BREMEN
Training aircraft from O.T.U.s were again included in the 446 aircraft dispatched. 21 aircraft - 15 Wellingtons, 2 Lancasters, 1 Halifax, 1 Hampden, 1 Stirling, 1 Whitley - were lost, 4.7 percent of the force.
Bremen reports another heavy raid with 848 houses destroyed and 'Bremen's industry suffering further considerable damage'. The Lloyd dynamo works was put out of action for 2 weeks and various parts of the Focke-Wulf factory for from 2 to 8 days. 5 nearly completed aircraft were destroyed and 3 more damaged. The report also lists 7 cultural and historical buildings hit in the centre of the town as well as 6 schools and 2 hospitals. 70 people were killed and 371 injured.
Gauleiter Wegener announced in the local newspaper: 'The Fhrer has specifically instructed me to express to you all his admiration and appreciation for your bravery and disciplined behaviour.' The report goes on to add, with some relief, that Bomber Command now left Bremen alone for the next 5 months.
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and flew Mitchells from West Raynham and Foulsham until 2 Group left Bomber Command in May 1943.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
180 Squadron flew 151 Mitchell sorties and lost 4 aircraft (2.6 percent) in 9 bombing raids and 14 air-sea searches.
POINTS OF INTEREST
With 98 Squadron, introduced the Mitchell to Bomber Command operations; lost its commanding officer in its first Mitchell raid.
186 SQUADRON
SERVICE
An Army Co-Operation squadron from April 1943 until April 1944 but then lost its identity. Re-formed in 3 Group on
