DECEMBER 1943
From the ORB
1.12.43 SBA training, fighter affiliation and "Y" cross countries. 17 aircraft detailed for operations - after briefing operations were cancelled.
2.12.43 17 aircraft detailed for tonight's operations, the target being Berlin. One aircraft was withdrawn, another P/O Billing and crew returned early, the captain having collapsed but recovered sufficiently to land back at base. The remaining aircraft raided the target in quarter moon - 7/10ths cloud top 5,000' - vis good. Defences H/F predicted moderate, about 200 S/Ls around the city forming cones when cloud breaks permitted. Many fighter flares and activity. TIs fairly well concentrated and many incendiary bombs and bombs burst in area. Later the markers appeared to be scattered. Reports vary considerably, some saw no fires, others saw fires and much smoke in three columns to 10,000'. No good concentration was maintained and results are difficult to assess. S/L GARLICK DFC B Flight Commander and his crew failed to return. No news has since been received. The remaining 14 aircraft returned safely to base in the early hours of the morning. F/L RICHES' aircraft was peppered by flak, the pilot himself having a knock on the head which rendered him unconscious - on coming to, the aircraft was in a vertical dive but he managed to bring it under control.
3.12.43 16 aircraft have been again detailed for operations tonight. The crews have been briefed to attack targets at Leipzig. The attack took place 7-9/10ths cloud tops 5,000'. Vis good. Defences - moderate predicted H/F, S/Ls about 50 mainly illuminating cloud base. Considerable fighter activity. Owing to cloud, no definite results were seen. P/O COLEMAN and crew failed to return, no news having been since received. One aircraft returned early due to rear gunner being sick. The remaining aircraft returned safely to base.
4.12.43 Stand down for operational crews. Some flying training in the afternoon.
5.12.43 Weather misty - flying training cancelled in afternoon - some ground training.
6.12.43 Weather unfit for flying. Ground training and lectures.
7.12.43 Weather unfit - misty. Conferences and ground training. P/O Saunders Nav and Sgt Andrews A/G reported prisoners of war, Sgt Angel F/E killed, all of P/O Painter's crew, reported missing 20/21st October 1943.
8.12.43 No flying, weather unfit. Ground training and aircrew recreation.
9.12.43 No flying, weather unfit. Ground training and aircrew recreation.
10.12.43 No flying. Some officers and all aircrew, pilots and flight engineers, are paying a visit to RAF Engineering shops at Henlow. Stand down in afternoon.
11.12.43 "Y" training, flying in afternoon and ground training.
12.12.43 Flying training programme carried out. "Y" training and cross countries and bombing.
13.12.43 Flying training, cross countries, fighter affiliation. Two night cross countries and two aircraft on dusk and dark circuits landing.
14.12.43 Ground training - weather unfit.
15.12.43 Ground training, weather unfit. S/Ldr C.M.Dunnicliffe assumed command of the Squadron from G/Cpt N.H.Fresson DFC on posting to RAF Snaith.
16.12.43 21 aircraft detailed to attack Berlin. Good concentration of bombing in early stages falling off later. No results seen only reddish glow. 10/10ths cloud tops 3/5000', vis good. Defences H/F moderate to 22,000' and moderate L/F 14,000' - S/Ls ineffective. Many fighter flares and scarecrow flares. F/L Pelletier in Lanc JA960 was attacked by an enemy fighter JU88 and claims it damaged. One aircraft, F/L Brill and crew failed to return - no news heard since. On returning to base aircraft encountered bad visibility over England and the Squadron had a disastrous night in aircraft losses and 28 aircrew being killed. The following is a brief summary of the return. 8 aircraft landed safely at Bourn and 3 at Graveley. One aircraft landed at Wyton. F/Sgt Coates after being hit by another aircraft's incendiaries and having two engines put out of action on the same side by flak, put out a ditching signal when not far from the Danish coast. With great skill he flew the aircraft back on the two engines and landed safely without further damage at Downham Market. Two crews, P/O Smith and F/O Mooney the captains, baled out safely over Ely and Wyton. All the crews were uninjured but one aircraft is missing and untraced. S/L Mackenzie DFC crashed at Bourn on the edge of the airfield. Three were killed - S/L Mackenzie, F/O Colson, P/O Pratt, the remainder are either in hospital or sick quarters. F/O Thackway and crew crashed near Bourn airfield, killing all except Sgt Mack who is in hospital and Sgt Laver who escaped uninjured. S/L Deverill DFC DFM and crew crashed at Graveley, all being killed except for W/O Benbow who is in Ely hospital. F/Sgt Scott and crew crashed at Graveley, all being killed. P/O Kirkwood and crew crashed near Gransden, all being killed. Total loss of aircraft - 8. Aircrew killed - 28, injured 7.
