Flight Operations 2

97 SQUADRON - OPERATIONS RECORD BOOK 1942

(THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED FROM THE ORB HELD AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES AT KEW - REF AIR27/766)

2.1.42 Three aircraft detailed for ops – one u/s.  Target the docks at St Nazaire.  Bomb load 6 x 1000lb.

2/3.1.42   One aircraft successfully bombed the primary target, the other bombing the flare path at St Servan.  Both aircraft diverted to Boscombe Downs due to bad visibility at base.

3 January 1942 – St Nazaire (Dock Yard)

L7457 Y  W/O Rowlands, P/O Briant, Sgt C.Jones, F/Sgt Booth, Sgts R.S.Canham, Desmond, Concannon.  Up 1713  Down 2215.  Bomb load 6 x 1000lb.  Successful.  Bombed target, no bursts observed due to cloud.  Small amount of flak.  Diverted to Boscombe Down.  Visibility moderate.
L7475 B  F/O Blakeman, P/O McMurchy, Sgts Isted, Nicholl, Allen, P/O Weir, Sgt McKenzie.  Up 1710  Down 2300.  Spent 45 minutes trying to locate target but unsuccessful owing to cloud.  Encountered new type of heavy flak, flashes were observed on the ground but no flak in the air.  The bursts could be seen in bright moonlight.  St Servan aerodrome was observed on return and bombs dropped on the flare path.  Diverted to Boscombe Down on return.

4.1.42 Ops cancelled.

5.1.42 4 aircraft wanted for ops – weather cold and small fall of snow.  Only 2 aircraft took off, lack of starter accumulators preventing the other two aircraft starting.  Docks and battleships at Brest were bombed successfully, there being a gap in the clouds over the target area.

5/6 January 1942 - Brest (Raid on the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau)

L7457 Y  W/O Mycock , Sgt West, W/O Harrison, Sgts R.H.Jones, Sgts Eades, Shelley, Donoghue.  Bomb load 1 x 4000HP4, 4 x 500 SAP.  Cloud 8-9/10ths at 6000 feet, with occasional gaps through which bombs were dropped.  Fair amount of light and heavy flak, the latter bursting close.  Fracture of brake pressure line in port wing.
L7453 X  F/Sgt Fletcher, Sgt McKenna, P/O Blair, F/Sgt Elcoat, Sgts Warren, Bale, Sugar.  Estimate 8/10th cloud over target.  Much light and heavy flak but inaccurate.  Only bomb flashes observed through cloud.  500lb bombs burst in fires, 4000lb overshooting slightly.

6.1.42 Six aircraft detailed for ops – cancelled due to weather. 

8.1.42 Five aircraft detailed for ops and two for special attacks.  The latter were cancelled and only two aircraft eventually took off.  One aircraft successfully bombed the docks at Brest, starting a large fire – the other aircraft brought bombs back being unable to identify the target due to cloud.     

8 January 1942 - Brest

L7488 F  F/L Mackid DFC, P/O Underwood, P/O Tree,  Sgts Marshall, McDermott, Day, Bennett.  Bombs 1 x 4000, 4 x 500.  Owing to much medium and low cloud, target could not be observed.  Circled approximate area for half an hour and finally returned to base with bombs.
L7522 V  F/Sgt Hughes, Sgt Croppi, P/O Dorward, Sgts Gibson, Concannon, McMahon, Overton.  Bomb load 1 x 4000, 4 x 500.  Main target hidden by cloud.  Docks bombed through gap in cloud.  A large fire was observed, possibly an oil fire.  Very little flak and few searchlights.

9.1.42 Five aircraft detailed for ops, only four taking off – target being Brest.  One aircraft returned owing to instrument failure, two brought bombs back owing to being unable to locate the target, and the fourth carried out a low level attack from 500 feet, landing at Pershore on the homeward run.

9/10 January 1942 – Brest (Attack on Scharnhorst and Gneisenau)

L7475 B  F/O Hallows, Sgts Smith, Cutting, F/Sgt Louch, Jones, Goacher, Broomfield.  One gap in the clouds was found but unable to locate target through this.  Heavy flak of doubtful accuracy.  Spent 15 minutes over target and only dropped nickels, returning to base with bombs.
L7457 Y  F/O Deverill, F/Sgt Worswick, F/O Hepburn, Sgts Irons, Mackay, Keane, Canning.  Trouble with DR compass put this aircraft on reciprocal course!  On discovery of error it was too late to continue to target and the aircraft returned to base.
L7455 X  W/O Rowlands, P/O Briant, Sgts Bennett, Canham, Desmond, Jones, Concannon.  Thick cloud obscured the moon and unable to pick up target.  It was clearing as return trip was started but time limit was up so returned with bombs.
L7476 K  W/O Mycock, P/O Hooey, W/O Harrison, Sgts Jones, Eades, Shelley, Donoghue.  A low dive attack was carried out from 1500 feet coming out and away from the target at 200 feet.  Bomb released when target area was in sights but ships not discernable, owing to camouflage possibly.  Much light flak which was more accurate after bomb was released.

10.1.42 Four aircraft for ops – Wilhemshaven Station – two aircraft bombed the target successfully, another the town and the fourth owing to generator trouble bombed Emden.  No results observed.

10/11 January 1942 – Wilhemshaven (Town and Railway Station)

L7488 F  F/O Blakeman, P/O McMurchy, Sgts Isted, Nicholl, Allen, McKenzie, P/O Weir.  Bombs 1 x 4000, 4 x 500.  Slight difficulty experienced in locating target.  Bombs were dropped and flashes observed through cloud.
L7475 B  F/O Keir, P/O Hallam, Sgts Bond, Shepherd, Jenkins, Saw, Wharton.  Port generator switch had been knocked off and this aircraft returned a considerable distance before this was discovered.  Owing to time limit for time over target, Emden was bombed instead.
L7489 T  F/L Coton, P/O Butler, Sgts West, Neale, Ferguson, Middleton, McMahon.  Visibility good despite u/s bomb sight, bombs were dropped and seen to burst in target area.  Two fires were observed on the dockside.
L7432 V  F/L Penman DFC, P/O Ifould, P/O Kirkwood-Hackett, Sgts Croppi, Elwood, Tales, McDonald.  Perfect weather over target.  Bombs dropped from 14000 feet.  After bombing flak much heavier and searchlight activity, only one getting anywhere near the aircraft.

14.1.42 Ops cancelled – Squadron received its first Lancaster and dual was given to the two Flight Commanders.

15.1.42 Six aircraft for ops.  Further dual given to 1st pilots on Lancasters.  Target for ops was Hamburg which was bombed through gaps in clouds.

15 January 1942 – Hamburg (Bombs 14 SBC’s)

L7491 C  F/L Mackid DFC, P/O Underwood, P/O Tree, Sgts Marshall, McDermott, Bennett, Day.  Owing to low cloud it was difficult to distinguish target.  Pin-point on Danish coast obtained.  Searchlights were active and a certain amount of flak encountered.
L7473 H  F/O Hallows, F/Sgt Louch, Sgts Smith, Cutting, Jones, Goacher, Broomfield.  Set course for target from pin-point on Danish coast.  Target identified by light from previous stick of incendiaries.  Bombs dropped across the area.
L7489 T  P/O Maltby, Sgts Lancey, Smith, Grimwood, Rouse, P/O Kirkwood-Hackett, Legace.  Bombs dropped on town, close to another stick of incendiaries.  A dummy fire was observed at Gluckstadt.
L7476 K  F/Sgt Harrison, Sgts Crouch, Platten, Preston, Farara, Oates, Townley.  With aid of the River Elbe, target was identified and bombs dropped on NW of town.  Flak sporadic and inaccurate, as also were searchlights
L7453 X  F/Sgt Fletcher, Sgt McKenna, P/O Blair, F/Sgt Elcoat, Sgts Warren, Bale, Sugar.  Pin-point on Danish coast.  Flak heavy over target and searchlight activity experienced.  Fires were observed on leaving target.  Landed at Acklington.
L7522 V  F/Sgt Adams, Sgts Falls, Bedell, Stafford, Wilkinson, Shelley, F/O Mims.  Target covered by broken cloud.  Much flak, both heavy and light observed.  Many other groups of incendiaries were observed to fall in the target area.

16.1.42 News came through today that W/O Mycock had been made an immediate award of the DFC for his low level attack on Brest on 9.1.42.

17.1.42 Delivery of two Lancasters – five aircraft detailed to bomb Bremen.

17 January 1942 – Bremen (Bombs 14 SBC’s)

L7491 C  F/L Mackid DFC, P/O Underwood, P/O Tree, Sgts Marshall, McDermott, Bennett, Day.  10/10th cloud experienced over target – bombs brought back.  Flares, flak and searchlights were in operation.
L7489 T  F/O Deverill, F/Sgt Worswick, P/O Hepburn, Sgts Irons, Canning, Keane.  10/10th cloud over target – bombs brought back.  Plenty of heavy and light flak, not accurate.
L7473 H  F/O Rodley, P/O Colquhoun, Sgts Henley, Merralls, Simpson, Cummings, Crisp.  Bombed target according to DR position using flak from Bremenshaven and Cuxhaven as a guide.  Many flares were seen, illuminating cloud tops.  Little heavy but much medium and tracer seen.
L7423 S  F/Sgt Hughes, Sgt Croppi, P/O Derward, Sgts Gibson, McMahon, McDonald, Overton.  Unable to locate target owing to 10/10th cloud.  Did not drop bombs but on coming over a clear patch, much heavy and light flak encountered.  Bombs dropped as a result.  Target believed to Bremenshaven.  Very large fire observed later.
L7476 K  F/Sgt Harrison, Sgts Crouch, Platten, Preston, Ferara, Oates, Townley.  Pin-point obtained at mouth of River Elbe.  Bombs dropped on ETA Bremen.  Heavy accurate flak over target area.  Hydraulic pipe to rear turret burst on outward journey.

(Reference to various training on Lancasters for the rest of the month)

31.1.42 Aerodrome unfit – continuous snow – present strength of aircraft is 4 Lancasters and 4 Manchesters.

Total non-operational flying hours for January 1942 – 172
Total operational hours for January 1942 – 127

17.2.42 Squadron now has eight Lancasters and one Manchester

(Bad weather, local training and cross-country flights during rest of month)

28.2.42 Squadron now has 12 Lancasters.

Total non-operational hours for February 1942 – Lancasters 99, Manchesters 40. 

Operational hours – nil.

1.3.42 Instruction received from 5 Group on 17.2.42 – part of squadron is moving to Woodhall satellite.  The party moving out today consists of 292 airmen (ground crews).  A percentage of Maintenance under F/L Rolfe will continue to live and work at Coningsby, consisting of only a skeleton groundstaff.

2.3.42 All NCO’s and aircrews moved to their respective quarters at Tattershall Thorpe today.  The OC, Adjutant and HQ staff to their offices at the satellite and all effects of the Flight Commanders.

3.3.42 Woodhall – w.e.f. tea-time all officers will be in their quarters and the officers’ mess.

4.3.42 Squadron getting settled in at the satellite.

9.3.42 Total aircraft strength is 12 Lancasters - cross country and local flying.

15.3.42 Strength of Lancasters now 16, 9 serviceable - 6 aircraft required for ops, later cancelled and six night cross countries detailed and carried out.

17.3.42 Strength of Lancasters now 18, 9 serviceable.

18.3.42 Seven aircraft detailed for ops - cancelled due to weather.

19.3.42 Five aircraft detailed and briefed for gardening ops. Cancelled in the afternoon owing to weather.

20.3.42 Six Lancasters detailed for ops - F/L Mackid DFC, F/O Rodley, F/L Coton, W/O Harrison DFM, W/O Rowlands and F/Sgt Fletcher are the captains. Morning briefing and take-off early afternoon. All the aircraft went off in 6 minutes. Weather fine, visibility poor. Five sorties were successful, 30 mines being laid in the "Nectarine" area. W/O Harrison crash landed at Abingdon due to soft state of the aerodrome, no-one being injured. F/O Rodley crash landed at Frieston shore after hitting a roof with the wing tip at Boston, no-one was injured and only slight damage caused to the house at Boston.  Two others landed at Upper Heyford and another diverted to Bicester.  F/L Mackid DFC had a very successful trip and also machine-gunned some buildings and a party of soldiers on the beach at Ameland.  Several were seen to fall. 

