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The crew's first operation was flown with the Squadron Commander as aircraft captain, and Jeff Clarson as 'second dickie'. The next operation was 30th October 1944, their first under Jeff Clarson's command. This was a daylight raid, to bomb German positions on Walcheren Island. On both these two operations, they dropped 13,000 pounds of bombs (6 tonnes). The next operation was at night, against Coblenz on 6th November 1944, dropping a 4,000 bomb and 12 cans of incendiary bombs. South west of Aachen, they had contact with a German JU88 night fighter; twin-engined radar-equipped and very heavily armed with cannon. It was spotted directly above them but hadn't spotted them so they were able to slip away undetected. On the 11th and 15th November 1944, a daylight operation was flown on an oil refinery at Ickern near Dortmund. They dropped 12,000 pounds of bombs, and four days later returned to drop 12,000 pounds of bombs on an oil refinery at Dortmund. On the following day, it was another daylight operation, bombing German troop concentrations north of Aachen. They encountered heavy radar-directed flak. On 20th November 1944, they again attacked oil refineries in daylight at Homberg. As well as dropping bombs, they also dropped leaflets, probably designed to encourage the German citizenry to give thought to surrendering. On the following day (21 November 1944), they paid a return visit to Homberg, again bombing the oil refineries. Then on the 26th November 1944, they bombed the railway marshalling yards at Fulda, northeast of Frankfurt. This was the deepest penetration by RAF bombers into Germany in daylight. They were airborne for 6 hours and 5 minutes. The next day 27th November, they bombed the railway marshalling yards at Cologne in daylight, and encountered intense flak, but sustained no damage. On December 2nd 1944, they bombed the gas works at Dortmund in daylight, with moderate flak. TEN Ops completed Their next operation, again in daylight, was to bomb a dam at Schwammanuel, however the operation was aborted because of the heavy cloud cover over the target, and they had to drop their bomb load in the Channel. December 6th 1944 was a night operation to Merseburg, to bomb a synthetic oil plant. There was intense flak, and they had to land at Woodbridge. December 11th 1944 was a daylight operation to Osterfield marshalling yards. On the following day, they bombed marshalling yards and steelworks at Witten, near Essen, and sighted German fighters but were not intercepted. This was their 13th operation in five weeks, a very intense rate indeed. They then took five days leave, during which all airfields were closed because of fog. The Squadron transferred to Stradishall, Suffolk on December 17th 1944, and the crew resumed operations from there on December 28th when they made a daylight attack on marshalling yards at Cologne, followed by a daylight attack on marshalling yards at Vohwinkel, near Remscheid on New Year's Eve. 1945 commenced with a daylight raid on an oil plant at Castrop Rouxel, when for the first time their aircraft was holed by flak, and their Engineer was slightly injured. Upon return, they found an unexploded anti-aircraft incendiary shell in the wing spar between the petrol tanks, and there were 50 holes in the aircraft, including a large hole in the tail. The aircraft never flew again. At this point they picked up the aircraft that they would see out the war in - 'M for Mike' tail number Next was a daylight operation to Erkenswick on January 15th 1945, to bomb coke and ammonia works. They then had a break doing GH training. On January 28th 1945, they bombed marshalling yards at Cologne. There was moderate flak. There was further GH training until February 9th, when they had a night operation to Hohenberg, near Duisburg, to bomb marshalling yards. On the February 13th 1945, they went to Dresden on a night operation for a saturation attack on a Russian tactical target. Bombed from 20,000 ft. 1 x 4,000 pound bomb and 4 cans of incendiaries. There was only light flak. TWENTY Ops completed Their next operation on February 18th 1945, was in daylight to Wesel, north of the Ruhr. Light flak was encountered The following day i they flew another daylight operation to Wesel. On February 22nd 1945, a daylight operation to Gelsenkirchen, to bomb a power station and coke plant. Intense and accurate flak for 20 minutes was encountered, and the starboard inner engine knocked out. 2 holes in the front turret, and 2 in the tail. On February 25th 1945, it was a daylight operation to Kamen nr. Dortmund to bomb the synthetic oil refinery. Moderate and accurate flak. Once again, they went to Gelsenkirchen on February 27th 1945 in daylight to bomb the Benzol plant. Moderate flak. February 28th 1945, it was a daylight operation once again to Gelsenkirchen to bomb the synthetic oil plant. (Note here that the crew loathed going to Gelsenkirchen). On March 2nd 1945, another daylight operation to Cologne. Light flak. On March 5th 1945, back to Gelsenkirchen again by daylight to bomb the Benzol plant. Moderate flak, but A/C severely damaged, all tanks holed except one. Port outer engine hit twice. 6-inch x 12- inch hole in elevator. 40 holes in A/C. Then on March 6th 1945, it was a night operation to Wesel, where they encountered only light flak. On March 9th 1945, it was a daylight operation to Datteln to bomb the coking plant. They got home on three engines. THIRTY Ops Completed - which would normally have been deemed a full tour. March 18th 1945, a daylight operation to Hattingen to bomb the Benzol plant. Moderate and accurate flak. March 21st 1945, another daylight operation. This time to Munster to bomb the railway marshalling yards. Intense flak. March 23rd 1945, daylight operation to Wesel. Troop concentrations prior to Rhine crossing. Light flak. March 27th 1945, daylight operation to Hamm, to bomb coking plant. Light flak. The crew's last operation was at night to Kiel, to bomb the German fleet and Naval barracks. They were coned over the target, attacked by S/E fighter, and there was heavy flak. This was the same day that the Admiral Scheer was sunk. On this last operation, they were lucky to survive, as they were nearly involved in a mid-air collision with another Lancaster. The crew credited their survival to the quick thinking of both Jim Hepburn, their Flight Engineer and the exceptional flying skills of Jeff Clarson, their pilot, Michael Veitch has recorded this story in his magnificent book "FLAK" (Chapter 36).