17.12.43 No flying.
18.12.43 No flying.
19.12.43 Ground training, day cross country and air tests. Six aircraft night flying.
20.12.43 19 aircraft detailed for operations tonight. 17 aircraft detailed to attack Frankfurt. One aircraft was withdrawn, one aircraft returned early due to rear turret u/s. One aircraft bombed last resort and 12 aircraft attacked the primary in 8/10th cloud top 10,000' vis good. Identification of reports was not possible owing to cloud. Generally crews reported scattered TIs but some good fires which appeared early in the raid fairly concentrated. Defences slight H/F barrage. Two aircraft were detailed to attack Mannheim. One aircraft was withdrawn, the other attacking primary target. Concentration reported good, many fires burning. Defences H/F. All the above aircraft and crews returned safely to base.
21.12.43 Night flying detailed.
22.12.43 6 aircraft detailed for night flying consisting of cross countries and SBA training. Day training also carried out. Today S/L Mackenzie, Sgt Lawrence and six dominion aircrew who were killed on the 17th December were buried at Cambridge. The Station Commander, Squadron Commander, some officers and aircrew NCOs attended. Funerals - Cambridge The twenty other personnel were conveyed to their various home towns for burial, a representative of the Squadron was in attendance in each case.
23.12.43 17 aircraft detailed to attack Berlin. Two aircraft returned early due to engine trouble and 15 aircraft attacked the primary target. 7/10th - 10/10ths cloud at 8,000', vis good at target. Moderate H/F and L/F barrage. Fighter activity average. Attack appeared well concentrated and a good glow on clouds was seen by returning aircraft for about 50 miles.
24.12.43 Weather unfit for flying - some ground training.
25.12.43 Christmas Day - weather unfit for flying.
26.12.43 Some training air and ground carried out.
27.12.43 "Y" training during day and beam night flying.
28.12.43 Cross countries and bombing training carried out.
29.12.43 "Y" training, bombing on range and air firing during day. 18 aircraft detailed to attack Berlin. Two aircraft were withdrawn, one of which had a tyre burst just before the take off which blocked the dispersal of the other. One aircraft returned early, oxygen being unserviceable for rear gunner. 15 aircraft attacked the primary target. Weather 10/10ths vis good. Defences moderate H/F barrage predicted. S/Ls nil, slight fighter activity. Crews report good concentrated attack. Two were shot up by flak, F/L Steven returning on three engines. F/L Roberts damaged his wing tip over target, another four engined aircraft hitting him. All aircraft returned safely to base.
30.12.43 Training - one night cross country and circuits and landings.
31.12.43 "Y" training, fighter affiliation and bombing at ranges carried out.
Total operational hours for Dec 1943 - 522 hours
Non-operational hours - 258.
From the ORB
1.12.43 SBA training, fighter affiliation and "Y" cross countries. 17 aircraft detailed for operations - after briefing operations were cancelled.
2.12.43 17 aircraft detailed for tonight's operations, the target being Berlin. One aircraft was withdrawn, another P/O Billing and crew returned early, the captain having collapsed but recovered sufficiently to land back at base. The remaining aircraft raided the target in quarter moon - 7/10ths cloud top 5,000' - vis good. Defences H/F predicted moderate, about 200 S/Ls around the city forming cones when cloud breaks permitted. Many fighter flares and activity. TIs fairly well concentrated and many incendiary bombs and bombs burst in area. Later the markers appeared to be scattered. Reports vary considerably, some saw no fires, others saw fires and much smoke in three columns to 10,000'. No good concentration was maintained and results are difficult to assess. S/L GARLICK DFC B Flight Commander and his crew failed to return. No news has since been received. The remaining 14 aircraft returned safely to base in the early hours of the morning. F/L RICHES' aircraft was peppered by flak, the pilot himself having a knock on the head which rendered him unconscious - on coming to, the aircraft was in a vertical dive but he managed to bring it under control.
3.12.43 16 aircraft have been again detailed for operations tonight. The crews have been briefed to attack targets at Leipzig. The attack took place 7-9/10ths cloud tops 5,000'. Vis good. Defences - moderate predicted H/F, S/Ls about 50 mainly illuminating cloud base. Considerable fighter activity. Owing to cloud, no definite results were seen. P/O COLEMAN and crew failed to return, no news having been since received. One aircraft returned early due to rear gunner being sick. The remaining aircraft returned safely to base.
4.12.43 Stand down for operational crews. Some flying training in the afternoon.
5.12.43 Weather misty - flying training cancelled in afternoon - some ground training.
6.12.43 Weather unfit for flying. Ground training and lectures.
7.12.43 Weather unfit - misty. Conferences and ground training. P/O Saunders Nav and Sgt Andrews A/G reported prisoners of war, Sgt Angel F/E killed, all of P/O Painter's crew, reported missing 20/21st October 1943.
8.12.43 No flying, weather unfit. Ground training and aircrew recreation.
9.12.43 No flying, weather unfit. Ground training and aircrew recreation.
10.12.43 No flying. Some officers and all aircrew, pilots and flight engineers, are paying a visit to RAF Engineering shops at Henlow. Stand down in afternoon.
11.12.43 "Y" training, flying in afternoon and ground training.
