Date

Time

Summary of Events                                                                   SECRET           

References

Night
2/3.1.44

SUMMARY:- BERLIN.    16 Lancasters detailed.    2 A/C withdrawn
                                     5 A/C missing     (156/T – F/O Cairns
                                                 156/V – P/O Cromarty
                                                 156/J – P/O Borland
                                                 156/O – F/L Ralph
                                                 156/C – Sgt. Barnes
                                     9 A/C attacked primary
COMBATS: - Two were reported, by 156/Y and 156/K (See combat reports)

C40. C41

3.1.44

10:10

Make and mend.

4.4.44

10:10

Squadron stood down.

5.1.44

09:50

Target:  (provisionally) STETTIN.

11:00

4 B/Mkrs/Illrs., 1 Vis/Mkr., 2 Blind Backers-up, 5 Vis. B/up, 6 Supporters.

11:45

Zero hour 03:45 hrs

13:45

Form B. received.

A98

Night
5/6/1/44

23:46 to
08:52hrs

As detailed in form B.561, 18 Lancasters of 156 Sqdn. Took off from Warboys to attack Stettin.
METHOD:    Primary Blind Markers were to mark the A.P. with T.I. Green and also drop either Release Point Flares or Flares white according to weather conditions at the target. Visual Markers were to mark the exact A.P. with T.I. Red if able to identify positively, if not, they were to retain their T.I.s. Visual Backers-up were to keep the A.P. marked with T.I. Green, aiming at T.I. Red or T.I. Green if visible, otherwise retaining their T.I.s and aiming their bombs at the Release Point Flares. Blind Backers-up were to drop their Release Point Flares only if cloud conditions prevented visual marking, otherwise they were to retain their R/P Flares and revert to main force. Supporters were to drop their bombs by Special Equipment if possible, otherwise aiming at the centre of the T.I.s Green or at the R/P Flares.
WEATHER:   Nil cloud, good visibility. Nil haze, snow on ground. Cloud bank crossed target for a short time.
RESULTS:   Apart from some reports of T.I.s being dropped early, the markers achieved a good concentration. White flares were considered unnecessary owing to good visibility and snow. The visual marker definitely identified the Aiming Point. Red T.I.s were considered a little scattered, some falling on the E. side of the River Oder. The attack generally was thought to be very concentrated and successful.

Date

Time

Summary of Events                                                                   SECRET           

References

Night
5/6/1/44

23:46 to
08:52hrs

cont.

DEFENCES:  Flak: - slight to moderate.  H/F:- increasing to moderate.  Slight L/F.
           S/Ls:- about 30, trying, unsuccessfully  to cone.
           Some fighter flares over the target, but principally on route in from GRIEFSWALDE.
COMBATS:   Two were reported by 156/C and 156/N
SUMMARY:   STETTIN.   18 Lancasters detailed.    17 Lancasters attacked primary.
                      1 Lancaster returned early (156/V – Compasses and instruments u/s)

C.42. C.43

6.1.44

10:00

Squadron stood down.

7.1.44

09:47

Squadron stood down.

8.1.44

10:20

Target:         LIMOGES

10:47

A/C required:-  3 Blind Marker Illuminators, 1 Visual Marker, 3 Supporters.

12:15

Zero hour:-  20:30hrs.

14:40

Form B. received.

16:05

Operations cancelled.

A99

9.1.44

09:51

Squadron stood down

10.1.44

10:00

Make and mend.

11:15

Two experienced and two inexperienced crews required for navigational and cross-country test. Take-off 16:00 hrs., duration 3 ½ hrs.

13:45

Form B. received.

A100

16:00-19:34hrs

4 Lancasters of 156 Squadron took off from Warboys to take part in a navigational exercise as detailed in Form B.569. All 4 A/C completed the course.

11.1.44

09:35

Make and mend.

16:10

In the event of there being no operations tomorrow, another navigational exercise will be held.

17:00

Details of proposed navigational exercise received.

