/AG) Sgt J W Whitley (R/AG) Sgt R N Aitken (A/B)

Operation/Target: Berlin (29 Dec 1943 - 30 Dec 1943)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Berlin	29 Dec 1943	30 Dec 1943	N	Fourteen aircraft with crews were offered and briefed to attack targets in BERLIN. Five aircraft returned early but the remained successfully attached their targets and returned safely to BASE. Orders were received that the Sqdn should remove to RAF Station, NORTH KILLINGHOLME, LINCOLNSHIRE by 3rd January 1944.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
LM425	Returned	Primary 22,000 ft at 20.18 hrs. Seemed a very well concentrated attack. PFF very good. Glow of fire could be seen through cloud as far as HANOVER.	F/Sgt A H Jefferies (P) P/O E C W Bull (F/Eng) Sgt H Simpson (Nav) F/Sgt D S Jeffrey (A/B) Sgt S A Keirle (W/Op) Sgt W G Upton (MU/AG) Sgt J W Whitley (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Berlin (02 Jan 1944 - 03 Jan 1944)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Berlin	02 Jan 1944	03 Jan 1944	N	Eleven aircraft were offered for operations, three subsequently being withdrawn owing to unserviceability. The remainder briefed to attack targets in BERLIN. Three aircraft returned early, but the remainder successfully bombed the targets and on returing to this country, owing to bad weather conditions were landed at various bases.

Station Summary
550 Squadron again operated from WALTHAM. 9550 Servicing Echelon, C.O. F/L G COOPER having, been formed on 25/11/43, arrived today, complete with Electrical Section. F/O H G GARDINER, Station Armament Officer, has been on duty for the last few days arranging for equipment to be transferred from WALTHAM. Bomb trolleys arrived today. S/Ldr E R BARKER Station Intelligence Officer arrived today from Wickenby.

Station Summary

550 Squadron again operated from WALTHAM.
9550 Servicing Echelon, C.O. F/L G COOPER having, been formed on 25/11/43, arrived today, complete with Electrical Section.
F/O H G GARDINER, Station Armament Officer, has been on duty for the last few days arranging for equipment to be transferred from WALTHAM. Bomb trolleys arrived today.
S/Ldr E R BARKER Station Intelligence Officer arrived today from Wickenby.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
LM425	Returned	Abandoned due to two W/T messages from 1 Group at23.30hurs amd 00.01hrs reading land at [...unreadable...]. Negative messages received at 00.30hrs.	F/Sgt A H Jefferies (P) P/O E C W Bull (F/Eng) Sgt H Simpson (Nav) F/Sgt D S Jeffrey (A/B) Sgt S A Keirle (W/Op) Sgt W G Upton (MU/AG) Sgt J W Whitley (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Brunswick (14 Jan 1944 - 15 Jan 1944)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Brunswick	14 Jan 1944	15 Jan 1944	Y	Twelve aircraft with crews were offered for operations and were briefed to attack targets in BRUNSWICK. One aircraft did not take off owing to unserviceability, two aircraft returned early (abortives) and one aircraft did not return (no news since take-off) and is, with the crew posted as "missing". Eight aircraft successfully bombed the targets and returned safely to base.

Station Summary
11 aircraft of 550 Squadron were detailed to take part in a heavy attack on BRUNSWICK, Preparations for this first operation went, on the whole, smoothly, although the early take-off called for maximum speed and an all-out effort from still under-established ground-staffs. Bombing-up was duly completed and 11 aircraft took off in 37 minutes. 2 sorties were abortive; 1 aircraft was missing and 1 landed at WOODBRIDGE due to engine failure. The remaining 7 aircraft, which claim to have attacked the primary target, were landed at base all within 18 mins by portable lighting, the Drem lighting system being unfinished. A timely demonstration of bomb-handling by a special party from 1 Group Headquarters proved of value to the Station Bomb Stores personnel.

