MINOR OPERATIONS
43 Mosquitoes to Kassel, 6 each to Aschaffenburg and Pforzheim, 5 to Mnster and 4 to Kamen, 1 R.C.M. sortie, 19 Intruder patrols. No aircraft lost.
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BERGEN
German U-boats had been forced out of the Biscay ports following the Allied liberation of France and Bergen was one of several Norwegian ports now being used as the forward operating bases for the U-boats. The pens at Bergen were being enlarged, with an influx of German technicians and a large labour force. 93 Halifaxes and 47 Lancasters of 6 and 8 Groups were dispatched to attack Bergen, most of the aircraft being allocated to the pens but 14 Halifaxes and 6 Lancasters were ordered to bomb individual U-boats known to be moored in the harbour. 12 Mosquitoes of 100 Group acted as a long-range fighter escort.
The raid appeared to be successful and only 1 Lancaster was lost. A detailed report from the city of Bergen supplies the actual results. 7 bombs hit the U-boat pens, causing little structural damage because of the thickness of the concrete roof, but the electrical-wiring system in the pens was completely put out of action. Nearby ship-repair yards were seriously damaged. 3 U-boats were damaged by the bombing but they did not sink. 3 other small ships were hit; two of them sank and the third, the German auxiliary Schwabenland, had to be put in dry dock for repair.
But, as so often in raids on targets in the Occupied Countries, the bombing spread to civilian areas. The local report continues: 'As regards civilian casualties and damage, the raid is still remembered with horror. Bergen suffered little damage in comparison with other occupied towns and cities in Europe but the raid of 4th October was the worst of the war for us.' 60 houses were destroyed or so badly damaged that they had to be demolished; 600 people lost their homes. Civilian casualties are recorded at only 2 places but they were tragic. A school, opened only that day after a break, received a direct hit in the basement where 2 classes were sheltering; 60 children, 2 teachers and 17 air-raid workers in the same shelter were killed. Another shelter, at a nearby factory, was also hit and a further 34 people were killed and about 100 were injured there. 7 of the dead Norwegians were members of the local Resistance Movement. The Germans admitted the deaths of 12 of their own men.
2 Wellingtons and 1 Liberator flew R.C.M. sorties without loss.
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MINOR OPERATIONS
6 Mosquitoes to Pforzheim and 5 to Heilbronn, 4 R.C.M. sorties, 36 Mosquito patrols, 47 Lancasters and 31 Halifaxes minelaying off Oslo and in the Kattegat, 15 aircraft on Resistance operations. 4 aircraft were lost: 1 Mosquito from the Heilbronn raid and 2 Lancasters and 1 Halifax from the minelaying operations.
