4-10 May 1943

Overview

Following the heavy losses of the previous week, 12 Sqn only took part in one operation this week, to Dortmund, in the Ruhr, on 4/5 May – there were no losses. Apart from the “1000 bomber raid” on Cologne in 1942, this was the largest raid of the war so far, 596 aircraft and the first major attack on Dortmund. Pathfinder marking was accurate and the majority of the main force bombed within 3 miles of the target which resulted in severe damage in the central and northern parts of the city. 693 people were killed and 1,075 injured, another new record.

Extract from Station Diary