Squadron Operations: Summary Information

Overview

Listed below is the information available for operations to this target flown by 550 Squadron.

Operation Summary: The column headers should be fairly self-explanatory. The term "aborted" as used here covers a number of possibilities:

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: Cologne (20 Apr 1944 - 21 Apr 1944)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Cologne 20 Apr 1944 21 Apr 1944 N Eighteen aircraft with crews were offered for operations and briefed to attach targets in COLOGNE. All our aircraft were airbourne within 24 minutes despite the fact that enemy intruders were in the neighbourhood. The route was quiet and on arrival at Cologne 10/10ths cloud with tops approximately 1-50000 ft were encountered. PFF were late and when they arrived were somewhat scattered. Although the could mitigated against observation, two explosions penetrated through, and the glow reflected in the sky was visible until our aircrafrt were past the Dutch Coast on return. Defences over Cologne were reported as a moderate flak barrage with search lights ineffective due to the cloud blanket. LL 747 "P" (Captain F/Lt J.O Richard) was shadowed by an unidentifed twin engined aircraft over the North Sea on the outward journey which made three approaches, but a short burst from the rear gunner (Sgt. Conaghan) discouraged any further attentions. The homeward route was quiet and all our aircraft returned safely to base. Only four sightings of enemy aircraft were reported throughout the trip. Train continued, one new crew successfully completing a night cross country flight, bombing and circuits and landings and another crew day circuits and landings.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
LM319 Returned Primary 20,000 feet at 02.10 hours P/O W J Bibby (P)
Sgt F P McLoughlin (F/Eng)
F/O J P Rennie (Nav)
F/O A N Shedock (A/B)
Sgt A J Jeffries (W/Op)
Sgt R J Kimbrey (R/AG)
Sgt A R Blackburn (MU/AG)
EE139 Returned Primary 20,000 feet at 02.12 hours P/O T M J Shervington (P)
Sgt A Small (F/Eng)
W/O J R Mawhinney (Nav)
Sgt K R Ansell (A/B)
Sgt E R Hall (W/Op)
Sgt A C Griffiths (MU/AG)
Sgt R G Dennett (R/AG)
ND425C Returned Primary 20,000 feet at 02.15 hours