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1346311?image=6

https://australiansatwarfilmarchive.unsw.edu.au/archive/1229

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1341851

Ohlstrom_Diary_1915-1916_compressed.pdf

Spurling__William_Alfred_-_1915-1917.pdf

Diary_of_Keith_Edmonds.pdf

Malaya-Diary_111_LAA_Bty_with_cover.pdf

O_Brien_Diary_full.compressed.pdf

Kirkham_Diary_complete-compressed.pdf

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VWM0018_Limbert_Collection_Diary_Pages-ilovepdf-compressed.pdf

140129_Tom_Tobin_Memoire.pdf

Jack Reed (R) and mates somewhere in northern Australia

10185 Jack 'Lucky' Reed

A Bristol Beaufort a light bomber in which Jack Reed flew

10185 Jack Reed striking a dapper pose

From Sydney's diary, his Battalion relieved the 19th Batttalion on Thursday 21 March but he gave no indication of location. Referral to the War Diaries of the 7th Brigade held by the Australian War Memorial indicate they were in camp at Canteen Corner and moved into the line near the villages of Romarin and Kortepyp just inside the Belgian border with France. The entry for Tuesday 26 March, their 2nd in the front line, stated it was 'very lively. Fritz shooting bombs nearly all night. Had to fall back for a while'. On Saturday 30 March Sydney recorded 'Fritz's plane bought by gunfire fell about 300 years from my dugout. Officer taken prisoner'. Sydney then tell that he 'went out with patrol. Spent several hours in no mans land. Very wet and got into swamp on the bank of the River Lys. No sign of Fritz so came in again. Wet through and mud up to knees'. On Tuesday 2 April Sydney recorded it was their 12th day in the line and that the Battalion was relieved by the South Lancashires from the Somme. Following the diary entries, the 26th Battalion spent the night in a camp and on Wednesday 3 April moved to Meteren en route for the Somme. On Thursday 4 April they left Meteren for Caestre 'to load gear on trains working all night'. Sydney records 'it was very wet and slushy'. They left Caestre at 6 am on Friday 5 April arriving in Amiens at 8 pm. Then then marched to Allonville where the spent the night. The next day they marched to La Neuville which Sydney described as 'a small village, left in a hurry by the population as everything was left behind, even cows and a few tame rabbits in out billet'. On Sunday 7 April the Battalion marched to Baizieux to spend some days in support. Sydney states there were 'no billets and have to put up this time in the trench and there are no places to shelter anyway'. On Thursday 11 April Sydney recorded that '3 Hun planes brought down by gun fire. Had no time to go over and see as we were ready to move up the line'. Friday 12 April was the Battalions 'first night in the front line about 4 miles from Albert. Very quiet. Heavy bombardment on our left but nothing our way'. On Friday 19 April Sydney recorded that they were at Franvillers having 'moved back a couple of miles for a couple of days spell. Living in holes in the side of a hill. Light fall of snow during the day. Very cold'. He comments on the 'terrible scarcity for matches' and then on Monday 22 April says he 'heard there were matches at Heilly about 3 miles away. Walked over and managed to get 4 boxes. Going up in line tonight on fatigue'. Wednesday 24 April saw them back in the front line from 11 pm. On 26 April they 'bombarded Fritz's trench with mortars. Knocked out his machine guns'. they were relieved from the front line on Monday 29 April, went into support for a day and then were 'marched out for a couple of days spell'. They were back in reserve on Saturday 4 May and 'had to dig bivies to camp for the night. Dug into bank alongside a railway. 9.2 gun on line shaking hell out of us'. On Friday 10 May Sydney and his mates left for the line arriving 4 pm and went into reserves. Again they had to build bivies, this time in the trench. Sydney records that they went into reserves near Ribemont and 'met my old friend the Queensland mosquito'. He also comments 'I think all the vermin in the world is around this part, not including Huns'. Compiled by Ian Cousens

From the 7th Brigade diaries, the 26th Battalion were back in line at Frenchcourt on 14/15 June. When an inspection was carried out at Frenchcourt on 20 June the Battalion consisted of 40 officers and 867 other ranks. They were described as being very smart. Returning to Sydney's dairy, he recorded on Thursday 27 June that they 'took over line at Villers-Bretonneux. D Company in reserve for 10 days living in dugout. Trey Bon'. It was Friday 12 July before they were 'sent out of the line for a rest'. He must have been back in the line on Wednesday 17 July as he noted that the 'Brits hopped over, took Fritz's line, went about 1500 yards and that 'D Coy had 40 odd casualties, 3 killed'. Saturday 20 July was the 4th Brigade Sports and Sydney noted that he 'met half Toowoomba' and names eight people. That was the last entry Sydney made in his diary. Compiled by Ian Cousens

http://www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=61&c=5123

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHA91yZRwbc

SKM_C36822101017280.pdf

SKM_C36822101017260.pdf

227 page autobiography by Air Commodore Lyall Robert Klaffer entitiled "Fighter Pilot". Manuscript details the authors personal history before enlistment. Accounts post-enlistment are divided into chapters based on posting: Enlistment in Citizens Air Force; Flying training at Point Cook; Flying training at RAAF base East Sale; No.3 Squadron; Central Flying School; No. 77 Squadron Japan; 24 City of Adelaide Squadron; Officer Training school Rathmines; No.2 Operational Conversion Unit; No.75 (F) Squadron Malta; ADC to the Governor-General of Australia; No.2 (F) OCU RAAF Williamstown; Central Flying School RAAF Base East Sale; RAAF College Point Cook; No.3 Fighter Combat Instructors Course; Air Armaments School; RAAF Base Williamstown; RAAF Staff College Point Cook; Air Force Headquarters; Central Flying School; No.16 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (US) South Carolina; Headquarter Operational Command; No.1 Squadron Amberley; Base Squadron Amberley; Air Base Butterworth, Malaysia; Air Force office, Canberra. Accounts of active service during the Korean War. Training, conversion and posting experiences through the rest of his career including his role as ADC to Governor-General Field Marshal Sir William Slim. Personal photographs included throughout.

