He flew with a Avro Anson (type I, serial N5073, code -).
December
The anti-shipping patrols continued but, at last, some bombing operations were flown. During a daylight attack by 24 Wellingtons on German warships moored in Heligoland Bight, the first bombs to fall on German soil are dropped by an aircraft of No 115 Squadron. The bombs fall accidentally after the aircraft had suffered a hang-up over the target. Then two raids in the middle of the month caused the Air Staff to rethink their strategies. On the 14th, 5 Wellingtons (from 12 despatched) were lost to German fighters as they orbited over Wilhelmshaven and attempted to get into a favourable bombing position. At first, commanders would not accept that the fighters had caused such terrible losses, insisting that the aircraft had been lost to flak. Then, four days later, during another raid on Wilhelmshaven, a formation of 22 Wellingtons was picked up some 70 miles out by a German radar post which alerted a nearby fighter base. The bombers had been forced into a more open formation by flak and, with no cloud cover to hide in, the Wellingtons were easily picked off by the defenders. Twelve aircraft were lost over the target area.
Until this moment, senior commanders were convinced that a self-defending bomber formation would always reach its target, but within months of these terrible losses, the Wellingtons and Hampdens would be switched to night operations.
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 info@ww2history.eu. 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.