12.1.44

09:40

Make and mend. Navigational exercise cancelled.

13.1.44

10:12

Make and mend.

Date

Time

Summary of Events                                                                   SECRET           

References

14.1.44

09:55

TARGET:-  BRUNSWICK.

10:40

A/C required: 6 Blind Mkrs Illuminators, 2 Visual Mkrs, 2 Blind Backers-up, 2 Visual B/up, 9 Supporters.

11:10

Zero hour:  19:15hrs

12:07

Form B.572 received

Night 15/15.1.44

16:44 to 22:44hrs

In accordance with instructions given in form B.572, 20 Lancasters of 156 Squadron took off from Warboys to attack Brunswick.
METHOD     Blind Marker Illuminators were to mark the A.P. blindly with T.I. Green and also drop Release Point Flares at Captain’s discretion if cloud conditions made sky marking necessary. Visual Markers were to mark the exact A.P. with T.I. Red after definite visual identification, also carrying a bundle of flares White for additional illumination, to be used at Captain’s discretion. If unable to identify visually, they were to retain their T.I.s Red. Blind Backers-up who were spread throughout the attack, were to keep the A.P. marked with T.I. Green and also drop Release Point Flares if cloud conditions made sky marking necessary. Visual Backers-up were to aim T.I. Green at the estimated centre of all T.I. Red or T.I. Green. If cloud conditions rendered T.I.s invisible, however, they were to retain their T.I.s and aim bombs at the Release Point Flares. Supporters were to drop their bombs by Special Equipment if possible, otherwise aiming at the centre of T.I. Red or at the Release Point Flares.
WEATHER:   10/10ths St.Cu. tops 6/10,000ft. Good visibility above.
RESULTS:   Concentration was good at the beginning of the attack, but subsequently markers spread out in a line 5 to 7 miles long. Results were difficult to observe owing to cloud and most crews reported only a small glow from fires.
DEFENCES:  Nil to very slight H/F, nil L/F. S/Ls did not pierce cloud. Many nightfighter flares over target in line of track in and out. Also concentrated N. and N.E. of Hannover.
COMBATS:   Two were reported (see Combat Reports)
SUMMARY:   BRUNSWICK  21 Lancasters detailed.    1 Lancaster withdrawn (M/U Turret u/s).
                     14 Lancasters attacked primary.
                      1 Lancaster attacked last resort (PIENE)
                      5 Lancasters missing (156/B – W/Cdr. Mansfield. 156/H – P/O Bayot
                                            156/M – P/O Palmer. 156/C P/O Illingworth.
                                            156/N – F/L Stannard.)

C44. C45.

15.1.44

09:50

Make and mend.

16.1.44

09:53

Make and mend.

Date

Time

Summary of Events                                                                   SECRET           

References

17.1.44

09:54

Make and mend.

18.1.44

09:50

Make and mend.

19.1.44

09:35

Make and mend.

20.1.44

09:52

TARGET:    BERLIN

10:47

Requirements:- 2 Primary B/Markers, 3 B/Backers-up, 6 Visual Backers-up, 10 Supporters

11:48

Zero hour . . . . 19:35hrs.

12:55

Preliminary Form B.580 received.

