Action This Day

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419 Sqn RCAF(Mildenhall – Wellington III) 28.3.42

Six aircraft of this Squadron participated in a raid on the German port of Lubeck. Great success was reported by our crews who left the target in a mess of flames. One aircraft failed to return. The names of the missing crew are:- Pilot Officer K.R. HOBSON RCAF (Captain). Flight Sargeant MARCOTTE, J.C.A. RCAF (2nd Pilot). Sargeant FLESCH A.L. RCAF (Observer). Sergeant PAUL K.R. RCAF (W/Op/A.G.). Flight Sargeant BAILEY S.J. RCAF (W/Op./A.G.). Pilot Officer W.E. Brodrick RCAF (Air Gunner).

ADDENDUM – Wellington III X3477 VR-G, was attacked, head-on by Uffz. Merck of 5./NJG2, and hit by heavy Flak of 2./Res. Flak Abt. 161 (Flakbrigade Küste), crash-landed on sandbanks near Pütthausen, north of Wilhelmshaven at 01.00 hours. P/O Hobson who had been seriously wounded during the attack, and Sgt. Flesch died from their injuries and were buried locally. Since 1945, their remains have been taken to the Sage War Cemetery. The rest of the crew became Pows.

Base Changes

229 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moved to Hal Far

First and Last Operational Missions

74 Sqn (Atcham) flew its last OM in the Spitfire VB
217 Sqn (Leuchars) flew its last OM’s in the Beaufort I&II

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61 Sqn (North Luffenham – Manchester I) 29.3.42

WOOLFOX SATELLITE 1840 hrs.

MANCHESTER aircraft L. 7475 piloted by S/LDR. WEST dropped veg. and returned to base.
MANCHESTER aircraft R. 5832 piloted by F/O. ARCHIBALD dropped veg. and returned to PETERBORO.
MANCHESTER aircraft L. 7464 piloted by SGT. Gregory dropped veg. and returned to base.
MANCHESTER aircraft L. 7454 piloted by P/O. CHURCHILL failed to return to base.

ADDENDUM – Manchester I L7454 QR-?. Crew, P/O CS Churchill, P/O I McK Cassaverti, P/O JF Chevalier RCAF, Sgt H Dracass, Sgt DAB Hume, Sgt. R Rawson, Sgt. J Mitchell. T/o 2020 Woolfox Lodge, was shot down by Oblt. Reinhold Knacke (16th victory) 2./NJG1 (det. to 6./NJG2) into the sea NW Vlieland at 23.31 hours. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

First and Last Operational Missions

156 Sqn (Alconbury) flew its first OM in the Wellington III
350 Sqn (Atcham) flew its first OM in the Spitfire VB

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35 Sqn (Linton-on-Ouse – Halifax II) 30.3.42

A detail of 13 aircraft and crews and about 130 ground personnel were instructed to move to an advance base on March 27th, 1942. On Mar. 30/31st. 12 of these aircraft took place in a raid over the Norwegian coast – 3 of these aircraft failed to return.
R.4938.(H)
Captain. 1057442 F/Sgt JB Bushby
2nd Pilot. 1268062 Sgt. AJ Peach
Observer. 922967 Sgt. GNE Powell
1st. W.Op.AG. R.56144 JPBR Buckley RCAF
2nd.W.Op.AG. R.54979 Sgt. ML Usher RCAF
Tail Gunner. 9011460 Sgt. JA Wood
F. Engineer. 937585 Sgt. RH Meredith

R.9496.(L)
Captain. 533809 F/Sgt. WB Arcibald
2nd Pilot. 1152271 Sgt. LJ Nelmes
Observer. 407094 F/Sgt. GHG Murray RAAF
1st. W.Op.AG. 993204 Sgt. A McC McLaren
2nd.W.Op.AG. 959971 Sgt. JF Staff
Tail Gunner. 632346 Sgt. D Francis
F. Engineer. 526214 Sgt. S Palmer