20 March 1942 – Gardening in “Nectarine” Area (Bomb load six mines each)

now flying Lancasters

L7570  B  F/O Rodley, P/O Colquhoun, Sgts Henley, Merralls, Cummings, Crisp, Ratcliffe.  After take-off in low cloud base, Boston was sighted, turning to avoid it ground was obscured and the starboard wing tip hit a roof.  The port wing tip also was damaged for unknown reason.  Crash landing was made at Frieston near Boston, all uninjured.
R5482 C  F/L Mackid, P/O Underwood, P/O Tree, Sgts Marshall, McDermott, Bennett, Day.  Up 1433  Down 1753.  Flew along coast of Ameland, weather poor all way, low cloud.  Flew low along the beach at Ameland, machine-gunned buildings, hotel and party of soldiers.  Successfully planted.  Sighted Me109 and immediately climbed into cloud and set course for home.  Very satisfactory trip.
R5490 H  W/O Harrison, Sgts Crouch, platen, Preston, Ferara, Townley, F/Sgt Oates.  Six mines laid successfully.  Crash landed at Abingdon due to soft ground and avoiding quarry at end of drome.  No-one injured.
L7577 T  F/L Coton, Sgt Kruger, P/O Boddington, F/Sgt Watkins, Sgts Newall, Middleton, C.Robinson.  Up 1438  Down  1832.  Visibility under cloud 4 miles daylight, pin-pointed Terschelling.  Mine parachutes seen to open.  No opposition.  Clouds ideal for task.
R5486 F  W/O Rowlands, P/O Briant, W/O Booth, F/Sgt Turner, P/O Grieves, Sgt C.A.Jones, F.Sgt Concannon.  Up 1439  Down  1825.  Visibility poor, flew about 200 feet successfully planted mines.  Diverted to Bicester.  10/10ths cloud all the way.
R5487 V  F/Sgt Fletcher, Sgts McKenna, Creeth, Wilkinson, Warren, Bale, Sugar.  Up 1437  Down 1845.  Unable to pin-point owing to low cloud.  Vegetables dropped on DR position on ETA.  Results unobserved owing to cloud.  No opposition encountered.  Landed at Upper Heyford. 

23.3.42    Seven aircraft detailed for ops – all cancelled later due to bad weather coming in from the east – intensive training being carried out instead with orders to be grounded by 2200 hours.  F/Sgt Hartley was diverted to Finningley where he crash- landed, the undercarriage collapsing.  The aircraft caught fire and was burnt out, the crew being uninjured.

24.3.42    Ops ordered and cancelled late owing to bad weather.

25.3.42 6 aircraft detailed for ops.  Weather good – some cloud later.  One aircraft unable to operate owing to turret trouble.  Another aircraft was u/s just before take-off.  The target was Essen.  Three successfully bombed the target or area, the weather was hazy and target obscured.  One aircraft abandoned mission owing to engine trouble.

25 March 1942 – Essen (Bomb load 14 SBC each)

L7572 L  F/L Mackid DFC, P/O Underwood, P/O Tree, Sgts Marshall, McDermott, Bennett, Day.  Up 1938  Down 2322.  Bombed on TR at 19000 feet, very hazy, target obscured.  Bombs seen to burst, considerable fire started, these were the first to be dropped.  Large number of searchlights and heavy flak.  This was also encountered on most of the trip back to enemy coast.  Successful.
R5502 M  F/O Rodley, P/O Keough, Sgts Henley, Merralls, Cummings, Crisp, Ratcliffe.  Up 1945  Down 2345.  No cloud, much industrial haze.  Rhine visible against moon.  Target not visible but incendiaries dropped on TR fix.  Large burning patch seen.  20 bundles of nickels dropped.  Heavily shelled and flak pierced fuselage.  Many searchlights, successful.
L7573 K  F/Sgt Altree, F/Sgt Brown, Sgts McMechan, Burton, Rigg, Burke, Ceane.  Up 1950  Down 0026.  TR failed before crossing coast.  Climbed to 20000 feet.  Essen not visible owing to ground haze.  Bombs dropped on concentration of flak, bursts were seen.  Two fighters observed in target area.  Severe and accurate flak and searchlights.  Successfully returned to base.
R5487 V  F/O Deverill, P/O Friend, P/O Butler, Sgts Irons, Mackay, Devine, Keane.  Up 1947  Down 2300.  Task abandoned owing to port outer engine u/s.  Jettisoned 14 x SBC in sea.  Landed base safely.  Unsuccessful.

26.3.42 F/L Coton and F/O Hallows were detailed to fly to Tain for ops.  F/O Hallows crashed on take-off, the undercarriage being retracted too soon.  The Second Pilot, F/Sgt J.M.Smith, was injured and placed on the D.I. list.  None of the remainder of the crew were hurt.  Signal received from Group re failure of “flush rivets” attaching wing-tip skin and skin wrinkling – aircraft grounded for ops.

28.3.42 F/L Coton returned from Tain – op cancelled due to aircraft grounding.

31.3.42 W/C J.H.Kynoch DFC posted to Upper Heyford.  W/C J.D.D.Collier DFC posted to this squadron from Waddington 420 Squadron and assumed command of Squadron w.e.f. today.

Total operational hours for March – 36
Total non-operational hours for March – 230

1 - 7.4.42 Training and practice – Wainfleet.

8.4.42 Six aircraft detailed for ops – 4 on gardening, 2 on bombing.  One aircraft bombed Hamburg, and the other jettisoned bombs in sea, being unable to locate target.  Three aircraft successfully planted their vegetables in the correct position, the fourth bringing its vegetables back, being unable to pin-point gardening area.

8/9 April 1942 – Gardening (“Rosemary” Area)

L7569 A  F/O Miller, P/O Colquhoun, Sgts Grossmith, Robertson, P/O Eslick, Sgts Nickerson, Westgate.  Up 2145  Down 0158.  Unable to locate target area, returned to base with mine load.  On outward journey obtained fix and altered course to reach target, but found position among islands, presumably the Frisians, but were unable to pin-point to set course.
L7573 K  F/O Hallows, P/O McMurchy, P/O Cutting, F/Sgt Louch, Sgts Jones, Broomfield, Goacher.  Up 2109  Down 0227.  Uneventful trip.  Vegetables planted in correct position from 700 feet.  Cloud 5/10ths at 7000 feet.  Bomb load 2 ASS 22 2 ORD 1 PDM2.
L7572 L  F/O Blakeman, P/O Blease, Sgts Shrybman, Nicoll, Allen, P/O Weir, Sgt McKenzie.  Up 2124  Down 0145.  Very successful trip, vegetables planted in correct position in Rosemary area from 700 feet.  Cloud light haze.  Starlight.  Bomb load 3 ASS 22 2 ORD 1 PDM 3.
R5495 N  F/O Maltby, Sgts Lancey, M.R.Smith, Grimwood, Rouse, Humphrey, F/Sgt Legace.  Up 2116  Down 0130.  Successfully planted vegetables in correct position in Rosemary area, uneventful trip.  No cloud, visibility 6 miles.  Bomb load 3 ASS 22 2 ORD 1 PDM1.

8/9 April 1942 – Hamburg

L7577 T  W/O Rowlands, P/O Briant, W/O Booth, F/Sgt Turner, Sgts Desmond, C.A.Jones, F/Sgt Concannon.  Up 2129  Down 0224.  Objective not reached.  The navigator had no idea of position and could not fix himself by any means.  Jettisoned bombs in sea.
R5496 U  F/O Deverill, Sgt Cooper, P/O Butler, Sgts Irons, Mackay, Devine, F/Sgt Keane.  Up 2132  Down 0303.  Low cloud made visual identification impossible.  Run on TR 1335 made and bombs dropped, after dropping flak opened up from that area.  Visibility good above cloud.  Bombed from 20000 feet on primary.  Bomb load 14 x SBC.  Incendiary bursts seen.

10.4.42 4 aircraft detailed for ops.

10/11.4.42 Primary target Essen.  Two aircraft successfully bombed target, one aircraft bombed alternative target – Cologne.  F/Sgt Hartley did not take off – engine trouble.

10/11 April 1942 Essen

L7575 Y  S/L Dugdale, Sgt Croppi, F/Sgt Bennett, F/Sgt Bennett, P/O Grieves, Sgts Martin, Linnett.  Up 2211 Down 0306.  Assumed bombs dropped in target area on green flares, bursts not seen, ground not visible.  9/10th cloud.  Twenty bundles of G7 dropped.  Searchlights accurate and occasional flak beneath.  Bombs were dropped from 18500 feet.  Bomb load 12 x SBC, 2 x 250 incendiaries.
R5496 F F/L Penman, P/O Hooey, P/O Ifould, F/Sgt Elwood, Sgt Tales, Overton, Hebdon.  Bombed alternative target – Cologne.  As bombs went, aircraft was hit by flak and held by searchlights.  Violent turns and large losses of height, the searchlight was evaded.  Bombed from 15000 feet, no bursts seen.  10/10th cloud.  Bomb load 12 x SBC, 2 x 250 inc.  Journey home uneventful.
R5502 M  F/L Mackid, P/O Underwood, P/O Tree, Sgts Marshall, McDermott, Bennett, Day.  Up 2202  Down 0228.  Bombs dropped on green flares, no bursts seen.  8/10th cloud.  Bombs dropped on Essen from 16000 feet.  Trip disappointing – could not see target.  Searchlight activity was great, flak above and below aircraft.  Bomb load as above. 

13.4.42 Six aircraft on formation flying with 2 reserves.  Bomb load 4 x 1000lb dummy, 4 x 11 1/2lb practice bombs.  Cross countries as detailed, bombed Wainfleet.  Group Captain Rowe flew with S/L Sherwood.

14.4.42 8 aircraft took-off for formation cross country and bombing Wainfleet with same load as yesterday.  W/C Collier flew with S/L Dugdale.  Formation exercise successfully carried out – duration 5 – 5 ½ hours.

15.4.42 Bombing at Wainfleet and tests.

17.4.42 Six aircraft detailed for daylight ops in formation with two reserve aircraft and crews.  Seven took-off in five minutes commencing 1455 hours.  W/O Harrison in aircraft “H” went u/s.  W/O Rowlands flew as far as Selsey Bill as reserve, not being required, returned to base.  The raid being in daylight, flew in formation of 6 aircraft, the captains being S/L Sherwood DFC, F/L Hallows, F/O Rodley, F/L Penman DFC, F/O Deverill DFM, W/O Mycock DFC.  The attack was of very great importance on the MAN Diesel works – Augsburg, South Germany, being a total of 1500 miles.  All six aircraft flew over France and low over Germany and successfully reached the target, all dropped their bombs.  S/L Sherwood and W/O Mycock were seen to be hit by flak over the target, caught fire and crashed near the target area.  F/L Hallows aircraft was badly damaged and all the other aircraft received a certain amount of damage, but they all managed to reach base safely without any casualties.  The op was highly successful, the press giving excellent reports, also the BBC broadcast an account mentioning that this raid was the finest of its type during the war.  The names of the formation leaders – S/L Sherwood and F/L Penman were also broadcast.  Definite from the reports of the captains of the aircraft that large amount of damage was caused to the essential parts of the factory.  The following signals of congratulation have been received from 5 Group.

The following has been received from AOC-in-C Bomber Command – the following message has been received by the AOC from the Prime Minister – “We must plainly regard the attack of the Lancasters on the U-boat engine factory at Augsburg as an outstanding achievement of the Royal Air Force.  Undeterred by heavy losses at the outset, 44 and 97 Squadrons pierced and struck a vital point with deadly precision in broad daylight.  Pray convey the thanks of His Majesty’s Government to the officers and men who accomplished this memorial feat of arms in which no life was lost in vain”.

Message from Chief of the Air Staff – “I would like 44 and 97 Squadrons to know the great importance I attach to this gallant and successful attack on the diesel engine factory at Augsburg.  Please give my warmest congratulations and thanks”.

From Air Marshal A.T.Harris “Convey to the crews of 44 and 97 Squadrons who took part in the Augsburg raid, the following; - the resounding blow which has been struck at the enemy’s submarine and tank building programme will echo round the world.  The full effects of his submarine campaigns cannot be immediately apparent, but nevertheless they will be enormous.  The gallant adventure penetrating deep into the heart of Germany in daylight and pressed home with outstanding determination in the face of bitter and unforeseen opposition takes its place amongst the most courageous operations of the war.  It is moreover yet another fine example of effective cooperation with the other services by striking at the very sources of the enemy effort.  The officers and men who took part, those who returned and those who fell, have indeed served their country well”.  

17 April 1942 - Augsburg   

L7573 K  S/L Sherwood DFC, P/O Webb, F/O Hepburn, Sgts Page, Cox, F/Sgt Harrington, F/Sgt Wilding.  Up 1455.  Leader of the formation.  Shot down over the target by flak.  Seen by other aircraft to be in flames and crash.  Missing.
R5537 B  F/O Hallows, P/O Friend, P/O Cutting, F/Sgt Louch, Sgts L.G.Jones, Broomfield, Goacher.  Up 1456  Down 2312.  Nothing of note until 2 miles from target when everything started to shoot, including heavy flak.  Visibility 20 miles and bombed from 400 feet on target, possibly overshooting owing to aim being upset by shell in starboard wing.  Leader was shot down so continued with remaining number of formation.  Successful.
R5488 F  F/O Rodley, P/O Colquhoun, Sgts Henley, Merralls, Cummings, Ratcliffe, Crisp.  Up 1457  Down 2325.  Approached enemy coast at 100 feet and from there kept just above ground to target.  No flak encountered on way.  On approach saw huge red flames leap up from the target, on entering target area much light and some heavy flak was shot up.  Visibility good, slight haze, bombed from 200 feet.  Bombs burst on part of works west of canal, saw other bombs hit the main buildings.  Saw leader smoking and then a fire grew from his inner petrol tank and crash north of town in ball of flames.  Damaged slightly by flak.  Continued home low until crossing French coast at 11000 feet amidst further flak.  Landed at base.  Successful raid.
R5496 U  F/L Penman DFC, P/O Hooey, P/O Ifould, F/Sgt Elwood, Sgts Tales, Overton, Hebdon.  Outward journey no opposition.  Navigation was perfect.  Approaching target, guns opened up on all sides and all the aircraft in the formation were hit, nos 2 and 3 catching fire.  Bombs were dropped in two sticks in centre of chimney clusters from 400’.  No 2 pocked up position leaving target.  Continued flying low until dark enough to climb to 18000 feet and home.  Damage, light flak holes.  Successful.
L7575 Y  F/O Deverill DFM, Sgt Cooper, P/O Butler, Sgts Irons, Mackay, Devine, F/Sgt Keane.  Up 1459  Down 2315.  Target attacked in formation.  No cloud, from 400 feet bombs were dropped on target area.  No 3 “P” was seen to catch fire in the air and crash.  Very heavy flak and light predicted flak and S.A tracer.  Aircraft caught fire on starboard side of fuselage and bomb bay but was extinguished by the efforts of the Wireless Operator and Mid gunner.  Both mid and rear turrets u/s from target.  Port outer engine was u/s and feathered on leaving but was restarted before reaching coast.  Formated again on No 1 “U” for protection and landed base.
R5513 P  W/O Mycock DFC, Sgt Hayes, W/O Harrison, Sgts Eades, Macdonald, Shelley, Donoghue.  Up 1500.  Entered target area, was seen to drop bombs.  Hit by flak, caught fire in the air and was seen to crash near target.  Missing. 

