The 218 Sqdn left from Downham Market at 1943-04-29 at 21:05

On Thursday 29 April 1943, a member of the 218 Sqdn, Warrant Officer H Bliss, took off from Downham Market in the United Kingdom. His mission is mentioned elsewhere on WW2 History Europe. You can find the other details of this mission by searching here. Training and cargo flights are not separately mentioned as a mission. The plane left at 21:05.

He flew with a Short Stirling (type I, serial EF356, code HA-O).

Campaign report of the USAAF:

No report

Campaign report of the RAF:

28/29 April 1943

Minelaying: 207 aircraft - 68 Lancasters, 60 Halifaxes, 47 Wellingtons, 32 Stirlings - carried out another large minelaying operation. 167 aircraft laid 593 mines off Heligoland, in the River Elbe and in the Great and Little Belts. Low cloud over the German and Danish Coasts forced the minelayers to fly low in order to establish their positions before laying their mines and much German light flak activity was seen. 22 aircraft - 7 Lancasters, 7 Stirlings, 6 Wellingtons, 2 Halifaxes - were lost. This was the heaviest loss of aircraft while minelaying in the war, but the number of mines laid was the highest in one night.

6 Mosquitos carried out a raid to Wilhelmshaven, dropping many flares to divert attention from that part of the minelaying force which was operating near by. No Mosquitos lost.

With thanks to the RAF and USAAF.net!

This record can also be found on the maps of WW2 History Europe with Google coordinates. You can find the maps by clicking on this link on this location.

There are several possibilities to investigate the flight records on WW2 History Europe. All the flights are plotted on maps, sorted "day by day", "by squadron", "by type aircraft", "by year or month", "by location" and much more! Don't miss this!!!

If you have any information that you want to share, please add your comment at the bottom of this record. Or send your information to [email protected]. This information will be added to the record.

Your photos and your information are very welcome! The young do care and with your help we keep up the good work.