A102

Night 20/21.1.44

16:16 to 00:25hrs

In accordance with Form B.580, 21 Lancasters of 156 Squadron took off from Warboys to attack BERLIN.
METHOD     Primary B/Mkrs. were to mark A.P. blindly with T.I. Red and also drop a bundle of Release Point Flares blindly by Special Equipment. Blind Backers-up were to keep A.P. marked with T.I. Green and R.P. Flares, dropped blindly by Special Equipment. Visual Backers-up were to aim T.I. Green at the estimated centre of T.I. Red or T.I. Green. If cloud obscured T.I.s V/Bs/Up were to retain their T.Is and aim bombs at the R.P. Flares. Supporters were to bomb the A.P. blindly by Special Equipment. If this was u/s, they were to bomb visually, without waiting for Blind Mkrs., or on good D.R. Should Mkrs. or R/P Flares have been dropped already, they were to bomb centre of T.I.s seen or aim at the R/P Flares.
WEATHER:   10/10ths cloud, tops 8,000ft., with local small breaks.
RESULTS:   T.I.s disappeared quickly into cloud. Skymarkers formed two concentrations, one large and one small, which soon joined into a line 2/3 miles long, approx. parallel to track. A large explosion was seen in the south of the target area.
DEFENCES:  Moderate H/F, slight L/F. Only occasionally S/L penetrated cloud. Some fighter flares were seen S. of Berlin.
COMBATS:   2 were reported, by 156/A and 156/E (see combat reports attached).
SUMMARY:   BERLIN     21 Lancasters detailed.
                     20 Lancasters attacked Primary
                      1 Lancaster returned early.

C.46 C.47

21.1.44

09:45

TARGET     MAGDEBURG

11:15

Requirements:   8 B/Mkrs, 1 Visual Mkr, 5 Vis. Bks/Up, 7 Supporters.

12:17

Zero Hour – 23:00 hrs.

Date

Time

Summary of Events                                                                   SECRET           

References

12:25

Preliminary Form B. received.

A103

Night 21/22.1.44

19:50 to 02:57 hrs

In accordance with Form B.582, 14 Lancasters of 156 Squadron took off from Warboys to attack Magdeburg.
METHOD:    Primary B/Mkrs., if cloud conditions were less than 7/10ths and conditions appeared favourable for visual marking, were to mark A.P. blindly with T.I. Green and also drop bundles of Flares White Hooded. If more than 7/10ths cloud they were to drop T.I. Green and Release Point Flares Red/Green stars. Visual Mkrs. were to mark A.P. with T.I. Red after definite visual identification, otherwise retaining their T.I.s. Flares White Hooded could also be dropped at Captain’s discretion to assist visual identification. Blind Bkrs Up, if visual marking was possible, were to retain their R/P Flares and drop T.I. Green and bombs blindly. If their Special Equipment was u/s a long way from the target, they could revert to Visual Bkrs/Up. If cloud conditions rendered visual identification impossible, they were to drop R/P Flares and T.I. Green blindly. Visual Bkrs/Up were to keep the A.P. marked throughout the attack with T.I. Green, aiming at the T.I. Red in the early stages if visual marking possible, otherwise T.I. Green. If cloud obscured T.I., they were to retain T.I.s and aim bombs at the R/P Flares. Supporters were to bomb A.P. by Special Equipment. If u/s they were to bomb visually or on good D.R. unless markers had already dropped, in which case they were to bomb the centre of T.I.s seen or the R/P Flares.
WEATHER:   8/10-10/10ths thin cloud, clearing to S.E. Good visibility above.
RESULTS:   Some crews reported seeing T.I. Red short of target. Green T.I.s in fairly good concentration. Skymarkers well concentrated. Bombing generally good, though incendiaries were reported well to the S. of the target. Fires burning well.
DEFENCES:  Slight H/F
SUMMARY:   MAGDEBURG  21 Lancasters detailed. 9 Lancasters attacked primary.
                      7 Lancasters withdrawn (156/V bogged, 156/E taxied into 156/A
                                              156/B art. horizon u/s, 156/P Mag drop
                                              156/Z Navigator sick, 156/? Mag drop)
                      3 a/c returned early (156/D S/B outer u/s, 156/R Rear Gnr. Ill,                                              156/H – Turrets u/s)
                      1 a/c jettisoned (156/J overshot Primary.)
                      1 a/c missing (156/O – F/L Kilvington)

22.1.44

09:36

Make and mend.

23.1.44

09:45

Squadron stood down.

24.1.44

09:45

Make and mend.

Date

Time

Summary of Events                                                                   SECRET           

References

25.1.44

09:50

TARGET:    FRANKFURT

10:40

A/C requirements:- 3 B/Mkr Illum., 1 Vis. Mkr., 4 Bl. B/up, 2 Vis. B/up, 9 Supporters.

