BERLIN
170 Lancasters and 17 Halifaxes repeated the raid on Berlin. The weather was better than on the previous night but the Pathfinders were again unable to mark the centre of the city and again the bombing fell mainly in the southern areas. The Bomber Command report stated that the Daimler-Benz factory was hit, either during this night or during the raid of the previous night, but this is not confirmed by the German report; however, a B.M.W. aero-engine factory at Spandau was hit by incendiaries and slightly damaged. There was no important damage in any part of Berlin on this raid; the city records did not classify a single building in the 'destroyed' or 'seriously damaged' sections, only in the lightly damaged section. 8 people were killed and 41 were injured.
The routes taken by the bombers to and from Berlin were the same as those followed on the previous night and German night fighters were able to find the bomber stream. 19 Lancasters and 3 Halifaxes were lost, 11.8 percent of the force. The experiments with this Lancaster/Halifax force, using target indicators against Berlin, now ceased until H2S became available.
An observer of this raid was Richard Dimbleby, the B.B.C. broadcaster, who flew in a 106 Squadron Lancaster piloted by Wing Commander Guy Gibson.
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21 Venturas and 14 Bostons to Caen and Cherbourg were all recalled because of unfavourable weather.
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MINELAYING
22 Stirlings and 7 Wellingtons of 3 Group to the Frisian Islands without loss.