No 21 sortie 4hrs 45mins 12/12/44 ESSEN Duty- Visual Centrers Aircraft:- “B for Beer” Bomb-load - 4 x T.I. green 1 x 4000lbs 12 x 500lbs We had another shot at the Krupps factory in centre of Essen, because it is believed they have been partially repaired after being badly damaged some time ago. Weather conditions were extremely bad and we flew above cloud all the way. We did not drop our T.I.'s and had to do an orbit before the blind markers released their Wanganui flares. These were widely scattered so we must expect the raid to be quite unsuccessful. There was medium flak, but it was not predicted. We saw a number of fighter flares, so it's very likely that of the 4 aircraft missing from the operation, all were victims of the fighters. Jerry is now fitting his night-fighters with vertical upward firing guns and his technique is for the fighters to fly beneath the bombers and slowly work into position so that the gunners in the bombers mistake him for another bomber and take no evasive action. No 22 sortie 6hrs 30mins 17/12/44 ULM Duty - V.C.'s Aircraft – “B for Beer” Bomb_load - 4 x T.I. green 4 x 1000lbs This was a long and boring night stooge well across southern Germany. The weather was shocking and we were above thick cloud throughout the entire journey. Our objective was to destroy the rail-yards and the docking facilities on the River Danube, because large amounts of supplies are being handled here and sent on to the German Armies, which are opposing the French Army near Saarbrucken. As no ground was visible, all marking was the Wanganui sky markers and although the markers were close together, owing to the winds being opposite to what the bombing data was worked out on, H2's photographs proved that all the bombs fell short of the town, and just ploughed up the mountains. Two aircraft are missing from the operation and it seems that they must have collided when descending through thick cloud over the Channel, because we saw no fighters anywhere and there was no defence. One crew were from here with F/O Cam as Skipper, and they always flew our aircraft when we were not using it. P/0 Fisher the Nav was a good pal of mine and he was commissioned same day as I was and had just been awarded the DFM. Personal diary entry 16 December 1944:- “Had a beautiful trip to Ulm, a centre of communications near Switzerland. The bombing was done through cloud and majority of damage was done to cows out in the open fields. We were followed back to the English Channel by Jerry fighters and they shot down 16 heavy bombers. F/Lt Cam and his crew failed to return and as Shorty had been with Cann for nearly 3 years, it's a bit of a blow.” 20 December 1944:- “The fog has clamped down heavier than ever so after the morning cup of tea we were sent along to the station cinema and 'Dumbo' was put on for us...” No 23 Sortie 4hrs 35mins 21/12/44 BONN Duty - V.C.'s Aircraft - "B for Beer" Bomb-load - 4 x T.I. green 4 x 1000lbs Although the weather is still very unfavourable the army is making good progress because the muddy ground is frozen hard and the tanks can proceed without hindrance. Therefore, in anticipation of a break-through to the Rhine, we attacked the River Junction and town at Bonn, south of the Ruhr. The target was obscured by a heavy layer of cloud, so we retained our markers and released our bombs only, aiming at the sky markers. There were several spoof raids on the Ruhr, with times coinciding with us, and the Jerry fighters never had a clue where the main stream was. There was only slight flak and no aircraft are missing. Personal diary entry 24 December:- “Church parade in the morning and at night a big dance in the N.a.a.fi. Mistletoe and beer were in big supply and also were drunken airmen.” 25 December 1944:- “The Sgts were invited to drink in our Mess in the morning and later we went to their Mess before waiting on the ...(erks?) and W.A.A.F's at their Xmas dinner, which was a lavish affair. We had our dinner in the evening followed by a ladies evening in the ante-room and also a dance in the station cinema.” No 24 sortie 4hrs 50mins 5/1/45 HANNOVER Duty - VCs Aircraft – “G” Bomb-load - 6 x T.I. green 4 x 2000lbs After having this trip cancelled several times, we were rather untolerant about going because it's always been in a strongly defended city situated in an area where many night-fighter dromes are. The target area was clear and we dropped our markers, despite the fact that we were coned by search-lights on our run-up. The sky seemed filled with search-lights and there was bags of heavy flak and we saw many aircraft coned and shot down before they had a chance to get away. A lot of fighters were encountered on the way home, although we were fortunate enough not to be attacked. Sixteen of our aircraft are missing. The raid was very concentrated and the entire centre of the city is reduced to rubble. No 25 sortie 6hrs 40mins 16/1/45 ZEIST Duty - V.C.'s Aircraft – “B for Beer” Bomb-load - 6 x T.I. green 6 x 1000lbs We went after oil again. This time our target was the Braurkohle-Benzin refinery at Zeist, which in just south of Leipzig. It has recently been attacked many times by the American fortresses with heavy losses, but is still the biggest oil producing plant left in Germany. We were among the first aircraft to attack and we struck a terrific barrage of search-lights and heavy predicted flak An aircraft blew up above us and showered burning fuel round us and we saw several chaps hanging in parachutes. We were hit a couple of times but it did no serious damage. To add to the difficulties the Jerry put a lot of dummy markers about a mile to port of the target which attracted some bombs before the Master bomber gave clear instructions again on which markers to bomb. We have learned since that the raid partially destroyed the factory and totally destroyed all the storage tanks. 29 of our aircraft failed to return. NO 26 sortie 4hrs 30mins 22/1/45 HAMBORN Duty - V.C.'s Aircraft – “B for Beer” Bomb-load - 6 x T.I. green 1 x 4000lbs 8 x 500lbs Our target was oil again and was situated just across the Rhine, where it enters the Ruhr Valley. We did a good run-in and identified the aiming point easily and put our markers dead on the right spot. We obtained such a good photo that it has been enlarged as a souvenir for the bombing section. Despite numerous search-lights and heavy flak the bombing was well concentrated and our task was completed successfully. 