11:28

Zero hour:- 20:50 hrs

11:47

Preliminary Form B.587 received.

16:35

Operations cancelled.

26.1.44

10:00

Make and mend.

27.1.44

09:47

TARGET     BERLIN

10:47

A/C required:- 2 Primary B/Mkrs, 6 Bl. B/Up, 2 V/Bkrs.Up, 6 Supporters.

12:25

Zero hour 20:30 hrs.

12:00

Preliminary Form B. received.

A105

Night 27/28.1.44

17:36 to 02:08 hrs

In accordance with instructions given in Form B.590, 16 Lancasters of 156 Squadron took off from Warboys to attack BERLIN.
METHOD:    Primary Blind Mkrs. were to mark the A.P. with T.I. Red and Release Point Flares Green/Red satrs blindly on Special Equipment. Vis. Bkrs. Up were to aim T.I. at the centre of all T.I. Redor T.I. Green seen. If cloud obscured T.I.s, Vis. Bkrs.Up were to retain their own T.I.s and aim bombs only at the Release Point Flares. Supporters were to bomb the A.P. blindly by Special Equipment. If latter was u/s, they were to bomb visually or on good D.R., aiming at T.I.s or R/P Flares only if already dropped.
WEATHER:   10/10ths Scu., tops 8/10,000ft. Good visibility above.
RESULTS:   The attack opened on time and most of the early crews reported a good concentration of the R/P Flares. Later there was a spread in a line or crescent. Glow of good fires was seen from as much as 100 miles after leaving the target.
DEFENCES:  Negligible H/F and L/F at first, later increasing to slight/moderate and aimed at the R/P Flares. S/Ls illuminating cloud but not penetrating. Fighter Flares seen in circle around target – also a few on track. On route home they were scattered along N. of track as far as the enemy coast.
COMBATS:   One was reported, by 156/C, which was attacked with cannon and machine gun fire (see Combat Report attached).
SUMMARY:   BERLIN     16 Lancasters detailed. 15 attacked Primary.
                      1 Lancaster returned early (Port Outer u/s)

C48.

Date

Time

Summary of Events                                                                   SECRET           

References

28.1.44

09:40

TARGET:    BERLIN

10:47

A/C required:- 2 Primary B/Mkrs., 5 Bl/B/Up, 9 Supporters.

12:07

Zero hour:- 03:15 hrs.

13:34

Preliminary Form B.593 received.

A106

Night 28/29.1.44

23:55 to 08:04 hrs

In accordance with Form B.593, 15 Lancasters took off from Warboys to attack BERLIN.
METHOD:    Primary Blind Mkrs. were to mark the A.P. with T.I. Red and drop Release Point Flares Red/Green stars. Blind Bkrs-up were to keep the A.P. marked with T.I. Green and Red or T.I. seen, unless cloud conditions rendered T.I.s on the ground invisible, in which case they were to retain their T.I.s and aim their bombs at the R.P. Flares. Supporters were to bomb by Special Equipment if serviceable, otherwise visually or on good D.R. If Release Point Flares had dropped when they arrived, Supporters were to aim their bombs at them.
WEATHER:   9-10/10ths cloud, tops 10/12,000ft., clearing gradually as attack progressed. Good visibility above.

RESULTS:   A good concentration of R/P Flares was achieved and well maintained throughout, though there were a few to the S. of the main concentration. Glow of T.I.s could be seen through the cloud. Several good explosions were seen.

DEFENCES:  Moderate H/F, negligible at beginning. Moderate/Intense L/F, mostly aimed at R/P Flares. S/Ls – many below cloud but generally not piercing. Fighter Flares not so numerous as before.

SUMMARY:   BERLIN.    16 Lancasters detailed. 13 Lancasters attacked primary.
                      1 A/C withdrawn (156/B – mag drop),
                      2 A/C returned early (156/Y and 156/D – severe icing.)

