Squadron Operations: Summary Information
Overview
There follows below a list of the all of the operations flown by 550 Squadron and the aircraft involved on each. The information used to
build this page was taken in the first instance from the lists provided on the original Squadron Association web-site,
but has been augmented by new information gathered since that time (squadron operations logs, individual aircrew log books, and other sources).
This information is not yet complete: it has been build from the a number of sources (documentary and people) and compilation of complete lists is an ongoing task that is expected to take quite some time to complete. So please don't shout just yet if you spot an omission - work continues to build a more complete, and accurate, list.
Do however shout if you spot an error! Please email any corrections or information to the contact details in the link at the bottom of the page.
Operation Summary: The column headers should be fairly self-explanatory. The term "aborted" as used here covers a number of possibilities:
- the operation was cancelled before crews were briefed
- the crews have been briefed as to the target, and in some cases the planes may even have been bombed up and the crews on-board at their stations awaiting take-off, before the op has been stood-down
- finally a number of cases where the op was already under way and the planes en-route but for whatever reason the operation was aborted (e.g. the master bomber orders the attack cancelled due to weather conditions at target adversely affecting targeting).
Aircraft Deployed: When a link to a particular aircraft is given, this indicates aircraft known to have taken part in this raid (in the records currently available to the web-site author). A record of whether the aircraft returned or failed to return (FTR) is also logged.
Servicemen Deployed: Names of the crew in the operation.
Station Summary: This section is the information from the RAF North Killingholme Station Record Book for the operational date (if available).
Definitions of the abbreviations used are available: here.
Manageable Lists
The amount of data in the database is growing and this is resulting in the "all operations/targets" list getting rapidly bigger and thus slower to generate.
There are options to display shorter, more quickly generated, reports if you want to home in on something specific. For example, there are options to generate reports on operations to a single target, or by single aircraft (to all targets) or by single aircraft to a single target. There is, on the database-reports summary page, a short user guide (PDF format) on how to do this.
Operation/Target: Berlin (16 Dec 1943 - 17 Dec 1943)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Berlin |
16 Dec 1943 |
17 Dec 1943 |
N |
Fifteen crews were offered for operations and with aircraft loaned from No.100 Squadron. They briefed to attack targets in BERLIN. Two of the sorties were abortive but the remaining aircraft bombed the targets and returned safely to BASE. |
Operation/Target: Berlin (15 Feb 1944 - 16 Feb 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Berlin |
15 Feb 1944 |
16 Feb 1944 |
N |
Fifteen aircraft with crews were offered for operations and accepted. Crews were briefed to attack targets in BERLIN. Two aircraft did not take-off owing to technical trouble. One aircraft failed to return from the operations - no news since take-off. One aircraft successfully bombed the target and returned on three engines, landing at RAF Station LISSETT, YORKSHIRE. The remaining ten aircraft successfully attacked the targets and returned safely to BASE - NORTH KILLINGHOLME. Two of the new aircraft Pilots flew on the operations as second Pilot. |
| Station Summary |
OPERATIONS
Following a cancellation for the same target two days ago, a large scale Berlin raid was again laid on for tonight, to take part in the largest air operations so far undertaken by Bomber Command against Germany (878 heavy aircraft detailed by Command). 15 aircraft from 550 Squadron were briefed, 14 took off, and one was missing. 3 aircraft stationed at ELSHAM WOLDS found themselves on this airfield's circuit on return in mistake for their own, a mistake they did not discover until they landed here having gone through the motions of calling up ELSHAM WOLDS and touching down here instead of there.
ORGANIZATION
Weekly wearing of gas respirators was instituted, the established period being 0930 to 1000 hours each Tuesday. Instrument Section took over the responsibility of maintaining oxygen mask adaptor tubes for portable oxygen bottles, under new policy that these be fitted in aircraft at all times instead of being on charge to individual members of aircrew. |
Operation/Target: Leipzig (19 Feb 1944 - 20 Feb 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Leipzig |
19 Feb 1944 |
20 Feb 1944 |
N |
Sixteen aircraft with crews were offered for operations and briefed to attack targets in LEIPZIG. Two aircraft did not take-off due to technical failures, two aircraft returned early with engine trouble. One aircraft failed to return - no news since take-off. Eleven aircraft successfully bombed the target nine of whom returned safely and landed at BASE - NORTH KILLINGHOLME. One aircraft landed at RAF Station MANSTON and the second at RAF Station COLTISHALL. One enemy fighter (ME109) was shot down by the gunners in LM392 F/L J. S. G. CRAWFORD, PILOT. |
| Station Summary |
OPERATIONS
16 aircraft of 550 Squadron were detailed to participate in a large-scale attack on LEIPZIG. 14 took off and 1 was missing. Several sorties to other airfields from this operation, one of which, Lancaster 550/J (Captain F/Lt Crawford) touched down at MANSTON after a more than eventful trip, which is recounted in the Station Narrative Report attached as appensidx "B".
