Mar 1943 Sorties
date (dd/mon/yr) target (Non-operational_ops_sometimes_listed) ac id pilot 2nd pilot navigator bomb aimer W/AG/OP RG time up time down status dispatched er bombed primary bombed alternate failed to bomb tgt failed to return landed away Time attacked primary Alt attacked primary bomb load (not_always_stated_usually_only_when_ac_lost) Intelligence debriefing (Some_letters_are_difficult_to_read_from_the_microfiche_dispite_being_typed)
02-Mar-43 Gardening:Nectarine 1 BK429 Jameson
Hall Atkins Mallon Franklin 1903 2259 dnco Yes No No No Yes No No

2 x 1500 mines Vegetables brought back. Unable to find target due to haze. Out of range of "GEE"
02-Mar-43 Gardening:Nectarine 1 BK162 Holmes
Bain Ritchie Gill Lunn 19.01 22.54 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2037 6,000 ft 2 x 1500 mines Successful sortie. Mine laid as ordered. Clear starlight - visibility good. Assembly B200 & B202
02-Mar-43 Gardening:Nectarine 1 HZ260 Black
Campbell Rothera Bartleet Billington 19015
ftr Yes No No No No Yes No


Attacked by nightfighter. This aircraft was not reported after taking off. On March 5th Sgt. Rothera RG, was picked up in a dinghy at sea together with the body of Sgt. Black who died of exposure a few hours previously. Sgt. Rothera's report indicated that F/S Billington was apparently killed in action and that F/L Campbell & P/O Bartleet were still in the aircraft when it plunged into the sea
02-Mar-43 Gardening:Nectarine 1 BJ755 Holbech
Perry Cartwright Boles Tremblay 1903 2237 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2043 5,500 ft 2 x 1500 mines Successful trip. Vegetables planted as ordered. Assembly B200
02-Mar-43 Gardening:Nectarine 1 X3399 Kennedy
McConnell-Jones Begg Walker Dolneer 1902 2310 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2052 2,000 ft 2 x 1500 mines Vegetables planted as ordered. Assembly B200
02-Mar-43 Gardening:Nectarine 1 BK499 Conroy
Bell Densmore Nelson Burns 19025 2302 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 20525 5,500 ft 2 x 1500 mines Successful sortie. Vegetables planted as ordered. Vegetables assembly B200
03-Mar-43 Hamburg HE414 Bruce
Legesse Cawthorn Godden Strachan 1830 2355 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2125 16,000 ft 2 x 500 lb GP. TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb 845 fused 37 pistol, 180 x 4 lb incendiaries, 8 x 30 lb incendiaries Visibility good. Bright starlight. River Elbe visually pinpointed. Many fires noted gaining hold.
03-Mar-43 Hamburg BK499 Willey
Vann Tucker Kettel Richardson 18295 0032 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2128 15,000 ft 2 x 500 lb GP. TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb fused 845.37 pistol, 100 x 4 lb incendiaries, 8 x 30 lb incendiaries Visibility good. Target identified through PFF flares. Thirteen large fires noted in target area.
03-Mar-43 Hamburg HE636 Lancaster
Hale Boyes Thom Rabinovitch 18305 0013 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2129 15,000 ft 2 x 500 lb GP. TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb 845 37 pistol, 180 x 4 lb incendiaries, 8 x 30 lb incendiaries Good trip. Many large fires and explosions noted in target area.
03-Mar-43 Hamburg BJ755 Hanan
Brown Purchase Litchfield Lane 18325 0028 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2127 15,000 ft 2 x 500 lb GP. TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb 845.37 pistol, 180 x 4 lb incendiaries, 8 x 30 lb incendiaries Slight ground haze. Bombing very concentrated and effective in target area. PFF great help. Fires seen at a distance of 105 miles on return journey.
03-Mar-43 Hamburg BK429 Rawson
Kerr McIntosh Smith Jakeman 1832 0023 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2120 16,000 ft 2 x 500 lb GP. TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb 845,37 pistol, 180 x 4 lb incendiaries, 8 x 30 lb incendiaries Widely scattered fires noted in target area. Could be seen 100 miles away on homeward journey. Suspect enemy were using green flares to imitate PFF and confuse.
03-Mar-43 Hamburg X3399 Carty
Gwynne Johnson Scott Whiteland 1829 1931 er Yes Yes No No No No No