19.4.42 Two aircraft detailed for gardening ops.

19/20.4.42  Area being “Nectarine”.  F/L Miller believed to have dropped mines two miles west of allotted position.  F/Sgt Davies successfully planted his mines.  Trips were uneventful.  F/Sgt Davies had trouble with his port inner engine, uneventful return trip, made heavy landing at Coningsby causing starboard undercarriage to collapse.  None injured.  Eight aircraft detailed for mining ops – cancelled at 1730 due to weather.

19/20 April 1942 – Gardening “Nectarine” area – Bomb load 6 veg

R5538H  F/L Miller, F/S Cullinane, Sgt Grossmith, Sgt B.Robertson, P/O Eslick, F/S Nickerson, F/S Westgate.  Up 2115  Down 2354.  Planted vegetables believed two miles west of area, mines released on TR fixes, confirmed by visual ETA.  Visibility extremely poor.  Uneventful trip.
R5483D  F/S Davies, P/O Keough, Sgts Murphy, Goodwin, E.G.Smith, Earnshaw, Goddard.  Up 2119  Down 0015.  Mines dropped on TR fix.  Visibility poor.  Uneventful trip until large coolant leak developed in port inner engine which caught fire about 100 miles from the English coast.  Carried on to drop mine on TR fix.  Returned still on three engines, made heavy landing which caused starboard undercarriage.  Landing made at Coningsby aerodrome.  No one injured.

21.4.42 Seven aircraft detailed for day gardening – cancelled due to weather.

23.4.42 One officer  - P/O Chorlton i/c 58 airmen (ground crews) were moved to Lossiemouth on 21.4.42 by train.  Seven Lancasters flew to Lossiemouth today on detachment, the captains being S/L Dugdale, F/L Coton, F/L Mackid DFC, F/O Blakeman DFM, F/O Maltby, W/O Harrison DFM, W/O Rowlands.  Two aircraft detailed for ops tonight.  Sir Archibald Sinclair, Secretary of State for Air, interviewing aircrews who took part in Augsburg operation in the crew room at the satellite. 

23/24.4.42  Tonight’s raid was some 1100 miles flying total against Rostock on the Heinkel aircraft works.  F/L Miller did not take off owing to hydraulic trouble.  F/Sgt Fletcher bombed the factory from 3500 feet, bombs were seen to fall in the centre, 4 bursts and 2 large fires seen burning on factory when aircraft arrived.  The raid was very satisfactory, the bomb load being 4 x 1900lb.  Visibility good.

23/24 April 1942 – Rostock (Heinkel Aero Works) – Bomb load 4 x 1900lb

R5497E   F/S Fletcher, F/S McKenna, F/O Blair, F/S Wilkinson, Sgts Warren, Sugar, F/S Bale.  Up 2316  Down 0525.  Nothing to report on way out, arrived target and saw a great number of fires.  Flew around for 30 minutes to make sure of target and bombed from 3,500 feet.  Visibility good, slight haze and encountered only light defence.  Numerous fires were burning in the town.  Rear Gunner saw four bursts in centre of target.  Very successful trip.

24.4.42 Two aircraft for ops tonight.  One aircraft u/s before take-off.  F/L Miller successfully bombed the Heinkel works at Rostock.  Several large fires seen and numerous fires in town.  Successful raid, visibility excellent.

24/25 April 1942 – Rostock (Heinkel Aero Works) – Bomb load 4 x 1900lb

R5512G  F/L Miller, F/S Cullinane, Sgts Grossmith, B.Robertson, P/O Eslick, F/S Nickerson, F/S Westgate.  Up 2240  Down 0440.  Visibility excellent, no cloud.  Bombed target and bursts observed in south half of area.  Several high fires were being steadily bombed and well ablaze, also numerous bright fires in the town.  Bombs dropped from just over 4000 feet.  Successful.
 
25.4.42 Four aircraft have been detailed for ops tonight, all of which successfully bombed again the Heinkel Works at Rostock.  Visibility was good and very large fires seen, defence fairly light but accurate.

25/26 April 1942 – Rostock (Heinkel Aero Works) – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb, 6 x SBC

R5512G  F/S Davies (P), P/O Keough (2nd Pilot), Sgt Murphy (N), Sgt Goodwin (Wop), Sgt E.G.Smith (FG), Sgt Earnshaw (MG), Sgt Goddard (RG).  Up 2255  Down 0444.  Target easily identified, visibility very good, no cloud but smoke haze from fires.  Dived from 14000 feet to 6500 feet and released bombs which were seen to burst on aerodrome just north of target.  Light flak intense.  Aircraft seen in flames over target area, also another in flames over Denmark.  Navigation was very good.
R5488F  F/S Altree, F/S Brown, Sgt McMechan, F/S Burton, Sgt Lloyd, F/S McPhee, Sgt Coone.  Up 2248  Down 0454.  Visibility good, ground haze.  Successfully bombed Heinkel factory.  Rear Gunner saw the 4000lb bomb burst on the assembly sheds.  Fires seen on arrival and increased in density on leaving.  Flak accurate, not many searchlights.
L7571X  F/S Berridge, F/S Long, Sgt Creeth, F/S Donahue, Sgts Fleming, Buxton, Burke.  Up 2305  Down 0507.  Successfully bombed the target area from 8500 feet, good visibility heading into moon.  Rear Gunner saw 4000lb bomb burst in target area.  Flaming mass fell in pieces from 15000 feet, probably aircraft shot down.  Considerable AA tracer up to 10000 feet over target.
R5497Z  F/S Fletcher, W/C Slee, F/O Blair, F/S Wilkinson, Sgt Harris, F/S Sugar, F/S Bale.  Up 2300  Down 0442.  Bombed target from 6,700 feet.  No cloud, visibility good.  Rear Gunner saw bomb burst but thought it was on south corner of factory.  Observation difficult owing to smoke over factory.  Several fires seen in town.  Quite a successful trip.  Defences have definitely improved.  Heavy AA guns in considerable numbers.  Remainder of trip uneventful.

25/26.4.42 W/C L.C.Slee assumed command of the Squadron during the absence of W/C J.D.D.Collier while on leave.  One aircraft detailed for ops tonight – target Rostock – successfully bombed by F/L Miller.  Good defences and searchlights were much stronger.  Weather fit, visibility good.

26/27 April 1942 – Rostock (Heinkel Aero Works) – Bomb load 6 x 1000lb, 3 x 500 GP

R5488F  F/L Miller, F/S Cullinane, Sgts Grossmith, B.Robertson, P/O Eslick, F/S Nickerson, F/S Westgate.  Up not shown, Down 0535.  Target silhouetted against moon, visibility good, released bombs at 3,500 feet.  Rear Gunner reported five bursts on roof of buildings believed to be main assembly sheds.  Fires burning in town.  Intense flak in target area, otherwise trip was moderately quiet.

27.4.42 Mining in “Forget me Not” area and “Hawthorne” by two aircraft.   

27/28 April 1942 – Gardening “Forget me Not” area – Bomb load 6 mines

R5497Z  F/S Berridge, F/S Long, Sgt Connely, F/S Donahue, Sgts Fleming, Buxton, Burke.  Up 2213  Down 0357.  Visibility good, no cloud.  Mines laid in primary.  Six parachutes seen to open and mines enter water.  Successful trip.  Slight AA over Denmark on way in, none afterwards.
L7571X  F/S Davies, P/O Keough, Sgts Murphy, Goodwin, E.G.Smith, F/S Goldie, Sgt Goddard.  Up 2219  Down 0244.  Due to petrol and engine cut, laid mines in first alternative, “Hawthorne” area.  Mission completed on starboard inner tank.  Landed at base with 100 gallons available and 500 gallons non available.  Navigation good.

29.4.42    The six detailed aircraft and crews arrived back from Lossiemouth this evening.  They completed two raids on the Tirpitz, Trondheim on successive nights, the 27/28 and 28/29th.  The actual results are not yet known, but considerable damage in the target area seems to have been done.  One of our aircraft, F/L Mackid DFC and crew are missing from the first op which operated from Lossiemouth.  No fix was received and no news from the other crews beyond several crews having seen a ball of flame shoot down over the target and crash which may have been the missing aircraft. 

27/28 April 1942 – Tirpitz at Trondheim (alternative Sheer or Prinz Eugen) – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 500lb

R5496U  S/L Dugdale, F/S Croppi, F/S Bennett, F/S Turner, F/O Grieves, Sgts Martin, Linnett.  Up 2030  Down 0517.  Visibility good, full moon.  Dropped 4000lb bomb from 8000 feet, reckoned to have undershot by about 150 yards astern of ship, primary being the target.  Flash seen.  Cruised about the target until 0135 dropping flares and 500lbs.  Much light flak and little heavy accurate flak over target.  On the other side of the fiord where the Prinz Eugen is situated, presumed to be aircraft on fire and crashed on frozen lake to the east of the fiord.  Crew co-operation and navigation excellent.
L7577T  F/L Coton, Sgt Kruger, F/O Boddington, F/S Watkins, Sgt Newell, F/S C.Robinson, Sgt Middleton.  Up 2023 (down not shown).  Nearly full moon, visibility perfect.  Neither target seen owing to smoke.  Released bombs on runway Vaernes aerodrome.  Bursts observed.  Light flak, light firing at higher level attack, very wild.  Heavy flak and searchlights negligible.
R5495N  F/O Maltby, F/S Lancey, Sgts M.R.Smith, Grimwood, Rouse, F/S Legace, Sgt Humphrey.  Up 2020  Down 0430.  Visibility good, dropped 4000lb bomb from 8000 feet.  Bomb seen to burst and flash lit up the end of the ship – primary being attacked.  Burst assumed between ship and cliff.  Released 500lb bombs on island west of target on flak and searchlight, bursts not observed.  Trip in and out uneventful.
L7572L  F/L Mackid, P/O Underwood, P/O Tree, Sgts Marshall, McDermott, Day, Bennett – missing from the operation.
R5538H  F/O Blakeman, P/O Blease, F/S Shrybman, Sgts Nicoll, Allen, P/O Weir, Sgt McKenzie.  Up 2020  Down 0436.  Clear weather.  Bombed primary target from 6000 feet, burst seen in water or near ship being estimated position on coast where ship was believed to be.  Smoke screen encountered.  Other bombs dropped on battery position.  All types of flak encountered.  Trip home uneventful.
R5487V  W/O Rowlands, P/O Briant, P/O Dorward, F/S Crerar, Sgt Desmond, F/S Concannon, F/S C.A.Jones.  Up 2022  Down 0418.  Visibility clear, bombed primary target, bursts seen on peninsular.  Made two run ups but were too far north, dropped bombs as time was pressing.  Light and heavy flak experienced in target area.  In and out trips uneventful.

28/29 April 1942 – Tirpitz at Trondheim (alternative Prinz Eugen and Sheer) – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 500lb

R5502M  W/O Harrison, Sgts Crouch, Platten, Preston, Farara, F/S Oates, Sgt Townley.  Up 2100  Down 0500.  Visibility good except for slight smoke screen in target area.  4000lb bomb fell 150 yards south-east of Tirpitz and the 500lbs fell 100 yards east.  Three in the sea and one on the shore, five bursts being seen.  Searchlights active, caught and held by them for several minutes.  Flak was accurate for height and direction.  Bombs released from 8000 feet.
R5496U   S/L Dugdale, F/S Croppi, F/S Bennett, F/S Turner, F/O Grieves, Sgts Martin, Linnett.  Up 2100  Down 0535.  Almost full moon, visibility good.  Bombed Tirpitz from 10,000 feet on assumed position in sights.  Target area filled with smoke.  Stick of four bombs seen to burst landward to target.  More heavy flak over target than previous night.  Two night fighters observed on reciprocal course on bombing run at 8000 feet.  Crew and navigation excellent.
L7577T   F/L Coton, Sgt Kruger, F/O Boddington, F/S Watkins, Sgt Newell, F/S C.Robinson, Sgt Middleton.  Up 2057  Down 0450.  Visibility good, bombed primary, results not seen owing to smoke screen.  Large burst observed.  Set course for alternative target and dropped bombs.
R5495N   F/O Maltby, F/S Lancey, Sgts M.R.Smith, Grimwood, Rouse, F/S Legace, Sgt Humphrey.  Up 2057  Down  0450.  Visibility good, bombed primary.  Results not seen owing to smoke screen.  Large burst observed.  Set course for alternative and dropped bombs across inlet at 8000 feet.  Results unobserved.  Flak heavier and more accurate.  Set course for base.
R5487V   W/O Rowlands, P/O Briant, P/O Dorward, F/S Crerar, Sgt Desmond, F/S Concannon, F/S C.A.Jones.  Up 2100  Down 0440.  Clear visibility, attacked primary from 8000 feet.  Target not visible, estimated position bombed.  Bombs released on flak positions and on Vaernes aerodrome.  Flak heavier and more accurate than previous night.

