28 January – 3 February 1944

Posted on by propatria27

Overview

Two attacks on Berlin this week, with one aircraft lost with all the crew and one aircraft returning severely damaged, following 4 night fighter attacks, with one dead crew member and 4 others badly wounded – this crew had 3 gallantry medals issued immediately, one being a rare Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (see report in Station Diary extract below).

The operations to Berlin resulted in more than a 1000 deaths and 200,000 people being bombed out, with Bomber Command losing 79 aircraft.

Extract from Station Diary

The crew of Flying Officer Breckinridge, who had an almost miraculous escape from 4 night fighter attacks and displayed extraordinary bravery in getting back to the UK – Left to Right, Sgt J Hall – W/Op (killed), W/O R J Meek – Nav (wounded) (126), P/O W B Baker – M/U (wounded) (18), F/O W S Breckenridge – Pilot (wounded), F/O V W Poushinski – B/A, Sgt J Scwartz – R/G, Sgt A F Stevenson – F/E

Extract from Appendix to 626 Sqn Operational Record Book

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