SAARBRCKEN
291 aircraft of 5 types on the first large raid to this target. 9 aircraft - 3 Wellingtons, 2 Halifaxes, 2 Lancasters, 2 Stirlings - lost.
The defences at the target were not expected to be strong and crews were urged to bomb at lower than normal altitudes. 248 aircraft reported accurate bombing, three quarters of them doing so from below 10,000 ft. Bomber Command claimed 'severe damage' to 2 industrial targets, an ironworks and an engineering works. Saarbrcken's records show severe damage and casualties in the centre and northwestern districts. 396 buildings were destroyed and 324 seriously damaged, with 155 people being killed.
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6 Bostons sent to Abbeville had to turn back. 4 Mosquitoes on cloud-cover raids to Frankfurt, Hamborn, Hannover and Lbeck. No aircraft lost.
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6 Blenheims on Intruder flights were recalled but one did not hear the signal and went on to bomb Rheine airfield. There were no losses.