Station Summary

11 aircraft of 550 Squadron were detailed to take part in a heavy attack on BRUNSWICK, Preparations for this first operation went, on the whole, smoothly, although the early take-off called for maximum speed and an all-out effort from still under-established ground-staffs. Bombing-up was duly completed and 11 aircraft took off in 37 minutes. 2 sorties were abortive; 1 aircraft was missing and 1 landed at WOODBRIDGE due to engine failure. The remaining 7 aircraft, which claim to have attacked the primary target, were landed at base all within 18 mins by portable lighting, the Drem lighting system being unfinished.
A timely demonstration of bomb-handling by a special party from 1 Group Headquarters proved of value to the Station Bomb Stores personnel.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
LM425	Returned	Primary 22,000 ft at 19.18 hrs	F/Sgt A H Jefferies (P) P/O E C W Bull (F/Eng) Sgt H Simpson (Nav) F/Sgt D S Jeffrey (A/B) Sgt S A Keirle (W/Op) Sgt W G Upton (MU/AG) Sgt J W Whitley (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Berlin (20 Jan 1944 - 21 Jan 1944)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Berlin	20 Jan 1944	21 Jan 1944	N	Eleven aircraft with crews were offered for operations and briefed to attack targets in BERLIN. One aircraft did not take off owing to unserviceability and one aircraft returned early with engine trouble. Nine aircraft successfully bombed their targets and returned safely to BASE.

Station Summary
11 aircraft of 550 Squadron detailed for major attack on Berlin. 1 was cancelled because of u/s rear turret. Of the remaining ten sorties, 9 claim to have attacked Berlin, while 1 was abortive. In spite of even shorter notice of this operation than the last, preparations were adequate for the eary take-off called for, and bombing-up was completed. The A.O.C. 1 Group, air Vice Marshal Rice, accompanied by the acting Base Commander, 13 Base Group Captain Dickens, arrived after briefing and remained to watch take-off. The S.I.O. of 1 Group, S/Ldr Foster, accompanied by the S.I.O 13 Base, S/Ldr Dale, also by F/Lt Gould (Intelligence 1 Group Headquarters) also visited us. F/Lt Gibson, S.I.O. ELSHAM WOLDS, paid a short visit to the Station during interrogation.

Station Summary

11 aircraft of 550 Squadron detailed for major attack on Berlin. 1 was cancelled because of u/s rear turret. Of the remaining ten sorties, 9 claim to have attacked Berlin, while 1 was abortive. In spite of even shorter notice of this operation than the last, preparations were adequate for the eary take-off called for, and bombing-up was completed.
The A.O.C. 1 Group, air Vice Marshal Rice, accompanied by the acting Base Commander, 13 Base Group Captain Dickens, arrived after briefing and remained to watch take-off. The S.I.O. of 1 Group, S/Ldr Foster, accompanied by the S.I.O 13 Base, S/Ldr Dale, also by F/Lt Gould (Intelligence 1 Group Headquarters) also visited us. F/Lt Gibson, S.I.O. ELSHAM WOLDS, paid a short visit to the Station during interrogation.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
LM425	Returned	Primary 21,000 ft at 19.47 hrs	F/L A B Craig (P) Sgt L C Woodcock (F/Eng) F/Sgt E M England (Nav) W/O G C Notman (A/B) F/O L W Denton (W/Op) Sgt R S Pilson (MU/AG) F/Sgt S H Brasher (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Magdeburg (21 Jan 1944 - 22 Jan 1944)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Magdeburg	21 Jan 1944	22 Jan 1944	N	Ten aircraft with crews were offered for operations and briefed to attack targets in MADGEBURG. One aircraft did not take off owing to unserviceability, two aircraft returned early. Six aircraft successfully attacked the targets and returned safely to BASE. One aircraft did not return to BASE - no news since take off.

Station Summary
OPERATIONS 10 aircraft of 550 Squadron were detailed to attack MAGDEBURG. 1 was cancelled because of u/s rear turret, 2 of the remaining 9 were abortive, and 1 aircraft was missing. TRAINING A Command Bullseye was laid on for which 550 Squadron offered 1 aircraft. This took off but abandoned the course due to GEE trouble. ORGANIZATION F/Lt SHILLITER, 1 Group Gas and Fire Officer, visited the Station and inspected the incomplete Gas and Fire Station to which P/O BEESTON, who arrived yesterday as Gs and Fire Officer, is now giving his attention.