[Ed: The ORB lists ND425 "C", but must be an error - ND425 lost on Nuremberg raid 30 Mar 44.]
F/O D F Neilson (P)
Sgt C A Bennett (F/Eng)
F/O H B Brett (Nav)
F/O C Stocks (A/B)
Sgt A T Paget (W/Op)
Sgt E W Webb (MU/AG)
F/O J M McKay (R/AG)
ME581 Returned Primary 20,000 feet at 02.09 hours F/O P G Milburn (P)
Sgt J Palfrey (F/Eng)
F/Sgt N W E Burdett (Nav)
F/O B B Ashley (A/B)
Sgt S W Courtenay (W/Op)
P/O S M Clarke (MU/AG)
F/O D W Magan (R/AG)
ND403 Returned Primary 20,000 feet at 02.06 hours F/O K Bowen-Bravery (P)
P/O G E Thomas (Nav)
F/Sgt J P Fyffe (A/B)
W/O P E E F Keeley (W/Op)
Sgt R R Thompson (MU/AG)
F/Sgt A Bodill (R/AG)
Sgt L G Thompson (F/Eng)
LL826 Returned Primary 22,000 feet at 02.07 hours P/O D McCrae (P)
Sgt R A Drury (F/Eng)
F/O M Shapiro (Nav)
F/Sgt F G Lebano (A/B)
Sgt A G Hall (W/Op)
Sgt C A Bonner (MU/AG)
Sgt A H Brown (R/AG)
ND733 Returned Primary 22,000 feet at 02.07 hours Sgt T P Burke (F/Eng)
W/O T A Lloyd (P)
Sgt R L G Moore (W/Op)
F/Sgt D M Stephen (Nav)
F/O E Yaternick (A/B)
Sgt J G Pearce (MU/AG)
Sgt A C Crilley (R/AG)
LL834 Returned Primary 22,000 feet at 02.12 hours P/O V J Bouchard (P)
W/O D H Knight (Nav)
Sgt J H Knox (A/B)
Sgt R Binney (F/Eng)
Sgt E J Baker (W/Op)
Sgt C A Rann (MU/AG)
Sgt J J M Calvin (R/AG)
LL850 Returned Primary 19,000 feet at 02.09 hours F/L R E G Waite (P)
Sgt T J Murphy (F/Eng)
F/Sgt W H Westley (Nav)
F/Sgt K M MacAuley (A/B)
Sgt H M Urquhart (W/Op)
Sgt J T Bayliss (MU/AG)
Sgt V O Gillingham (R/AG)
DV279 Returned Primary 20,000 feet at 02.06 hours P/O C G H Kenyon (P)
F/O P C Sharp (Nav)
F/Sgt W R J Maroney (A/B)
F/Sgt J N Ellis (F/Eng)
F/Sgt G E Duncan (W/Op)
Sgt G K Logan (MU/AG)
Sgt L M Collicutt (R/AG)
LL747 Returned Primary 23,000 feet at 02.07 hours
LL837 Returned Primary 22,000 feet at 02.06 hours P/O N S Rogers (P)
Sgt H J Pearce (F/Eng)
F/O H T A Evans (Nav)
Sgt N C Jenkins (A/B)
F/Sgt D Salmon (W/Op)
F/Sgt M E Mills (MU/AG)
Sgt J H Marshall (R/AG)
LM460 Returned Primary 21,000 feet at 02.07 hours F/L A B Craig (P)
Sgt L C Woodcock (F/Eng)
F/Sgt E M England (Nav)
W/O G C Notman (A/B)
F/O L W Denton (W/Op)
Sgt R S Pilson (MU/AG)
F/Sgt S H Brasher (R/AG)
DV309 Returned Primary 19,500 feet at 02.15hrs. Rear turret u/s, iced up from English Coast to Enemy Coast and return.
LM455 Returned Primary 20,000 feet at 02.12 hours P/O E F Marles (P)
Sgt G L Grant (F/Eng)
Sgt H W Cooper (Nav)
F/Sgt J H Elliott (A/B)
Sgt A Cleghorn (W/Op)
Sgt J E Roberts (MU/AG)
Sgt E W Kendall (R/AG)
LL831 Returned Primary 22,000 feet at 02.09 hours P/O R A Jones (P)
Sgt S G Conrath (F/Eng)
F/O A H Crich (Nav)
F/O D J Bremner (A/B)
Sgt E K C Smith (W/Op)
Sgt J C Johnson (MU/AG)
Sgt W C T Freeman (R/AG)
LL851 Returned Primary 20,000 feet at 02.10 hours
ME687 Returned Primary 22,500 feet at 02.12 hours S/L P A Nicholas (P)
Sgt J E Legg (F/Eng)
P/O W Dinney (Nav)
Sgt F C Wilkinson (A/B)
F/Sgt B G Todd (W/Op)
Sgt W H Ansell (MU/AG)
Sgt N S Smart (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Cologne (28 Oct 1944 - 28 Oct 1944)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Cologne 28 Oct 1944 28 Oct 1944 N Thirty aircraft and crews were offered for opertions, twenty seven were accepted and stood by to be called upon at short notice for a daylight attack on COLOGNE. Twenty seven aircraft took off without incident at 13.10hrs, led by the Squadron Commander, Wing Commander B. Bell, more affectionately known as "Dingle". The weather conditions at Base left much to be desired and it seemed that the boys would not be able to take off owing to mist and low cloud, but the weather cleared for a brief spell which allowed the boys to take to the air and on to successfully attack military objectives in the Cologne area. The weather over the target was good and the crews highly delighted with the results achieved. The huge and busy railway bridge spanning the Rhine was seen to have had its time. All our aircraft returned safely to Base.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
EE139 Returned Primary 16,500 ft at 15.59 1/2hrs P/O W P F Daniels (P)
Sgt J G Woodhall (F/Eng)
Sgt R G Roberts (Nav)
Sgt R Wright (A/B)
F/Sgt F R Easton (W/Op)
Sgt A E Baker (MU/AG)
Sgt W F Baker (R/AG)
JB345 Returned Primary 17,000 ft at 16.00hrs F/L V B Ansell (P)
Sgt G P Sythes (F/Eng)
Sgt T D Rodgers (Nav)
Sgt L Trudgian (A/B)
F/Sgt H A Elderfield (W/Op)
P/O GJ Horsfall (MU/AG)
F/Sgt J G Wright (R/AG)
PD382 Returned Primary 20,000 ft at 15.49 1/2hrs.
Elevator control flatted and split. Hydraulic pipe line severed completely by H.F. over target area.
PB154 Returned Primary 17500 ft at 15.59 1/2hrs
ED905 Returned Primary 19,500 ft at 16.01hrs F/L D A Shaw (P)
Sgt C A Bruce (F/Eng)
Sgt S Gartland (A/B)
A L Llanwarne (W/Op)
Sgt A Buckingham (MU/AG)
Sgt E J Griffiths (R/AG)
Sgt R W Harris (Nav)
NG246 Returned Primary 20,000 ft at 16.01hrs
PD320 Returned Primary 16,000 ft at 16.02hrs F/O F E Bond (P)
Sgt D C Mortimer (F/Eng)
F/O H A Leight (Nav)
Sgt B Roome-Smith (A/B)
F/Sgt R C Bowling (W/Op)
Sgt H F Sullivan (MU/AG)
Sgt J H Udink (R/AG)
LL811 Returned Primary 17,000 ft at 16.01 1/2hrs

[Ed: ORB states LL831 "J" - probably in error.]
LL831 Returned Primary 18,000 ft at 16.02hrs

[Ed: ORB states LL831 "U" - probably correct.]
F/L N L Rose (P)
Sgt K L Willis (F/Eng)
F/O R C Foote (Nav)
F/O E G Caswell (A/B)
Sgt G W Page (W/Op)
F/O J S Tointon (MU/AG)
Sgt G S Spragg (R/AG)
PB562 Returned Primary 19,000 ft at 16.04hrs F/O L J T McCarthy (P)
Sgt J D Shilcock (F/Eng)
Sgt T W Farmer (Nav)
F/Sgt F L J Colbourn (A/B)
Sgt S J Lovett (W/Op)
Sgt L Kendrew (MU/AG)
Sgt H Doherty (R/AG)
PB532 Returned Primary 20,000 ft at 15.59hrs P/O R Hopman (P)
F/O C Stocks (A/B)
F/Sgt J K Sharpe (Nav)
F/Sgt R E Sloan (MU/AG)
F/Sgt R E McKenzie (R/AG)
Sgt J Kenny (F/Eng)
Sgt H Wood (W/Op)
LM273 Returned Primary 16,000 ft at 16.04hrs F/O L B Cameron (P)
P/O J R Rigby (Nav)
Sgt D Eldridge (F/Eng)
Sgt G A Sutherland (A/B)
F/Sgt J W White (W/Op)
Sgt F P Popple (MU/AG)
Sgt J F Piertney (R/AG)
PD313 Returned Primary 18,000 ft at 16.04hrs