30.4.42 Ten aircraft detailed for tonight’s op.  Lancaster R5541 F/Sgt Altree crashed on the NFT near Wragby, Lincs.  F/Sgt Altree suffered a broken nose and the 2nd Pilot damaged his ankle, the remainder being uninjured.  The aircraft is a complete write-off.  Cause is yet unknown, pilot states that the port engine cut, then both the starboard engines.  Ops cancelled at 1000 due to weather report.

Total operational flying hours for Apri1942 – 244
Total non-operational hours – 305.

1.5.42 P/O Chorlton and 58 ground crew arrived back from Lossiemouth.  11 aircraft serviceable.

2.5.42 Nine aircraft detailed for ops – 6 allotted “Daffodil” area and 3 “Privet” area.  All mines successfully laid.  All aircraft and crews returned safely to base.  The three aircraft were on an exceptionally long trip and carried only three mines with full petrol.  S/L Dugdale has now finished his 200 hours operational span.

2/3 May 1942 – Gardening “Daffodil” area – load 6 mines

R5537B  F/S Davies, P/O Keough, Sgts Murphy, Goodwin, E.G.Smith, F/S Goldie, Sgt Goddard.  Up 2241  Down 0522.  Mines planted in correct position in primary area.  Good visibility.  Heavy flak at Copenhagen, otherwise trip uneventful.
L7569A  W/O Harrison, Sgts Crouch, Platten, Preston, Farara, Townley, F/S Oates.  Up 2238  Down 0513.  Pinpointed Copenhagen.  Full moon, no clouds.  Mines dropped on ETA from pinpoint, observed to fall in water.  Nothing encountered.  Uneventful.
R5553S   F/O Blakeman, P/O Blease, Sgts Shrybman, Nicoll, Allen, McKenzie, P/O Weir.  Up 2258  Down 0508.  Uneventful successful trip.  Mines laid on ETA.  Weather good.  Small amounts of heavy flak at Copenhagen.
R5512C  F/L Miller, F/S Cullinane, Sgts Grossmith, B.Robertson, P/O Eslick, F/S Nickerson, F/S Westgate.  Up 2235  Down 0458.  Target found by visual aids and mines dropped  according to instructions.  Trip uneventful. Visibility excellent.
R5502M  F/S Berridge, F/S Long, Sgt Connely, F/S Donahue, Sgts Fleming, Buxton, Quinn.  Up 2225  Down 0540.  All mines seen to drop in primary.  Very successful trip, excellent weather.  No opposition except in target area and near Heligoland on return.
R5487V  F/S Hartley, Sgt C.Smith, F/S J.Canham, F/S Dean, Sgts Mayland, Gross, Griffiths.  Up 2244  Down 0445.  Mines successfully released from 400 feet and seen to float to sea.  Encountered some light flak and searchlights otherwise uneventful.  Visibility good – no cloud.

2/3 May 1942 – Gardening “Privet” area – load 3 mines

R5497   F/S Fletcher, F/S McKenna, Sgt Creeth, F/S Wilkinson, Sgts Warren, Harris, F/S Bale. Up 2044 Down 0449.  Weather unsuitable for mining in target area owing to fog patches.  Mines dropped in position near primary area, as cloud would have made location of alternative impossible, having no definite pinpoint to set course from.
L7571X  F/L Coton, Sgt Kruger, F/O Boddington, Sgts Newell, Middleton, F/S C.Robinson, Sgt Macmahon.  Up 2050  Down 0600.  Heavily diffused moonlight.  Heavy rain.  Mined “Privet” area but not specified pinpoint.  Numerous ships sighted between Bonholm and “Privet” area.
R5495N  S/L Dugdale, W/C Slee, F/S Bennett, F/S Turner, F/O Grieves, Sgts Martin, Linnett.  Up 2120  Down 0522.  Attempted to mine “privet” area, visibility nil, cloud below 500 feet and up to 14,000 feet.  Hills on mainland near Boholm went up to 2000 feet.  Decided it wisest to drop mines before  target – approximately 15 minutes before.  Assumed that alternative had weather as bad.  Swedish towns brilliantly lit up.  Stalked a twin engined Hun after crossing the Danish coast.  Rear gunner gave short burst and avoiding action was taken.  Enemy aircraft seen no more.  Crew co-operation and navigation excellent.

4.5.42      Seven aircraft detailed for ops – 6 bombing and one Freshman gardening.  Weather fit.  P/O Hughes gardening cancelled later.  6 aircraft took off for op. 4 attacked primary target, one developed engine trouble, S/L Penman DSO DFC and dropped bombs believed to be at Ostend on searchlight and flak.  F/O Maltby abandoned mission owing to hydraulics damaged by enemy action.  On return to base, over-ran aerodrome and crashed in a field with full incendiary load.  Aircraft is a complete wreck but the crew were uninjured.

4/5 May 1942 – Raid on Engineering Factory – Stuttgart (alternative – town of Stuttgart) – Bomb load 14 SBC’s

L7569A  S/L Penman, W/C Slee, F/O Ifould, F/S Elwood, F/S Tales, Sgt Hebdon, P/O Kirkwood-Hackett.  Up 2243  Down 0040.  Immediately on take off oil pressure seen to drop on port inner engine.  Flew as far as enemy coast where bombs were released rather than jettisoned in the sea.  Visibility clear.  Bombs released from 15,000 feet on searchlights and flak, believed to be Ostend.
R5502M  F/O Rodley, P/O Colquhoun, Sgts Henley, Merralls, Cumming, Ratcliffe, Crisp.  Up 2246  Down 0454.  Bright moon, much haze.  Dropped bombs on believed to be Stuttgart from 14,000 feet.  Layer of cloud obscured target.  Many fires burning over a large over.  Trip uneventful except at the French coast and minor defended areas.
R5538H  F/O Blakeman, P/O Blease, F/S Shrybman, Sgts Nicoll, Allen, P/O Weir, Sgt McKenzie.  Up 2252  Down 0417.  On reaching the target area moderate flak was encountered and a number of flares observed.  Area covered by low cloud.  Bombs were dropped on primary and a number of photographs taken.  Trip home was uneventful.  Successful.
R5496U  F/S Hartley, Sgt C.Smith, F/S J.Canham, F/S Crerar, Sgts Mayland, Gross, Griffiths.  Up 2255  Down 0523.  Target was attacked on TR fix over cloud from 14,000 feet.  Bombs released on fires burning on ground.  Nickels also dropped and return to base.  Successful.
L7571X  W/O Rowlands, P/O Briant, P/O Dorward, Sgts Brummitt, Desmond, F/S Concannon, Sgt C.A.Jones.  Up 2249  Down 0447.  Route as briefed.  Cloud over target 5-6,000 feet.  Impossible to obtain pinpoint. Dropped bombs from 14,000 feet on Stuttgart, fires and flak pinpoint.  TR very accurate for majority of the op.
R5553S  F/O Maltby, F/S Lancey, Sgts M.R.H.Smith, Grimwood, Rouse, F/S Legace, Sgt Humphrey.  Up 2257  Down 0114.  Reaching the French coast, undercarriage came down of its own accord, suspected hit by flak, all types of accurate flak coming up when failure occurred.  Mission was abandoned, bomb doors failed to open so forced to land with full load without flaps with result that the aircraft overshot and crashed without injury to the crew.  Aircraft a complete write-off.  

5.5.42 4 aircraft detailed for ops against an engineering factory at Stuttgart.  Owing to weather conditions, all attacked the alternative, being Stuttgart Town.  Fires observed.  All returned safely to base.

5/6 May 1942 – Engineering Factory Stuttgart – Bomb load 6 x 1000lb GP, 3 x 500lb GP

R5537B  F/L Hallows, P/O McMurchy, P/O Cutting, F/S Louch, Sgts L.G.Jones, Broomfield, Goacher.  Up 2235  Down 0526.  Uneventful trip, flak plentiful over target.  Dropped bombs from13,000 feet in centre of town, bursts not seen but 6 fires burning in town.  At least 15 dummy incendiaries round target area.  Cloud nil, haze.
L7569A  W/O Harrison, Sgts Crouch, Platten, Preston, Farara, Townley, F/S Pates.  Up 2240  Down 0540.  9 bombs observed to fall short of large fires in town.  Heavy ground haze.  Heavy concentration of searchlights and small amount of heavy flak over target.  Trip otherwise uneventful.
R5538H  F/S Davies, P/O Keough, Sgts Murphy, Goodwin, E.G.Smith, F/S Goldie, Sgt Goddard.  Up 2238  Down 0550.  Bombed town, target not visible owing to haze and dummy fires.  Bombs released on fire.  Trip uneventful.
R5496U  F/S Fletcher, F/S Falls, Sgts Creeth, Wilkinson, Kelleher, Warren, F/S Bale.  Up 2249  Down 0534.  No cloud, considerable haze made target difficult to identify.  Made run across assumed position of town, did not see bombs burst.  No opposition on whole of route except at Karlsruhe and over target.

7.5.42   13 aircraft serviceable.  8 detailed for gardening ops.  AVM W.A.Coryton (AOC 5 Group) and G/C H.V.Satterly (SASO) visited Squadron today.

7/8.5.42   4 aircraft successfully mined the “Forget me Not” area and three aircraft successfully planted their vegetables in “Asparagus” area.  Visibility good, practically daylight.  F/L Miller was unable to take off.

7/8 May 1942 – Gardening “Forget me Not” area – load 6 mines

R5497Z  F/O Deverill, Sgt Cooper, P/O Butler, Sgts Irons, Mackay, F/S Keane, Sgt Devine.  Up 0050  Down 0629.  Moonlight, no cloud.  Planted mines from 700 feet in the correct position.  Mines seen to drop in water evenly spaced.  Encountered flak and machine gun tracer from two small vessels.  Damage one hole in mainplane.
L7571X  F/O Maltby, F/S Lancey, Sgts M.Smith, Rouse, Mather, F/S Legace, Sgt Humphrey.  Up 0038  Down 0640.  Almost daylight.  Planted mines from 600 feet in correct position.  Trip uneventful except for flak ships in Langelands Belt.  Flak holes in port wheel nacelle.
R5512C  F/S Berridge, F/S Long, Sgts Connely, F/S Donahue, Sgts Fleming, Quinn, Buxton.  Up 0053  Down 0710.  Very successful trip carried out for the most part in almost daylight conditions.  Planted mines from 500 feet in correct position.  Negligible opposition from light AA guns.
L7569A  F/O Rodley, P/O Colquhoun, Sgts Henley, Merralls, Cumming, Ratcliffe, Crisp.  Up 0044  Down 0703.  Successful trip, experienced no trouble.  Planted mines from 600 feet.  Relief in finding low cloud after leaving coast on way home.  Gunners noticed two U-boats in the Baltic, one of which crashed dived west of Halnaes.

7/8 May 1942 – Gardening “Asparagus” area – load 6 mines

R5496U  F/S Fletcher, F/S McKenna, F/O Blair, Sgts Wilkinson, Kelleher, Warren, F/S Bale.  Up 0047  Down 0656.  Successful trip.  Some light flak and searchlights encountered from Sproggo.  Planted mines in correct position from 700 feet by visual pinpoints.
R5537B  F/S Davies, P/O Keough, Sgts Murphy, Goodwin, E.Smith, F/S Goldie, Sgt Goddard.  Up 0056  Down 0650.  Planted mines from 600 feet, practically daylight.  Some light flak and searchlights at Nyborg.  Gunners returned fire and extinguished two searchlights.  Return trip owing to daylight was made at low altitude.  Navigation good.
R5487V  F/S Hartley, Sgt C.Smith, F/S J.Canham, Sgts Gross, Mayland, Suckling, Griffiths.  Up 0059  Down 0622.  Successfully planted mines from 600 feet.  Slight flak experienced from Korsor Headland.  Mines in correct position.  Returned low across Denmark, thence to base.

8.5.42 AVM Coryton and Lord Trenchard visited the Squadron this morning to interview the Augsburg Raid aircrews.  AM Harris conferred the honour on the Squadron by the presentation of the personal message addressed to him from the Prime Minister in a silver crested frame.  The presentation will be a lasting and much prized record of the exploits of Augsburg.  10 aircraft detailed for ops.

8/9.5.42   F/L Hallows DFC returned early due to defective immersion pump.  The other nine aircraft reached and bombed the target area.  The actual identification of the target being made very difficult owing to great searchlight activity.  Defences were also very heavy.  F/L Coton received some damage to his aircraft.  All crews returned safely to base.  This morning the CO with F/L Hallows tested the faulty aircraft and had exactly the same trouble with the immersion pumps.

