, just after 78 Squadron converted to Halifaxes. His body is buried at Sage War Cemetery, near Oldenburg.) Several houses were also hit in Nuremberg and 6 people were injured.
12 O.T.U. sorties were flown to France; 2 Wellingtons were lost.
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MINELAYING
96 aircraft of 3 and 5 Groups carried out extensive minelaying from Germany to Brittany. 2 Manchesters lost.
11 aircraft made leaflet flights to France without loss.
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6 Bostons bombed Dunkirk docks without loss.
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HAMBURG
On the 100th anniversary of a great fire in Hamburg, Bomber Command sent a comparatively small force of aircraft to attack this city after receiving an unfavourable weather forecast. 81 aircraft were dispatched: 43 Wellingtons, 20 Halifaxes, 13 Stirlings and 5 Hampdens. 3 Halifaxes and 2 Wellingtons were lost. The Bomber Command Operations Record Book contained no reference to the anniversary of the fire.
Hamburg was found to be completely cloud-covered and only 54 aircraft bombed on to its estimated position. Despite these unfavourable circumstances, a success out of all proportion to the numbers of aircraft involved was achieved. 113 fires were started in Hamburg, of which 57 were classed as large. Reported as completely burnt out were a large entertainment palace, a theatre and a cinema (all in the Reeperbahn area), and a dockside warehouse full of goods and vehicles. One 4,000-lb bomb lived up to its 'blockbuster' reputation when it exploded at a street junction in an old residential area near the city centre. 11 blocks of flats in the narrow streets were destroyed by blast, 11 more buildings were severely damaged and 352 slightly damaged. 59 people were killed here and 67 injured. The total casualty list in Hamburg on this night was 77 killed, 243 injured and 1,624 bombed out.
Minor Operations: 9 aircraft to St-Nazaire, 4 Blenheim Intruders, 2 aircraft minelaying off Heligoland, 8 aircraft on leaflet flights to France. No losses.