W.1015.(P)
Captain. R.70825 Sgt. GB Steinhauer RCAF
2nd Pilot. P/O. PG Brown
Observer. 954695 F/Sgt. LE Goodrum
1st. W.Op.AG. 920366 Sgt. ET Meade
2nd.W.Op.AG. 117384 Sgt. DJGG Campell
Tail Gunner. 655080 Sgt. M Cohen
F. Engineer. 547222 Sgt. JB Dunlop

ADDENDUM – Halifax II R9438 TL-H. T/o Kinloss. Presumed lost over the sea. Two bodies those of F/S Buckley RCAF and Sgt. Usher RCAF, were washed ashore; their companions are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Halifax II R9496 TL-L. T/o Kinloss. Shot down in the target area. F/Sgt. Archibald, Sgt. McClaren and Sgt. Francis are buried in Trondheim’s Stavne Cemetery; the rest are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Halifax II W1015 TL-P. T/o Kinloss. Presumed crashed in the target area. P/O. Brown’s body was found on Edo Island on 20 June, and along with F/Sgt. Steinhauer RCAF, Sgt. Meade and Sgt. Cohen is buried locally in Trondheim’s Stavne Cemetery. Their three companions have no known graves.

34 Halifaxes attempted to bomb the Tirpitz in a fjord near Trondheim. It was not located; 3 aircraft bombed Flak positions. 6 aircraft were lost.

Base Changes

56 Sqn (Non-Op) moved to Snailwell
411 Sqn RCAF (Spitfire VB) moved to Digby
609 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Duxford

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401 Sqn RCAF (Gravesend - Spitfire VB) 31.3.42

The weather was u/s all day and the pilots, other the section at readiness for Station Defence, went over to Biggin Hill by road to attend a lecture. Prior to the lecture, G/C Barwell read a Fighter Command paper on the reasons for the continuation of Fighter Sweeps over France and what is accomplished by them. S/L De Le Torre, Senior Intelligence Officer, Biggin Hill, who had just returned from a course at M.I.9, spoke on the ways and means of escaping from German prison camps and hostile territories. At 1503 hours the Squadron excepting one section was released for the day. There was no flying today.

Base Changes

64 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Southend
208 Sqn (Hurricane I) moved to Moasser
407 Sqn RCAF (Hudson V) moved to Bircham Newton

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405 Sqn RCAF (Pocklington – Wellington II) 1.4.42

75th Operation – POISSY

Bright moonlight and perfect visibility enable the Captains to identify the targets “Almost as in daylight.” Results included one direct hit on the target by “E”, W/C Fauquier, a very near miss by “D”, P/O Swetman which lifted factory buildings in the immediate vicinity, and a hit on a Power Station near target by “J”, P/O Taylor. At 0345 hrs. from 5,000 ft. “D” reports seeing parachutes descending from 4,000 ft. The latter brought back exposure showing slight ground detail.

Missing
One of our aircraft “L” piloted by F/Sgt. Howsan is missing. The missing crew consisted of: AUS 404427 F/Sgt. Howsan M.A.C. (Capt), CAN.R.79659 Sgt. Howe M.C., P/O Bourgoyne, L.G., RCAF, CAN.R., 55438 F/Sgt. Page, R.C.990550 Sgt. Ashun, W.P., P/O MacKinnon J.G., R.A.F.

ADDENDUM – Wellington II LQ-L. T/o Pocklington 0107. Crashed near Versailles (Seine-et-Oise), France. P/O Bourgoyne became a POW. Those who died are buried in les Gonards Communal Cemetery.

24 Whitleys and 17 Wellingtons to attack the Ford motor factory at Poissy. Crews claimed accurate bombing but this was not confirmed by a later photographic flight. LQ-L was the only aircraft lost.

