MANNHEIM
51 Wellingtons; haze obscured the target. No aircraft lost.
Mannheim reports only 17 high-explosive bombs and an unknown number of incendiary bombs, the only damage recorded being to a water main, broken glass and roof tiles in 12 houses, and crops damaged in some fields of cereals and tobacco. The only casualties recorded are 3 people killed in a village some distance from Mannheim.
FRANKFURT
33 Hampdens; visibility was poor. 1 aircraft lost.
LA PALLICE
30 Whitleys, Bomb bursts were seen in the dock area. No losses.
Minor Operations: 8 Wellingtons to Le Havre and Ostend, 1 Hampden minelaying in the Frisians, 3 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.
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BREST
A major daylight operation against the German warships at Brest had been under preparation for some time. The original plan was to send approximately 150 aircraft but this had to be changed at the last minute because of the departure of the Scharnhorst for La Pallice. The force actually dispatched to Brest was 100 aircraft and the tactical plan was as follows:
1.
3 Fortresses bombing from 30,000 ft would, it was hoped, draw up German fighters prematurely.
2.
18 Hampdens, escorted by 3 squadrons of Spitfires with long-range fuel tanks, would complete the process of 'drawing-up' of the fighters.
3.
The main bombing force of 79 Wellingtons, provided by 1 and 3 Groups, would then attack. No fighter escort was available for the Wellingtons.
The operation proceeded according to this plan in clear visibility. 6 hits were claimed on the Gneisenau but these cannot be confirmed. The German fighter opposition was stronger and more prolonged than expected and 10 Wellingtons and 2 Hampdens were lost to fighter attack or Flak.
CHERBOURG
As a diversion for the Brest raid, 36 Blenheims in several waves and all escorted by Spitfires, attacked Cherbourg docks with good bombing results but the diversionary aspect of the plan failed. No German fighters appeared. No Blenheims lost.
LA PALLICE
15 Halifaxes of 35 and 76 Squadrons carried out an entirely unescorted raid on the Scharnhorst at La Pallice. The Halifaxes met fierce fighter opposition and some Flak; 5 were lost and all the remainder damaged. 5 direct hits were scored on the Scharnhorst but 3 of these were armour-piercing bombs which passed straight through the ship, leaving small holes in the bottom only, and the 2 bombs which did explode caused only light damage. The Germans decided, however, that Scharnhorst should return at once for the better repair facilities and Flak cover at Brest and she sailed that night with much water inside the ship (reports vary between 3,000 and 7,000 tons of water). This operation was, therefore, a major success in that it ensured that this powerful warship was forced to stay in harbour for a further prolonged period, 4 months being required for repairs.
The total effort for the day: 151 sorties with 17 aircraft (11.3 percent) lost.
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KIEL
34 Wellingtons and 30 Hampdens; 1 Hampden and 1 Wellington lost. Kiel reports only a few bombs with 2 people injured but 5 people were killed in the nearby village of Wellsee.
EMDEN
31 Whitleys and 16 Wellingtons; 2 Wellingtons lost.
Minor Operations: 4 Wellingtons to Rotterdam, 6 Hampdens minelaying in the Frisians. No losses.