Station Summary

OPERATIONS
10 aircraft of 550 Squadron were detailed to attack MAGDEBURG. 1 was cancelled because of u/s rear turret, 2 of the remaining 9 were abortive, and 1 aircraft was missing.
TRAINING
A Command Bullseye was laid on for which 550 Squadron offered 1 aircraft. This took off but abandoned the course due to GEE trouble.
ORGANIZATION
F/Lt SHILLITER, 1 Group Gas and Fire Officer, visited the Station and inspected the incomplete Gas and Fire Station to which P/O BEESTON, who arrived yesterday as Gs and Fire Officer, is now giving his attention.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
LM425	Returned	Primary 22,000 ft at 23.01hrs	F/L A B Craig (P) Sgt L C Woodcock (F/Eng) F/Sgt E M England (Nav) W/O G C Notman (A/B) F/O L W Denton (W/Op) Sgt R S Pilson (MU/AG) F/Sgt S H Brasher (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Berlin (27 Jan 1944 - 28 Jan 1944)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Berlin	27 Jan 1944	28 Jan 1944	N	Fourteen aircraft with crews were offered and briefed to attack targets in BERLIN. Four aircraft returned early, but the remaining ten successfully bombed the target and returned safely to BASE.

Station Summary
OPERATIONS Berlin operation again laid on. 14 aircraft of 550 Squadron were detailed. 10 claimed to atack Berlin. Remaining 4 were abortive sorties.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
LM425	Returned	Returned early. Unable to gain height.	F/Sgt A H Jefferies (P) P/O E C W Bull (F/Eng) Sgt H Simpson (Nav) F/Sgt D S Jeffrey (A/B) Sgt S A Keirle (W/Op) Sgt W G Upton (MU/AG) Sgt J W Whitley (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Stuttgart (20 Feb 1944 - 21 Feb 1944)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Stuttgart	20 Feb 1944	21 Feb 1944	N	Fourteen aircraft with crews were offered for operations and briefed to attack targets in STUTTGART. Two aircraft did not take-off owing to techincal troubles. Twelve aircraft successfully bombed the targets and returned safely, landing at BASE - NORTH KILLINGHOLME.

Station Summary
OPERATIONS 13 aircraft of 550 Squadron detailed for STUTTGART raid. 12 tool off and complete mission without loss. ORGANISATION 9550 Servicing Echelon personnel moved to the new office accommodation in No. 1 Flight building. Owing to the shortage of personnel at 13 Base HQ for Base Mainenance Unit, one mechanic has been attached from Station Signals Section at this station for temportary duty, leaving the Section with 4 mechanics below establishment. Modification incorporated in Lancaster ME582 whereby camera is operated by opening and closing of the bomb doors. The last few days have seen the equipment of the Station Navigation Officer's premises and his map store. To bring his supply of maps and charts up to requirements a further order has been dispatched. F/Lt. GARDINER has been replaced as Station Armament Officer by P/O Alderson during his temporary absence on leave. The Base Armament Officer today visited the station for a general inspection of roads and bomb stores.

Station Summary

OPERATIONS
13 aircraft of 550 Squadron detailed for STUTTGART raid. 12 tool off and complete mission without loss.
ORGANISATION
9550 Servicing Echelon personnel moved to the new office accommodation in No. 1 Flight building. Owing to the shortage of personnel at 13 Base HQ for Base Mainenance Unit, one mechanic has been attached from Station Signals Section at this station for temportary duty, leaving the Section with 4 mechanics below establishment.
Modification incorporated in Lancaster ME582 whereby camera is operated by opening and closing of the bomb doors.
The last few days have seen the equipment of the Station Navigation Officer's premises and his map store. To bring his supply of maps and charts up to requirements a further order has been dispatched.
F/Lt. GARDINER has been replaced as Station Armament Officer by P/O Alderson during his temporary absence on leave. The Base Armament Officer today visited the station for a general inspection of roads and bomb stores.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
LM425	Returned	Primary 22,000 ft at 04.12 hrs, bombed green TIs. Starboard outer unserviceable at 0720hrs.	F/Sgt A H Jefferies (P) P/O E C W Bull (F/Eng) Sgt H Simpson (Nav) F/Sgt D S Jeffrey (A/B) Sgt S A Keirle (W/Op) Sgt W G Upton (MU/AG) Sgt J W Whitley (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Schweinfurt (24 Feb 1944 - 25 Feb 1944)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Schweinfurt	24 Feb 1944	25 Feb 1944	N	Fifteen aircraft with crews were offered and briefed to attack targets in SCHWEINFURT. One aircraft did not take-off owing to technical trouble and two aircraft returned early with engine failures. The remaining 12 aircraft successfully bombed the targets and returned safely, landing at BASE - NORTH KILLINGHOLME. One new crew completed night cross country flying.