[Squadron CO W/Cdr Bell pilot]
W/Cdr B Bell (P)
F/O D W Summons (P)
Sgt C C Jerman (F/Eng)
F/L G S Nankivell (Nav)
F/O A Benger (A/B)
F/Sgt J W Arnold (W/Op)
W/O J J Boland (MU/AG)
Sgt J F O'Halloran (R/AG)
LL748 Returned Primary 17,000 ft at 16.02hrs F/L E S Allen (P)
F/Sgt E T Smith (F/Eng)
F/Sgt A B Dennison (Nav)
F/Sgt G A Maginley (A/B)
F/Sgt R W Lundie (W/Op)
Sgt R G Crump (MU/AG)
F/O J E Murray-Shirreff (R/AG)
PD255 Returned Primary 20,000 ft at 16.04hrs
PA995 Returned Primary 20,000 ft at 16.04 1/2hrs F/O R P Franklyn (P)
Sgt S Dennis (F/Eng)
F/Sgt R H Lucas (Nav)
F/Sgt J A Dibley (A/B)
F/Sgt R J Chester (W/Op)
Sgt K Sharp (MU/AG)
Sgt P J James (R/AG)
ND972 Returned Primary 16,500 ft at 16.02hrs
ME301 Returned Primary 17,000 ft at 16.04hrs F/Lt G N Young (P)
Sgt D A Driver (F/Eng)
Sgt E A Wills (Nav)
Sgt K Thornley (A/B)
Sgt J H Taylor (W/Op)
Sgt J F Donald (MU/AG)
Sgt F V Steele (R/AG)
NG134 Returned Primary 19,000 ft at 15.47 1/2hrs F/L R P Stone (P)
F/Sgt C W Sawyers (Nav)
Sgt G E White (F/Eng)
F/Sgt E W Holliday (A/B)
Sgt D E Norgrove (W/Op)
Sgt L G B Wartnaby (MU/AG)
F/Sgt F Wright (R/AG)
LM182 Returned Primary 20,000 ft at 15.46 1/2hrs F/O G S Devereau (P)
Sgt S H Ward (F/Eng)
Sgt C W Cross (Nav)
Sgt C A P Noble (A/B)
F/Sgt W Horlor (W/Op)
Sgt G E Mills (MU/AG)
Sgt J R McNamara (R/AG)
NF932 Returned Primary 18,500 ft at 15.48hrs F/L J Harris (P)
Sgt I S Freeman (F/Eng)
F/O E B Hornsby (Nav)
F/Sgt R W Richardson (A/B)
F/Sgt P F Flux (W/Op)
F/Sgt W H Barrett (MU/AG)
Sgt W A Bentley (R/AG)
NG132 Returned Primary 19,000 ft at 15.47hrs F/O I A Stevenson (P)
Sgt W T Woodhams (F/Eng)
F/Sgt D T Morrison (Nav)
F/Sgt W W Fitch (A/B)
F/Sgt E N Pearson (W/Op)
F/Sgt M O Olsen (MU/AG)
Sgt C Cowperthwaite (R/AG)
NF931 Returned Primary 20,000 ft at 15.47hrs. Flak damage to Port inner (rendered partially u/s), Port fin and rudder and fuselage received over target area.
LM228 Returned Primary 19,000 ft at 15.49 1/2hrs W/O J Groves (P)
Sgt S B Faggetter (F/Eng)
Sgt D M Buchanan (Nav)
Sgt J D Fellows (A/B)
W/O G Aylmore (W/Op)
Sgt A J Johns (MU/AG)
Sgt C R Donoghue (R/AG)
ME776 Returned Primary 19,500 ft at 15.47 1/2hrs F/O G H Markes (P)
Sgt K J Brotherhood (F/Eng)
F/Sgt F W L Mann (Nav)
Sgt V T Wilkes (A/B)
Sgt F N M Petch (W/Op)
Sgt L G Buckell (MU/AG)
Sgt D J Driscoll (R/AG)
NG120 Returned Primary 19,000 ft at 16.02hrs S/L A P Gainsford (P)
F/O S G Kitson (F/Eng)
F/Sgt W R Williams (Nav)
F/Sgt J H F Rowe (A/B)
W/O F E Barrett (W/Op)
F/O H G Cook (MU/AG)
F/Sgt G H Davidson (R/AG)
NG138 Returned Primary 18,000 ft at 15.47 1/2hrs P/O W J Shaw (P)
Sgt J Crawford (F/Eng)
Sgt C Eardley (Nav)
Sgt H H Tregonning (A/B)
Sgt R F Jones (W/Op)
Sgt R Murphy (MU/AG)
Sgt J O'Leary (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Cologne (30 Oct 1944 - 30 Oct 1944)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Cologne 30 Oct 1944 30 Oct 1944 N Twenty-six aircraft and crews were offered for operations, but only twenty three were required and these took off at approximately 17.30hrs to attack military objectives in COLOGNE. All but one bombed their primary targets, "Q" (F/O Allen) having to return early with his port outer engine unserviceable. The attack is considered by all crews to have been most successful.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
LL831 Returned Primary at 16500 ft at 21.04hrs
EE139 Returned Primary at 19,000 ft at 21.17 1/2 hrs P/O W P F Daniels (P)
Sgt J G Woodhall (F/Eng)
Sgt R G Roberts (Nav)
Sgt R Wright (A/B)
F/Sgt F R Easton (W/Op)
Sgt A E Baker (MU/AG)
Sgt W F Baker (R/AG)
JB345 Returned Primary at 18,000 ft at 21.17 1/2 hrs F/L V B Ansell (P)
Sgt G P Sythes (F/Eng)
Sgt T D Rodgers (Nav)
Sgt L Trudgian (A/B)
F/Sgt H A Elderfield (W/Op)
P/O GJ Horsfall (MU/AG)
Sgt S J H Adams (R/AG)
PD313 Returned Primary at 16,000 ft at 21.10hrs
PB415 Returned Primary at 18300 ft at 21.10 1/2hrs
ED905 Returned Primary at 16,000 ft at 21.18 1/2 hrs F/O F E Bond (P)
Sgt D C Mortimer (F/Eng)
F/O H A Leight (Nav)
Sgt B Roome-Smith (A/B)
F/Sgt R C Bowling (W/Op)
Sgt H F Sullivan (MU/AG)
Sgt J H Udink (R/AG)
NG246 Returned Primary at 16,000 ft at 21.10hrs
NF932 Returned Primary at 19,500 ft at 21.06 1/2hrs F/L J Harris (P)
Sgt I S Freeman (F/Eng)
F/O E B Hornsby (Nav)
F/Sgt R W Richardson (A/B)
F/Sgt P F Flux (W/Op)
F/Sgt W H Barrett (MU/AG)
Sgt W A Bentley (R/AG)
NG132 Returned Primary at 17,000 ft at 21.02hrs F/O I A Stevenson (P)
Sgt W T Woodhams (F/Eng)
F/Sgt D T Morrison (Nav)
F/Sgt W W Fitch (A/B)
F/Sgt E N Pearson (W/Op)
F/Sgt M O Olsen (MU/AG)
Sgt C Cowperthwaite (R/AG)
PB707 Returned Primary at 19,000 ft at 21.03hrs