6 Lancasters are missing. No 27 sortie 5hrs 15mins 2/2/45 WEISBADEN Duty - V.C.'s Aircraft – “B for Beer” Bomb-load - 6 x T.I. green 1 x 4000lbs 8 x 500lbs This town has never before been attacked by Bomber Command, because it has no industry and is merely a pleasure resort. However it has recently been turned into a convalescent centre for weary German troops who go back there for a rest from the front-lines. All the hotels, guest-homes and boarding houses have been taken over and according to intelligence reports there were 100,000 troops in the town before our attack reduced it to rubble. We attacked above cloud and used Wanganui sky markers, and although the marking was scattered, the bombing fell over the entire town and did terrific damage. The flak was almost negligible and we saw no fighters. Our losses on this attack were 4 aircraft. No 28 sortie 4hrs 45mins 3/2/45 BOTTROP Duty - V.C.'s Aircraft – “B for Beer” Bomb-load - 6 x T.I. green 1 x 4000lbs 6 x 1000lbs Back to the old strategic plan of keeping the oil refineries in disrepair. Our target was the distilling plant and the night was perfectly clear. Despite the usual numerous search-lights and heavy flak which Bottrop is dreaded for, the marking was perfect and the bombs all in the target area. Fighters were very active as we turned for home and we played safe, and cork-screwed right across Belgium and France. 13 of our heavies didn't get home. NO 29 sortie 4hrs 50mins 7-2-45 GOCH Duty- D. M. B. Aircraft – “B for Beer” Bomb-load - 14 red and green target indicators. Tonight was described to us as a second D-Day because the army has commenced its final push to end resistance of all German forces. This small town was a strong centre of resistance 3 miles away from our front line and the army was waiting to advance immediately after our raid. The cloud base was 6000ft so we ordered all aircraft to come down to 6000ft even though we went down to 3500ft. We dropped the first markers, which were dead centre, and we circled and watched the bombs coming down. Being so low we were shaken about severely by the explosions. The Master bomber, a NZ chap. collided with another aircraft and had 5ft chopped off his stbd wing but kept flying and although there were 580 aircraft on our attack, the town was obliterated after 2 mins bombing and he told all the remaining aircraft to take their bombs home because otherwise our army would never find their way through the craters. We found out later that only 180 aircraft dropped, but the town was utterly destroyed. There was practically no flak and all our aircraft returned. No 30 sortie 7hrs 25mins 13/2/45 BOHLEN Duty - V.C.'s Aircraft – “B for Beer” Bomb-load - 6 x T.I. green 1 x 4000lbs 6 x 500lbs Again our objective was oil. This plant is situated near Leipzig and has been attacked many times before, mostly by the Americans, but owing to strong defences, it has not been entirely put out of action. Because of 10/10ths cloud we not mark visually and had to rely on blind sky marking. The wind was approx 100 knots and as a result the flares soon drifted and only the first few bombs fell on the target. There was only moderate flak and we lost no aircraft. Owing to the strong head wind we had a long and tedious trip home and I was glad to get back to the Mess where I think everyone was drinking far more beer usual after a trip. No 31 sortie 7hrs 50mins 5/3/45 CHEMNITZ Duty - V.C.'s Aircraft – “B for Beer” Bomb-load - 6 x T.I. green 5 x 1000lbs 1 x 500lbs This is the most distant target we've been to and as it is out of range of all our radar aids I felt rather dubious about getting there on time, but actually we made the target only 24 seconds early. Chemnitz is a huge city and was full of fleeing German refugees and many troops. We bombed on sky markers above a thick layer of cloud and, although the attack seemed scattered, another force, which attacked several hours later, reported the glow of large fires under the clouds when they arrived. We encountered very little flak and there were no fighters reported. Our intelligence officers have told us that Jerry has no aircraft fuel left and can only now put up his jet-propelled machines because they use low-grade fuel. No 32 sortie 5hrs 50mins 8/3/45 HAMBURG Duty - D.M.B. Aircraft – “G” Bomb-load - 6 x T.I. green 4 x 500lbs This is Germany's chief port and our target was the dock-yards on the southern fringe of the town, where most of the U-boats for the German fleet are constructed. There was too much cloud to visually identify the target so Wanganui sky markers were used. There was quite a fair amount of flak, but search-lights were uneffective because the breaks in the cloud were very small. We saw several fighters cross our fish-pond and a few combats were observed as we crossed the coast of Holland. 3 of our heavy bombers were lost. Photo reconnaissance the next day showed that the docks were untouched but the largest part of Hamburg city was burning and in ruins. No 33 sortie 5hrs 15mins 12/3/45 DORTMUND Duty - D.M.B. Aircraft – “B for Beer” Bomb-load - 6 x T.I. green 4 x 500lbs Dortmund is the centre of all communications left into the Ruhr and although it has been hit many times it is still pouring supplies through to the front-line troops, which are lined against the Rhine. To ensure destruction of the entire town 1,082 heavy bombers were detailed for the attack. Upon arrival at the target we found it was completely obscured by heavy cloud up to 10,000ft so we had to rely on blind sky-marking and for the first time a new sky marker, consisting of a 500lb bomb case filled with blue powder, was used and it proved excellent. We circled to port and stood by for 30 minutes while the 100 mile long Bomber stream filed past and released their bombs, including a few of the new 22,000lbers (Ten-Ton-Tess). There was quite a lot of heavy flak and we were predicted much too accurately for comfort most of the time, but we were not hit. I saw one Lanc disintegrate when it was hit by a falling bomb. Although the white cloud tops were quite level before the raid, as we left, a huge circle over the Dortmund area, had turned dense black and had risen several thousand feet, just like an enormous mushroom. Later report confirmed that entire southern part of town was obliterated. No 34 sortie 6hrs 55mins 15/3/45 HANNOVER Duty - D. M. B Aircraft – “B for Beer” Bomb-load - 6 x T.I. green 4 x 500lbs Going after oil again we attacked a refinery just east of Hannover, by name of Missburg. We were first over the target and accurately marked on our first run, then descended well below the briefed height and circled for 15 minutes. The attack only lasted 3 minutes and by the time we had made a second run and dropped our bombs and got a photo we were left on our own and we met a terrific barrage of predicted flak. The skipper did a marvellous job of evasive action, but we were hit many times and with full revs and boost on our remaining engines, they started to overheat long before we reached the Rhine and safety of our own lines, but by loosing height, we kept speed up and continued corkscrewing til we eventually made the Rhine and got into Monty's smoke screen. Eleven Lancs were shot down by flak including two from this squadron and practically every aircraft returned was badly shot up. Our photo proved that the oil factory was totally destroyed and our skipper has been recommended for an award of the DFC. (It came through early in May.) Data extracted from 156 Squadron Association Website