Station Summary
OPERATIONS 15 aircraft of 550 Squadron were detailed to take part in heavy attack on SCHWEINFURT. 14 took off, of which 2 sorties were abortive, while the remainder completed their mission. On the following day it turned out from am examination of photographs that the relatively small target had evaded accurate marking by PFF, and that main force bombs had apparently scattered more turnips than ball-bearings - a deduction which invoked a chiding message to all stations in the Group from the A.O.C. On take-off tonight, 550/Q swung off runway in use (No. 04). Runway was obstructed but remaining sorties took off from No. 33 [Ed: assumed typo and No. 03 meant] and no delay incurred. ORGANISATION For tonigth's operation, and in the future as in the past, navigators will continue to be briefed separately and simultaneously to remaining aircrew - this after yesterday's conference betweem the Station Navigation Officer and navigators. Navigators are thoroughly briefed by Squadron Navigation Officer, generally at a time set for main briefing, which they do not attend.

Station Summary

OPERATIONS
15 aircraft of 550 Squadron were detailed to take part in heavy attack on SCHWEINFURT. 14 took off, of which 2 sorties were abortive, while the remainder completed their mission. On the following day it turned out from am examination of photographs that the relatively small target had evaded accurate marking by PFF, and that main force bombs had apparently scattered more turnips than ball-bearings - a deduction which invoked a chiding message to all stations in the Group from the A.O.C.
On take-off tonight, 550/Q swung off runway in use (No. 04). Runway was obstructed but remaining sorties took off from No. 33 [Ed: assumed typo and No. 03 meant] and no delay incurred.
ORGANISATION
For tonigth's operation, and in the future as in the past, navigators will continue to be briefed separately and simultaneously to remaining aircrew - this after yesterday's conference betweem the Station Navigation Officer and navigators. Navigators are thoroughly briefed by Squadron Navigation Officer, generally at a time set for main briefing, which they do not attend.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
LM425	Returned	Primary 23,000 feet at 0106 hours, Landed GRANSDEN LODGE	F/Sgt A H Jefferies (P) P/O E C W Bull (F/Eng) Sgt H Simpson (Nav) F/Sgt D S Jeffrey (A/B) Sgt S A Keirle (W/Op) Sgt W G Upton (MU/AG) Sgt J W Whitley (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Stuttgart (15 Mar 1944 - 16 Mar 1944)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Stuttgart	15 Mar 1944	16 Mar 1944	N	Seventeen aircraft with crew were offered for operations and briefed to attach targets in STUTTGART. One aircraft did not take off owing to unserviceability. Two aircraft (Captains F/Lt S G Crawford LM392 "J" and F/Lt J F Craig LL852 "X") failed to return to base (no news since take off) and are with the crews posted as "missing". Fourteen aircraft successfully the target and returned safely to Base.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
LM425	Returned	Primary 22,000 ft at 23.21 hrs. Large explosion seen at 23.28hrs, died out and exploded again lasting about 3 seconds	F/Sgt A H Jefferies (P) P/O E C W Bull (F/Eng) Sgt H Simpson (Nav) F/Sgt D S Jeffrey (A/B) Sgt S A Keirle (W/Op) Sgt W G Upton (MU/AG) Sgt J W Whitley (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Frankfurt (18 Mar 1944 - 19 Mar 1944)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Frankfurt	18 Mar 1944	19 Mar 1944	N	Seventeen aircraft with crew were offered for operations and briefed to attack targets in FRANKFURT. All returning safely after a very successfuly attack. The speedy take-off was a very fine show indeed the seventeen aircraft all being airbourne in 16 mins. Three aircraft ("J" NB733, Captain Sgt Lloyd, "K" LL834 Captain P/O Bouchard and "X" ME687, W/O Romber) were subseuqently abortive, due to electrical failure, Gee u/a and rear and mid-upper turrets u/s respectively. Few fighters were seen and only the French coastal batteries gave any trouble. The only combat reported was a short burst from the mid-upper gunner of "F" ME556 (Captain W/O McCrae). No hits are claimed and the E/A did not return the fire. A special message of congratulations to all concerned for aircrew and ground staff was received from the Base Commander. Good show 550!

