Author: propatria27

Overview

12 Sqn were part of 2 operations this week, to Hannover and Leipzig – no aircraft were lost and there were no fatal casualties, however, 3 crew members were wounded by fire from a night fighter during the Hannover raid and the pilot, Flt Lt Rowland, was awarded an immediate DFC for his conduct. Neither attack was successful, mostly due to weather conditions, and the Pathfinder marking was poor, resulting in some pithy comments in the Station Diary below.

One of the Lancasters lost on the Hannover raid was the 5000th Bomber Command aircraft lost on operations since the start of the war, 4,365 by night and 639 by day, over enemy territory, crashed in the sea or shot down over England by German Intruders or “friendly” defences.

Extract from Station Diary

Extract from Appendix to 12 Sqn Operational Record Book

Overview

Only one mission flown this week, to Hannover, however it resulted in the loss of 2 aircraft, with 13 crew members being killed, and one aircraft crash landing with a dead rear gunner. The Station Diary also mentions the death of Leading Aircraftman R.G. Outlaw, who was on guard duty when a Lancaster taking off sheared left and decapitated him. The crew were unaware this had happened until they landed. The Lancaster had a tendency to pull left on take off and the pilot had to apply right rudder to counteract it, not always successfully.

Flight Sergeant Ronald Collins, the pilot of one of the aircraft lost attacking Hannover had previously survived a crash near Wickenby during a training flight on 17th June 1943 and had only recently returned to duty following his serious injuries.

Extract from Station Diary

Extract from Appendix to 12 Sqn Operational Record Book

Overview

A busy week for 12 Sqn, taking part in attacks on 5 targets in Germany; Hagen, Munich, Kassel, Frankfurt and Stuttgart, but only losing one aircraft and crew, with another lost on landing but with no casualties.

It is interesting that a number of aircraft had to abandon their missions due to rear turret failure, mostly caused by issues with either the hydraulic operating system freezing due to the low temperatures at the heights flown or by issues with the ammunition supply. Another observation in the extract from the Station Diary below is the mention of aircraft returning with either bomb or incendiary damage from aircraft flying above them – this time both managed to return safely, but this wasn’t always the case. My final observation is that a number of aircraft were “coned” by searchlight when flying over London – not what you wanted having successfully returned from a mission over enemy territory!

Extract from Station Diary

Extract from Appendix to 12 Sqn Operational Record Book

Overview

12 Sqn took part in 2 operations this week, Hannover and Bochum in Germany – no aircraft were lost, but one crew member was killed by flak in the attack on Hannover. Although flak was a danger to RAF bombers, only 25% of aircraft losses over enemy territory were caused by flak – the other 75% were the result of either night fighters or mechanical problems.

Extract from Station Diary

Extract from Appendix to 12 Sqn Operational Record Book

Overview

There were no operations until the last day of this week, when 12 Sqn joined the attack on Mannheim, which had been attacked earlier in the month. Two aircraft were lost with all their crews.

Extract from Station Diary

Extract from 12 Sqn Operational Record Book

Overview

Another week without operations for 12 Sqn, probably because this coincided with a fullish moon.

Extract from 12 Sqn Operational Record Book

Overview

Aircraft from RAF Wickenby took part in no operations this week, however, airfields are always busy, with training, aircraft repairs and administration as can be seen in the 12 Sqn Operational Record Book for this period

Extract from 12 Sqn Operational Record Book

Overview

This week, attacks were concentrated on targets in Germany – Berlin, Mannheim/Ludwigshafen and Munich – apart from 2 aircraft which dropped mines off the coast of Brittany. 2 aircraft were lost and 4 aircrew killed, one of the aircraft ditched in the North Sea and 5 of the crew were rescued.

Extract from Station Diary

Extract from Appendix to 12 Sqn Operational Record Book

Overview

12 Sqn took part in 3 operations this week, to Nuremberg, Monchengladbach/Rheydt and Berlin, loosing 4 aircraft and all their crews. Wing Commander Towle, who was killed as the second pilot during the attack on Monchengladbach, had only been posted in to command 12 Sqn on 19th August and this was his first mission with his new command. This was also the start of what would become the Battle of Berlin, which Air Chief Marshal Harris believed could, if successful, lead to the end of the war. Events were to prove him wrong.

Extract from Station Diary

Extract from Appendix to 12 Sqn Operational Record Book

Overview

Only 2 missions this week, to Leverkusen and Berlin – the start of the week coincided with a full moon period, so no missions were flown as this gave too much advantage to German night fighters. It also saw the recommencement of attacks on Berlin, which would culminate in the Battle of Berlin later in the year. One aircraft and all the crew were lost this week.

Extract from Station Diary

Extract from the Appendix to 12 Sqn Operational Record Book