He flew with a Vickers Wellington (type Ic, serial -, code -).
November
With the immediate threat of invasion gone for the time being, it was new theatres that were starting to draw on Bomber Command's resources. A number of squadrons were sent to the Middle East after Italy had commenced its invasion of Libya and East Africa but for those squadrons that remained the general pace of operations slowed during the winter months. Total numbers of aircraft committed to a single night's operations rarely exceeded 100, and those that were used were still despatched to a multitude of targets in piecemeal formations. There were two notable exceptions to this. The first was a raid by 63 aircraft on night of 7/8 November to the Krupps factory at Essen, the first of many visits to this sprawling complex. Although many crews believed they had found the target, subsequent analysis of photographs taken by the crews showed that many were some distance from the target, possibly attracted by decoy fires which the Germans were known to light for just this reason. Then during the nights of 15/16 and 16/17 November, a total of over 200 aircraft were despatched to Hamburg. (Curiously, in light of subsequent events, these were the second and third consecutive nights that the city had been targeted). One the first night, heavy damage was caused at the Blohm & Voss shipyard and over 60 fires started, but on the next raid, only 60 aircraft were able to find their target. A further 25 found alternatives, but the damage as far less severe.
This record can also be found on the maps of WW2 History Europe with Google coordinates. You can find the maps by clicking on this link on this location.
There are several possibilities to investigate the flight records on WW2 History Europe. All the flights are plotted on maps, sorted "day by day", "by squadron", "by type aircraft", "by year or month", "by location" and much more! Don't miss this!!!
If you have any information that you want to share, please add your comment at the bottom of this record. Or send your information to [email protected]. This information will be added to the record.
Your photos and your information are very welcome! The young do care and with your help we keep up the good work.