8/9 May 1942 – Heinkel Works at Warnemunde – Bomb load 6 x 1000lb GP

R5496U  F/L Coton, Sgt Kruger, F/O Boddington, Sgts Newell, Girvin, F/S Robinson, Sgt MacMahon.  Up 2143  Down 0456.  During first run over target aircraft was picked up by many searchlights and flak, causing the bomb aimer to be blinded.  Proceeded out to sea, climbed and repeated attack.  Bombs seen to burst.  DR compass, two radiators and skin damaged by flak.
R5552P  F/O Deverill, Sgt Cooper, P/O Butler, Sgts Irons, Mackay, F/S Keane, Sgt Devine.  Up 2200  Down 0408.  Bombed primary from 6,700 feet.  Visibility good but nullified by searchlights.  Impossible to identify buildings owing to dazzle.  Bombs dropped on estimated position.  Results not observed.  Aircraft held in searchlights and subjected to intense, accurate heavy flak also some light flak.  Aircraft and crew returned safely.
R5538H  F/L Miller, F/S Cullinane, Sgts Grossmith, B.Robertson, Lloyd, F/S Nickerson, F/S Westgate.  Up 2138  Down 0418.  Bombed primary from 6000 feet.  Light good, no cloud.  Target clearly identified on run up but searchlights impaired view when bombs released.  Bomb bursts not seen owing to avoiding action.  Fired on by flak ship on homeward journey.
R5569D  W/O Harrison, Sgts Crouch, Platten, Preston, Farara, Townley, F/S Oates.  Up 2201  Down 0440.  Bombed primary from 6000 feet.  Visibility good.  Bombs not dropped by distributor owing to failure, but were jettisoned on completion of run.  Bomb bursts seen by rear gunner.  Believed to be on dock area at Warnemunde.  Trip to and from target uneventful.
R5487V  F/O Maltby, F/S Lancey, Sgts M.Smith, Rouse, Mather, F/S Legace, Sgt Humphrey.  Up 2152  Down 0526.  Bombed primary by pinpoints on Warnow.  Target only in sights at beginning of run owing to searchlight glare.  Bursts not observed.  Saw several flashes in the sea after leaving target – believed to be 4000lb bombs.  Homeward trip otherwise uneventful.
R5559W  F/S Hartley, Sgt C.Smith, F/S J.Canham, Sgts Gross, Mayland, Suckling, Griffiths.  Up 2207  Down 0510.  Bombed primary.  Visibility 8 miles.  Bombs thought to overshoot slightly.  Returned across Denmark to Ringkoking and thence to base.
R5497Z  P/O Hughes, F/S Croppi, Sgt Isted, F/S Crerar, Sgts Harris, Mercer, Overton.  Up 2205  Down 0431.  Bombed works by visual pinpoints.  No cloud and very dark.  When aircraft was held by two large batches of searchlights, IFF was used and found to be very effective.  No results seen although fires were observed five minutes after leaving target area.
L7569A  P/O Keir, Sgt Bond, P/O Hallam, Sgts Shepherd, Jenkins, Saw, Wharton.  Up 2210  Down 0447.  Proceeded to target and saw many searchlights and considerable light flak.  Rear gunner saw an aircraft in flames and Wireless operator picked up an SOS.  Bombed target position on estimated pinpoints.  Gunners observed three bombs burst in town believed to be Kelding (Denmark).
R5495N  F/S Davies, P/O Keough, Sgts Murphy, Goodwin, E.Smith, F/S Goldie, Sgt Goddard.  Up 2211  Down 0515.  Visibility good but made very difficult by searchlights.  Recommended route followed and target reached at 0140 hours.  Area was easily identified and good approach was made – but searchlights spoiled recognition.  Return trip uneventful. 

10.5.42    8 aircraft detailed for ops – later cancelled due to weather.

13.5.42 Day ops detailed for 6 aircraft, briefing early afternoon – cancelled later (lots of bad weather between 10th and 13th).  F/L Hallows in Lancaster  R5537B has been detached Prestwick today.

14.5.42 9 aircraft detailed for ops – cancelled later owing to weather.

16.5.42 7 aircraft for ops.  A letter has been passed to the Squadron from the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dudley Pound, conveying congratulations on the Augsburg Raid, as follows :- “I have now seen the photograph and assessment report K1316 produced by the RAF station at Medmenham about the raid on the M.A.N. works at Augsburg on 17th April.  I am particularly impressed with the results which have been achieved and I am sure that this attack will have helped greatly in achieving our object of reducing the output of U-boats in the future.  I should be grateful if you would express my congratulations to ACM Harris and to all who took part in the raid.  I much deplore the comparatively heavy casualties but I feel sure that their loss was not in vain.  You will, I am sure, forgive me for not having expressed my appreciation earlier, but I have waited to read of the full effects of the raid”.  Ops were successfully carried out by 7 aircraft, 4 mining the “Daffodil” area, 1 the “Forget me Not”, 1 in “Sweet Pea” and 1 in “Raddish” area.  Only F/O Rodley planted his mines in alternative area “Endive” due to weather conditions.

16/17 May 1942 – Gardening “Sweet Pea” area – Load 5 mines

R5559W  F/O Deverill, Sgt Cooper, P/O Butler, Sgts Irons, Mackay, F/S Keane, Sgt Benbow.  Up 2214  Down 0429.  Vegetables planted in primary area.  No cloud, visibility good.  Pinpoint on Godsor Head and five vegetables seen to enter water.  Crossed Denmark at 800 feet.  Trip uneventful.

16/17 May 1942 – Gardening “Raddish” area – Load 5 mines

R5569D  P/O Keir, Sgt Bond, P/O Hallam, Sgts Shepherd, Jenkins, P/O Kirkwood-Hackett, Sgt Wharton.  Up 2238  Down 0505.  Veg seen to enter water in position as ordered.  Heavy local rain in target area.  Fired on by ship off Dovns Cliff.  Trip otherwise completely uneventful.

16/17 May 1942 – Gardening “Daffodil” area – Load 5 mines

R5502M  F/O Rodley, P/O Colquhoun, Sgts Henley, Merralls, Cummings, Ratcliffe, Crisp.  Up 2219  Down 0420.  Veg planted in alternative area – Endive, owing to bad visibility.  Parachutes were seen to open and veg seen to enter water in correct position.  Observed flare path lit up near Skern.
R5575L  F/S Berridge, F/S Long, Sgt Connely, F/S Donahue, Sgts Fleming, Buxton, Quinn.  Up 2217 Down 0518.  Veg planted in primary.  Quiet trip with no AA or fighter opposition.  Weather dark and dirty at times but visibility good.  Three enemy flare paths observed, one being extinguished as aircraft dived to shoot it up.
R5487V  F/O Maltby, F/S Lancey, Sgts M.R Smith, Rouse, Mather, F/S Legace, Sgt Humphrey.  Up 2218  Down 0420.  Visual pinpoint on Falstabo and veg planted in required position.  Five mines seen to enter water.  Visibility good 6-7/10ths cloud.  No flak seen at all and only one searchlight seen south of Copenhagen.
R5495N  F/S Hartley, Sgts C.Smith, Creeth, Gross, Mayland, Suckling, Griffiths.  Up 2223  Down 0512.  Veg sown in appointed garden and rear gunner saw mines fall in the sea.  Poor visibility and very little light below cloud.  Returned across Denmark at 800 – 500 feet and set course for base.

16/17 May 1942 – Gardening “Forget me Not” area – Load 6 mines

R5497Z  W/O Rowlands, P/O Briant, P/O Dorward, F/S Turner, Sgt Desmond, F/S Concannon, Sgt C.A.Jones.  Up 2237  Down 0446.  Mines seen to drop on primary from 600 feet.  Visibility good, no cloud.  Large fire seen at Hajnsvig.  Trip otherwise uneventful.

17.5.42 F/L Hallows' aircraft has gone u/s at Prestwick – crew returning by train and a ground crew are travelling up there tomorrow to change an engine.

18.5.42 8 aircraft detailed for ops – cancelled due to weather.

19.5.42 7 aircraft detailed to bomb Mannheim “A”.  One aircraft F/O Deverill returned owing to intercom failure.  F/O Keir bombed Ostend owing to lack of oxygen.  Two aircraft detailed to take part in searchlight exercise over London.

19/20 May 1942 – Mannheim “A” – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb HC, 6 x SBC’s

R5495N  F/S Hartley, Sgts C.Smith, Creeth, Gross, Mayland, Suckling, Griffiths.  Up 2238  Down 0405.  Port inner engine failed on reaching target.  Bombs dropped on built up area near target.  4000lb bomb seen to burst, also incendiaries observed.
R5487V  F/O Maltby, F/S Lancey, Sgts M.R.Smith, Rouse, Mather, F/S Legace, Sgt Humphrey.  Up 2217  Down 0424.  Port outer flame trap fell off while avoiding searchlights after crossing French coast, thus causing aircraft to be lit up.  Incendiaries seen to burst but not 4000lb – 20 miles west of target.  Aircraft caught by accurate flak at Dunkirk on return causing aircraft’s port rudder to be holed.
R5497Z  F/O Deverill, Sgt Cooper, P/O Butler, Sgts Irons, Mackay, F/S Keane, Sgt Benbow.  Up 2231  Down 0029.  Intercom system failed on becoming airborne, failing completely at 13,000 feet over the Belgian coast.  Returned to base.
R5502M  F/O Rodley, P/O Colquhoun, Sgts Henley, Merralls, Cummings, Ratcliffe, Crisp.  Up 2241  Down 0412.  Bombed primary.  No cloud.  Thick haze and poor visibility vertically.  Fires were observed both sides of the river.  Large explosion seen in west of target and incendiaries seen to fall on fires.  Five cones of searchlights around Appau.
R5569D  P/O Keir, Sgt Bond, P/O Hallam, Sgts Shepherd, Jenkins, Saw, Wharton.  Up 2246  Down 0141.  After climbing to 16,000 feet gunners reported lack of oxygen so docks were bombed at Ostend.  6 SBC’s were brought back as the might have dropped in town.
R5512C  F/S Davies, P/O Keough, Sgts Murphy, Goodwin, E.G.Smith, Coone, Goddard.  Up 2252  Down 0459.  Bombs dropped on primary in believed position confirmed by TR fix.  Rear gunner reported a large fire and a heavy concentration of searchlights in target area.
R5575L  F/S Berridge, F/S Long, Sgt Connely, F/S Donahue, Sgts Fleming, Buxton, Quinn. (No times shown).  Target found quite easily with aid of W/T loop and TR.  Considerable AA and searchlight activity over target.  Bombs believed to fall about a mile short.  Dark, little cloud and visibility good.

20.5.42 8 aircraft detailed for ops – cancelled due to weather.

21.5.42 Ops and training cancelled – weather.

22.5.42 Ops Gardening.  F/L Hallows set out for primary “Willows” area but due to electrical trouble, placed vegetables in “Hawthorne” area.  Convoy of six ships seen.  F/L Miller planted vegetables in primary.  F/S Berridge successfully planted vegetables in primary, saw convoy of 20 ships.  Machine gunned a ferry boat. P/O Keir planted veg in “Willows” (primary area).  Successful and uneventful.  F/O Maltby successful at primary.  Encountered searchlights and light flak.  One searchlight doused by gunners.

22/23 May 1942 Gardening “Willows” area – Load 5 mines

R5558J  F/L Hallows, F/O Friend, F/O Ifould, F/S Louch, Sgts L.G.Jones, Broomfield, Goacher.  Up 2159  Down 0236.  Course set for primary.  Trouble experienced with EDG – starboard discharging and port dangerously overcharging.  In view to weather at base a pinpoint was obtained off Westerhaven and veg planted in “Hawthorne” garden.  Convoy of six ships seen and reported.
R5538H  F/L Miller, F/S Cullinane, Sgts Grossmith, B.Robertson, L.Smith, F/S Nickerson, F/S Westgate.  Up 2201  Down 0509.  Planted veg in primary garden.  Visibility excellent, no cloud.  Pinpoint obtained off Jasmund Rock.  Splashes observed as mines dropped in correct position.
R5575L  F/S Berridge, F/S Long, Sgt Connely, F/S Donahue, Sgts Fleming, Buxton, Quinn.  Up 2203  Down 0530.  A very successful trip.  Veg seen to fall in correct position.  No cloud and visibility fairly good.  Jasmund identified.  Mist over Denmark.  Encountered convoy of about 20 ships.  Machine gunned ferry boat after vegs dropped.
R5512C  P/O Keir, Sgt Bond, P/O Hallam, Sgts Shepherd, Jenkins, Saw, Wharton.  Up 2202  Down 0500.  Vegs planted in primary “Willows” area from 600 feet.  All five parachutes seen to open.  Pinpointed Rangow and made timed run from there.  Light flak at south end of viaduct at Middlefort.  Otherwise uneventful.
R5487V  F/O Maltby, F/S Lancey, Sgts M.R.Smith, Rouse, Mather, F/S Legace, Sgt Humphrey.  Up 2210  Down 0511.  Vegs successfully planted in primary garden.  No cloud.  Pinpointed on Sasnitz and made timed run from there.  Parachutes seen to open.  Bad conditions expected not found.  Weather good.  Uneventful trip across Denmark both ways.

