He flew with a Avro Lancaster (type III, serial JA689, code AR-).
608 aircraft - 267 Lancasters, 169 Halifaxes, 85 Wellingtons, 75 Stirlings, 12 Mosquitos to Cologne. 25 aircraft - 10 Halifaxes, 8 Lancasters, 5 Stirlings, 2 Wellingtons - lost, 4.1 per cent of the force.
The circumstances of this raid did not seem promising. The weather forecast said that Cologne would probably be cloud-covered although there might be a break; the Pathfinders had to prepare a dual plan. The target was cloud-covered and the less reliable skymarking system had to be employed. Only 7 of the 12 Oboe Mosquitos reached the target and only 6 of these were able to drop their markers. The marking was 7 minutes late in starting and proceeded only intermittently. Despite all these setbacks, the Main Force delivered its most powerful blow of the Battle of the Ruhr.
4 Mosquitos to Hamburg, 6 Stirlings minelaying in the River Gironde. No losses.
16 Wellingtons were sent to lay mines off Lorient and St Nazaire. 1 aircraft lost.
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