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
LM425	Returned	Primary 22,000 ft at 22.01 hrs.	F/Sgt A H Jefferies (P) P/O E C W Bull (F/Eng) Sgt H Simpson (Nav) F/Sgt D S Jeffrey (A/B) Sgt S A Keirle (W/Op) Sgt W G Upton (MU/AG) Sgt J W Whitley (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Frankfurt (22 Mar 1944 - 23 Mar 1944)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Frankfurt	22 Mar 1944	23 Mar 1944	N	Seventeen aircraft and crews were offered for operations and briefed to attack targets in FRANKFURT. Another excellent take-off was achieved all seventeen aircraft being airbourne within 21 minutes. There was only one abortive sortie, "N" LM425 (Capt F/S Jefferies) having to return, after reaching the enemy coast, with an unserviceable starboard inner engine. All the rest of the aircraft successfully bombed target and returned safely to base, after one of the best attacks for some time. Enemy defences were moderate and night fighters not much in evidence.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
LM425	Returned	Abandoned. Starboard inner engine u/s. Starboard outer engine coolant leak and oil leak	F/L A D McConnell (A/B) F/Sgt A H Jefferies (P) P/O E C W Bull (F/Eng) Sgt H Simpson (Nav) Sgt S A Keirle (W/Op) Sgt W G Upton (MU/AG) Sgt J W Whitley (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Essen (26 Mar 1944 - 27 Mar 1944)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Essen	26 Mar 1944	27 Mar 1944	N	Seventeen aircraft and crews were offered for operations and were briefed to attack targets in ESSEN. Sixteen aircraft took off in 25 minutes, the seventeenth "C" MD425 (Capt F/S Foster being cancelled due to the rear turret being u/s. Much layer cloud wasencounted at the enemy coast going out, over the target and to the enemy coast on return. Opposition from the ground was light in the early stages of the attack, with a tendency to increase as the attack developed, while fighter activity was on a somewhat reduced scale as compared with recent raids. LL831 "M" (Captin F/O E V Sage) and DV309 "S" (Cpatin F/S Hinde) both had inconclusive combats, in which no damage or casualities were sustained. All our aircraft returned safely to base.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
LM425	Returned	Primary 22,000 ft at 22.05 hrs.	F/Sgt A H Jefferies (P) P/O E C W Bull (F/Eng) Sgt H Simpson (Nav) F/Sgt D S Jeffrey (A/B) Sgt S A Keirle (W/Op) Sgt W G Upton (MU/AG) Sgt J W Whitley (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Nuremberg (30 Mar 1944 - 31 Mar 1944)

Operation Summary
Target	Out	Back	Aborted (Y / N)	Comments
Nuremberg	30 Mar 1944	31 Mar 1944	N	Seventeen aircraft and crews were offered for operations and were briefed to attack targets in NUREMBURG. Twelve successfully attacked the main target, three the last resort target and two (F/S Jefferies in LM425 "N" and F/S Foster in ND425 "C") failed to return. The remaining aircraft landed at base with the exception of F/O Sage in "U" who landed at Kelstern owing to fuel shortage. One new crew also carried out night circuits and landings. P/O McCrae in ME556 "F" received injuries to his left arm and the rear gunner Sgt Brown injuries to his left eye in combat with an enemy night fighter. The aircraft also suffered extensive damage.

Aircraft Deployed			Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number	Returned or FTR	Comments	Crew Details
LM425	FTR	Missing - no news since take-off.	F/Sgt A H Jefferies (P) Sgt H Simpson (Nav) F/Sgt D S Jeffrey (A/B) Sgt S A Keirle (W/Op) Sgt W G Upton (MU/AG) Sgt J W Whitley (R/AG) Sgt R H Paxton (F/Eng)

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	16
MAX Aircraft deployed in single operation	1 (Berlin, 16 Dec 1943)

These details were last updated: 24 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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