R5559W  F/O Deverill, Sgt Cooper, P/O Butler, Sgts Irons, Mackay. F/S Keane, Sgt Benbow.  Up 2214  Down 0505.  Planted veg in primary from 600 feet.  Good visibility 8-10 miles and no cloud.  Parachutes seen to open.  On return trip at 600 feet encountered slight searchlight activity and light flak (white tracer) from Sprogo Island and Nyborh.  All gunners replied and one searchlight dowsed.

23.5.42 2 aircraft carried out AA co-operation at Derby.

24.5.42 F/S Baines carried out dusk and dark landings.

25.5.42 Day training – night ops detailed but cancelled.

26.5.42 Gardening – F/O Miller in “Asparagus” successful and F/O Maltby in “Broccolli” – heavy ack ack shell burst under nose of F/O Maltby’s aircraft – made a dent in the nose.

26/27 May 1942 – Gardening “Asparagus” area – Load 4 mines

R5538H  F/L Miller, F/S Cullinane, Sgts Grossmith, Robertson, N.L.Smith, F/S Westgate, F/S Nickerson.  Up 2325  Down 0453.  Pinpointed Halskov and made timed run from there.  Parachutes seen to open as veg fell in correct position.  Uneventful trip – 10/10ths cloud over target area, but visibility underneath quite good.

26/27 May 1942 – Gardening “Broccolli” area – Load 4 mines

R5487V  F/O Maltby, F/S Lancey, Sgts M.R.Smith, Rouse, Mather, F/S Legace, Sgt Humphrey.  Up 2312  Down 0605.  Quiet trip over cloud at 12,000 feet on ETA.  10/10ths cloud so turned north hoping to find a break.  Cloud broke over Samso.  Planted veg.  On returning, while climbing at 13,000 feet a heavy AA shell burst under nose causing dent.  Rest of trip uneventful.

28.5.42 F/S Baines carried out night cross-country and W/C Collier DFC did dusk and dark landings.

29.5.42 4 aircraft for ops on Gnome and Rhone engine works at Gennevilliers.  F/L Coton bombed primary from 3,000 feet.  He encountered very accurate light flak and fairly accurate heavy flak.  F/O Keir made 4 attempts to identify target, meeting a heavy concentration of flak and searchlights.  His starboard outer engine was hit and failed.  Bombs dropped safe due to rapid loss of height.  Sgt Bond (2nd Pilot) was hit and died on the return journey.  F/S Berridge found target and bombed.  He encountered heavy barrage of light AA and searchlights, which caused considerable damage to mid upper turret.  Mid gunner was slightly wounded in leg when his turret was riddled.  P/O Hughes made two dives but could not identify target.  He brought his bombs back but dropped incendiaries in the Dieppe area.

29/30 May 1942 – Attack on Gnome & Rhone Engine Works at Gennevilliers – Bomb load 6 x 1000lb

L7577T  F/L Coton, Sgt Kruger, F/O Boddington, Sgts Newell, P.Martin, F/S Robinson, Sgt MacMahon.  Up 0030  Down 0511.  Bombed primary from 3000 feet.  One bomb burst seen and then blinded by searchlights.  Very accurate light flak and fairly accurate heavy flak was encountered at coast on outward journey to target.  10 bundles of F8X also dropped.
R5569D  P/O Keir, Sgts Bond, M.R Smith, Shepherd, Jenkins, Saw, Wharton.  Up 0025  Down 0527.  Impossible to identify target owing to searchlights and heavy concentration of flak.  Made four attempts to identify target and then outboard starboard engine was hit and failed.  Sgt Bond (2nd Pilot) was hit in thigh and died on return journey.  Bombs were dropped safe owing to aircraft rapidly losing height.
R5575L  F/S Berridge, F/S Long, Sgts Connely, Fleming, Hellyer, Buxton, Quinn.  Up 0023  Down 0451.  Target found quite easily in bright moonlight after flying through heavy banks of cloud.  Intense light AA encountered during run causing considerable damage to aircraft.  Mid upper gunner was slightly wounded in leg when his turret was riddled.  Results not seen owing to flak.
R5497Z  P/O Hughes, Sgt Lawton, F/S Isted, F/S Crerar, Sgts Harris, Mercer, Overton.  Up 0045  Down 0525.  Two dive attacks at 240 mph in area but target not identified.  Clear visibility.  Held in searchlights on four occasions but dived out of beams.  Bombs brought back.  12 bundles of F8X dropped on Dieppe area.

30.5.42 Ops at Cologne – 16 aircraft detailed.  One, P/O McMurchy failed to take off due to a broken tail wheel.  F/S Baines jettisoned his bombs safe in the sea and returned due to low oil pressure and high oil temperature.  All remaining aircraft attacked target successfully.

30/31 May 1942 – Cologne – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb HC, 8 x SBC 4 lb

R5502M  F/L Hallows, F/O Friend, P/O Cutting, F/S Louch, Sgts L.Jones, Broomfield, Goacher.  Up 0007  Down 0435.  Bombed primary at 15,000 feet at 0155 hours.  Heavy smoke up to 10,000 feet.  Fires made observation difficult but incendiaries seen burning when 60 miles away.  Intercepted by single engined fighter but lost in evasive action.  Trip otherwise uneventful.
R5552P  W/C Collier, F/O Hooey, F/O Ifould, F/S Turner, Sgts Brummitt, Martin, F/S Jones.  Up 0008  Down 0455.  Bombed town from 15,000 feet.  No cloud and visibility good.  Bombs dropped on west bank of river.  Bursts not observed owing to many fires.  Rows of buildings seen on fire.  Trip amazingly uneventful.
R5538H  F/L Miller, F/S Cullinane, Sgts Grossmith, B.Robertson, L.Smith.F/S Nickerson, F/S Westgate.  Up 0008  Down 0554.  Bombs dropped on west bank of river.  Bursts not observed.  Visibility good – no cloud.  Flak only moderate.
R5559W  F/O Deverill, Sgt Cooper, P/O Butler, Sgts Irons, Devine, Benbow, F/S Keane.  Up  0011  Down 0335.  Bursts observed on primary from 13,800 feet.  No cloud and visibility good.  Many fires burning.  East of river obscured by smoke.  Very quiet trip, practically no opposition, only slight searchlight activity.
R5497Z  P/O Hughes, Sgts Lawton, Isted, F/S Crerar, Sgts Harris, Mercer, Overton.  Up 0015  Down 0530.  When approached by FW190, bombs were dropped immediately on target.  No bursts observed owing to the many fires.  Port inner engine failed over North Sea.  Flaps and undercarriage u/s also hydraulic tank burst.  Dense smoke pouring from feathered engine.
L7577T  F/L Coton, Sgt Kruger, F/O Boddington, Sgts Newell, Martin, F/S Robinson, Sgt McMahon.  Up 0013  Down 0550.  Bombs dropped in south-west position of city.  No cloud, visibility good.  Burst of 4000lb bomb observed, also numerous fires.  Flew through considerable quantity of heavy flak, smoke but no actual fire.  Nothing else of interest.
R5512C  F/L Blakeman, P/O Blease, F/S Shrybman, Sgts Nicoll, Allen, F/L Trueman, Sgt McKenzie.  Up 0055 Down 0504.  Bombed middle of town from 14,000 feet.  Clear bright moon.  Impossible to identify bursts as target a mass of flames.  Visibility perfect.  Opposition was negligible.  Return trip uneventful except numerous encounters with British aircraft.
R5552P  W/O Harrison, Sgts Crouch, Platten, Preston, Farara, Townley, F/S Oates.  Up 0042  Down 0433.  Bombed primary from 15,000 feet.  No cloud, slight ground haze and extensive smoke over target, which was identified by River Rhine.  Bombs seen to fall just south of marshalling yards at North-west Cologne.  Fires visible 100 miles away on return.
R5496U  F/S Adams, F/S Falls, Sgts Creeth, Stafford, Dawson, F/S Goldie, Sgt Linnett.  Up 0037  Down 0539.  Bombs dropped from 10,480 feet south-west of Cologne.  Bomb flashes were observed.  Very little opposition encountered.  Trip seemed to be unqualified success.
R5612R  F/S Baines, Sgts Bunt, Cook, Kelleher, Griffiths, Guy, Desmond.  Up 0046  Down 0302.  4000lb jettisoned safe in sea.  Oil temperature rose to 95 degrees c and pressure to 60lbs per sq inch.  As temperature and pressure did not improve, the captain decided to return.
R5614G  F/S Berridge, F/S Long, Sgts Connely, Fleming, Hellyer, Buxton, McPhee.  Up  0034  Down 0519.  Bomb probably dropped in western part of city.  Burst observed amid extensive fires.  Considerable AA activity but without accuracy. Many other aircraft seen during trip but no opposition from night fighters.  Searchlights fairly active.

R5609S  F/S Hartley, P/O Briant, W/O Canham, Sgts Gross, Mayland, Suckling, F/S Legace.  Up 0045  Down 0530.  Attacked centre of town on west bank of Rhine.  Bursts observed.  Large area of city in flames.  Heavy black smoke rising to 5-8000 feet.  Spasmodic flak only from town.
R5571A  F/S Davies, P/O Keough, Sgts McMechan, Goodwin, E.Smith, Coone, Goddard.  Up 0029  Down 0507.  Bomb burst in south centre of city.  Target easily identified in brilliant moonlight and terrific fires were observed.  A running fight between a Wellington and a Me 109 was seen but result not.  Return trip uneventful.
R5607X  F/S Fletcher, F/S McKenna, F/O Blair, F/S Wilkinson, Sgt Garland, P/O Kirkwood-Hackett, F/S Bale.  Up 0040  Down 0545.  No bursts observed owing to many fires, but bombs dropped on west bank of Rhine.  Little AA opposition at target.  Visibility very good.  Numerous fires burning in town.  Nothing of interest to report on return journey.
R5572F  F/O Rodley, P/O Colquhoun, F/S Bennett, Sgts Merralls, Cumming, Ratcliffe, Crisp.  Up 0031  Down 0417,  Bombs dropped in city east of river.  Bursts not observed owing to many fires burning in town.  Crossing the North Sea one generator and one gun in mid upper turret went u/s. 

31.5.42 13 aircraft for ops – scrubbed due to weather conditions over target area.    

1.6.42  14 aircraft detailed for ops tonight.  13 aircraft successfully reached and bombed the target at Essen or the target area.  Of the other two aircraft, one returned early owing to a technical failure and the other, F/S Davies and crew, failed to return.  No news of them having since been received.  The weather over the target was bad but considerable damage was done.  This raid consisted of over 1,000 bombers, being the second highest raid of the war, the first being on Cologne.      

1/2June 1942 – Essen – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb 8 x SBC 4lb