No 11 sortie 4hrs 20mins 15 10 44 WILHELMSHAVEN Duty Visual Centrers Aircraft “B for Beer” Bomb load 6 x TI green 1 x 4000lbs 6 x 1000lbs This place was one of the biggest naval bases in Germany and is now a key supply centre for the German armies fighting along the Belgium and Holland fronts. To deny the defences the advantage of early warning by radar, our outward trip over the North Sea had to be made at 1000ft and we struck severe electric storms. The port was well defended by heavy flak and jet propelled night fighters followed the bomber stream a long way out to sea. The attack was highly successful and dock facilities were badly damaged. 9 heavy bombers failed to return, but our aircraft was not damaged. Reason for attack: An important naval base and key supply port for German army fighting in Holland and Belgium. Personal diary entry 15 October 1944: “Bombed Wilhelmshaven at 1/4 to 8. Flew very low over North Sea and had a bumpy trip, but found target easily. Saw Lanc. go down in flames just below us.” No 12 sortie 6hrs 15mins 19/10/44 STUTTGART Duty- Visual Centrers Aircraft - "K for King" Bomb-load - x T.I. Green 1 x 4000lbs 6 x 1000lbs Our aiming point was the main built up area in centre of town. It was defended by heavy flak and search-lights were numerous. Many fighters were sent up to intercept us. Our aircraft was not damaged although the H2s caught fire after leaving the target area. Five heavy bombers are missing. This was a very eventful trip as all radar aids were unserviceable and when we eventually found the target we were late and practically the only aircraft there that was on our side. We were so late arriving back at base that we had been presumed missing. Reason for attack: Large numbers of troops were held in reserve for the defence of the Belfort Gap on the Western front. Personal diary entry 22 October 1944:- "Sat for my P.F.F. board and passed it ok. Will now be able to wear the official badge and promotion should follow soon." Personal diary entry 24 October 1944: “Put in application for my 2nd class nav certificate and also enrolled for classes to qualify for Civil Aviation licence. S/L Dean spoke to me about my commission and has put in the necessary applications so it should come through within a few weeks.” No 13 sortie 3hrs 45mins 23/10/44 ESSEN Duty - Visual Centrers Aircraft - "B for Beer" Bomb_load - x T.I. green 1 x 4000lbs 6 x 1000lbs Our target was the Krupps ball_bearing factory, which has been unsuccessfully attacked by the RAF several times previously. The defences were very active and a heavy flak barrage was put up. There was a huge area of search_lights and much predicted flak when aircraft were coned, but as we bombed from 22,000ft we were above most of the danger. The raid was a good success and the plant is claimed to be so badly damaged that it will take months to be repaired. Our Kite received several flak holes in the tail-plane and bomb-doors. Out of the total of over 1000 bombers which dropped 4500 tons of bombs, 24 are missing. We had a very rough trip and we flew through a snowstorm over France on the outward journey and electric storms when returning. Reason for attack:- heavy industry situated here including the famous Krupps ball_bearing factory. No 14 sortie 4hrs 20mins 25/10/44 ESSEN Duty - Primary Visual Markers Aircraft - "B for Beer" Bomb-load - x T.I. yellow 1 x 4000lbs Our aiming point was the centre of Essen, which is the most industrialised centre in the Ruhr. Fires were still burning from our previous attack, but the flak defences were well up to standard. There was much cloud over the target, which prevented results from being observed, but later intelligence reports claim very scattered. Bombing: We suffered no damage but 8 of our heavy Bombers failed to return. A 'scarecrow', which exploded just underneath us enveloped the rear turret and tail in fierce flames. Reason for attack: The RAF were swiftly following up their recent night raid on Krupps City, Essen. Personal diary entry 25 October 1944: “Went to Essen again and had to batter our way through the first snow storm of the season. Was a daylight raid and we were the primary visual markers, so had to fly straight and level at 18000ft. A near miss by a 'scarecrow' which exploded just under our bomb-bays covered the tail and rear-turret in a sheet of flame… P/0 Dyeson went with us as box-basher and it was his 52nd and last op.” No 15 sortie 2hrs 25mins 28/10/44 WALCHERAN ISL Duty- Deputy Master Bomber Aircraft - "B for Beer" Bomb-load - x T.I. green 2 x 1000lbs Several simultaneous attacks were made on heavy gun-emplacements along the coast line and our site was slightly north of Weskapelle Light. The target was very small but both marking and bombing were extremely accurate. We made 3 orbits of the target and had a grand view of the whole attack. There was no opposition and all aircraft returned safely. There was rather severe icing conditions enroute. Reason for attack: These guns are firing on our troops who are endeavouring to clear the Scheldt Estuary and thus gain the use of Antwerp as a supply port for our advancing armies. Personal diary entry 28 October 1944: “Called at 4.30 to go on ops. We were surprised to find we were deputy master bombers. Bombed a large gun emplacement near Weskapelle on Walcheren Is. Orbitted the target 4 times and witnessed very accurate marking and bombing.” No 16 sortie 2hrs 25mins 29/10/44 WALCHERAN ISL Duty - Deputy Master Bomber Aircraft – “B for Beer” Bomb-load - x T.I. green 2 x 1000lbs Following yesterday's attack we attacked the gun_positions which are still firing on our troops. Our site was at Zoutel and again there was no enemy opposition. The bombing was done from 10,000ft and was extremely accurate. We circled 3 times and narrowly avoided being hit by a stick of bombs dropped from an aircraft flying much higher than we were. Two aircraft were lost in a collision on their bombing run. Reason for attack: Walcheren Isl guards the entrance to the Scheldt estuary and Antwerp and must be captured before the allied armies can successfully press on through Holland. Personal diary entry 2 November 1944:- “Bob returned from hospital today but his injury is still open so he won't be able to fly until after he comes back from leave. We did a short training flight in 'B' beer and just before commencing to drop some practice bombs at Whittlesey our port outer motor caught fire. Feathered prop. immediately and used gravener to extinguish flames and landed safely on 3 motors.” No 17 sortie 4hrs 4/11/44 BOCHUM Duty Backers Up Aircraft “B for Beer” Bomb load 6 x T.I. green 1 x 4000lbs 6 x 1000lbs Bochum is situated in centre of the Ruhr Valley and is an important centre of steel industries. Our track into the target took us over Duisburg and Essen and the defences were extremely heavy. The search lights covered a huge area and were so concentrated that they looked like a huge plantation of tall trees. Jet propelled fighters and magnetic rockets caused heavy casualties among the 1000 bombers taking part and 34 failed to return. The elevators of our aircraft were damaged by flak and there were a number of holes in the fuselage. Later intelligence reports confirm all crew's claims that the whole town was utterly devastated. Reason for attack. This place specialises in steel industries and supplies much war material, in form of tanks and guns, to the German army. NO 18 Sortie 3 hrs 45 mins 6/11/44 GELSENKIRCHEN Duty - Backers Up Aircraft – “B for Beer” Bomb-load - 4 x T.I. green 1 x 4000lbs 6 x 1000lbs 2 x 500lbs Our object was to obliterate the residential and business portion of this place, which is responsible for maintaining the oil refineries in the near vicinity. Heavy flak made the target area rather sticky and a few pieces holed our tail-plane. 7 Lancasters were shot down. Reason for attack: In support of the armies’ advance the Ruhr is being systematically battered to prevent supplies from being kept up. Personal diary extract: - “I was on leave from 9 November until 16 November and spent one day in London, before travelling down to Portsmouth to stay at Billson's, being well looked after by Bob's mother - even getting breakfast in bed. Our first few days back in camp were wet and cold.” No 19 sortie 4hrs 35mins 21/11/44 STERKRADE Duty - Backers Up Aircraft – “B for Beer” Bomb-load - 6 x T.I. green 8 x 1000lbs Our target was a synthetic oil refinery. It was strongly defended by heavy flak, but about 5/10ths cloud cover prevented successful use of search-lights and it was rather inaccurate. Our aircraft was not damaged, although 15 Lancasters are missing from the night's operations. The marking and bombing was extremely well concentrated and heavy damage was inflicted on the plant. Reason for attack:- Although this plant has been badly mauled in previous R.A.F. raids, it had been sufficiently to recommence output, of synthetic oil, manufactured from coal. No 20 sortie 5hrs 35mins 27/11/44 FRIEBURG Duty - Visual Centrers Aircraft – “B for Beer” Bomb-load - 6 x T.I. green 1 x 4000lbs 5 x 1000lbs Frieburg is situated at the foot of the Swiss Alps and has a peace-time population of 110,000 people. At present it is approx 60 miles from our advancing front line and is the only important communication centre in the vicinity. It was very slightly defended and we attacked from 14,000ft in bright moonlight. The marking was accurate and the raid was highly successful. All of our bombers returned safely. The snow on the Alps was a lovely sight in the brilliant moonlight. Reason for attack:- Large numbers of troops were held in reserve here to stem the French advance on Southern Germany. We learned later that approx 35,000 people were killed in this highly successful raid. Data extracted from a redundant Site http://www.rafupwood.co.uk/156squadron.htm#156losses