This aircraft returned early without completing the operation as directed.
03-Mar-43 Hamburg HE172 DeBussac
Spence Follows Coe Palmetier 1831 0020 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2128 15,500 ft 2 x 500 lb GP. TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb 845,37 pistol, 180 x 4 lb incendiaries, 8 x 30 lb incendiaries Successful sortie. Concentrated attack appeared effective with many fires noted gaining hold.
04-Mar-43 Air Sea Search HE162 Jefferies
Tennis Beckett Lewis Franklin 1225 1537 dco Yes No No No No No No


Carried out as ordered. No results.
04-Mar-43 Air Sea Search BK162 Pentony
Messenger Thompson Craig Fitzgerald 1224 1542 dco Yes No No No No No No


Operation carried out as ordered. No results
04-Mar-43 Air Sea Search HE172 Bruce
Lagesse Cawthorn Goddon Strachan 1544 1822 dco Yes No No No No No No


Operation carried out as ordered. No results
04-Mar-43 Air Sea Search BJ755 Mills
Hart Boles Collett Bailey 1225 1549 dco Yes No No No No No Yes


Operation carried ot as ordered. No results
04-Mar-43 Air Sea Search Z1670 Burini
Aplin Kerr Jones Balbear 1223 1546 dco Yes No No No No No No


Operation carried out as ordered. No results
05-Mar-43 Essen BK162 Lancaster
Hale Boyes Thom Rabinovitch 1918 0003 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2115 15,000 ft 2 x 500 lb GP. TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol, 4 sbc of 90 x 4 lb incendiaries and 8 sbc of 8 x 30 lb incendiaries Area covered with fires. One very large explosion noted. PFF on time and accurate.
05-Mar-43 Essen BJ755 Conroy
Bell Densmore Boles Burns 1920 1921 dnco No No No No Yes No No 1920 1921
This aircraft crashed on take off. The Navigator, Sgt. Bell EM was instantly killed and other members of the crew were injured.
05-Mar-43 Essen HE160 Rawson
Kerr McIntosh Smith Jakeman 1916 0007 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2117 15,500 ft 1 x 1,000 lb fused 37 pistol and 1 x 1,000 lb GP. TD. .025 and 2 x 500 lb fused DT. .025 and 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol Large concentration fires seen 120 miles away on way home.
05-Mar-43 Essen X3399 Hanan
Brown Purchase Litchfield Lane 1919 0045 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2116 15,000 ft 2 x 500 lb GP. TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol, 4 sbc of 90 x 4 lb incendiaries and 8 sbc of 8 x 30 lb incendiaries Clear night with slight haze. Target area one mass of flames seen burning from Dutch coast. Huge explosion seen in centre of target area
05-Mar-43 Essen HE172 deBussac
Spence Follows Coe Palmatier 1921 2359 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2115 16,000 ft 2 x 500 lb GP. TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol, 4 sbc of 90 x 4 lb incendiaries and 8 sbc of 8 x 30 lb incendiaries Many fires seen to have taken hold. Could be seen an hour after leaving target on homeward journey.
05-Mar-43 Essen HE414 Bruce
Legesse Cawthorn Godden Strachan 1915 2117 er Yes Yes No No No No No