R5571A  F/S H.L.Davies, P/O W.J.Keough, Sgts E.B.Goodwin, A.G.McMechan, E.Smith, E.H.Coone, J.L.Goddard.  Up 2350.  Missing from this op.
R5487V  F/S R.Fletcher, F/S G.McKenna, F/O T.Blair, F/S J.Wilkinson, Sgt J.Garland, P/O Kirkwood-Hackett, F/S D.Bale. (no times shown).  Bombed primary from 12,000 feet.  8/10ths cloud at 5,000 feet.  Bombs released on TR fix, confirmed by visual.  No bursts observed.  Flew over convoy on way out – no opposition from it.  Little heavy flak.  Quite a few searchlights and numerous dummy fires.  Saw two aircraft shot down.
R5502M  F/L B.R.Hallows, Sgt J.H.Dinning, P/O P.Cutting, F/S B.Louch, F/S L.Jones, Sgt W.Broomfield, Sgt T.Goacher.  Up 2340  Down 0203.  Rear turret failed when about to cross the Dutch coast.  As there was no target to attack without going inland, decided to return to base.  Bombs were jettisoned to allow weight to come within landing load.
R5559W  F/O E.A.Deverill, Sgt J.S.Cooper, P/O E.R.Butler, Sgts J.Irons, J.Devine, J.Benbow, F/S H.Keane.  Up 2321  Down 0240.  Bombed primary from 17,200 feet.  Good visibility but 7/10ths light broken cloud at 7/8000 feet.  Average searchlight and flak activity over large area.  Uneventful outward and return journey.
R5496U  F/S J.Adams, F/S F.Falls, Sgts H.Creeth, A.Stafford, J.R.Dawson, F/S J.Goldie, Sgt N.E.J.Linnett.  Up 2336  Down 0303.  Approach was made as per briefing and bombs dropped from 14,000 feet.  1/3 can of incendiaries hung-up.  Very little opposition was encountered.  A large ship was seen to be approaching the Dutch coast.  Position and time plotted.  Heavy flak was observed from this ship.
R5612R  P/O M.Hughes, Sgts H.Lawton, W.Isted, F/S A.Crerar, Sgts R.Harris, G.Mercer, D.Overton.  Up 0020  Down 0424.  Soon after crossing Dutch coast a huge red glow was observed.  Dropped bombs visually in centre of Essen as TR went u/s on way out.  Despite cloud, fires observed 60 – 70 miles away on return journey.  Starboard inner failed after leaving target.
L7577T  P/O G.Hartley, P/O N.Briant, W/O J.Canham, Sgts R.Gross, C.Mayland, D.Suckling, F/S H.Concannon.  Up 2338  Down 0320.  Primary attacked from 17,000 feet on TR.  Flares illuminated approximate target area but did not illuminate ground.  Three compartments of incendiaries hung-up.
R5609S  P/O C.Keir, F/S N.Croppi, P/O M.R.Smith, Sgts C.Shepherd, K.Saw, H.Jenkins, E.Wharton.  Up 0011  Down 0350.  6/10ths cloud over target.  Bombs released on TR fix from 15,000 feet.  Three distinct fires observed.  A good trip – no trouble anywhere.
R5538H  F/L C.W.Miller, F/S M.D.Cullinane, Sgts A.T.Grossmith, B.Robinson, N.L Smith, F/S A.Nickerson, F/S R.Westgate.  Up 2328  Down 0246.  Bombed primary from14,500 feet on TR fixes.  River sighted just after bombs released.  Ground detail very difficult to identify owing to cloud.  Flares, many sticks of incendiaries and few H.E.’s.  Trip to and from target much livelier than two nights ago.   
R5512C   F/L H.Blakeman, P/O T.Blease, F/S H.Shrybman, Sgts N.Nicoll, S.Allen, F/L J.Trueman, Sgts F.McKenzie.  Up 0006  Down 0341.  Not a very satisfactory trip – target was bombed on TR.  6/10ths cloud at 13,000 feet.  Bombed from 17,000 feet.  Dummy fires observed.  Flak not up to usual standard.  Trip home uneventful.
R5495N   F/S P.Baines, Sgts J.Bunt, B.Cook, W.Kelleher, M.Griffiths, W.Guy, A.Desmond.  Up 0016  Down 0401.  Built up area in sights believed to be Essen.  Burst of 4000lb observed.  Many fires burning – visible for 85 miles.  Large dummy fires observed north-west of Essen.  Target in red flames.  Flak and searchlights scattered and ineffective.
R5552P   W/O S.Harrison, Sgts F.Crouch, D.J.Platten, E.Preston, G.Farara, W.Townley, F/S R.Oates.  Up 0016  Down 0412.  10/10ths cloud over Essen but clear immediately north.  Thick ground haze and smoke screen.  Bombed on TR.  At least two large fires at Essen and Gelsenkirschen.  Flak poor except where they were able to concentrate on a single aircraft.
R5614G  F/S B.Berridge, F/S V.R.Long, Sgts H.Connely, L.M.Fleming, L.V.Hellyer, R.Buxton, A.J.McPhee.  Up 0025  Down 0430.  Visibility moderate.  Bombed on TR fix confirmed by visual.  Bursts observed.  Damage and fires were widespread across the whole Ruhr area.
R5607X   P/O W.A.McMurchy, F/S R.Morgan, P/O K.Williams, F/S J.Richardson, Sgts S.Girvan, J.Hebdon, O.Barraclough.  Up 2340  Down 0315.  Bombs dropped on Essen from 18,000 feet.  Visibility poor.  Number of yellow flares seen but not much in identifying target.  Flak and searchlights not intense.  Fires visible for 100 miles on return.
R5572F   F/O E.E.Rodley, P/O I.L.Colquhoun, F/O F.L.Ifould, Sgts E.Merralls, T.Cummings, J.Ratcliffe, J.H.Crisp.  Up 2338  Down 0321.  Slight flak seen at Hague.  Crossed Dutch coast at 17,000 feet.  Saw Rhine and continued past obvious dummy fires.  Some flak was encountered, quite accurate but not plentiful.  Aerodrome was seen lit up on the east of Overflakke.  

2.6.42 6 aircraft detailed for ops.  Five aircraft successfully reached and bombed Krupps at Essen or the target area.  The remaining aircraft, owing to engine trouble, bombed what is believed to be Hamborn.  All returned safely.

2/3 June 1942 – Essen – Bomb Load 1 x 4000lb, 8 x SBC 4lb

R5496U   F/S J.F.Adams, F/S F.M.Falls, Sgts H.Creeth, A.Stafford, J.R.Dawson, F/S J.Goldie, Sgt N.Linnett.  Up 0022  Down 0346.  Bombs were seen to burst on target.  The incendiaries were seen to be changing colour to red on leaving target.  Machine gun fire observed about 2,000 feet above us.  The attack was made at 13,000 feet.
R5538H   P/O W.A.McMurchy, F/S R.Morgan, P/O K.Williams, F/S J.Richardson, Sgts S.Girvan, T.A.Grey, O.Barraclough.  Up 0028  Down 0349.  Bombs released on TR confirmed by visual.  Believed to have dropped in Krupps area.  No cloud.  Visibility good and slight ground haze.  4000lb flash seen.  Incendiaries not distinguished.  Searchlights intense.  Flak fairly accurate and heavy.  Wings and fuselage holed by flak.
R5559W   F/S R.Fletcher, F/S G.McKenna, F/O T.Blair, F/S J.Wilkinson, Sgt J.Garland, P/O W.Kirkwood-Hackett, F/S D.Bale.  Up 0019  Down 0337.  Bombs dropped from 12,000 feet on TR fix with built up area, believed to be Essen, in sights.  Uneventful outward and return journey.  Numerous dummy fires around Essen and large number of searchlights.
L7577T   F/L E.Coton, Sgt F.C.Kruger, F/O R.Boddington, Sgts F.A.Newell, P.Martin, F/S C.Robinson, Sgt G.F.McMahon.  Up 0015  Down 0317.  Starboard outer engine failed.  It was decided to proceed into Germany and bomb last resort.  Position estimated by visual and TR fix to be Hamborn.  4000lb flash seen and incendiaries burning on eastern bank of Ruhr.
R5502M   F/O E.E.Rodley, P/O I.L.Colquhoun, Sgts P.E.Henley, E.Merrals, T.Cummings, J.Ratcliffe, J.H.Crisp.  Up 0026  Down 0355.  Bombed southern end of town.  No trouble experienced until the Ruhr was reached where much heavy flak came up.  Target was lit up by batches of flares and fires on the ground.  After leaving Krefeld, a single engined machine was seen flying parallel and slightly behind.  We lost height and avoided fighter by entering the darker below.
R5495N   F/S P.Baines, Sgts J.Bunt, B.Cook, W.Kelleher, M.Griffiths, W.Guy, R.Martin.  Up 0024  Down 0355.  Pinpointed River Rhine and made DR run at 17,000 feet.  Visibility good and cloud nil.  One section of container of incendiaries brought back owing to TR failure.  Flak and searchlights much more effective than previous night.  Some dummy fires 15 miles north-west of town observed again. 

3.6.42 R5612 collected from Prestwick. Three aircraft detailed to attack Bremen. All successfully bombed the primary, one aircraft having engine failure, and returned safely to base.

3/4 June 1942 – Bremen – Bomb Load 1 x 4000lb 8 x SBC 4lb

R5559W  F/O E.A.Deverill, Sgt J.S.Cooper, P/O E.R.Butler, Sgts J.Irons, J.Devine, J.Benbow, J.R.Dawson.  Up 2340  Down 0318.  Bombed primary from 17,000 feet.  No cloud – poor light, slight haze.  Bomb Aimer aimed to overshoot river ½ mile but was blinded by searchlights after bomb had gone.  Rear gunner saw burst and estimated ¾ mile north-east of marshalling yard.  Searchlight activity considerable but not very accurate.  Considerable light flak and moderate heavy flak.
R5538H   F/L C.W.Miller, Sgts F.N.Crouch, A.T.Grossmith, B.Robertson, N.Smith, F/S A.Nickerson, F/S R.Westgate.  Up 2332  Down 0329.  Bombed north part of target area from 15,500 feet.  Light not too good, haze in target area.  Rear gunner saw burst and fires start.  Small tin of incendiaries hung up.  Large concentration of searchlights around target – flak not heavy.
R5497Z   P/O M.Hughes, Sgt H.Lawton, F/S W.Isted, F/S A.Crerar, Sgts R.Harris, D.Overton, F/S R.Turner. (no times shown).  Identified target by river and rail junction.  One large fire and smoke up to 1000 feet.  Flak and searchlights intense.  Port outer engine feathered due to engine failure from u/s coolant.

4.6.42 F/O Kier and P/O Briant took part in fighter co-operation.  Two Freshman detailed for ops – weather fine – both aircraft reached and bombed target, docks at Dieppe, and returned to base.

4/5 June 1942 – Dieppe Docks – Bomb Load 14 x 500lb GP

R5559W   F/S P.Baines, Sgts J.Bunt, B.Cook, W.Kelleher, M.Griffiths, W.Guy, F.Martin.  Up 2324  Down 0307.  Bombed primary from 12,000 feet by light of flare dropped by another aircraft and TR.  No cloud – good visibility but very dark.  Target believed hit but no results from the bombs were observed.
R5502M   P/O W.A.McMurchy, F/S R.Morgan, P/O K.Williams, F/S J.Richardson, Sgts S.Girvan, T.A.Grey, O.Barraclough.  Up 2325  Down 0251.  Primary bombed from 14,000 feet.  Visibility good.  Followed River d’Armfries from coast to target.  First stick fairly well across the target.  Fires observed on last run out.  Very scattered defences.  Flak all flashless, not very accurate.

5/6 June 1942 – Essen – Bomb Load 1 x 4000lb 8 x SBC 4lb

R5495M   P/O M.Hughes, Sgt H.Lawton, P/O L.C.Dorward, F/S A.Crerar, Sgts R.Harris, D.Overton, G.Mercer.  Up 2357  Down 0403.  Bombed alternative (Essen town) from 16,000 feet.  Target well lit by flares but fairly hazy.  Built up area identified after crossing the Rhine.  Tremendous amount of searchlights, light and heavy flak.  Owing to faulty petrol cocks, three engines became u/s.  Port outer picked up at 12,000 feet after one and a half hours.
R5512C   F/L C.W.Miller, Sgt J.Forsyth, F/O F.L.Ifould, Sgts B.Robertson, N.L.Smith, F/S A.Nickerson. F/S R.Westgate.  Up 2347  Down 0345.  Bombed town from 17,000 feet.  Light quite good – dark and clear.  Visibility good.  Several searchlights, little flak.  IFF found to be very effective.
R5559W   F/O E.E.Rodley, Sgts J.Dinning, P.Henley, E.Merrals, T.Cummings, F/S J.Ratcliffe, Sgt J.H.Crisp.  Up 2355  Down 0352.  Essen town attacked at 16,500 feet.  Fairly hazy but ground lit up by flares very well.  Rhine was observed by light of numerous flares.  Much heavy flak and huge concentration of searchlights around target.  Many fires and bomb flashes west of river.
R5496U   F/S J.Adams, F/S F.Falls, Sgts H.Creeth, A.Stafford, J.R.Dawson, N.Linnett, F/S J.Goldie.  Up 2350  Down 0417.  Area around target obscured by ground haze.  No cloud.  Route was as briefed.  Dummy fires seen well before target was reached.  Large cones of searchlights were seen around target and much light flak in evidence.  Defences on the Belgian coast opened up on return.  

Stand down and training

8.6.42 6 aircraft detailed for ops – Aiming Point “B” at Essen – the town as alternative.  Five aircraft attacked the town of Essen and one aircraft, P/O Hughes and crew, failed to return.  No further news of aircraft has been received.  Five aircraft returned safely to base.   

8/9 June 1942 – Essen – Bomb Load 1 x 4000lb 8 x SBC 4lb

R5495N   P/O M.Hughes, Sgt H.Lawton, D.J.Platten, F/S A.Crerar, R.Harris, D.Overton, G.Mercer.  Up 2339.  Missing from this operation.
R5538H  F/L C.W.Miller, Sgt J.Forsyth, F/O F.L.Ifould, Sgts B.Robertson, N.L.Smith, F/S R.Oates, F/S R.Westgate.  Up 2359  Down 0404.  Bombed alternative (Essen town) at 17,000 feet.  Light and visibility good.  A timed run was made from a fix on the Rhine.  Flares seemed to drop short of the target.  Numerous searchlights and much flak of all types.
R5575L   F/O E.E.Rodley, P/O T.Blease, Sgts P.Henley, E.Merrals, T.Cummings, J.Ratcliffe, J.H.Crisp.  Up 2341  Down 0416.  Uneventful trip as far as Ruhr.  Rhine not seen owing to searchlight dazzle.  Four pyrotechnic missiles seen.  Journey back uneventful except for dodging aircraft which approached after yellow lights had blinked on the ground towards the aircraft.
R5559W   F/L E.A.Deverill, Sgt J.S.Cooper, P/O E.R.Butler, Sgts J.Irons, J.A.Devine, J.Benbow, N.W.Keane.  Up 2344  Down 0422.  Bombed Essen town from 17,000 feet.  5-6/10ths cloud, visibility good, light very poor.  Few fires observed in Ruhr area.  Cloud and poor light made target invisible, so bombs dropped on TR.  Considerable searchlight and heavy flak in Ruhr.  Aerial mines were seen in target area.
R5487V   F/O D.J.Maltby, P/O N.J.Briant, P/O L.C.Dorward, F/S H.Concannon, Sgt A.H.Desmond, F/S C.Jones, F/S D.W.Bale.  Up 2342  Down 0432.  Bombs thought to fall in south-east Essen.  Flares dropped by other aircraft very useful.  4000lb jettisoned four seconds after proper release.  Fairly uneventful trip.
L7577T   F/S J.Adams, F/S F.Falls, Sgts H.Creeth, A.Stafford, J.R.Dawson, F/S J.Goldie, Sgt N.Linnett.  Up 2347  Down 0406.  Route taken as briefed.  Very heavy flak encountered on run over target.  Searchlight concentration intense.  Very little opposition encountered after leaving target area.  Rear turret damaged by flak.