Base Changes

41 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Merston
122 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Hornchurch
308 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Exeter
315 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Woodvale
317 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Northolt
340 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Redhill

First and Last Operational Missions

23 Sqn (Ford) flew its first OM in the Havoc I
33 Sqn (Gambut) flew its first OM in the Hurricane IIB

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455 Sqn RAAF (Wigsley – Hampden I) 2.4.42

10 crews were assigned to mining operations in Quiberon Bay. 2 crews to bomb Le Havre.
P/O. Holmes and crew were also detailed for the Quiberon Bay operation, but P/O. Holmes was grounded by the Medical Officer before take-off. Sgt. Maloney and crew failed to return and were posted as ‘MISSING’. Sgt. Wincott and P/O. Charlton landed at Exeter. All others returned safely to base.

ADDENDUM – Hampden I P5325 UB-B. Crew, Sgt. JE Maloney RAAF, Sgt. CF Woodburn RAAF, Sgt. HE Rowley RAAF, P/O. HN Young. T/o 1907 Wigsley. Last heard on w/t in position 4853N 0557W at 2338 hours. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. It is believed this was the first all RAAF crew to lose their lives flying under Bomber Command authority.

23 Hampdens and 7 Wellingtons minelaying in Quiberon Bay. 1 Hampden and 1 Wellington lost.

Base Changes

500 Sqn (Hudson V) moved to Stornoway

First and Last Operational Missions

331 Sqn (Skeabrae) flew its first OM in the Spitfire VB

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401 Sqn RCAF (Gravesend – Spitfire VB) 3.4.42

Weather fair, 8/10ths. cloud at 8,000 feet, visibility good. “B” Flt. was at readiness from 0845 to 1300 hours and from 1400 to 2021 hours (dusk). In the morning “A” Flt. sent one A/C to Beachy Head and two to Manston for air-sea firing, other pilots doing local test and practice flying. “B” Flt. did formation camera gun and acrobatics in the afternoon. One section of “A” Flt. did a sea rescue patrol off Dover in search of a dinghy reported at that point. At 2015 hrs. the air raid warning was sounded in nearby villages and enemy a/c were reported active east of the station (Gravesend).

Base Changes

55 Sqn (Non-Op) moved to Luxor
416 Sqn RCAF (Spitfire VB) moved to Peterhead

First and Last Operational Missions

73 Sqn (Gambut I) flew its first OM in the Hurricane IIC
250 Sqn (Gamil) flew its last OM in the Tomahawk IIB

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485 Sqn RNZAF(Kenley – Spitfire VB) 4.4.42

Eleven aircraft of 485(NZ)squadron together with 12 aircraft of 602 squadron formed up with 12 aircraft of 457 (RAAF) squadron and the formation led by S/Ldr Wells (DFC), left Kenley at 09.45 hrs. on Circus 119 and made rendezvous with 12 Bostons at Chatham. Flak was experienced when entering France and again, though less intensive in the target area. Bombs were dropped though whether on target is not known. After turning at Aire the bombers were attacked by some 40 E/A from above and below. Two bombers were seen to be flying on one engine but all were escorted safely until over England. P/O Fox and P/O Chandler of 485 (NZ) squadron, failed to return and were last seen in the target area going down smoking in a gradual dive. Nothing further has been heard of them. Three FW.190’s were claimed as damaged. One each by F/Lt Compton, P/O McNeill, Sgt. Brown.

ADDENDUM – Spitfire VB BM231 P/O EF Chandler. Missing near Aire. Remembered on the Runnymede Memorial. His brother F/Sgt JL Chandler missing with 131 Sqn 30th June 1943.

Spitfire VB P8724 P/O TT Fox. Crashed in target area. Special Memorial (type C) at Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenvenir Cem, as his grave could not be found, post-war.

Base Changes

19 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Hutton Cranswick
234 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Ibsley
610 Squadron (Spitfire VB) moved to Ludham

First and Last Operational Missions

81 Sqn (Turnhouse) flew its first OM in the Spitfire VB
250 Sqn (Gamil) flew its first OM in the Kittyhawk I

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304 Sqn(Polish) (Lindholme – Wellington IC) 5.4.42

Twelve senior crew were detailed for an attack on COLOGNE and despite conditions of considerable cloud and ground haze all except one – that captained by P/O OSADZINSKI of whose aircraft no news whatever was received after it took off from base – claimed to have dropped their bombs on the target area.