This aircraft returned early due to engine trouble
05-Mar-43 Essen BK540 Willey
Vann Tucker Kettel Richardson 1917 0017 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2113 13,500 ft 1 x 1,000 lb fused 37 pistol and 1 x 1,000 lb GP. TD. .025 and 2 x 500 lb fused DT. .025 and 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol Successful trip. Fires seen 100 miles from target on way home.
07-Mar-43 Gardening:Nectarine I Z1670 Burini
Aplin Kerr Jones Dolbear 1820 2215 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2023 2,000 ft 2 x 1,500 lb mines Vegetables planted as ordered. Assembly B200
07-Mar-43 Gardening:Nectarine I BK540 Fox
Skelly Murray Bastian Murray 1821 2321 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2029 4,000 ft 2 x 1,500 lb mines Vegetables planted as ordered. Assembly B200
07-Mar-43 Gardening:Nectarine II X3399 Kennedy
McConnel-Jones Begg Walker Chard 1824 2248 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2039 2,000 ft 2 x 1,500 lb mines Vegetables planted as ordered. Assembly 1 x B200 and 1 x A104
07-Mar-43 Gardening:Nectarine II HE172 Pentony
Messenger Thompson Craig Fitzgerald 1825 2208 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 20215 4,000 ft 2 x 1,500 lb mines Vegetables planted as ordered. Assembly 1 x B200 and 1 x A104
07-Mar-43 Gardening:Nectarine II BK429 Jameson
Hall Atkins Mallon Mullaney 1823 2226 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2024 3,500 ft 2 x 1,500 lb mines Vegetables planted as ordered. Assembly 1 x B200 and 1 x A104
07-Mar-43 Gardening:Nectarine II HE160 Carty
Gwynne Johnson Scott Whiteland 1822 2159 dnco Yes No No No Yes No No

2 x 1,500 lb mines Very thick sea mist. Target not identified and vegetables brought back.
09-Mar-43 Gardening:Carrots HE172 Hayes
Lewis Willahor Monty Banks 18.54 01.08 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 21.23
2 x 1500 lb vegetables Vegetables planted as ordered from 1000 ft. Assembly B200
09-Mar-43 Gardening:Carrots BK429 Holbech
Parry Cartwright Heydon Trembley 18.52
ftr Yes No No No No Yes No

2 x 1500 lb vegetables This aircraft was not reported after taking off Assembly B200
09-Mar-43 Gardening:Carrots Z1670 Willey
Vann Tucker Kettel Richardson 18.30 22.52 dnco Yes Yes No No No No No


This aircraft returned early without completing the operation - compass u/s.
09-Mar-43 Gardening:Carrots HE160 Hanan
Brown Purchase Litchfield Lane 18.53 01.44 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 21.49
2 x 1500 lb vegetables Vegetables planted as ordered from 1000 feet. Assembly B200
09-Mar-43 Gardening:Carrots X3399 Kennedy
McConnell-Jones Begg Walker Chard 18.50 01.17 dnco Yes No No No Yes No No

2 x 1500 lb vegetables This aircraft was unable to locate the target detailed and brought its load of vegetables back to base
09-Mar-43 Gardening:Carrots BK162 Bruce
Legesse Casthorn Godden Strachen 18.55 00.51 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 21.26
2 x 1500 lb vegetables Vegetables planted from 1200 ft as ordered. Assembly 1 x B200 and 1 x A108
10-Mar-43 Air sea search X3399 Jefferis
Knott Beckett Lewis Franklin 11.27 14.42 dco Yes No No No No No No


Operation carried out as ordered, no results
10-Mar-43 Air sea search HE414 Kilburn
Tennis Nesbitt Pipe Quirie 11.28 14.37 dco Yes No No No No No No


