The 97 Sqdn left from Woodhall Spa at 1943-01-18 at 17:03
He flew with a Avro Lancaster (type I, serial R5575, code OF-L).
Campaign report of the USAAF:
(Eighth Air Force): HQ 4th Bombardment Wing transfers from Camp Lynn to Marks Hall, England.
Campaign report of the RAF:
17/18 January 1943
170 Lancasters and 17 Halifaxes repeated the raid on Berlin. The weather was better than on the previous night but the Pathfinders were again unable to mark the centre of the city and again the bombing fell mainly in the southern areas. The Bomber Command report stated that the Daimler-Benz factory was hit, either during this night or during the raid of the previous night, but this is not confirmed by the German report; however, a BMW aero-engine factory at Spandau was hit by incendiaries and slightly damaged. There was no damage of note in any part of Berlin.
The routes taken by the bombers to and from Berlin were the same as those followed on the previous night and German night fighters were able to find the bomber stream. 19 Lancasters and 3 Halifaxes were lost, 11.8 per cent of the force. The experiments with this Lancaster/Halifax force, using target indicators against Berlin, now ceased until H2S became available.
An observer of this raid was Richard Dimbleby, the BBC broadcaster, who flew in a 106 Squadron Lancaster piloted by Wing Commander Guy Gibson.
18 January 1943
21 Venturas and 14 Bostons to Caen and Cherbourg were all recalled because of unfavourable weather.
18/19 January 1943
22 Stirlings and 7 Wellingtons of No 3 Group laid mines off the Frisian Islands without loss.
With thanks to the RAF and USAAF.net!
This record can also be found on the maps of Back to Normandy 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 Back to Normandy. 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.