ADDENDUM – Wellington IC X9764 NZ-? Crew: P/O. Osadzinski PAF, P/O. K Ziemianski PAF, F/Lt. Z Natkanski PAF, Sgt. DM Grajnert PAF, P/O. LK Assman PAF, Sgt. Z Babraj PAF. T/o 2258 Lindholme was shot down by Oblt. Heinrich Petersen (1st victory) 6.NJG1, near Geerbitz, 10 km NW St. Trond at 0228 hours. Burials took place at St. Truiden April 7 1942.

263 aircraft – 179 Wellingtons, 44 Hampdens, 29 Stirlings, 11 Manchesters – another new record for a force sent to a single target. 4 Wellingtons and 1 Hampden lost. The main target allocated to the crews was the Humboldt works. 211 aircraft claimed good bombing results but the nearest bombing photographs developed were 5 miles from the Humboldt works. The Cologne report shows that bombing was scattered right across the city and lists just 1 industrial building being hit, with 90 houses destroyed or seriously damaged and other buildings, including a hospital, hit. 7 people were killed and 9 injured in the bombing but further casualties among a crowd of people who were watching a burning bomber, which had crashed in the middle of Cologne; the bomb load exploded killing 16 people and injuring 30 more.

Base Changes

154 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Fowlmere
350 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Warmwell

First and Last Operational Missions

58 Sqn (Linton-on-Ouse) flew its last OM in the Whitley V
257 Sqn (Coltishall) started its second tour of duty in the Hurricane IIC

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15 Sqn (Wyton – Stirling) 6.4.42

ESSEN was the target for tonight. Five aircraft took off from base. F/L. Barr was unable to penetrate 10/10 cloud – jettisoned bombs. F/O. Ordish the same, brought back 3 x 2000 lbs. F/O. Parkins and F/O. Bennitt attacked the target area, the latter having damage owing to flak, - both returned safely. W/O. Hare (Aircraft “E”) failed to return.

ADDENDUM – Stirling I W7448 LS-E. Crew: W/O.1 TW Hare RCAF, F/Sgt. FW Cooper, Sgt. R Thompson-Horan, Sgt. AL Brandt RAAF, Sgt. ERC Oakley, Sgt. K Taylor, F/Sgt. RW Golder RAAF, Sgt. G Stephenson. T/o 0100 Alcconbury. Lost over the North Sea. Apart from Sgt Brandt, who is buried in the Kiel War Cemetery, the crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Essen was attacked by 157 aircraft – 110 Wellingtons, 19 Stirlings, 18 Hampdens, 10 Manchesters. The crews encountered severe storms and icing and there was complete cloud cover over Essen. Only 49 aircraft claimed to have reached the target area. Essen reports only a few bombs, with light damage, no casualties are recorded. 5 aircraft – 2 Hampdens, 1 Manchester, 1 Stirling, 1 Wellington – lost.

Base Changes

149 Sqn (Stirling I) moved to Lakenheath

First and Last Operational Missions

255 Sqn (High Ercall) flew its first OM in the Beaufighter VIF

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401 Sqn RCAF (Gravesend – Spitfire VB) 7.4.42

There was 8/10th cloud at 3 – 4000 feet with a 50 m.p.h. wind. “B” Flt. was at readiness from 0624 to 0858 hours when the Sqn. was released until 1400 at which time the Sqn was released for the remainder of the day. One section of 2 A/C remained at readiness for station defence. One coastal patrol of 2 A/C was done by “B” Flt. and 4 A/C from “A” Flt. did anti-rhubarb patrol. Practice flying consisted of formation, astern chase, and 3 pilots of “B” Flt. did air to air firing at Southend while 1 pilot of “A” Flt. did air to sea firing off Dungeness.