Operation carried out as ordered. No results.
12-Mar-43 Essen HE172 Hayes
Lowie Banks Hillshor
19.32 00.36 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 21.30
1 x 1000 lb fused 37 pistol, 1 x 1000 lb GP.TD,825; 2 x 500 lb GP.TD. 025 and 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol Heavy concentrated fires noted. Bomb load dropped from 16,000 ft
12-Mar-43 Essen HE414 Bruce
Legesse Casthorn Godden Strachen 19.29 00.27 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 21.30
1 x 1000 lb fused 37 pistol, 1 x 1000 lb GP.TD,025; 2 x 500 lb GP.TD. 025 and 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol Target appeared well on fire. Load dropped from 15000 feet.
12-Mar-43 Essen HE160 Chipling
Baker Benner Edmonds Liston 19.28 00.20 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 21.28
2 x 500 lb GP. TD.825; 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol; 360 x 4 lb incendiaries and 16 x 30 lb incendiaries Large number of small ? holes on aircraft. Heavy FLAK and very accurate. Bombed from 15,500 ft
12-Mar-43 Essen DF622 Hanan
Brown Purchase Litchfield Lane 19.51 00.25 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 21.32
1 x 4000 lb GP. TD., 025 Target well alight. Concentrated attack. Bombs dropped from 15,000 feet.
12-Mar-43 Essen X3399 Kennedy
McConnell-Jones Begg Walker Chord 19.30 00.39 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 21.33
2 x 500 lb GP. TD.825; 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol; 360 x 4 lb incendiaries and 16 x 30 lb incendiaries Target appeared well on fire. Fires could be seen from Dutch coast on return journey. Holes in aircraft caused by heavy FLAK at 14,000 feet. Bombs dropped from 16,000 feet.
12-Mar-43 Essen BK499 Jameson
Hall Atkins Hallen Wiley 19.36 00.08 dco Yes No Yes No No No Yes 21.36
2 x 500 lb GP. TD.825; 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol; 360 x 4 lb incendiaries and 16 x 30 lb incendiaries Plane damaged in collision with other aircraft. Rear gunner jammed in turret. Pilot exercised great skill and courage in bringing aircraft back to England, landing at East Streathen. Bombs dropped from 14,500 feet.
12-Mar-43 Essen BK162 Fox
Skelly Murray Bastien Murray 19.33 00.34 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 21.28
1 x 1000 lb fused 37 pistol, 1 x 1000 lb GP.TD,025; 2 x 500 lb GP.TD. 025 and 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol Attacked appeared well concentrated. Bomb load dropped from 14,010 feet
12-Mar-43 Essen HE635 Lancaster
Hale Boyer Thom Rabinovitch 19.35 23.54 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 21.28
2 x 500 lb GP. TD.825; 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol; 360 x 4 lb incendiaries and 16 x 30 lb incendiaries Successful sortie, fires seen fromf 135 miles on homeward journey. Bombs dropped from 16500 feet
12-Mar-43 Essen MS487 DeBussac
Spence Follows Coe Palmetier 19.34 00.01 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 21.36
1 x 4000 lb P. TD., 025 Good visibility - a little smoke. Two small FLAK holes in aircraft when 15,030 ft over target. Bombs dropped from 15,500 ft
14-Mar-43 Gardening:Nectarine HE430 Jeffries
Knott Beckett Lewis Franklin 2000 2359 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2203 6000 ft 2 X 1500 lb mines Vegetables planted as ordered from 6000 ft at 2203. Assembly 1 x B200 and 1 x B108
14-Mar-43 Gardening:Nectarine Z1670 Fox
Skelly Murray Bastian Murray 2002 2355 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2156 6000 ft 2 X 1500 lb mines Vegetables planted as ordered from 6000 ft at 2156. Assembly 1 x B200
14-Mar-43 Gardening:Nectarine BK162 Burini
Aplin Kerr Jones Dolbear 1957 0007 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2154 4000 ft 2 X 1500 lb mines Vegetables planted as ordered from 4000 ft at 2154. Assembly 1 x B200 and 1 x B108
14-Mar-43 Gardening:Nectarine HE635 Kilburn
Tennis Nelson Nicol Quirie 19.59 23.55 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 21.55 5500 ft 2 X 1500 lb mines Vegetables planted as ordered from 5500 ft. Assemby 1 x B 209 and 1 x B 202.
22-Mar-43 Gardening:Trefoil HE414 Hayes
Lewis Banks Impney Monty 1901 2316 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 20465 700 ft 2 X 1500 lb mines Vegetables planted as ordered from 700 ft at 20465. Assembly A108
22-Mar-43 Gardening:Trefoil HE635 Lancaster
Hale Boyes Thom Rabinovitch 1859 2229 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 20445 600 ft 2 X 1500 lb mines Vegetables planted from 600 ft at 2044.5. Assembly A108
22-Mar-43 Gardening:Trefoil HE172 Pentony Gray Messenger Thompson Craig Fitzgerald 1902 2251 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 21185 700 ft 2 X 1500 lb mines Vegetables planted as ordered from 700 ft at 21185. Assembly A108
22-Mar-43 Gardening:Trefoil BK162 Ellison
Bailey Horton Nicholson Mullaney 1900 2302 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 20575 800 ft 2 X 1500 lb mines Vegetables planted as ordered from 800 ft at 20575. Assembly A108
22-Mar-43 Gardening:Trefoil Z1670 Fox
Skelly Murray Bastian Murray 1857 2245 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2058 600 ft 2 X 1500 lb mines Vegetables planted as ordered from 600 ft at 2058. Assembly 1 x A102 M8 and 1 x A108
22-Mar-43 Gardening:Trefoil BK540 Burini
Aplin Kerr Jones Dolbear 1856 2256 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2101 1000 ft 2 X 1500 lb mines Vegetables planted as ordered from 1000 ft at 2101. Assembly 1 x A102 M10 and 1 x A108
26-Mar-43 Duisburg HE593 Conroy
Knott Vose Nelson Burns 1937 0019 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 21535 16500 ft 2 x 500 lb GP.TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol, 270 x 4 lb incendiaries and 24 x 30 lb incendiaries Big red flash seen to illuminate under clouds one minute after release.
26-Mar-43 Duisburg HE635 Rawson
Kerr McIntosh Smith Jakeman 1930 2349 dco Yes No Yes No No No Yes 2156 17200 ft 2 x 500 lb GP.TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol, 270 x 4 lb incendiaries and 24 x 30 lb incendiaries A terrific explosion was seen just before bombing. Own bursts not seen. Oil leak in starboard engine. Landed at Coltishall.
26-Mar-43 Duisburg BJ929 Kilburn
Vann Nesbitt Pipe Quirie 19.38 00.38 dnco Yes No No No Yes No No