Diary_of_NX16281_John_William_Claud_MOXHAM.docx

SKM_C36823010615250.pdf

Frederick_Emil_Ledin_WW1_Diaries.pdf

No 1 sortie 3hrs 50min 11/9/44 Crew – Pilot W/C Shorty Harris DFC Nav Ralph Paech DFC Set Operator Bob Billson Bomb Aimer Charlie Batt Rear Gunner Colin Follit M U Gunner Taffy Francis W/Op Bill Cummings Engineer Frank Wilds Aircraft 'B' for Beer Duty Supporters Bomb load – 1 x 4000 lbs (cookie) 16 x 500lbs Target: Bottrop oil refinery in vicinity of Gelsen Kirchen which is reputed to be most strongly defended area in the Ruhr Valley. Defences consist of heavy and very accurate visually predicted flak. Aircraft holed in 16 places and one shell fractured main plane. Port petrol tank damaged, but sealed up automatically. Target virtually wiped out except for distilling plant. Thousands of tons of Hilter's precious oil went up in flame and smoke. Our losses were 4 heavy bombers. Crews impression of raid: Natives definately hostile and reaper had his finger out. Bags of ring twitter as we approached the target. Reason for attack: This refinery supplies fuel necessary to Hitler's defence of Western Germany. Personal diary entry 11 September 1944: ''Briefed for first real op at 1 o'clock ... The flak we intense and accurate. We arrived back with 15 holes, main tank badly holed and main spar fractured. Our Kite 'B' Baker, new previous, was written off as total loss." No 2 sortie –3hours 15 mins 12/9/44 NORDSTERN Duty Supporters. Aircraft 'A' Apple. Bomb load 1 x 40001bs 16 x 5001bs We attacked Nordstern oil refinery near Gelsen Kirchen and as we had to draw the defences from the primary markers, were among the first few over the target. Extremely heavy and accurate flak encountered. A shell which burst very closeup under our tail forced our aircraft into a steep dive. I'd never before realised what a good Christian I was. The target was only partially destroyed but huge fires and columns of intense black smoke proved that oil storage tanks were set on fire. When we landed counted 10 flak holes in our aircraft. Our losses were 5 heavy bombers. Crew's impression of raid: We decidedly don't like the Jerries shooting because after today we think they are really trying to hit us. Reason for attack: Continued allied plan to weaken resistance by depriving him of fuel for his planes and tanks. Personal diary entry 12 September 1944:"...Target again in Ruhr and was an oil storage dump… scored a direct hit proven by photo. Flew in 'A' apple, as blind supporters so were first over target. Flak very intensive and we received 10 holes. Saw several Lancs go down in flames and I really was scared bloody stiff." No 3 sortie 4 hrs 13/9/44 NORDSTERN Duty Supporters Aircraft J for Johmy Bomb load 1 x 4000lbs 16 x 500lbs. Again went to Nordstern, to stoke up the fires we started yesterday. Supported the master bomber. Encountered heavy flak but by intense evasive action managed to keep out of trouble and suffered no damage to our aircraft. The ammo bins became unfastened and there was an almighty mess inside the fuselage. The Elsan overturned and filled the aircraft with a rather nauseating stench. Intelligence reports claim the total destruction of the refinery. We lost 10 Lancasters. Reason for attack: The plant was . .... Personal diary entry 13 September 1944: “Went in as supporter for Master bomber and encountered extremely heavy flak. Just before bombing received hit under tail and dived to 16,000ft before gaining control ... As we were right in front of attack, predicted flak followed us and many shells exploded within a few feet of our wings, and we were very lucky to get away with it ...” No 4 sortie 2hrs 15mins 14/9/44 WASSARRAN Duty Supporters Aircraft “A” Apple Bomb load – 11 x 1000lbs 4 x 500lbs Attacked an ammo dump situated in a wood near 'The Hague' in Holland. Visibility was excellent and as we bombed from 10,000ft the aiming point was easily identified. A little flak was put up from The Hague but it didn't get near us so we had a quiet trip. The bombing was well concentrated but we did not see the dump go up. There was no damage to our Kite and no losses were sustained. No 5 sortie 6hrs 20mins 15/9/44 KIEL Duty Blind supporters. Aircraft 'K' for King Bomb load 6 x 2000lbs This place is an important supply port for the German army in Holland. We attacked the southern part of the town, which includes most of the docks and warehouses. Our outward trip took us a long way up across the North Sea and we had to fly at 1000ft to deny the Jerries any use of their early warning radar devices. We crossed right across Denmark and part of Norway and bombed blindly through cloud using H2s. Encountered heavy barrage flak and night fighters followed the bomber stream well out to sea. We were attacked by a JU88 and did some thrilling cork screws before eventually evading it. Saw one PFF Kite go down and when it blew up the T.I.'s brilliantly lit the sky. Our aircraft was not damaged but 3 heavy bombers are missing from the night's operation. Bob lost consciousness just before reaching Kiel when his oxygen tube became unfastened but otherwise it was a pleasant trip. We flew through a severe electric storm and the sparks which were flyinq about made our Kite look like a Xmas tree. Personal diary entry 15 September 1944: “Our leave has been granted to start tomorrow so we weren't too pleased when our crew was on the battle order to raid Kiel... Attacked by a JU88 but he couldn't shoot straight.” 