Base Changes

274 Sqn (Hurricane IIB/C) moved to Sidi Haneish
340 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Westhampnett

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419 Sqn RCAF (Mildenhall – Wellington III) 8.4.42

Thirteen aircraft took off on operations. Nine attacked HAMBURG. One aircraft failed to return. The names of the missing are P/O A.B. CRICHTON, Captain. F/Sgt. MacWILLIAM, W.R., 2nd Pilot. Sgt. H. BROOKS, Navigator. F/Sgt. PATON, J.P. W/Operator. Sgt. PARKER, W.C. 2nd W/Op./A.G. P/O. E.R. HOWARD, A.G. Two aircraft sowed mines in the HELIGOLAND area and two aircraft attacked LE HAVRE, all returned safely.

ADDENDUM – Wellington III X3467 VR-N: hit by 2. & 3./Res. Flak Abt. 117, 1. & 3./Res. Flak Abt. 306, 1./Res. Flak Abt. 531, 1./Res. Flak Abt. 334 and Marine Flak of Flakgrugo(II. Marine Flak Brigade). Aircraft abandoned, with both engines on fire, and crashed 0132 on marshy ground between Roggenburg and Barssel, 18 km SE of Leer. Crew captured except for P/O. Howard, who is buried in the Sage War Cemetery. F/S Brooks was later decorated with the Military Cross after escaping from captivity.

272 aircraft – 177 Wellingtons, 41 Hampdens, 22 Stirlings, 13 Manchesters, 12 Halifaxes, 7 Lancasters, - on yet another record raid for aircraft to 1 target. 4 Wellingtons and 1 Manchester lost.

Icing and electrical storms were encountered. Although 188 aircraft reported bombing in the target area, the raid was a failure. According to Hamburg’s records, bombs equivalent to only 14 aircraft loads fell on the city, causing 8 fires – 3 large; no particular incidents of property damage are mentioned. 17 people were killed and 119 injured. Bremen reports a load of incendiaries dropped very accurately on the Vulkan shipyard where 4 U-boats under construction and several surrounding buildings were damaged by fire.

Base Changes

58 Sqn moved from Bomber Command to Coastal Command

First and Last Operational Missions

42 Sqn (Leuchars) flew its first OM in the Beaufort I
50 Sqn (Skellingthorpe) flew its first OM in the Manchester I

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401 Sqn RCAF (Gravesend – Spitfire VB) 9.4.42

There was heavy rainfall throughout the day. The Sqn. was released for the day for training but the weather eliminated the possibility of flying, thereby giving some of the pilots an opportunity to go to the “flicks” in Gravesend and other local cinemas. No flying was done. Sgt. Denison left for a two-day attachment to an army unit.

Base Changes

74 Sqn (Non-Op) left for the MTO
134 Sqn (Non-Op) left for the MTO
232 Sqn (Non-Op) moved to Atcham
601 Sqn (Non-Op) left for the MTO

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401 Sqn RCAF(Gravesend – Spitfire VB) 11.4.42

Weather bright, and clear in the early morning deteriorating about 1100 hours when all A/C were “pancaked”. The weather cleared up by 1200 hours and at 1210 the Sqn. was called to readiness, remaining at that state till 1310 hours and again from 1350 to 1730 hours. Durin the latter period the Sqn. was “scrambled” but this order was cancelled before the Sqn. could take-off. In the early evening six A/C led by F/L E.L.Neal took off on a practice formation flight that took them along the French Coastline (10 miles offshore) from Griz Nez to Dunkirk. Sgt. Gimble will spend the 12th and 13th with Army Unit to observe methods, etc.