1 x 4000 lb Primary reached but bomb could not be released. Bomb jettisoned on return owing to hang up over target
26-Mar-43 Duisburg MS487 Fox
Skelly Murray Bastian Murray 1932
ftr No No No No No Yes No

1 x 4000 lb bomb There was no report of this aircraft after leaving base
26-Mar-43 Duisburg HE636 Chipling
Baker Benner Edmonds Litson 1933 2351 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2140 16000 ft 2 x 500 lb GP.TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol, 270 x 4 lb incendiaries and 24 x 30 lb incendiaries Large red glow below cloud. If PFF well placed, target was bombed.
26-Mar-43 Duisburg HE172 Ellison
Bailey Horton Nicholson Mullaney 1935 0025 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2148 17500 ft 2 x 500 lb GP.TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol, 270 x 4 lb incendiaries and 24 x 30 lb incendiaries Identified by PFF markers. Reddish glow seen under cloud. One large explosion at 2155.
26-Mar-43 Duisburg BK162 Hayes
Lewis Banks Impey Monty 1936 2346 dco Yes No Yes No No No Yes 2157 17000 ft 2 x 500 lb GP.TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol, 270 x 4 lb incendiaries and 24 x 30 lb incendiaries Saw large explosion just before bombing which remained illuminated for several minutes. Rear turrent hydraulics rendered u/s by FLAK. Landed at Coltishall
26-Mar-43 Duisburg HE414 Burini
Aplin Kerr Jones Dolbear 1929 2147 dnco Yes Yes No No No No No