16 September 1944: “Our leave has commenced. Caught train and had dinner in London, then on to Portsmouth and we arrived at Bob's place in time for tea. Met his parents and two sisters and as they appear to be of the same happy personality as Bob I think I will be having a pretty good time this week.” 19 September 1944: “...after a lot of hunting about managed to buy a Philco 5 valve mantel model radio for 21 Pounds. Fixed it up in Billson's front room by detaching the electric clock and using that plug...” 21 September 1944: “... sat up talking till all hours ... I answered numerous questions about my past life, and gave out more information than an Agricultural Bureau.” (Back at camp) 24 September 1944: “Rigged up the wireless in Bob's and my bedroom, which is actually more like a communal sitting room for the crew. It's certainly going to be a good companion during this winter.” No 6 sortie 3hrs 40mins 27/9/44 BOTTROP Duty Supporters Aircraft H for Harry Bomb load – 11 x 1000lbs 4 x 500lbs Again attacked Bottrop oil refinery, which had been partially repaired after our previous raid. We bombed blindly through thick cloud and attack was successful. Flak was only light barrage. No aircraft were lost. Icing was severe when descending through cloud and our elevators froze up, making evasive action impossible had we met any fighters. No 7 sortie 2hrs 30mins 28/9/44 CAPE GRIZ NES Duty Visual Centrers Aircraft B for Beer Bomb load 8 x T.I. green 4 x 2000lbs S.A.P. We bombed and marked the sites of the long range cross channel guns that have been shelling, for the past 4 years, the English countryside round Dover. Bombed from 2500ft and orbited target 3 times while watching the main force drop their bombs. There was no enemy opposition and no aircraft were lost. When approaching the target we saw a car skid off the road as we passed overhead with bomb doors open and overturn in a ditch. While making our last run over the target we narrowly escaped being hit by the bombs dropping from a Halifax just above us. Personal diary entry 28 September 1944: “At last we... going where we longed to go. Had to blast the cross channel long-range guns ... I was able to get to the exact position... We made three runs and the explosions severely shook our Lanc.” No 8 sortie 5hrs 15mins 5/10/44 SAARBRUCKEN Duty Visual Centrers Aircraft "B for Beer" Bomb load – 8 x T. I. green 1 x 4000lbs 4 x 1000lbs Saarbrucken is a large centre of communications. We simply aimed for centre of built up area and attack was well concentrated and results very successful. Reconnaissance photos the following day showed large fires still burning fiercely. The defences consisted of a moderate barrage of heavy flak but night fighters were very active. We were attacked by an ME109 in vicinity of target. Our aircraft was not damaged and no aircraft were lost on the raid. Reason for attack: Important communication centre and heavy troop concentrations. Personal diary entry 4 October 1944: “Flew down over Brighton and across France just north of Paris, at 2000ft to fox the Jerry radar warning devices and climbed to 19000ft as we approached target. ... Had 2 encounters with night fighters... the first, which was an ME109, opened fire on us, but we evaded damage by doing a violent corkscrew. Very large fires were blazing as we left on our homeward bound trip...” No 9 sortie 3hrs 20mins 6/10/44 STERKRADE Duty: Visual Centrers Aircraft H for Harry Bomb load 8 x T.I. green 1 x 4000lbs 4 x 1000lbs The target was an oil refinery near Essen and was heavily defended by flak. Being a clear day, the flak was visually predicted very accurately and 9 heavy bombers were lost. Our aircraft was hit several times and just before releasing the bombs our set operator was hit in the back by a shell splinter, but carried on with his work on the return trip, although flak from guns in Tillburg and on Walcheren Is came dangerously close. The attack was very successful and our photo of the refinery was enlarged. 9 aircraft are missing. After this trip we have little ambition to visit the Ruhr again without cloud cover. Reason for attack: Destruction of fuel supplies which are directly assisting the German resistance on the Western front. Personal diary entry 5 October 1944: “Raided Sterkrade, an oil refinery in the Ruhr and were badly shot up by heavy predicted flak. The elevators were shot away and Bob was injured by shrapnel and we thought we'd had our time, but old 'Baker' staggered home ok. We obtained best photo of the target and it has been enlarged which is an honour. Two of F/0 Cann's crew bailed out over the target area.” 6 October 1944: “Bob has been taken to the Ely and after an operation to remove the metal, seems to be doing quite well...” 7 October 1944: “Received word that Bob is progressing ok so wrote and told his parents what we had been up to...” No 10 sortie 4hrs 30mins 14/10/44 DUISBURG Duty Visual Centrers Aircraft “B for Beer” Bomb load 6 x T.I. green 1 x 4000lbs 6 x 1000lbs This place is the greatest inland port in Germany and our aiming point was the docks and warehouses. Approx 1,050 heavy bombers took part in the attack, which was the biggest raid of the war. Large fires were still raging from a heavy attack earlier in the day. The marking was concentrated and bombing accurate and when we left, the whole town seemed ablaze. The defences were moderate although plenty of search lights were seen, and night fighters were active. 21 of our bombers are missing. Later reconnaissance photos proved that the entire port and town are totally destroyed. Reason for attack. This port handles a huge amount of war material and is a very important centre of communications. This information extracted from a now archived site http://www.rafupwood.co.uk/156squadron.htm#156losses