Base Changes

1 Sqn SAAF (Hurricane IIB) moved to El Gamil
123 Sqn (Non-Op) left for the MTO
613 Sqn (Non-Op) moved to Twinwood Farm

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408 Sqn RCAF (Balderton – Hampden I) 12.4.42

One a/c loaded with nickels and 5 a/c were bombed-up and took-off. Three bomb loads were dropped successfully on target at Essen. The nickelling a/c and one of the bombing a/c turned back due to engine trouble and one of the a/c piloted by F/Sgt. Johnson is missing.

Missing Personnel
778348 F/S R Johnson Pilot
1154913 Sgt. CJE Butler Navigator
753513 F/S RH Black W/Opr/A.G.
9713582 Sgt. J Salmon W/Opr/A.G.

ADDENDUM – Hampden I P1239 PT-Y was shot down by Oblt. Helmut Lent (36th victory) of Stab II./NJG2 into the sea N of Terschelling at 0032. The crew are commemorated on the Runnymede memorial.

Essen – 251 aircraft – 171 Wellingtons, 31 Hampdens, 27 Stirlings, 13 Halifaxes, 9 Manchesters. 10 aircraft – 7 Wellingtons, 2 Hampdens, 1 Halifax – lost.

173 aircraft claimed to have bombed Essen but their bombing photographs showed many localities of the Ruhr. Essen’s records show a slight improvement in the bombing. 5 high-explosive and 200 incendiary bombs hit the Krupps factory and a large fire was started there. 28 private dwellings were destroyed and 50 seriously damaged. 27 people were killed, 36 injured and 9 were missing.

This raid concluded a disappointing series of raids on this target, which was judged to be the heart of the German armaments industry. There had been 8 heavy raids since the first Gee raid on 8/9 March. These are the conclusions:

Aircraft dispatched 1555
Crews reported bombing Essen 1006
Aircraft lost 64
Aircraft bombing photographs showing ground detail 212
Aircraft bombing photographs within 5 miles of Essen 22

Base Changes

224 Sqn (Hudson V) moved to Tiree

First and Last Operational Missions

150 Sqn (Snaith) flew its first OM in the Wellington III

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15 Sqn (Wyton – Stirling I) 13.4.42

Tonight four aircraft were detailed for gardening. All took off and three dropped mines successfully in stated locations. Cloud was nil and visibility good. All pinpointed themselves. P/O. McKay “O” failed to return to base.

ADDENDUM – Stirling I W7519 WS-O. Crew: P/O RVN McKay RNZAF, F/S RH Higgins RNZAF, Sgt. W Cobell, Sgt. JPS Worling, Sgt. H Humm, Sgt. RD Steer, Sgt. HG Kingston, Capt. JC Noel RA. T/o Wyton 213o and shot down by Hptm Hans-Georg Schütze (3rd victory) 4./NJG2 into the North Sea at 0109. The airmen are commemorated on the Runnymeade Memorial, while Capt. Noel’s name appears on the Brookwood Memorial.

Base Changes

417 Sqn (Non-Op) RCAF left for the MTO
603 Sqn (Non-Op) left for the MTO

First and Last Operational Missions

332 Sqn (Catterick) flew its first OM in the Spitfire VB

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420 Sqn RCAF (Waddington – Hampden I) 14.4.42

Seven a/c were bombed up and took off. Hampden AT210 piloted by P/O Murray crashed shortly after taking off and one piloted by F/S Johnson is missing. Four successfully attained their objective and returned safely. The remaining a/c brought back its load to base.

Killed:
J5991 P/O Murray WJ RCAF – Pilot
J3631 P/O McCarthy WFE RCAF – Navigator
1150168 Sgt Keith AJ – W/Op.A.G.
1056358 Sgt Birch KA – W/Op.A.G.

Missing:
081 F/S Johnson BW – Pilot
269 Sgt Vosper HE – Navigator
708 Sgt Shipton JP – W/Op.A.G.
447 Sgt Hardy JCD – W/Op.A.G.

ADDENDUM – Hampden I AT219 PT-C. T/o 2138 Waddington and crashed 2145 at North Hykeham on the SW outskirts of Lincoln. It is believed that the Hampden suffered a double engine failure and the pilot was trying to regain the airfield, when he lost control.

