FLYING-BOMB SITES
80 aircraft - 57 Stirlings, 12 Mosquitoes, 11 Lancasters - to two sites, one in the Pas de Calais and one at Bristillerie, near Cherbourg. Both targets were attacked effectively and no aircraft were lost.
SPECIAL OPERATIONS: SUPPLIES AND AGENTS FOR RESISTANCE FORCES
Bomber Command's records for this night contain their first mention of this type of operation, although 138 and 161 Squadrons had been carrying out such operations for 2 years under nominal Bomber Command control. 18 Halifaxes and 1 Hudson of 138 and 161 Squadrons made flights on this night and 6 Stirlings from 214 Squadron also operated. No aircraft were lost. The Stirling flights represented a new type of work for the Stirling squadrons, which had recently been relieved from bombing raids to Germany.
This type of flight was always referred to as 'special operations' in wartime records, but the term 'Resistance operations' is preferred here.
Minor Operations: 13 Mosquitoes to Berlin, 3 to Krefeld and 2 to Cologne, 4 R.C.M. sorties, 40 aircraft minelaying off Lorient and Brest, 8 O.T.U. sorties. No aircraft lost.
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STETTIN
348 Lancasters and 10 Halifaxes in the first large raid on this target since September 1941. The Mosquito diversion at Berlin successfully kept most of the German fighters away from the main force of bombers. 16 aircraft - 14 Lancasters, 2 Halifaxes - lost, 4.5 percent of the force.
The raid on Stettin started accurately and the central districts suffered heavily from fire, but later phases of the bombing drifted to the west. 504 houses and 20 industrial buildings were destroyed and 1,148 houses and 29 industrial buildings were seriously damaged. 8 ships were sunk in the harbour. 244 people were killed and 1,016 were injured.
Minor Operations: 13 Mosquitoes to Berlin and 25 to four other targets, 1 Mosquito R.C.M. sortie, 1 Beaufighter Serrate patrol, 6 Lancasters minelaying off Swinemnde. No losses.
The Beaufighter sortie on this night was the last Serrate flight by this type of aircraft; all later Serrate patrols were carried out by Mosquitoes.