2 x 500 lb GP.TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol, 270 x 4 lb incendiaries and 24 x 30 lb incendiaries Returned early. W/T receiver U/S. Bombs jettisoned.
26-Mar-43 Duisburg BK540 Jameson
Hall Atkins Piggett Halloway 1934 0004 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2145 16200 ft 2 x 500 lb GP.TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol, 270 x 4 lb incendiaries and 24 x 30 lb incendiaries 10/10 clouds over target. PFF flares appeared late. If correctly placed, successful operation.
26-Mar-43 Duisburg DF625 Kennedy
McConnell Begg Walker Chard 1935 0042 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2158 18000 ft 1 x 4000 lb bomb Bursts not observed. PFF flares accurately bombed
26-Mar-43 Duisburg HE430 Cairns
Larkin Awad Lang Clowes 1931 2353 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2145 16700 ft 2 x 500 lb GP.TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol, 270 x 4 lb incendiaries and 24 x 30 lb incendiaries If PFF markers were correctly placed, successful operation.
28-Mar-43 St. Nazaire HE414 DeBussac
Spence Follows Coe Palmatier 1901 0001 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2226 14000 ft 2 x 500 GP TD .025, 1 x 500 fused 37 pistol, 4 SBC 90 x 4 lb incendiaries and 2 SBC 8 x 30 lb incendiaries Own results not observed. About 12 large fires and many small ones seen in area. Glow seen from French coast. PFF well placed.
28-Mar-43 St. Nazaire HE429 Geale Owen Collins Vose Piggett Anglin 19.05 00.15 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 22.10 14,000 ft 1 x 1000 GP TD .025, 1 x 1000 fused 37 pistol, 2 x 500 lb GP TD .025, and 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol Attacked primary. Bombs seen to explode. Several large fires seen from French coast. Concentrated attack.PFF accurate.
28-Mar-43 St. Nazaire DF622 Rawson
Kerr McIntosh Smith Jakeman 1859 0040 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2210 13500 ft 1 x 4000 lb bomb Good visibility. Bombs seen to burst on target. Concentrated incendiary fires seen
28-Mar-43 St. Nazaire X3704 Kilburn
Vann Nesbitt Pipe Quirie 18.57 00.40 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 22.05 14000 ft 1 x 1000 lb GP TD .025, 1 x 1000 lb fused 37 pistol. 2 x 500 lb GP TD .025, 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol Attacked primary. Fires seen starting. Raid successfully carried out. More FLAK than expected. (My note: this plane expended 300 rds on this trip).
28-Mar-43 St. Nazaire Z1670 Smith
Tennis Nelson Nicel Crimmins 1855 0120 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2210 14000 ft 2 x 500 GP TD .025, 1 x 500 fused 37 pistol, 4 SBC 90 x 4 lb incendiaries and 2 SBC 8 x 30 lb incendiaries Own bombs not seen to explode. Two large explosions seen. Many large fires seen to have taken hold.
28-Mar-43 St. Nazaire HE382 Jameson
Hall Wood Mallen Holloway 1904 0035 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2215 14000 ft 2 x 500 GP TD .025, 1 x 500 fused 37 pistol, 4 SBC 90 x 4 lb incendiaries and 2 SBC 8 x 30 lb incendiaries Own results not observed. Many fires seen.
28-Mar-43 St. Nazaire HE635 Pentony Gray Messenger Thompson Craig Fitzgerald 1906 0109 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2206 14000 ft 2 x 500 GP TD .025, 1 x 500 fused 37 pistol, 4 SBC 90 x 4 lb incendiaries and 2 SBC 8 x 30 lb incendiaries Bright starlight - no clouds. Own results not observed. Target well alight. Apparently a very concentrated raid
28-Mar-43 St. Nazaire DF625 Kennedy
McConnell-Jones Begg Walker Chard 1903 0105 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2212 14000 ft 1 x 4000 lb bomb Good visibility. Slight haze. Bombs seen to burst
28-Mar-43 St. Nazaire BK540 Burini
Aplin Kerr Jones Dolbear 1856 0125 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2210
2 x 500 GP TD .025, 1 x 500 fused 37 pistol, 4 SBC 90 x 4 lb incendiaries and 2 SBC 8 x 30 lb incendiaries No clouds - alight haze. Own results not observed. Deck area appreared to be well on fire.
28-Mar-43 St. Nazaire HE636 Chipling Pendleton Baker Benner Edmonds Litson 1902 0137 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2207 13000 ft 2 x 500 GP TD .025, 1 x 500 fused 37 pistol, 4 SBC 90 x 4 lb incendiaries and 2 SBC 8 x 30 lb incendiaries Many fires seen and two large explosions. Bombing very concentrated in target area. PFF flares accurate.
28-Mar-43 St. Nazaire HE593 Conroy
Knott Johnson Willsher Burns 1900 0015 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2210 14000 ft 2 x 500 GP TD .025, 1 x 500 fused 37 pistol, 4 SBC 90 x 4 lb incendiaries and 2 SBC 8 x 30 lb incendiaries Own results not observed. Large red glow seen in centre of town.
28-Mar-43 St. Nazaire BJ920 Hayes
Lewis Banks Impey Monty 1858 2350 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2205 14500 ft 1 x 4000 lb bomb Own results not observed. Many large fires could be seen from the French coast. PFF accurate
29-Mar-43 Bochum BJ920 Burini
Aplin Kerr Jones Dolbear 19475
ftr Yes No No No No Yes No

