BERLIN
421 Lancasters. German fighters were directed on to the bomber stream at an early stage and were particularly active between 2 route-markers on the way to Berlin. The German controller was not deceived by the Mosquito feint at Hamburg but his fighters were not very effective over Berlin, only 2 bombers being shot down by fighters there, and the local Flak was probably restricted to the height at which it could fire and the guns only shot down 2 bombers over the target. 28 Lancasters were lost, 6.7 percent of the force.
The target area was covered in cloud and the accuracy of the sky-marking soon deteriorated. The Berlin report says that there was scattered bombing, mainly in the southern parts of the city. A large number of bombs fell in the Grunewald, an extensive wooded area in the south-west of Berlin. Only 21 houses and 1 industrial building were destroyed, with 79 people being killed. A high-explosive bomb hit a lock on an important canal and stopped shipping at that area for several days.
Minor Operations: 15 Mosquitoes to Hamburg, 11 to Witten, 7 to Duisburg, 4 to Bristillerie and 1 to Cologne, 6 R.C.M. sorties, 14 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.
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BERLIN
383 aircraft - 362 Lancasters, 12 Mosquitoes, 9 Halifaxes. The German control rooms followed the bombers all the way to Berlin, which was assessed as the target 40 minutes before Zero Hour. Night fighters were sent to a radio beacon between Hannover and Bremen but these fighters missed the bomber stream and did not come into action until they were directed to Berlin. Most of the bomber casualties were in the Berlin area. 27 Lancasters were lost, 7.0 percent of the force. The casualties included 10 Pathfinder aircraft; 156 Squadron, from Warboys, lost 5 of its 14 aircraft taking part in the raid.
This was another ineffective raid. Bombs were scattered over all parts of Berlin, with the local reports stressing that there were no large fires; the fire services were able to contain all fires soon after they started. 82 houses were destroyed and 36 people were killed. Industrial damage was insignificant.
Minor Operations: 8 Mosquitoes to Duisburg and 3 to Bristillerie, 2 Beaufighters on Serrate patrols, 26 aircraft minelaying in the Frisians and off French ports, 25 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.