[Ed: ORB states "PB707/g "L2""]
F/O G H Markes (P)
Sgt K J Brotherhood (F/Eng)
F/Sgt F W L Mann (Nav)
Sgt V T Wilkes (A/B)
Sgt F N M Petch (W/Op)
Sgt L G Buckell (MU/AG)
Sgt D J Driscoll (R/AG)
NG120 Returned Primary at 18300 ft at 21.03 1/2hrs
LM182 Returned Primary at 19,000 ft at 21.18hrs
ME776 Returned Primary at 19,000 ft at 21.07hrs P/O W J Shaw (P)
Sgt J Crawford (F/Eng)
Sgt C Eardley (Nav)
Sgt H H Tregonning (A/B)
Sgt R F Jones (W/Op)
Sgt R Murphy (MU/AG)
Sgt J O'Leary (R/AG)
LM228 Returned Primary at 19,000 ft at 21.13 1/2hrs W/O J Groves (P)
Sgt S B Faggetter (F/Eng)
Sgt D M Buchanan (Nav)
Sgt J D Fellows (A/B)
W/O G Aylmore (W/Op)
Sgt A J Johns (MU/AG)
Sgt C R Donoghue (R/AG)
PB562 Returned Primary at 19,000 ft at 21.02 1/4hrs F/O L J T McCarthy (P)
Sgt J D Shilcock (F/Eng)
Sgt T W Farmer (Nav)
F/Sgt F L J Colbourn (A/B)
Sgt S J Lovett (W/Op)
Sgt L Kendrew (MU/AG)
Sgt H Doherty (R/AG)
PB532 Returned Primary at 18,000 ft at 21.03hrs P/O R Hopman (P)
F/O C Stocks (A/B)
F/Sgt J K Sharpe (Nav)
F/Sgt R E Sloan (MU/AG)
F/Sgt R E McKenzie (R/AG)
Sgt J Kenny (F/Eng)
Sgt H Wood (W/Op)
LM273 Returned Primary at 20,000 ft at 21.13 1/2hrs F/O W H Tolman (P)
F/Sgt F R Lecourt (F/Eng)
F/Sgt J G Lawrence (Nav)
F/O R Deakin (A/B)
F/Sgt L A Aitken (W/Op)
Sgt T Taylor (MU/AG)
Sgt T E Vaughan (R/AG)
PD221 Returned Primary at 18,000 ft at 21.03hrs
PD255 Returned Primary at 17,000 ft at 21.13hrs
PA995 Returned Primary at 18,500 ft at 21.20 1/2hrs
ME301 Returned Primary at 17,000 ft at 21.19hrs F/Lt G N Young (P)
Sgt D A Driver (F/Eng)
Sgt E A Wills (Nav)
Sgt K Thornley (A/B)
Sgt J H Taylor (W/Op)
Sgt J F Donald (MU/AG)
Sgt F V Steele (R/AG)
LL748 Returned Abortive - Port inner u/s. F/L E S Allen (P)
F/Sgt E T Smith (F/Eng)
F/Sgt A B Dennison (Nav)
F/Sgt G A Maginley (A/B)
F/Sgt R W Lundie (W/Op)
Sgt R G Crump (MU/AG)
F/O J E Murray-Shirreff (R/AG)
NG133 Returned Primary at 18,000 ft at 21.21hrs F/O D W Summons (P)
Sgt C C Jerman (F/Eng)
F/L G S Nankivell (Nav)
F/O A Benger (A/B)
F/Sgt J W Arnold (W/Op)
W/O J J Boland (MU/AG)
Sgt J F O'Halloran (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Cologne (31 Oct 1944 - 31 Oct 1944)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Cologne 31 Oct 1944 31 Oct 1944 N Twenty-four aircraft and crews were accepted and briefed to attack military objectives and communications at COLOGNE once again. Opposition was reported to be very moderate and the weather reasonably good. Once again crews participating considered this to have been a highly successful attack.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
EE139 Returned Primary ay 17,300 ft at 21.04 1/2hrs P/O W P F Daniels (P)
Sgt J G Woodhall (F/Eng)
Sgt R G Roberts (Nav)
Sgt R Wright (A/B)
F/Sgt F R Easton (W/Op)
Sgt A E Baker (MU/AG)
Sgt W F Baker (R/AG)
NF998 Returned Primary at 16,000 ft at 21.06hrs
LL748 Returned Primary ay 19,000 ft at 21.06 1/2hrs F/L E S Allen (P)
F/Sgt E T Smith (F/Eng)
F/Sgt A B Dennison (Nav)
F/Sgt G A Maginley (A/B)
F/Sgt R W Lundie (W/Op)
Sgt R G Crump (MU/AG)
F/O J E Murray-Shirreff (R/AG)
PB221 Returned Primary at 16,000 ft at 21.05 1/2hrs
PD255 Returned Primary at 19,000 ft at 21.09hrs
PA995 Returned Primary at 18,000 ft at 21.08 1/2hrs
NG120 Returned Primary at 18,500 ft at 21.01 1/2hrs F/L J Harris (P)
Sgt I S Freeman (F/Eng)
F/O E B Hornsby (Nav)
F/Sgt R W Richardson (A/B)
F/Sgt P F Flux (W/Op)
F/Sgt W H Barrett (MU/AG)
Sgt W A Bentley (R/AG)
F/O R A Marriott (P)
ME776 Returned Primary ay 17,000 ft at 21.06hrs
NF931 Returned Primary at 18,000 ft at 21.13hrs
NG132 Returned Primary at 18,000 ft at 21.10hrs
NG133 Returned Primary at 19,000 ft at 21.03hrs

