Germany, North Sea
8 Blenheims to oil targets in Germany; all turned back because of lack of cloud cover.
6 Blenheims on sea sweep; 1 aircraft bombed ships without scoring hits. No losses.
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Germany, Rotterdam
20 Hampdens attacked oil and rail targets at Cologne, Gelsenkirchen, Hamm, Osnabrck and Soest. 10 Hampdens minelaying in the Elbe. 4 Wellingtons to Rotterdam docks. 3 Hampdens lost, 2 of them on the minelaying operation.
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after only six months in command. Portal became Chief of the Air Staff, effectively the commander-in-chief of the whole R.A.F., a position he would hold until the end of the war and one from which he would always have much influence over the direction of Bomber Command's efforts. Portal's successor was Air Marshal Sir Richard Peirse. (The only other change in command occurred when Air Vice-Marshal Harris left 5 Group on