29.1.44

09:55

Make and mend

30.1.44

09:36

TARGET     BERLIN

11:00

A/C Requirements:- 3 Primary B/Mkrs., 9 Bl.B/up, 4 Supporters.

11:20

Preliminary Form B.596 received.           Zero Hour 20:15 hrs.

Night 30/31.1.44

17:05 to 23:52 hrs

In accordance with Form B.596, 16 Lancasters of 156 Squadron took off from Warboys to attack BERLIN.
METHOD:    Primary B/Mkrs. were to mark the A.P. with T.I. Red and drop R/P Flares Red/Green stars. Blind Bkrs.-up were to keep the A.P. marked with T.I. Green and drop R/p Flares Red/Green stars, blindly. Visual Bkrs/up were to aim T.I. Green at the centre of T.I. Res unless cloud conditions made T.I.s invisible, in which case they were to retain  their T.I.s

Date

Time

Summary of Events                                                                   SECRET           

References

Night 30/31.1.44

17:05 to 23:52 hrs
cont.

and aim bombs at the R/P Flares.
WEATHER:   10/10ths Scu., tops 12,000ft. Visibility good.
RESULTS:   Skymarker concentration from the beginning was very good, with a few strays; other concebtration seems to have been maintained throughout the attack. Large glows of fires could be seen from the target area. T.I.s were only visible for about 30 seconds before disappearing into cloud.
DEFENCES:  Slight H/F, moderate L/F, deteriorating. S/Ls not penetrating cloud. Rockets seen over target area and Dutch coast. Numerous Fighter Flares seen over target and on route home.
SUMMARY:   BERLIN     16 Lancasters detailed. 12 attacked Primary
                      2 Lancasters returned early (156/B – late take off,
                                                   156/U – S/B outer overheating.)
                      2 Lancasters missing (156/Z – W/O Rule, 156/W – W/O Batman.)

31.1.44

09:42

Make and mend.

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS – JANUARY 1944.
The squadron operated on nine nights during the month and attacks were made on BERLIN (six occasions), STETTIN, BRUNSWICK and MAGDEBURG.
All six attacks on BERLIN were made by skymarking technique, with no ground detail visible. The attack on STETTIN was made in clear skies and under conditions which made Visual Marking possible. The attacks on BRUNSWICK and MAGDEBURG were made in conditions of 8-10/10ths cloud, necessitating skymarking technique.
Eleven combats were reported during the month. (See Combat Reports attached.)
17 Lancasters failed to return from operations.

STATISTICS – JANUARY, 1944
Operational flying times for month              896 hrs. 00mins.
Operational flying time since 3 Sept. 1939.          13,241hrs. 59mins.
No. of sorties during the month                 152
No. of sorties since 3 Sept. 1939               2,430
No. of aircraft missing during the month.       17
Tonnage of H.E. bombs dropped.                  474.3
Tonnage of incendiary bombs dropped.            -----
                                     Total      474.3
Tonnage of bombs jettisoned.                    39.5
                                     Total      513.8
No. of flares and T.I.s dropped                 347

Date

Time

Summary of Events                                                                   SECRET           

References

1.2.44

09:34

Make and mend.

2.2.44

09:33

Make and mend.

3.2.44

09:40

Make and mend.

10:15

Six inexperienced crews required for cross-country and T.I. demonstration.

11:10

Route received. Zero hour 21:00 hrs.

Night 3/4.2.44

17:17 to 22:30hrs

Five aircraft took off from Warboys to take part in a combined cross-country and T.I. demonstration. All five aircraft completed the course.

4.2.44

09:40

Make and mend.

5.2.44

10:00

Make and mend.

13:11

Form B. received for Navigational exercise to take place Feb 6/7.

A108

6.2.44

09:15

All heavy aircraft to take part in Navigational exercise with Peterborough railway station as target. Zero hour 21:00 hrs.

10:55

At least 5 aircraft per flight required for navigational exercise.

12:45

Navigational exercise postponed until 7/8 Feb. owing to weather.

