MARCH 1944
1.3.44        21 aircraft detailed for operations against target at Stuttgart.  The attack was made in good vis.  8/10ths cloud tops 6/80000', from 16/20000'.  Defences slight to moderate H/F.  Most crews reported seeing neither flak, searchlights, or night fighters.  21 photos were attempted.  The attack opened at 02.56 when Wanganui flares were first seen, and after the first two or three minutes when Wanganuis were in fairly good concentration, marking became rather scattered and was not continuous.  Fires were reported and smoke was seen coming through clouds which reflected a good glow from fires.  Owing to the inconsistency of marking, no clear picture of the trens of the attack is possible.  All aircraft and crews returned safely to base.
2.3.44        Ground and flying training.
3.3.44        Ground and flying training.  The AOC 8 Group, Air Vice Marshall D.C.T.Bennett CBE DSO visited Bourn and lectured all air gunners.
4.3.44        Training carried out as scheduled, 21 aircraft detailed for operations - crews briefed but operation was cancelled about 2 hours before take-off.  Reports state that American heavy bombers attacked Berlin in the daylight today for the first time which followed a sweep over Berlin by American Lightnings yesterday.
5.3.44        21 Lancasters detailed for operations tonight - crews briefed.  The operation was cancelled about 1700 hours, weather report adverse.
6.3.44        21 Lancasters detailed for operations - crews briefed.  Cancelled within 1 hour of take off.
7.3.44        Stand down from operations.
8.3.44        Stand down from operations.  Lecture in the morning to all aircrew on "Escape and Evasion" by Wing Commander Grant.  Full training in the afternoon as detailed.
9.3.44        Flying and ground training - lecture to all aircrews in afternoon.   Seven aircraft carried out night cross country training.
10.3.44        21 aircraft detailed for night operations - cancelled in early afternoon.  Games and PT arranged for remainder of day for aircrews.
11.3.44        Full flying training schedule carried out.  4 aircraft detailed for night navigation exercise.  Duty carried out duration approx 6 hours.
12.3.44        Lecture this morning by S/L Wilson on H2S to all pilots, navigators and air bombers.
14.3.44        Flying training carried out as scheduled.  Night bombing detailed for 9 aircraft, full crews with extra flight engineers.  S/Ldr Vincent, Australian Liaison Officer, from Bomber Command is visiting the station tonight.  Bombing detail carried out.
15.3.44        24 Lancasters detailed for operations.  Briefing took place, with Stuttgart for the target.  The attack was made in good visibility with 10/10ths cloud, tops 8000'.  Wanganui flares were seen at 23.09 and at the commencement the target appeared to have been well marked, but a second concentration soon built up wide of the original one.  Gaps appeared in the marking, supporters were late with scattered bombing.  From all reports it would appear to be a disappointing attack.
16.3.44        21 aircraft detailed for operations but cancelled prior to take off.
17.3.44        No flying today, weather misty.
18.3.44        21 aircraft detailed for operations - crews briefed, take off approx 21.15 hours.  The attack was made in clear sky - visibility poor, hazy.  Defemces negligible - searchlights numerous to south of town, Frankfurt - fighter activity below average and only in target area.  18 photos attempted.  Attack made from 12,800' to 21,500'.  Attack on Frankfurt opened early and the timing was good, but poor visibility over target prevented identification by the visual marker and TIs were only occasionally seen glowing thinly through haze.  In consequence most crews brought their TIs back.  Some flashes from large bombs were seen in built up area and glow of incendiary bombs seen but no other results were generally seen.  F/O Callan (NZ) and crew failed to return, no news has since been heard.

19.3.44        Movement Order is attached for the move of "C" Flight to form one flight in No 635 Squadron at Downham Market.  This move reduces 97 Squadron to a two flight Squadron with aircraft on basis of 16.1.E and 41.R in accordance with Estab. LVE/BC/3364.  The Advance Party moved off on the 18th March and the Main Party moved off with equipment by road on 20th March.
20.3.44        9 aircraft and crews also took off by air.  The rear party consisting of 2 crews leave on the 21st.  14 aircraft were detailed for operations today but were cancelled soon after briefing.
21.3.44        The move of "C" Flight to No 635 Squadron has been completed today.  14 Lancasters have been detailed for operations for tonight and crews briefed.  The operation was cancelled in late afternoon.
22.3.44        Some training was carried out in the morning and 14 Lancasters were detailed for operations tonight.  Frankfurt was the target and the attack opened on time at 21.45.   A fair concentration was achieved, timing was good, and marking was well maintained.  Large fires were seen around aiming point and fires quickly extended with smoke rising to 10,000' and fires were visible 200 miles away.  There was slight H/F, searchlights numerous but ineffective.  Enemy fighter activity below normal.  P/O Cooper and crew failed to return, no news having since been received.  F/O Moroney and crew also failed to return, the last message heard was at 20.38 hours, position given as 53.21N 03.45E baling out.

23.3.44        Stand down from operations, some flying training was carried out.
24.3.44        Training was suspended for briefing.  14 aircraft being detailed for operations.  14 Lancasters set out to attack Berlin, weather over target was 4 to 9/10ths cloud, visibility good.  Defences slight H/F. and moderate L/F.  Searchlights ineffective, night fighters active.  Bombing took place from approx 19,000'.  The attack opened with Wanganui flares and were in fair concentration.  Later red and green TIs were seen.  This was kept up and marking was fairly well concentrated  and constant.  Fires were seen in the area of TIs.  Built up area and lines of streets were clearly seen around the glow of incendiaries.  Generally considered a good attack.  12 photos attempted.  F/O Todd and crew and P/O Coates DFM and crew failed to return.  A signal was received from F/O Todd and crew when near the Calais area on return, but nothing further heard.  Well over 2500 tons were dropped on this attack and a total of 72 bombers reported missing.
24/25.3.44          5 aircraft and crews are detailed for night cross country and bombing tonight.
26.3.44        Flying during day and seven aircraft detailed for night cross country exercises.  6 aircraft detailed and briefed for tonight's operations.  The aircraft took off in good weather to attack Essen.  Weather at target 10/10ths cloud, poor visibility, H/F was slight.  Bombing was from approx 19,000'.  Red TIs were difficult to identify and only three aircraft brought back the TI greens.  Opposition was weak, all returned safely to base.  The night exercise was also carried out.
27.3.44        Training detail carried out.  Weather good after misty morning.  No operations.
28.3.44        Training detail carried out during day.  10 aircraft detailed for night flying programme which was later cancelled owing to bad weather forecast.
29.3.44        Training during day.  14 aircraft detailed for operations tonight.  Crews briefed in afternoon.  Weather broken - operations cancelled.
30.3.44        Some training was carried out prior to briefing.  14 crews were detailed to attack Nuremburg.  Weather was 7 tp 10/10ths cloud with tops varying from 10,000' to 20,000' with thick haze.  2 red TIs were seen to disappear under the cloud at 0103 hours.  A cluster of skymarkers were observed at 0110, in a concentration east of Nuremburg with two others south of the city.  The attack tended to become scattered towards the end, however, a large explosion was noted at 0113 hours.  The flak was moderate to heavy, no searchlights.  Fighters were up in great strength.  Command experienced their heaviest night's loss in 96 aircraft.  F/Lt Rowlands and crews and F/Lt Hyde and crew failed to return.  P/O Edwards was badly shot up, returned safely.
31.3.44        Stand down from operations, training programme carried out for training crews.
Total operational flying hours for March 1944 - 657.15 hours.
Non-operational flying hours - 400.55 hours
Battle of Berlin - November 1943-March 1944