Jena
14 Mosquitoes of 105 and 139 Squadrons were dispatched to fly at low level and attack a glassworks and the Zeiss optical-instruments factory at Jena. These were the last operations flown by the two squadrons with 2 Group before the coming transfer to 8 Group.
The round flight from the Dutch coast was more than 500 miles. 2 Mosquitoes of 139 Squadron collided on the outward flight near Paderborn and crashed; another Mosquito of 105 Squadron was also lost. 11 aircraft bombed the 2 targets with great accuracy. On the return to England, 2 more Mosquitoes - 1 from each squadron - crashed in Norfolk and the crews were all killed.
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ESSEN
518 aircraft - 274 Lancasters, 151 Halifaxes, 81 Wellingtons, 12 Mosquitoes. 23 aircraft - 11 Halifaxes, 6 Lancasters, 5 Wellingtons, 1 Mosquito - lost, 4.4 percent of the force.
22. Essen, 1943. The damaged Fire Brigade Headquarters carries on and, in the distance on the left, smoking factory chimneys show that some factories survive.
The weather was cloudy and sky-marking had to be used. The main bombing was scattered, with many aircraft undershooting. The limited damage caused in Essen was mainly in the central and northern districts. 488 buildings were destroyed. 196 people were killed and 547 injured. Bombs fell in 10 surrounding Ruhr towns.
Minor Operations: 23 aircraft minelaying in the Frisians, 19 O.T.U. sorties. 1 Stirling minelayer lost.
23. A Party funeral in Essen.
