The story
BERLIN
After a rest of more than 2 weeks for the regular bomber squadrons, 891 aircraft - 561 Lancasters, 314 Halifaxes, 16 Mosquitoes - were dispatched. This was the largest force sent to Berlin and the largest non-1,000 bomber force sent to any target, exceeding the previous record of 826 aircraft (which included Stirlings and Wellingtons) sent to Dortmund on the
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when the target was Berlin and 1 aircraft was lost. Converted to Lancasters in February 1945.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Raids Flown
Wellingtons - 24 bombing, 13 minelaying
Halifaxes - 123 bombing, 33 minelaying
Lancasters - 29 bombing, 13 minelaying
Total - 176 bombing, 59 minelaying = 235 raids
Sorties and Losses
Wellingtons - 332 sorties, 5 aircraft lost (1.5 percent)
Halifaxes - 1,811 sorties, 23 aircraft lost (1.3 percent)
Lancasters - 388 sorties, 5 aircraft lost (1.3 percent)
Total - 2,531 sorties, 33 aircraft lost (1.3 percent)
2 Lancasters were destroyed in crashes.
425 (ALOUETTE) SQUADRON
SERVICE
This French Canadian squadron was formed in 4 Group on
There's more to discover
You have arrived at just one small part of Back to Normandy — a personal project dedicated to preserving stories, images, music and memories of the Second World War.
Every record is a doorway to a larger story. Explore Back to Normandy to discover more, or visit Fred Vogels' personal website to learn about the person and the projects behind it.