HOMBERG
183 Lancasters of 3 Group made a G-H attack on the oil plant but the weather was stormy and many aircraft were not able to maintain formation with the G-H aircraft on the bombing run. The bombing, through cloud, was believed to have been scattered. 5 Lancasters lost.
Minor Operations: 3 R.C.M. sorties, 2 Mosquito Ranger patrols, 3 Hudsons on Resistance operations. No aircraft lost.
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KOBLENZ
43 Lancasters of 8 Group made an unusual Pathfinder solo raid on Koblenz without loss. The purpose of the raid was not recorded. It is possible that either the large road and rail bridges over the Rhine and Mosel or the local railway yards were the targets. Only high-explosive bombs were carried. Koblenz was completely covered by cloud and all bombing was by H2S from 15,000 ft.
The local report states that some bombs fell in the town, blocking several roads and railways and scoring hits on a road and a rail bridge, although these remained usable. Part of the bombing fell well outside the town. 62 civilians, 1 female Ukrainian worker and 5 or 6 German soldiers were killed and 48 people were injured.
Minor Operations: 63 Mosquitoes to Hannover, 14 each to Homberg and Castrop-Rauxel oil plants and 9 to Eisenach, 17 R.C.M. sorties, 17 Mosquito patrols. No aircraft lost.