SHIPPING SEARCH OFF WILHELMSHAVEN
24 Wellingtons were dispatched and ordered not to attack at less than 10,000 ft so that they could avoid the worst effects of Flak. 22 aircraft reached the target area. German ships were seen off Wilhelmshaven and bombed from 13,000 ft. Weather conditions were cloudless and visibility was perfect. For the first time in the war, German fighters were directed on to this bomber force by a ground controller who was being given information from an experimental Freya radar station located on the nearby island of Wangerooge. The radar station had detected the Wellingtons when they were 70 miles out on their approach flight. Flak caused the bomber formations to Open out somewhat and, when German fighters of IV/JG 2 appeared, 12 of the 22 Wellingtons were shot down, 2 German fighters were also shot down.
This famous action, together with that of 14 December when 5 out of a force of 12 Wellingtons were shot down, had a major effect upon the policy of the British bomber commanders. Exactly half of the 34 Wellingtons dispatched had been shot down in these 2 actions without any penetration of the German mainland having taken place. The validity of the self-defending bomber formation was now seriously in doubt.
3 further Wellingtons and 2 Whitleys on separate patrols saw no action.