1 x 4000 lb bomb Aircraft missing. Nothing heard since leaving base.
29-Mar-43 Bochum Z1670 Smith
Tennis Nelson Nicol Crimmins 1951 2259 dnco Yes Yes No No No No No


Port engine u/s due to icing. Returned early
29-Mar-43 Bochum BK540 Carty
Bain Hart Scott Whiteland 19455
ftr Yes No No No No Yes No

2 x 500 lb GP. TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol, 360 x 4 lb incendiaries and 16 x 30 lb incendiaries A/C missing. Identification by W/T at 53 33 N 01 40 E 1.25 Hull at 2043. Nothing heard of A/C since.
29-Mar-43 Bochum HE636 Cairns
Larkin Awad Lang Clowes 19485 0048 dco Yes No No Yes No No No 2139 14000 ft 2 x 500 lb GP. TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol, 360 x 4 lb incendiaries and 16 x 30 lb incendiaries Attacked believed ESSEN. Position estimated from PFF flares seen on reciprocas. Reason for not bombing target primary is that a/c was heavily coned and took continuous violent evasive action for 15 minutes. Bombs seen to explode. This is the worst operational trip I have ever completed owing to (a) weather conditions and (b) not enough a/c on target of this importance.
29-Mar-43 Bochum HE172 Ellison
Bailey Horton Nicholson Mullaney 1947 0058 dco Yes No Yes No No No Yes 2148 16000 ft 2 x 500 lb GP. TD. .025, 1 x 500 lb fused 37 pistol, 360 x 4 lb incendiaries and 16 x 30 lb incendiaries Clear - ground haze. Own bombs not seen to explode. Six large fires seen. Crashed on landing. A/C cat. E. Weather conditions enroute atrocious. Landed at Linton
29-Mar-43 Bochum DF625 Hanan
Brown Lane Purchase Litchfield 1949 0121 dco Yes No Yes No No No No 2150 18000 ft 1 x 4000 lb bomb Saw bomb burst. Firese starting when a/c left target.
29-Mar-43 Bochum HE635 Bruce
Legasse Cawthorn Strachan Godden 1945 2223 dnco Yes Yes No No No No No


Returned early owing to icing. Bombs brought back.