[Ed: the NG133 vs. NG138 (both "F2") conundrum again!]
F/L R P Stone (P)
F/Sgt C W Sawyers (Nav)
Sgt G E White (F/Eng)
F/Sgt E W Holliday (A/B)
Sgt D E Norgrove (W/Op)
Sgt L G B Wartnaby (MU/AG)
F/Sgt F Wright (R/AG)
PB514 Returned Primary ay 17,000 ft at 21.10hrs F/O D D S Ferguson (P)
P/O D A McLeod (F/Eng)
F/O J C Nicoll (Nav)
F/O F D Leith (A/B)
F/S D A Jones (W/Op)
W/O M J Moran (MU/AG)
Sgt G Reading (R/AG)
ED905 Returned Primary at 16,300 ft at 21.07hrs F/L D A Shaw (P)
F/L E H Luder (P)
Sgt C A Bruce (F/Eng)
Sgt S Gartland (A/B)
A L Llanwarne (W/Op)
Sgt A Buckingham (MU/AG)
Sgt E J Griffiths (R/AG)
Sgt R W Harris (Nav)
NG246 Returned Primary at 19,500 ft at 21.07hrs
LL811 Returned Primary at 18,000 ft at 21.00hrs F/L N L Rose (P)
Sgt K L Willis (F/Eng)
F/O R C Foote (Nav)
F/O E G Caswell (A/B)
Sgt G W Page (W/Op)
F/O J S Tointon (MU/AG)
Sgt G S Spragg (R/AG)
PB562 Returned Primary at 18,000 ft at 21.04hrs
ME301 Returned Primary at 19,000 ft at 21.15hrs F/O G G H Cowper (P)
Sgt R H Whitehead (F/Eng)
F/O R M Mills (Nav)
F/Sgt C H Baldwin (A/B)
F/Sgt S E Willis (W/Op)
Sgt S E Morrison (MU/AG)
Sgt H R Graham (R/AG)
PB532 Returned Primary at 17,000 ft at 21.07 1/2hrs P/O R Hopman (P)
F/O C Stocks (A/B)
F/Sgt J K Sharpe (Nav)
F/Sgt R E Sloan (MU/AG)
F/Sgt R E McKenzie (R/AG)
Sgt J Kenny (F/Eng)
Sgt H Wood (W/Op)
LM273 Returned Primary at 18,000 ft at 21.10 1/2hrs F/O W H Tolman (P)
F/Sgt F R Lecourt (F/Eng)
F/Sgt J G Lawrence (Nav)
F/O R Deakin (A/B)
F/Sgt L A Aitken (W/Op)
Sgt T Taylor (MU/AG)
Sgt T E Vaughan (R/AG)
PD313 Returned Primary at 16,000 ft at 21.11 1/2hrs
LM228 Returned Primary at 18,5000 ft at 21.04 1/2hrs
LM182 Returned Primary at 17,000 ft at 21.09hrs F/O G S Devereau (P)
Sgt S H Ward (F/Eng)
Sgt C W Cross (Nav)
Sgt C A P Noble (A/B)
F/Sgt W Horlor (W/Op)
Sgt G E Mills (MU/AG)
Sgt J R McNamara (R/AG)
PB707 Returned Primary at 19,000 ft at 21.06 1/2hrs

[Ed: ORB states "PB707/g "L2""]
F/O G H Markes (P)
Sgt K J Brotherhood (F/Eng)
F/Sgt F W L Mann (Nav)
Sgt V T Wilkes (A/B)
Sgt F N M Petch (W/Op)
Sgt L G Buckell (MU/AG)
Sgt D J Driscoll (R/AG)
LL831 Returned Primary at 16,500 ft at 21.08hrs