12.12.43 Flying training programme carried out. "Y" training and cross countries and bombing.
13.12.43 Flying training, cross countries, fighter affiliation. Two night cross countries and two aircraft on dusk and dark circuits landing.
14.12.43 Ground training - weather unfit.
15.12.43 Ground training, weather unfit. S/Ldr C.M.Dunnicliffe assumed command of the Squadron from G/Cpt N.H.Fresson DFC on posting to RAF Snaith.
16.12.43 21 aircraft detailed to attack Berlin. Good concentration of bombing in early stages falling off later. No results seen only reddish glow. 10/10ths cloud tops 3/5000', vis good. Defences H/F moderate to 22,000' and moderate L/F 14,000' - S/Ls ineffective. Many fighter flares and scarecrow flares. F/L Pelletier in Lanc JA960 was attacked by an enemy fighter JU88 and claims it damaged. One aircraft, F/L Brill and crew failed to return - no news heard since. On returning to base aircraft encountered bad visibility over England and the Squadron had a disastrous night in aircraft losses and 28 aircrew being killed. The following is a brief summary of the return. 8 aircraft landed safely at Bourn and 3 at Graveley. One aircraft landed at Wyton. F/Sgt Coates after being hit by another aircraft's incendiaries and having two engines put out of action on the same side by flak, put out a ditching signal when not far from the Danish coast. With great skill he flew the aircraft back on the two engines and landed safely without further damage at Downham Market. Two crews, P/O Smith and F/O Mooney the captains, baled out safely over Ely and Wyton. All the crews were uninjured but one aircraft is missing and untraced. S/L Mackenzie DFC crashed at Bourn on the edge of the airfield. Three were killed - S/L Mackenzie, F/O Colson, P/O Pratt, the remainder are either in hospital or sick quarters. F/O Thackway and crew crashed near Bourn airfield, killing all except Sgt Mack who is in hospital and Sgt Laver who escaped uninjured. S/L Deverill DFC DFM and crew crashed at Graveley, all being killed except for W/O Benbow who is in Ely hospital. F/Sgt Scott and crew crashed at Graveley, all being killed. P/O Kirkwood and crew crashed near Gransden, all being killed. Total loss of aircraft - 8. Aircrew killed - 28, injured 7.
17.12.43 No flying.
18.12.43 No flying.
19.12.43 Ground training, day cross country and air tests. Six aircraft night flying.
20.12.43 19 aircraft detailed for operations tonight. 17 aircraft detailed to attack Frankfurt. One aircraft was withdrawn, one aircraft returned early due to rear turret u/s. One aircraft bombed last resort and 12 aircraft attacked the primary in 8/10th cloud top 10,000' vis good. Identification of reports was not possible owing to cloud. Generally crews reported scattered TIs but some good fires which appeared early in the raid fairly concentrated. Defences slight H/F barrage. Two aircraft were detailed to attack Mannheim. One aircraft was withdrawn, the other attacking primary target. Concentration reported good, many fires burning. Defences H/F. All the above aircraft and crews returned safely to base.
21.12.43 Night flying detailed.
22.12.43 6 aircraft detailed for night flying consisting of cross countries and SBA training. Day training also carried out. Today S/L Mackenzie, Sgt Lawrence and six dominion aircrew who were killed on the 17th December were buried at Cambridge. The Station Commander, Squadron Commander, some officers and aircrew NCOs attended. Funerals - Cambridge The twenty other personnel were conveyed to their various home towns for burial, a representative of the Squadron was in attendance in each case.
23.12.43 17 aircraft detailed to attack Berlin. Two aircraft returned early due to engine trouble and 15 aircraft attacked the primary target. 7/10th - 10/10ths cloud at 8,000', vis good at target. Moderate H/F and L/F barrage. Fighter activity average. Attack appeared well concentrated and a good glow on clouds was seen by returning aircraft for about 50 miles.
24.12.43 Weather unfit for flying - some ground training.
25.12.43 Christmas Day - weather unfit for flying.
26.12.43 Some training air and ground carried out.
27.12.43 "Y" training during day and beam night flying.
28.12.43 Cross countries and bombing training carried out.
29.12.43 "Y" training, bombing on range and air firing during day. 18 aircraft detailed to attack Berlin. Two aircraft were withdrawn, one of which had a tyre burst just before the take off which blocked the dispersal of the other. One aircraft returned early, oxygen being unserviceable for rear gunner. 15 aircraft attacked the primary target. Weather 10/10ths vis good. Defences moderate H/F barrage predicted. S/Ls nil, slight fighter activity. Crews report good concentrated attack. Two were shot up by flak, F/L Steven returning on three engines. F/L Roberts damaged his wing tip over target, another four engined aircraft hitting him. All aircraft returned safely to base.
30.12.43 Training - one night cross country and circuits and landings.
31.12.43 "Y" training, fighter affiliation and bombing at ranges carried out.
Total operational hours for Dec 1943 - 522 hours
Non-operational hours - 258.
Battle of Berlin - November 1943-March 1944