The Base Commander of 13 Base, Air Commodore IVELAW-CHAPMAN OBE, DFC, AFC, attended briefing.
ORGANISATION
It has been considered advisable that bomb aimers should attend main briefing in preference to the simultaneous navigators briefing for operations as hitherto. This change has been brought into force forthwith.
Difficulties in catering for increased oxygen charge pressure (see 14 Feb.) mitigated by obtaining extra transport cylinders.
Pending installation of illuminated letters "NK" for airfield identification, 3 gooseneck flares formaing a triangle at port downwind end of runway is use have been introduced. |
Operation/Target: Stuttgart (20 Feb 1944 - 21 Feb 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Stuttgart |
20 Feb 1944 |
21 Feb 1944 |
N |
Fourteen aircraft with crews were offered for operations and briefed to attack targets in STUTTGART. Two aircraft did not take-off owing to techincal troubles. Twelve aircraft successfully bombed the targets and returned safely, landing at BASE - NORTH KILLINGHOLME. |
| Station Summary |
OPERATIONS
13 aircraft of 550 Squadron detailed for STUTTGART raid. 12 tool off and complete mission without loss.
ORGANISATION
9550 Servicing Echelon personnel moved to the new office accommodation in No. 1 Flight building. Owing to the shortage of personnel at 13 Base HQ for Base Mainenance Unit, one mechanic has been attached from Station Signals Section at this station for temportary duty, leaving the Section with 4 mechanics below establishment.
Modification incorporated in Lancaster ME582 whereby camera is operated by opening and closing of the bomb doors.
The last few days have seen the equipment of the Station Navigation Officer's premises and his map store. To bring his supply of maps and charts up to requirements a further order has been dispatched.
F/Lt. GARDINER has been replaced as Station Armament Officer by P/O Alderson during his temporary absence on leave. The Base Armament Officer today visited the station for a general inspection of roads and bomb stores. |
Operation/Target: Schweinfurt (24 Feb 1944 - 25 Feb 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Schweinfurt |
24 Feb 1944 |
25 Feb 1944 |
N |
Fifteen aircraft with crews were offered and briefed to attack targets in SCHWEINFURT. One aircraft did not take-off owing to technical trouble and two aircraft returned early with engine failures. The remaining 12 aircraft successfully bombed the targets and returned safely, landing at BASE - NORTH KILLINGHOLME. One new crew completed night cross country flying. |
| Station Summary |
OPERATIONS
15 aircraft of 550 Squadron were detailed to take part in heavy attack on SCHWEINFURT. 14 took off, of which 2 sorties were abortive, while the remainder completed their mission. On the following day it turned out from am examination of photographs that the relatively small target had evaded accurate marking by PFF, and that main force bombs had apparently scattered more turnips than ball-bearings - a deduction which invoked a chiding message to all stations in the Group from the A.O.C.
On take-off tonight, 550/Q swung off runway in use (No. 04). Runway was obstructed but remaining sorties took off from No. 33 [Ed: assumed typo and No. 03 meant] and no delay incurred.
ORGANISATION
For tonigth's operation, and in the future as in the past, navigators will continue to be briefed separately and simultaneously to remaining aircrew - this after yesterday's conference betweem the Station Navigation Officer and navigators. Navigators are thoroughly briefed by Squadron Navigation Officer, generally at a time set for main briefing, which they do not attend. |
Operation/Target: Augsburg (25 Feb 1944 - 26 Feb 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Augsburg |
25 Feb 1944 |
26 Feb 1944 |
N |
Twelve aircraft with crews were offered for operations and briefed to attack targets in AUGSBURG. One aircraft did not take-off owing to technical trouble. Two aircraft did not return from the operations, no news since take-off, but the remaining nine aircraft succcesfully bombed the targets and returned safely, landing at BASE - NORTH KILLINGHOLME. |
| Station Summary |
OPERATIONS
12 aircraft of 550 Squadron were detailed for a raid on AUGSBURG. 11 took off and 2 sorties were missing. Some strain was inevitably thrown on all sections concerned in preparation for this operation, as take-off was early and followed a late return from the previous night's raid. The Base Commander attended briefing.