Operation/Target: Cologne (24 Dec 1944 - 25 Dec 1944)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Cologne 24 Dec 1944 25 Dec 1944 N 23 crews were briefed to attack the marshalling yards at COLOGNE-NIPPES. 22 aircraft successfully took off with the intention of disrupting and disorganising things generally. The weather was anything but good at the time of take off, visibility fluctuating between 400-600 yards and before take off there were sinister rumours of a possible diversion - an ugly word at any time - and the wise ones collected their small kit. F/L MacLachlan "C" was genuinely disappointed at being a non-starter with a burst radiator and F/O Grundy "O" was abortive before setting course with a faulty starboard outer engine. The remainder bombed the target. Crews were surprised at the unusual phenomena of an entire absence of cloud, and with the assistance of very accuruate ground marking, proceeed to disrupt and disorganise as ordered. Photographs show many sticks of craters across the marshalling yards with nearly all the rail tracks severed and much rolling stock destroyed. With the exception of F/O Davidson "T(? - illegible)" who landed at Ludford Magna, all the aircraft landed at U.S.A.A.F Wendling, Norfolk. Any visions both air and ground crews may have had of holly, the flowing bowl and fun and games did not materialise. A certain amount of despondency descended on the Waafery and all the ground crews could do was to drink to absent friends, which they did with some measure of enthusiasm. No flying training was carried out.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
PB514 Returned Primary at 16,500 ft at 18.34 hrs F/O W M Davidson (P)
Sgt F A Decker (F/Eng)
F/Sgt A V Townsend (Nav)
F/Sgt R J Lloyd (A/B)
F/Sgt W H Evans (W/Op)
Sgt J M Watson (MU/AG)
Sgt C J Sherratt (R/AG)
NG221 Returned Primary at 17,000 ft at 18.30 hrs S/L W F Caldow (P)
F/L J Cassidy (Nav)
F/O S P George (F/Eng)
F/O D Gear (W/Op)
F/O J H Marston (R/AG)
F/O R Sloggett (A/B)
F/O S Squires (MU/AG)
NF998 Returned Primary at 19,000 ft at 18.31 1/2 hrs F/O J Harris (P)
Sgt G H Simpkins (F/Eng)
F/Sgt J W Eppel (Nav)
W/O J C Conway (A/B)
F/Sgt R G Bickford (W/Op)
Sgt W P Waddell (MU/AG)
Sgt B S P Barby (R/AG)
PD382 Returned Primary at 18,000 ft at 18.31 hrs F/O D D S Ferguson (P)
P/O D A McLeod (F/Eng)
F/O J C Nicoll (Nav)
F/O F D Leith (A/B)
F/S D A Jones (W/Op)
W/O M J Moran (MU/AG)
Sgt G Reading (R/AG)
NG390 Returned Primary at 19,000 ft at 18.31 hrs F/O E M Smith (P)
Sgt E Oldridge (F/Eng)
F/Sgt E Barnett (Nav)
F/Sgt E Evans (A/B)
Sgt J Moores (W/Op)
Sgt E C Turner (MU/AG)
Sgt J Hodgkiss (R/AG)
NN715 Returned Primary at 19,000 ft at 18.32 1/2 hrs F/L R J Liefooghe (P)
Sgt I Jones (F/Eng)
F/Sgt A E Higgins (Nav)
F/O R E Hughes (A/B)
F/Sgt V C Davidson (W/Op)
Sgt R Anderson (MU/AG)
Sgt D Anthony (R/AG)
NG331 Returned Primary at 17,500 ft at 18.32 hrs F/O J C Adams (P)
Sgt W P Scott (F/Eng)
F/Sgt B Sterman (Nav)
F/O W R Elcoate (A/B)
F/Sgt F Papple (W/Op)
F/O F S Renton (R/AG)
Sgt C A DeLaveleye (MU/AG)
PB843 Returned Primary at 17,200 ft at 18.33 hrs F/O A W L Lohrey (P)
F/Sgt V B Cassapi (F/Eng)
F/Sgt E C Westhorpe (Nav)
F/Sgt W G Anderson (A/B)
Sgt N Tinsley (W/Op)
Sgt A James (MU/AG)
F/Sgt A Jarnell (R/AG)
LM273 Returned Abortive - Starboard outer u/s F/O D H Grundy (P)
W/O E W King (F/Eng)
P/O R T Sowter (Nav)
W/O R C McLauchlan (A/B)
F/Sgt L F Figg (W/Op)
Sgt E C Jarvis (MU/AG)
Sgt E J MacKenzie (R/AG)
PD313 Returned Primary at 18,000 ft at 18.32 1/2 hrs F/O C J Clarke (P)
Sgt J T Tunstall (F/Eng)
F/Sgt H E Miell (Nav)
F/O A J Coldwell (A/B)
Sgt L O Precieux (W/Op)
F/Sgt F W Bradley (MU/AG)
F/Sgt L A J Gauthier (R/AG)
PD221 Returned Primary at 17,000 ft at 18.33 hrs S/L E L Pickles (P)
F/O P H Spindler (Nav)
F/O T M Evans (A/B)
F/O J H Graham (W/Op)
P/O L Brooks (MU/AG)
F/O G H Pascoe (R/AG)
Sgt A R Gow (F/Eng)
NG165 Returned Primary at 17,000 ft at 18.30 1/2 hrs F/L J Harris (P)
Sgt I S Freeman (F/Eng)
F/O E B Hornsby (Nav)
F/Sgt R W Richardson (A/B)
F/Sgt P F Flux (W/Op)
F/Sgt W H Barrett (MU/AG)
Sgt W A Bentley (R/AG)
ME301 Returned Primary at 19,000 ft at 18.33 hrs P/O K A Smith (P)
Sgt C Symington (F/Eng)
Sgt G Duce (Nav)
Sgt S Martin (A/B)
Sgt R E G Williams (W/Op)
Sgt C J Marshall (MU/AG)
Sgt H F Longworth (R/AG)
PA995 Returned Primary at 18,000 ft at 18.30 hrs F/O G E Blackler (P)
Sgt W R Ross (F/Eng)
F/Sgt H P Nichols (Nav)
F/Sgt J W Bold (A/B)
F/Sgt E Mozley (W/Op)
Sgt J Nicholson (MU/AG)
Sgt M McCutcheon (R/AG)
NG289 Returned Primary at 18,000 ft at 18.31 hrs F/L C A Rhude (P)
P/O J C Duncan (F/Eng)
Sgt P D Fitzgerald (Nav)
F/O C D Goughnour (A/B)
Sgt D A Blyth (W/Op)
Sgt C G Falliur (R/AG)
W/O R E Vietheer (MU/AG)
PB864 Returned Primary at 17,000 ft at 18.35 hrs F/O J A Beale (P)
Sgt Matthews (F/Eng)
F/O A F Geen (Nav)
F/O G C Glover (A/B)
F/Sgt R A Spearing (W/Op)
Sgt MacKenzie (MU/AG)
F/Sgt J L McKeown (R/AG)
NF932 Returned Primary at 18,000 ft at 18.32 hrs F/L E S Allen (P)
F/Sgt E T Smith (F/Eng)
F/Sgt A B Dennison (Nav)
F/Sgt G A Maginley (A/B)
F/Sgt R W Lundie (W/Op)
Sgt R G Crump (MU/AG)
F/O J E Murray-Shirreff (R/AG)
NG120 Returned Primary at 19,000 ft at 18.30 3/4 hrs F/O S D Thompson (P)
Sgt R A Wilson (F/Eng)
F/O J C Thorp (Nav)
F/O W K Campbell (A/B)
Sgt F Roberts (W/Op)
Sgt W Cranfield (MU/AG)
Sgt K Haub (R/AG)
NG135 Returned Primary at 19,000 ft at 18.29 hrs P/O A D Young (P)
Sgt J Hill (F/Eng)
F/O P J Singer (Nav)
Sgt C R S Daniels (A/B)
F/Sgt J W Pidcock (W/Op)
Sgt E Thompson (MU/AG)
Sgt C Hillsdon (R/AG)
LM228 Returned Primary at 17,000 ft at 18.29 1/2 hrs F/O L A Doward (P)
Sgt G Buckman (F/Eng)
F/Sgt S Gall (Nav)
F/Sgt D Jackman (A/B)
Sgt J A Morgan (MU/AG)
Sgt S Pelham (R/AG)
F/Sgt T Fairclough (W/Op)
NG134 Returned Primary at 19,000 ft at 18.33 1/2 hrs F/L E H Luder (P)
Sgt E G Bowman (F/Eng)
F/O E H Jones (Nav)
F/Lt J Ward (A/B)
F/Sgt D M McDonnell (W/Op)
Sgt R G Furness (MU/AG)
Sgt H Jordan (R/AG)
PD321 Returned Primary at 18,000 ft at 18.31 1/2 hrs F/L V B Ansell (P)
Sgt H Doherty (R/AG)
Sgt T D Rodgers (Nav)
Sgt L Trudgian (A/B)
F/Sgt H A Elderfield (W/Op)
Sgt S J H Adams (R/AG)
Sgt C Lambie (F/Eng)

