The story
WILHELMSHAVEN
96 aircraft; most crews reported good bombing results. 1 Whitley lost. Wilhelmshaven reports much damage and many fires. Among buildings destroyed or damaged were: the head post office, the main police station, an army barracks, a naval technical school, the main dock offices, 7 large commercial premises and 2 hospitals. At least 22 fire-fighting teams were called in from towns in a radius of 120 km; the men of these teams had to travel in open vehicles over icy roads and then had to fight fires in freezing temperatures. 21 people were killed and 34 injured. The diarist says: 'The year of 1941 would bring many more heavy raids but none causing such heavy damage as this one.'
Minor Operations: 8 Wellingtons and 1 Whitley to Emden and Rotterdam. No losses.
---
WILHELMSHAVEN
81 aircraft attempted to follow up the successful raid of the previous night but fewer crews found the target. Wilhelmshaven reports only light damage with 2 people killed. 5 aircraft - 2 Wellingtons, 2 Whitleys, 1 Hampden - lost.
Minor Operations: 3 Wellingtons to Emden and Rotterdam, 2 Blenheims to Boulogne, 4 Hampdens minelaying off Brest. No losses.
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.