ORGANIZATION
During the past 5 days 4 armoured fighting vehicles for station defence work have been collected by our M.T. Section. Plans for station defence have now reached the stage where a station manning exercise is possible. This has been ordered for 28 Feb. Difficulty in ground-testing of auto-controls has been reduced by loan of portable air compressor trolley from RAF KIRMINGTON. |
Operation/Target: Stuttgart (01 Mar 1944 - 02 Mar 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Stuttgart |
01 Mar 1944 |
02 Mar 1944 |
N |
Thirteen aircraft with crews were offered for operations and briefed to attach targets in STUTTGART. One aircraft did not take off owing to insufficient brake pressures. Twelve aircraft successfully bombed their targets and returned safely to base. One aircraft landed at RAF Station, Manston and a second at RAF Station Grimsby. One aircraft and crew completed a night cross country. |
| Station Summary |
OPERTAIONS
13 aircraft of 550 Squadron were detailed for a large-scale attack on STUTTGART. 1 machine was cancelled prior to take-off due to lack of brake pressure.
ORGANIZATION
|
Operation/Target: Stuttgart (15 Mar 1944 - 16 Mar 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Stuttgart |
15 Mar 1944 |
16 Mar 1944 |
N |
Seventeen aircraft with crew were offered for operations and briefed to attach targets in STUTTGART. One aircraft did not take off owing to unserviceability. Two aircraft (Captains F/Lt S G Crawford LM392 "J" and F/Lt J F Craig LL852 "X") failed to return to base (no news since take off) and are with the crews posted as "missing". Fourteen aircraft successfully the target and returned safely to Base. |
Operation/Target: Dusseldorf (22 Apr 1944 - 23 Apr 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Dusseldorf |
22 Apr 1944 |
23 Apr 1944 |
N |
Eighteen aircraft with crews were offered for operations and briefed to attach targets in DUSSELDORF. The route to the target was quiet. Over the target area high cirrus cloud and many condensation trails hampered the view of some of the higher flying aircraft, but it was clear below. The defences were very active, flak being described as slight at the beginning of the attack but increasing to a moderate to intense loose barrage, with a great deal of searchlight activity. Night fighter activity was moderate, only three sightings being reported. Just after bombimg the target LM460 "R" (Captain F/Lt A B Craig) was coned and some flak damage to the R/T aerial and the M/U turrets was received. This was quickly followed by an attack by a ME 109 which was beaten off after a short exchange fo fire. No further damage was received and there were no casualties. All crews were enthusiastic over the result of the attack. All our aircraft returned safely to base except ME581 "D" (Captain F/O Milburn), no news of which has been received since take-off. In the last four attacks the Squadron has sent 60 aircraft without any early returns - a jolly good show by all the personnel concerned. Training continued with a new crew succeessfully completing a cross country flight, practice bombing and circuits and landings. When taking part in air to air firing LL834 "K" (Captain F/O D F Neilson) was forced to land on the sea near Grimsby owning to engine failure. All the crew were rescued by the A.S.R. |
Operation/Target: Essen (26 Apr 1944 - 27 Apr 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Essen |
26 Apr 1944 |
27 Apr 1944 |
N |
Eighteen aircraft were offered and accepted for operations. The crews were briefed to attach ESSEN and after the usual excellent Squadron take-off all attacked the target area and returned safely to Base. The general impression was that the ESSEN defences has lost much of their sting, but as for the searchlight belt, F/O Sage "U" said "I have never seen so many searchlights, but they did not worry us and we went straight through them without any trouble." P/O Kenyon in "M" however, had a less pleasant experience, watching a cone building up on his aircraft during his bombing run, he was forced to drop his load short in order to escape from it. As his photos show, he was only 4 miles north of the aiming point when this happened. One "cookie" made the round trip on "S" (P/O Jones) whose Bomber Aimer found it had "hung up" over the target and brought it home. Only slight flak damage was reported by two aircraft "H" W/Cdr Bennett DFC and "O" P/O Marles. Weather en-route caused no trouble and although industrial haze over the target was reported by most crews conditions were good for ground marking. The Target Indicators were all "pranged". F/Lt A B Craig and his crew were first home by a short spinner to finish their first tour. In addition to the Squadron Operational effort three new crews carried out night circuits and landings. |