Operation/Target: Cologne (02 Mar 1945 - 02 Mar 1945)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Cologne 02 Mar 1945 02 Mar 1945 N 26 aircraft with their crews took off at approximately 06.45hrs in the usual Squadron style to attack the approaches to the Rhine bridges at COLOGNE to prevent the retreating Huns from escaping to the east of the Rhine. For once the weather was kind. 5/10ths cloud was encountered until approximately 20miles short of the target which was clear. Visibility was good and crews had no difficulty in identifying the aiming point visually. Bombing was reported to be concentrated with a few hundred yards of aiming point. A generous fighter escort was supplied which discouraged the Luftwaffe from putting in an appearance. Flak over the target was moderate and accurate. Five aircraft from the Squadron were damaged. Photographs confirm that the aiming point was well and truly hit.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
NG134 Returned Primary, at 17,000 ft at 10.00 hrs
NG287 Returned Primary, at 16,000 ft at 10.01 hrs F/O J E Franklyn (P)
Sgt L D Dale (F/Eng)
F/Sgt W Hill (Nav)
Sgt W D Braham (A/B)
F/Sgt M Gillespie (W/Op)
F/Sgt H J Day (MU/AG)
Sgt S G Dyer (R/AG)
LM228 Returned Primary, at 17,000 ft at 10.02 hrs
PD320 Returned Primary, at 18,000 ft at 10.02 1/2 hrs F/O G G H Cowper (P)
Sgt R H Whitehead (F/Eng)
F/O R M Mills (Nav)
F/Sgt C H Baldwin (A/B)
F/Sgt S E Willis (W/Op)
Sgt S E Morrison (MU/AG)
Sgt H R Graham (R/AG)
RA503 Returned Primary, at 18,000 ft at 10.03 hrs
NG336 Returned Primary, at 17,000 ft at 10.02 hrs
NG221 Returned Primary, at 16,000 ft at 10.03 hrs
ME428 Returned Primary, at 18,000 ft at 10.06 hrs

