OBOE TRIALS
8 Lancasters and 2 Oboe Mosquitoes of the Pathfinder Force to DÜSSELDORF. 1 Lancaster lost.
This was a trial raid, with the Mosquitoes dropping target markers by Oboe for the small Lancaster force. Only 1 Mosquito was able to use Oboe. The DÜSSELDORF report shows that, out of 9 recorded bombing incidents, 6 were at industrial premises, though no serious damage was caused. 10 civilians and 2 Flak soldiers were killed, 34 people were injured and 7 more were classified as 'missing'. 2 barrage balloons broke away from their moorings during the raid.
Later in the night, 3 more Oboe Mosquitoes were sent to attack the German night-fighter control room at Florennes airfield in Belgium. 2 Mosquitoes operated their Oboe equipment satisfactorily and dropped 6 high-explosive bombs from 28,000 ft through 10/10ths cloud. The results are not known. No aircraft lost.
Minor Operations: 29 aircraft minelaying off Biscay ports, 8 O.T.U. sorties. 1 Wellington minelayer lost.
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. Flew Halifaxes from Leeming while with 4 Group and Halifaxes, then Lancasters and then back to Halifaxes, from Leeming and Linton-on-Ouse while with 6 Group.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Raids Flown
5
Group Hampdens - 117 bombing, 56 minelaying, 15 leaflet, 2 weather recce
5
Group Manchester - 1 bombing
4
Group Halifaxes - 57 bombing, 11 minelaying
6
Group Halifaxes - 98 bombing
6
Group Lancasters - 100 bombing
Total - 373 bombing, 67 minelaying, 15 leaflet, 2 recce = 457 raids
Sorties and Losses
5
Group Hampdens - 1,233 sorties, 35 aircraft lost (2.8 percent)
5
Group Manchester - 1 sortie returned safely
4
Group Halifaxes - 540 sorties, 33 aircraft lost (6.1 percent)
6
Group Halifaxes - 1,469 sorties, 20 aircraft lost (1.4 percent)
6
Group Lancasters - 1,210 sorties, 41 aircraft lost (3.4 percent)
Total - 4,453 sorties, 129 aircraft lost (2.9 percent)
10 Lancasters were destroyed in crashes.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Flew most sorties and suffered most losses (with 419 Squadron) in Canadian squadrons.
Suffered most losses and the highest percentage losses in 6 Group Lancaster squadrons.
415 (SWORDFISH) SQUADRON
SERVICE
Came to 6 Group in July 1944 after more than two years duty with Coastal Command. Flew Halifaxes from East Moor until the end of the war.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
415 Squadron flew 1,526 Halifax sorties and lost 13 aircraft (0.9 percent) in 104 bombing raids.
419 (MOOSE) SQUADRON
SERVICE
Formed in 3 Group on