10.6.42 6 aircraft for ops – cancelled later due to weather.

11.6.42 7 aircraft for ops – 5 aircraft successfully carried out task in mining the “Geranium” area.  The sixth, F/O Maltby, failed to take off owing to a faulty oil gauge.  The 7th aircraft, P/O Colquhoun (Freshman) successfully mined the “Nectarine” area.  All aircraft returned safely to base.

11/12 June 1942 – Gardening “Geranium” area – Load 4 mines

R5497Z   F/L E.A.Deverill, Sgt J.S.Cooper, P/O E.R.Butler, Sgts J.Irons, J.A.Devine, F/S N.W.Keane, Sgt J.Benbow.  Up 2225  Down 0455.  Mines laid in correct position in primary area.  Patchy low cloud 7/10ths at 2,000 feet.  Good visibility and light.  Made timed run from pin-point on coast.  Rear gunner saw the four mines enter the water.  Uneventful trip.  No flak or searchlights directed at us.
L7574N   F/S J.Adams, F/S F.Falls, Sgts H.Creeth, A.Stafford, J.R.Dawson, N.Linnett, F/S J.Goldie.  Up 2229  Down 0500.  Vegetables seen to enter water at 400 feet in primary area.  No cloud, visibility good.  Target area found by map reading.  Held in two searchlights while mines were dropped.  Another aircraft was seen to be hit and burst into flames just after attack was made.
R5537B   S/L B.R.Hallows, F/O A.W.Friend, F/O F.L.Ifould, F/S B.Louch, Sgts J.Hamon, W.Broomfield, T.Goacher.  Up 2227  Down 0435.  Mines planted in primary from 600 feet.  No cloud, visibility good.  Four parachutes seen to open.  An entirely uneventful trip.  Little flak, one blue searchlight.  Visibility was 20-30 miles.  Exceptional lack of darkness.
R5538H   F/L C.W.Miller, Sgts J.Forsyth, A.T.Grossmith, B.Robertson, N.L.Smith, F/S A.Nickerson, F/S R.Westgate.  Up 2230  Down 0450.  Vegetables seen to fall in correct position from 550 feet.  Uneventful trip except in target area.  Port wing hit by light flak.
R5512C   F/S B.Berridge, F/S V.R.Long, Sgts H.F.Connely, L.H.Fleming, I.V.Hellyer, R.K.Buxton, P/O J.C.Weir.  Up 2233  Down 0527.  Successful trip carried out with good weather conditions.  Mines seen to drop in given position.  Considerable AA and searchlights along coast near Swindemunde while making gardening run, but no hits registered.

11/12 June 1942 – Gardening “Nectarine” area – Load 6 mines

R5634L   P/O I.L.Colquhoun, Sgt J.Dinning, P/O P.M.Cutting, Sgt E.Preston, P/O J.N.Eslick, Sgt W.Townley, F/S R.J.Oates.  Up 0147  Down 0443.  Mines planted in primary.  Slight haze, no cloud.  Rear gunner observed parachutes opening.  Few flak ships seen in target area.

13.6.42 5 aircraft for ops – cancelled owing to bad weather.

Bad weather until training on 16th June

17.6.42 6 aircraft for ops – Gardening in “Nectarine” area.  Five aircraft successfully carried out task but the sixth failed to take off – immersion pump u/s.

17/18 June 1942 – Gardening “Nectarine” area – Load 6 mines

R5512C   F/L C.W.Miller, Sgts J.Forsyth, A.T.Grossmith, B.Robertson, N.L.Smith, F/S A.Nickerson, F/S R.Westgate.  Up 0127  Down 0446.  Vegetables planted in primary from 1,500 feet.  Light and visibility good.  Mines sown on TR fixes.  Quiet trip – shot at by flak ships near target area – shooting bad.
R5502M   F/S B.Berridge, F/S V.R.Long, Sgts H.F.Connely, L.H Fleming, I.V.Hillyer, R.K.Buxton, J.Burke.  Up 0129  Down 0444.  Vegetables released on TR in primary position from 1,200 feet.  Quite dark and hazy.  Rear gunner saw vegetables drop.  A quiet uneventful trip.  A little flak from ships off Terschellin but due to bad visibility only one ship was sighted.
R5496U   F/S J.Adams, F/S G.W.Lancey, Sgts H.L.Creeth, J.P.Dawson, A.Stafford, F/S J.Goldie, F/S C.Robinson.  Up 0139  Down 0508.  Mines dropped by TR in primary position from 600 feet.  Route taken as briefed.  Rear gunner returned fire of flak ship which opened  with pom-pom fire.
L7574N   P/O W.A.McMurchy, P/O R.Morgan, P/O K.Williams, Sgt E.Grimwood, F/S J.Richardson, Sgts T.A.Grey, R.C.Martin.  Up  0141  Down 0501.  Six parachutes seen to open by rear gunner as vegetables fell in correctly judged position.  Light flak and two searchlights on east end of Ameland.  Nothing else of interest.
R5537B   F/S P.R.Baines, Sgt J.E.Bunt, F/S W.C.Isted, Sgts M.Griffiths, W.Kelleher, W.F.Guy, F.Martin.  Up 0150  Down 0506.  Vegetables planted in primary.  Good visibility.  Convoy of about 12 ships sighted and reported to Group at 0345 hours.  Flak ships opened fire at us, but was temporarily silenced when mid upper gunner fired back.

19.6.42 5 aircraft for ops – Aiming Point “A” at Emden with Osnabruck as alternative.  Three aircraft successfully bombed alternative target.  P/O McMurchy returned owing to rear turret being u/s and jettisoned some incendiaries in the sea.  The 5th did not take off owing to the Captain, F/S Adams, being taken ill at the last moment.

19/20 June 1942 – Essen (Osnabruck alternative) – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb 8 x SBC 4lb

R5548A   F/L C.W.Miller, Sgts J.Forsyth, A.T.Grossmith, B.Robertson, N.L.Smith, F/S A.Nickerson, F/S R.Westgate.  Up 2355 Down 0406.  Bombed alternative (Osnabruck town) as primary was obscured by 10/10ths cloud.  Visibility very good.  Bombs dropped on target, bursts seen in town which was lit by flares.  Alternative found on short run up on TR.
R5634L   F/S B.Berridge, F/S V.R.Long, Sgts H.F.Connely, L.H.Fleming, I.V.Hellyer, R.K.Buxton, J.Burke.  Up 2354  Down 0420.  Bombed alternative as primary was obscured by 10/10ths cloud.  Bombed on TR.  Incendiaries 3 miles south-east of town.  4000lb believed nearer the town.  Target well lit up with flares which were most effective but too late.  AA negligible but considerable evidence of fighter activity.
R5559W   F/L E.A.Deverill, Sgt J.S.Cooper, P/O E.R.Butler, Sgts R.G.Gross, J.A.Devine, J.Benbow, F/S H.W.Keane.  Up 2359  Down 0400.  Bombed alternative, primary obscured by 10/10ths cloud.  Visibility good.  Bombs appeared to fall approximately 300 yards west of aiming point.  No flak over target.  Two combats seen, one fighter  believed shot down.  Very satisfactory trip.
R5502M   P/O W.A.McMurchy, F/S R.H.Morgan, P/O K.J.Williams, Sgt E.Grimwood, F/S J.Richardson, Sgts T.A.Grey, O.Barraclough.  Up 2356  Down 0218.  Returned early from position 53.58N 0350E with rear turret u/s.  Jettisoned eight SBCs twenty miles east of Skegness at 0155 hours, height 5,000 feet.

20.6.42   4 Freshman for ops – one cancelled owing to indisposition of the pilot, F/S Cullinane.  The remaining three aircraft attacked the harbour installations at Emden.  Quite uneventful trips and all aircraft returned to base.

20/21 June 1942 Emden – Bomb load 1 x 4000lb, 8 x SBC 4lb

R5543A   P/O T.Blease, Sgt C.G.Leitch (Flt Eng), P/O L.A.Davies, F/S J.Tales, Sgts B.Earnshaw, J.F.Jordan, C.Robinson.  Up 2355  Down 0311.  Bombed primary from 16,000 feet.  Visibility clear, target being identified visually.  Flares illuminated water soth of twon, thus giving clear guide and bombs dropped in town.  Some opposition of heavy flak and occasional light flak.  A pleasant and uneventful trip.
R5502M   P/O I.L.Colquhoun, Sgt I.Whittaker (Flt Eng), P/O P.M.Cutting, Sgts E.Preston, G.G.Farara, W.Townley, F/S R.J.Oates.  Up 2357  Down 0316.  Bombed primary from 15,000 feet.  Slight haze.  Trip quiet until we crossed the Frisian coast, encountered light flak.  Very accurate flak all round target.  Saw plane go down in flames.  Target well illuminated by flares.  Bombs thought to have fallen in north-west of town.
R5496U  P/O N.J.Briant, Sgt E.A.Musgrave (Flt Eng), P/O L.C.Dorward, F/S H.Concannon, F/O J.A.Grieves, P/O K.H.Harrison, Sgt A.Desmond.  Up 2359  Down 0321.  Bombed primary.  Trip out uneventful.  On first run up target obscured by smoke or haze.  Fair amount of heavy and light flak.  On second run up target clearly illuminated by flares and bombs released on town north of docks.  On first run up heavy burst felt under aircraft.  Medium flak accurate at 13,000 feet.    

21.6.42  News from the International Red Cross that S/L Sherwood of the Augsburg Raid has been captured and is now a prisoner of war.  Rest of the crew reported killed.  Today a signal has been received that HM The King has approved the immediate award of the DSO to S/L Sherwood, J.S.  Four aircraft and two Freshman detailed for ops tonight.

21/22.6.42 The four aircraft successfully planted their five mines in the correct position in the “Deodar” area.  Of the Freshman, F/S Croppi had to return early owing to W/T failure and jettisoned his mines safe.  The other aircraft planted his mines in the correct position in “Nectarine”.

21/22 June 1942 Gardening “Deodars” area – Load 6 mines

R7544N  F/L E.A.Deverill, Sgt J.S.Cooper, P/O E.R.Butler, Sgts J.A.Devine, J.R.Dawson, J.Benbow, F/S H.W.Keane. times???  Outward journey as ordered and uneventful.  Approached garden east to west, where vegetables were planted OK.  Considerable medium and light flak experienced during run up and getaway.
R5487V   P/O W.A.McMurchy, F/S R.H.Morgan, P/O K.Williams, Sgt E.Grimwood, F/S J.Richardson, Sgts T.A.Grey, O.Barraclough.  Up 2225  Down 0455.  Garden located by landfall on Cardouan Island.  Lighthouse seen by mid upper gunner when turning into garden.  Vegetables planted in correct position.  Parachutes seen to open.  Visibility 4 miles – good moon.  Heavy and light flak on French coast.  Not very accurate.  Fired at by two ships – also not very accurate.
R5548A   F/O E.E.Rodley, Sgt A.McNeill (Flt Eng), Sgts P.Henley, N.L.Smith, V.A.Hamon, J.Ratcliffe, J.H.Crisp.  Up 2224  Down 0409.  Very quiet trip.  Vegetables planted in correct position – 3rd and 4th vegetables exploded on hitting water.  Moon shone on coast making map reading possible at 8,000 feet.  Descended to 1,000 feet at mouth of Cironde, saw Cordouan lighthouse and steered a timed course.  Returned without mishap.
R5634L   F/S B.Berridge, F/S V.R.Long, Sgts H.F.Connely, L.H.Fleming, I.V.Hellyer, R.K.Buxton, J.Burke.  Up 2236  Down 0512.  Successful and quiet trip.  No cloud, slight haze, visibility good.  Vegetables planted in correct position.  Parachutes seen to open.  Pinpoint on Point de la Coubre, made run form there.  Little AA, but two enemy aircraft sighted, no attack made.

21/22 June 1942 Gardening “Nectarine” area – Load 6 mines

R5502M  F/O A.W.Friend, Sgt E.Hayward (Flt Eng), F/S H.Shrybman, Sgts N.Nicoll, S.J.Allen, P/O J.C.Weir, Sgt F.McKenzie.  Up 2357  Down 0344.  Vegetables dropped on TR fix in correct area.  Some slight light flak in spots a good distance away, possibly from islands.  Very uneventful trip.
R5497Z    F/S N.C.Croppi, Sgt F.Sandiford (Flt Eng), F/S H.W.Bennett, F/S R.L.Turner, Sgts C.Farrimond, J.G.Liney, R.Brook.  Up 0003  Down 0152.  Returned early on account of W/T failure.  Jettisoned safe in position 53.27N 01.08E.

23.6.42 Two Freshman detailed for ops in “Deodars” area.  Both successfully completed the task without encountering much opposition.

23/24 June 1942 Gardening “Deodars” area – Load 5 mines

R5512C   F/O A.W.Friend, Sgt E.Hayward (Flt Eng), F/S H.Shrybman, Sgts N.Nicoll, S.J.Allen, P/O J.