[Ed. ORB lists this as ME248, whereas ME428 is listed elsewhere. Typo assumed in ORB. See Dessau raid 07/03/45 for details about ME428.]
F/Sgt K F Wilson (P)
Sgt H McKelvie (P/F/Eng)
F/Sgt E H Waller (Nav)
F/Sgt E C Eminson (A/B)
F/Sgt A H Clothier (MU/AG)
F/Sgt E J Davey (R/AG)
F/Sgt G E Collinson (W/Op)
NG390 Returned Primary, at 17,500 ft at 10.02 1/2 hrs F/O H A Findlay (P)
F/Sgt W A Swan (P/F/Eng)
Sgt J B Carter (Nav)
F/O R Melia (A/B)
Sgt E Barton (W/Op)
Sgt I Daly (MU/AG)
Sgt W Towle (R/AG)
NG289 Returned Primary, at 18,000 ft at 10.04 1/2 hrs
NG250 Returned Primary, at 16,000 ft at 09.59 1/2 hrs
NG246 Returned Primary, at 17,000 ft at 10.01 1/2 hrs F/O R P Franklyn (P)
F/Sgt R H Lucas (Nav)
F/Sgt J A Dibley (A/B)
F/Sgt R J Chester (W/Op)
Sgt K Sharp (MU/AG)
Sgt P J James (R/AG)
Sgt H D Davies (F/Eng)
PA995 Returned Primary, at 17,500 ft at 10.02 hrs F/O G E Blackler (P)
Sgt W R Ross (F/Eng)
F/Sgt H P Nichols (Nav)
F/Sgt J W Bold (A/B)
F/Sgt E Mozley (W/Op)
Sgt J Nicholson (MU/AG)
Sgt M McCutcheon (R/AG)
PD313 Returned Primary, at 18,500 ft at 10.02 1/2 hrs
RF135 Returned Primary, at 17,000 ft at 10.01 1/2 hrs F/L D R Parsons (P)
F/Sgt J P Tasker (MU/AG)
Sgt G E Carter (F/Eng)
F/Sgt J Price (Nav)
Sgt M W Morrison (A/B)
F/Sgt K Robinson (W/Op)
Sgt E Dinsley (MU/AG)
ME301 Returned Primary, at 18,000 ft at 10.00 hrs P/O K A Smith (P)
Sgt C Symington (F/Eng)
Sgt G Duce (Nav)
Sgt S Martin (A/B)
Sgt R E G Williams (W/Op)
Sgt C J Marshall (MU/AG)
Sgt H F Longworth (R/AG)
PB514 Returned Primary, at 17,500 ft at 10.03 hrs F/O J A Beale (P)
Sgt Matthews (F/Eng)
F/O A F Geen (Nav)
F/O G C Glover (A/B)
F/Sgt R A Spearing (W/Op)
Sgt MacKenzie (MU/AG)
F/Sgt J L McKeown (R/AG)
ME390 Returned Primary, at 15,000 ft at 10.02 hrs P/O S W Nielson (P)
Sgt A Finnigan (F/Eng)
F/Sgt B M Trowbridge (Nav)
Sgt R Kerr (A/B)
Sgt J H Stuart-Ritson (W/Op)
Sgt R F Stevens (R/AG)
Sgt C A DeLaveleye (MU/AG)
NF998 Returned Primary, at 18,000 ft at 10.03 1/2 hrs
LM182 Returned Primary, at 17,000 ft at 10.02 hrs
NG132 Returned Primary, at 16,000 ft at 09.58 hrs
NF931 Returned Primary, at 18,000 ft at 10.01 1/2 hrs F/O K F Sidwell (P)
Sgt J Allen (F/Eng)
F/Sgt J W Hewitt (Nav)
Sgt J L Banks (A/B)
F/Sgt J F Chapman (W/Op)
Sgt F W Woodley (MU/AG)
Sgt D C Whitmarsh (R/AG)
NG243 Returned Primary, at 17,000 ft at 10.00 hrs F/O G E Mearns (P)
Sgt F Norris (F/Eng)
F/Sgt W G Kelly (Nav)
Sgt J F McKeen (A/B)
Sgt D O'Neil (W/Op)
Sgt A Colin (R/AG)
RF136 Returned Primary at 17,000 ft at 09.59 3/4hrs F/O L G Michie (P)
P/O R J Moran (Nav)
F/Sgt J Rodgers (F/Eng)
F/O H R Whitney (A/B)
F/Sgt T E Hewitt (W/Op)
F/Sgt H L Alleyne (MU/AG)
F/Sgt S W Brown (R/AG)
NG120 Returned Primary at 16,500 ft at 10.09 1/2hrs P/O J Lukies (P)
Sgt W K Oldham (F/Eng)
F/Sgt L W Pfitzner (Nav)
F/Sgt R W Caples (A/B)
F/Sgt J W Foran (W/Op)
P/O H K Johnson (MU/AG)
Sgt J M Craine (R/AG)
NG135 Returned Primary at 17,000 ft at 10.05 hrs F/O C J Jones (P)
Sgt S J Webb (F/Eng)
P/O J Buckmaster (Nav)
F/Sgt L W Harvey (A/B)
Sgt F M Main (W/Op)
Sgt M B Smith (MU/AG)
F/Sgt E M Watkins (MU/AG)

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 140
MAX Aircraft deployed
in single operation
27
(Cologne, 28 Oct 1944)

These details were last updated: 06 March 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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