HANNOVER
664 aircraft - 340 Halifaxes, 310 Lancasters, 14 Mosquitoes - of 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups. 23 Halifaxes and 8 Lancasters lost, 4.7 percent of the force.
This was the first large raid on Hannover since October 1943. Bombs fell all over the city and the local report, based on messages from 16 of the 18 police districts, shows that 493 buildings, containing 3,605 flats/apartments, were destroyed and that approximately 250 people were killed. No further details are available.
HOUFFALIZE
131 Lancasters and 9 Mosquitoes of 5 Group attacked this bottleneck in the German supply system in the Ardennes. The target was bombed with great accuracy. 2 Lancasters lost.
Minor Operations: 69 Mosquitoes to Berlin, 8 to Neuss and 6 to Castrop-Rauxel, 58 R.C.M. sorties, 55 Mosquito patrols. 4 Mosquitoes lost, 2 from the Berlin raid and 2 from 100 Group.
Total effort for the night: 1,000 sorties, 37 aircraft (3.7 percent) lost.
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1 Hudson flew a Resistance operation.
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HANAU
482 aircraft - 314 Halifaxes, 154 Lancasters, 14 Mosquitoes - of 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups. 4 Halifaxes and 2 Lancasters lost.
The attack was aimed at that part of Hanau in which an important junction in the German railway system was situated. The local report says that many bombs did fall in this area but also states that a large proportion of the bombing was scattered in the south - into the centre of Hanau - and to the north - into an area of countryside and villages. The report states that 'approximately 40 percent' of Hanau was destroyed, with 90 people being killed. The village of Mittelbuchen was also badly hit.
NEUSS
147 Lancasters of 1 and 3 Groups. 1 Lancaster crashed in Belgium.
As in Hanau, some of the bombing fell into the railway area but most was scattered over surrounding districts. 1,749 houses, 19 industrial premises and 20 public buildings were destroyed or seriously damaged. 39 people were killed and 91 injured.
Minor Operations: 20 Mosquitoes to Kassel (a 'spoof' raid) and 6 to Castrop-Rauxel, 52 R.C.M. sorties, 32 Mosquito patrols, 49 Lancasters minelaying off Baltic ports. 2 R.C.M. Halifaxes and 2 Lancaster minelayers lost.
Total effort for the night: 788 sorties, 11 aircraft (1.4 percent) lost.