No 11 sortie 4hrs 20mins 15 10 44 WILHELMSHAVEN Duty Visual Centrers Aircraft “B for Beer” Bomb load 6 x TI green 1 x 4000lbs 6 x 1000lbs This place was one of the biggest naval bases in Germany and is now a key supply centre for the German armies fighting along the Belgium and Holland fronts. To deny the defences the advantage of early warning by radar, our outward trip over the North Sea had to be made at 1000ft and we struck severe electric storms. The port was well defended by heavy flak and jet propelled night fighters followed the bomber stream a long way out to sea. The attack was highly successful and dock facilities were badly damaged. 9 heavy bombers failed to return, but our aircraft was not damaged. Reason for attack: An important naval base and key supply port for German army fighting in Holland and Belgium. Personal diary entry 15 October 1944: “Bombed Wilhelmshaven at 1/4 to 8. Flew very low over North Sea and had a bumpy trip, but found target easily. Saw Lanc. go down in flames just below us.” No 12 sortie 6hrs 15mins 19/10/44 STUTTGART Duty- Visual Centrers Aircraft - "K for King" Bomb-load - x T.I. Green 1 x 4000lbs 6 x 1000lbs Our aiming point was the main built up area in centre of town. It was defended by heavy flak and search-lights were numerous. Many fighters were sent up to intercept us. Our aircraft was not damaged although the H2s caught fire after leaving the target area. Five heavy bombers are missing. This was a very eventful trip as all radar aids were unserviceable and when we eventually found the target we were late and practically the only aircraft there that was on our side. We were so late arriving back at base that we had been presumed missing. Reason for attack: Large numbers of troops were held in reserve for the defence of the Belfort Gap on the Western front. Personal diary entry 22 October 1944:- "Sat for my P.F.F. board and passed it ok. Will now be able to wear the official badge and promotion should follow soon." Personal diary entry 24 October 1944: “Put in application for my 2nd class nav certificate and also enrolled for classes to qualify for Civil Aviation licence. S/L Dean spoke to me about my commission and has put in the necessary applications so it should come through within a few weeks.” No 13 sortie 3hrs 45mins 23/10/44 ESSEN Duty - Visual Centrers Aircraft - "B for Beer" Bomb_load - x T.I. green 1 x 4000lbs 6 x 1000lbs Our target was the Krupps ball_bearing factory, which has been unsuccessfully attacked by the RAF several times previously. The defences were very active and a heavy flak barrage was put up. There was a huge area of search_lights and much predicted flak when aircraft were coned, but as we bombed from 22,000ft we were above most of the danger. The raid was a good success and the plant is claimed to be so badly damaged that it will take months to be repaired. Our Kite received several flak holes in the tail-plane and bomb-doors. Out of the total of over 1000 bombers which dropped 4500 tons of bombs, 24 are missing. We had a very rough trip and we flew through a snowstorm over France on the outward journey and electric storms when returning. Reason for attack:- heavy industry situated here including the famous Krupps ball_bearing factory. No 14 sortie 4hrs 20mins 25/10/44 ESSEN Duty - Primary Visual Markers Aircraft - "B for Beer" Bomb-load - x T.I. yellow 1 x 4000lbs Our aiming point was the centre of Essen, which is the most industrialised centre in the Ruhr. Fires were still burning from our previous attack, but the flak defences were well up to standard. There was much cloud over the target, which prevented results from being observed, but later intelligence reports claim very scattered. Bombing: We suffered no damage but 8 of our heavy Bombers failed to return. A 'scarecrow', which exploded just underneath us enveloped the rear turret and tail in fierce flames. Reason for attack: The RAF were swiftly following up their recent night raid on Krupps City, Essen. Personal diary entry 25 October 1944: “Went to Essen again and had to batter our way through the first snow storm of the season. Was a daylight raid and we were the primary visual markers, so had to fly straight and level at 18000ft. A near miss by a 'scarecrow' which exploded just under our bomb-bays covered the tail and rear-turret in a sheet of flame… P/0 Dyeson went with us as box-basher and it was his 52nd and last op.” No 15 sortie 2hrs 25mins 28/10/44 WALCHERAN ISL Duty- Deputy Master Bomber Aircraft - "B for Beer" Bomb-load - x T.I. green 2 x 1000lbs Several simultaneous attacks were made on heavy gun-emplacements along the coast line and our site was slightly north of Weskapelle Light. The target was very small but both marking and bombing were extremely accurate. We made 3 orbits of the target and had a grand view of the whole attack. There was no opposition and all aircraft returned safely. There was rather severe icing conditions enroute. Reason for attack: These guns are firing on our troops who are endeavouring to clear the Scheldt Estuary and thus gain the use of Antwerp as a supply port for our advancing armies. Personal diary entry 28 October 1944: “Called at 4.30 to go on ops. We were surprised to find we were deputy master bombers. Bombed a large gun emplacement near Weskapelle on Walcheren Is. Orbitted the target 4 times and witnessed very accurate marking and bombing.” No 16 sortie 2hrs 25mins 29/10/44 WALCHERAN ISL Duty - Deputy Master Bomber Aircraft – “B for Beer” Bomb-load - x T.I. green 2 x 1000lbs Following yesterday's attack we attacked the gun_positions which are still firing on our troops. Our site was at Zoutel and again there was no enemy opposition. The bombing was done from 10,000ft and was extremely accurate. We circled 3 times and narrowly avoided being hit by a stick of bombs dropped from an aircraft flying much higher than we were. Two aircraft were lost in a collision on their bombing run. Reason for attack: Walcheren Isl guards the entrance to the Scheldt estuary and Antwerp and must be captured before the allied armies can successfully press on through Holland. Personal diary entry 2 November 1944:- “Bob returned from hospital today but his injury is still open so he won't be able to fly until after he comes back from leave. We did a short training flight in 'B' beer and just before commencing to drop some practice bombs at Whittlesey our port outer motor caught fire. Feathered prop. immediately and used gravener to extinguish flames and landed safely on 3 motors.” No 17 sortie 4hrs 4/11/44 BOCHUM Duty Backers Up Aircraft “B for Beer” Bomb load 6 x T.I. green 1 x 4000lbs 6 x 1000lbs Bochum is situated in centre of the Ruhr Valley and is an important centre of steel industries. Our track into the target took us over Duisburg and Essen and the defences were extremely heavy. The search lights covered a huge area and were so concentrated that they looked like a huge plantation of tall trees. Jet propelled fighters and magnetic rockets caused heavy casualties among the 1000 bombers taking part and 34 failed to return. The elevators of our aircraft were damaged by flak and there were a number of holes in the fuselage. Later intelligence reports confirm all crew's claims that the whole town was utterly devastated. Reason for attack. This place specialises in steel industries and supplies much war material, in form of tanks and guns, to the German army. NO 18 Sortie 3 hrs 45 mins 6/11/44 GELSENKIRCHEN Duty - Backers Up Aircraft – “B for Beer” Bomb-load - 4 x T.I. green 1 x 4000lbs 6 x 1000lbs 2 x 500lbs Our object was to obliterate the residential and business portion of this place, which is responsible for maintaining the oil refineries in the near vicinity. Heavy flak made the target area rather sticky and a few pieces holed our tail-plane. 7 Lancasters were shot down. Reason for attack: In support of the armies’ advance the Ruhr is being systematically battered to prevent supplies from being kept up. Personal diary extract: - “I was on leave from 9 November until 16 November and spent one day in London, before travelling down to Portsmouth to stay at Billson's, being well looked after by Bob's mother - even getting breakfast in bed. Our first few days back in camp were wet and cold.” No 19 sortie 4hrs 35mins 21/11/44 STERKRADE Duty - Backers Up Aircraft – “B for Beer” Bomb-load - 6 x T.I. green 8 x 1000lbs Our target was a synthetic oil refinery. It was strongly defended by heavy flak, but about 5/10ths cloud cover prevented successful use of search-lights and it was rather inaccurate. Our aircraft was not damaged, although 15 Lancasters are missing from the night's operations. The marking and bombing was extremely well concentrated and heavy damage was inflicted on the plant. Reason for attack:- Although this plant has been badly mauled in previous R.A.F. raids, it had been sufficiently to recommence output, of synthetic oil, manufactured from coal. No 20 sortie 5hrs 35mins 27/11/44 FRIEBURG Duty - Visual Centrers Aircraft – “B for Beer” Bomb-load - 6 x T.I. green 1 x 4000lbs 5 x 1000lbs Frieburg is situated at the foot of the Swiss Alps and has a peace-time population of 110,000 people. At present it is approx 60 miles from our advancing front line and is the only important communication centre in the vicinity. It was very slightly defended and we attacked from 14,000ft in bright moonlight. The marking was accurate and the raid was highly successful. All of our bombers returned safely. The snow on the Alps was a lovely sight in the brilliant moonlight. Reason for attack:- Large numbers of troops were held in reserve here to stem the French advance on Southern Germany. We learned later that approx 35,000 people were killed in this highly successful raid. Data extracted from http://www.rafupwood.co.uk/156squadron.htm#156losses