Hampden I AT128 PT-G. Coned by 13./III./Flak Rgt. 611 and 2./Res. Flaksheinw Abt. 648, hit by 1. and 3./Res. Flak Abt. 133, 2./I./Flak Regt. 46, 3./schw. Res. Flak Abt. 151, 2./schw. Res. Flak Abt. 407 and 12./Flak Regt. 43, came down near Neuss at 0232 hours. The crew were originally laid to rest at Neuss, but since 1945, their graves have opened and their bodies taken to Rheinberg War Cemetery.

Base Changes
65 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Great Sampford
81 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Ouston
112 Sqn (Kittyhawk I) moved to Gambut I

First and Last Operational Missions

69 Sqn (Luqa) flew its last OM in the Maryland I
192 Sqn (Dalton) flew its first OM in the Halifax II
150 Sqn (Snaith) flew its last OM in the Wellington IC

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156 Sqn (Alconbury – Wellington III) 15.4.42

P/O GRIFFITH aircraft and crew failed to return from operations. Reported missing. Very fine crew.

ADDENDUM – Wellington III X3697 GT-?. Crew: P/O AG Griffith RCAF, Sgt OR East, Sgt RCE Willingham, Sgt GD Randall, Sgt ACF Digby, Sgt EGA Stevens. T/o 2315 Alconbury. Crashed near Vlissigem, 12 km WNW of Brugge, Belgium. All are buried in Vlissegem Churchyard.
This was the first operational loss suffered by 156 Squadron since its formation on 14 February 1942.

Dortmund – 152 aircraft – 111 Wellingtons, 19 Hampdens, 15 Stirlings, 7 Manchesters. 3 Wellingtons and 1 Stirling lost.

Thick cloud and icing were encountered. Only 88 aircraft claimed to have bombed Dortmund which reports 1 house destroyed and 13 seriously damaged, 2 people killed and 6 injured. Bombs falling in Dortmund were equivalent to eight aircraft loads.

Base Changes
232 Sqn (Non-Op) moved to Lianbedr
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk I) moved to LG.12
350 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Debden
418 Sqn RCAF (Boston III) moved to Bradwell Bay

First and Last Operational Missions

50 Sqn (Skellingthorpe) flew its last OM in the Hampden I
332 Sqn (Catterick) flew its last OM in the Spitfire VA

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156 Sqn (Alconbury – Wellington III) 16.4.42

P/O SHEFFIELD and crew failed to return from operations.

ADDENDUM – Wellington III X3417 GT-?. Crew: P/O J Sheffield, Sgt. JR McCrae, F/Sgt. R Kinsey, Sgt. RV Hagborg, Sgt. DS Hall, Sgt. JJ Smith. T/o 2116 Alconbury to lay mines in French waters S of the River Loire’s exit into the sea. Presumed crashed in the target area. Sgt. Hall is buried on the island Noirmoutier at Barbâtre Churchyard; P/O Sheffield rests near St. Nazaire in Escoublac-la-Baule War Cemetery, while the others have no known grave.

Minor Operations – 21 aircraft to Le Havre and Lorient, 21 aircraft minelaying off French ports, 11 leaflet flights to France. 1 Manchester and 1 Wellington lost from minelaying operations.

Base Changes

47 Sqn (Wellesley I) moved to LG.89
131 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Lianbedr
145 Sqn (Non-Op) moved to Heliopolis

First and Last Operational Missions

42 Sqn (Leuchars) flew its first OM in the Beaufort II
175 Sqn (Warmwell – Hurricane IIB) flew its first OM of the war

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ADDENDUM 25.3.42

Major Cecil P Lessig becomes first Eighth Air Force pilot to fly a mission over France during the Second World War. Flying a Spitfire with RAF 64 Squadron, Lessig participates in a 36-aircraft Fighter sweep that is recalled when 50 Fighters challenge them.