Operation/Target: Friederichshafen (27 Apr 1944 - 28 Apr 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Friederichshafen |
27 Apr 1944 |
28 Apr 1944 |
N |
Eighteen aircraft were offered and accepted for operations. The crews were briefed to attack targets in FRIEDERICHSHAFEN, Seventeen aircraft became airbourne in seventeen minutes, maintaining the high standard of take off met by the Squadron. One aircraft had to be cancelled owing to engine trouble at the last moment much to the disappointment of F/O Sage in "U" and his crew. Two more aircraft developed engine trouble soon after take-off, P/O Jones "S" had trouble with the inner starboard motor, and F/S Shervington "B" experienced trouble with port outer motor, both aircraft jettisoned their bombs into the sea. P/O Jones "S" landing at Kirmington, F/S Shervington returing to base. W/Cdr J.J. Bennett DFC "O" bombed the last resort target owing to engine trouble. The remainder successfully bombed primary target. The weather was good and good concentration on target was reported, smoke from fires rising to 6000 ft. |
| Aircraft Deployed |
Servicemen Deployed |
Aircraft Service Number |
Returned
or FTR |
Comments |
Crew Details |
JA712
|
Returned |
Target attacked FREIBURG 13,000 ft at 01.32hrs |
|
Operation/Target: Aachen (27 May 1944 - 28 May 1944)
| Operation Summary |
| Target |
Out |
Back |
Aborted
(Y / N) |
Comments |
| Aachen |
27 May 1944 |
28 May 1944 |
N |
Eighteen aircraft with crews offered for operations, fifteen of which were accepted and briefed to attack the Marshalling yards ROTHE-ERDE of AACHEN, east of the city. The fifteen aircraft took off in typical 550 Squadron style. Two aircraft "K" (P/O McCrea and "H" (P/O Purney) failed to return, but the majority of the others claim to have bombed the primary target, which despite a light haze, was clearly marked and in some cases visually identified. Information from crews and photographs taken suggests that the attack was successfully carried out. Poor visibility at Base made it necessary for ten aircraft to land at other airfields on their return, and were accommodated at Binbrook, Kelstern, Ludford-Magna and Waltham. The only three which made Base were "J" (W/Cdr Connolly), "S" (P/O Maxwell) and "P" (F/Lt Richard). With this trip the last named with his crew completed their tour.
Higher authority have officially recognised the destruction of a JU 88 by Sgt Campbell the rear gunner in "F" (Sgt White) on 22/23rd May 1944, as a result of supporting evidence having been recorded by five other bombers in the Command.
S/Ldr Graham (Australian) "B" Flight Commander affectionately know to the boys as "Bluey" completed his second tour of operations, rendered his Swan Song prior to his departure from the Squadron on posting to No. 1 Lancasters Finishing School, RAF Station Hemswell. "Bluey" was always keen and conscientious and extremely popular with the boys and it often needed a firm hand to keep him on the ground. Had he succeeded in getting his own way, he would have simply whistled through his second tour of operations.
Information received from HQ Bomber Command that the King, on the recommendation of the Air Officer Commanding, had approved the Immediate Award of the Distinguished Flying Medals to F/Sgt LLOYD and Sgt. MOORE for their magnificient show on the night of 3/4th May after attacking their target at MAILLY. [As narrated earlier on page 1.] |
Summary Statistics
Based on the data in the lists displayed above, and keeping in mind that data is still being updated and thus not yet complete, the following statistics are generated:
Aircraft Deployment Statistics
| Aircraft deployments |
12 |
MAX Aircraft deployed
in single operation |
1
(Berlin, 16 Dec 1943) |
These details were last updated: 22 April 2024
Note
this list is still being built and will take some time to complete
what is currently displayed is believed accurate but much more is still to be added
This note describes the options currently available to produce a smaller,
more manageable list and also describes planned future enhancements to the reporting facility.
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