HAMBURG
139 aircraft - 53 Wellingtons, 34 Hampdens, 24 Whitleys, 21 Blenheims, 5 Manchesters, 2 Halifaxes. 6 aircraft - 2 Wellingtons, 2 Whitleys, 1 Blenheim, 1 Hampden -were lost and 1 Manchester was shot down soon after take-off by an Intruder, the first Manchester lost on operations. There was only one survivor from the Manchester crew, which was captained by Flying Officer Hugh Matthews of 207 Squadron.
In Hamburg, the Blohm & Voss shipyard was again hit and there was much other damage including a large fire in a timber-yard and a direct hit on the main fire station which damaged the reserve fire-hose store. A total of 119 fires - 31 large - were started; 51 people were killed, 139 injured and 95 bombed out. This was the heaviest death toll in Hamburg so far in the war.
Minor Operations: 14 aircraft to oil-storage tanks at Rotterdam, 3 O.T.U. sorties, 1 Hampden minelaying at Ameland. No losses.
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4 Blenheims on sea sweep; 2 bombed ships off Ostend but scored no hits. No losses.
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GELSENKIRCHEN
101 aircraft - 61 Wellingtons, 21 Hampdens, 19 Whitleys - to bomb oil plants. 1 Wellington lost.
Gelsenkirchen reports its worst raid of the war so far. The city itself was not badly hit; the worst damage was caused by Flak shells exploding on descent! But one of the oil plants, the Hydriewerk Scholven, was hit by an estimated 16 aircraft bomb loads. Much damage was caused, 5 fires started and 5 workmen killed. The company housing estate near by was also bombed. Total casualties were 9 killed. Production at the plant stopped completely but it is not stated for how long.
DÜSSELDORF
24 Blenheims. No losses.
ROTTERDAM
7 Whitleys and 5 Blenheims attacked the oil-storage tanks and fires were started. No losses.