7.2.44

09:40

Make and mend.

09:50

Navigational exercise cancelled.

8.2.44

09:52

Make and mend.

10:08

Navigational exercise will take place, at least five aircraft per flight being required.
Zero hour 21:00 hrs.

Night 8/9.2.44

16:55 to 22:34 hrs

16 aircraft of 156 Squadron took off from Warboys to participate in a Navigational exercise with Peterborough railway station as target. All aircraft completed the course.

9.2.44

09:47

Make and mend.

10.2.44

10:05

Squadron stood down.

11:42

Their Majesties the King and Queen arrived on a visit to the station, departing at 14:00 hrs.

11.2.44

09:55

Make and mend.

Date

Time

Summary of Events                                                                   SECRET           

References

12.2.44

09:50

Navigational exercise. 7 A/C per Flight required.

11:20

Route received. Zero Hour 21:30 hrs.

16:13

Navigational exercise cancelled.

13.2.44

09:50

TARGET     BERLIN

10:48

Aircraft required:- (BERLIN) 2 Prim. B/Mkrs., 4 Blind/M/up, 3 Vis. B/Up, 5 Supporters.

                     (FRANKFURT-am-ODER) 2 Blind Mkrs., 5 Backers Up.

11:40

Zero Hour 21:00hrs.

11:52

Form B.614 received.

15:55

Operations cancelled.

A109

14.2.44

09:43

Make and mend.

15.2.44

09:35

TARGET:    BERLIN.    “Spoof” – FRANKFURT-am-ODER.

11:35

Zero Hour:- 21:15 hrs.

12:00

Preliminary Form B. received.

Night 15/16.2.44

17:02 to 01:50 hrs

In accordance with Form B.617, 15 Lancasters of 156 Squadron took off from Warboys to attack BERLIN, and 6 Lancasters to deliver a subsidiary attack on FRANKFURT-am-ODER.
METHOD:-   BERLIN
Prim.B/Mkrs,    were to mark the Aiming Point with T.I. Red and drop Release Point Flares Red/Green stars by means of Special Equipment.
Blind B/Up,     were to keep the Aiming Point marked throughout the attack with T.I. Green, also dropping Release Point Flares Red/Green stars blindly.
Vis. B/Up:      were to aim T.I. Green at centre of all T.I. Red and Green seen. If however, cloud obscured T.I.s they were retain their T.I.s and aim bombs either by Special Equipment or at the Release Point Flares.
Supporters:     were to bomb either by Special Equipment, visually or on a good D.R., or on centre of T.I.s, or on Release Point Flares if these had already dropped on arrival.
WEATHER:        10/10ths cloud, tops 8/10,000ft., visibility moderate.
RESULTS:        Observations were difficult and conflicting owing to thick cloud. T.I.s were not visible for long, and only a slight glow of fires could be seen. The general impression was that the Release Point Flares extended in a line or curve SW to NE.
DEFENCES:       Moderate H/Flak, mostly barrage, bursting 16/24,000ft. Slight L/Flak and

A110

Date

Time

Summary of Events                                                                   SECRET           

References

S/Ls not penetrating cloud. Fighter Flares seen all the way from before the Danish coast to target. Fewer on homeward route.
COMBATS         1 was reported, 156/O being attacked by an enemy fighter and considerably damaged. (See Combat Report attached)

METHOD:-   FRANKFURT-am-ODER
Blind Mkrs:     and Bkrs/up were to drop T.I. Red and Green and bombs blindly on the Aiming Point or in the centre of the town if Special Equipment u/s.
WEATHER:        10/10ths cloud, tops 5/6,000ft, visibility moderate.
RESULTS:        As far as could be seen through cloud, a fairly good concentration of T.I.s was achieved and fires started.
DEFENCES:       Nil to slight Heavy Flak.

SUMMARY:   BERLIN.              15 Lancasters detailed.
                                11 Lancasters attacked Primary.
                                 3 Lancasters abortive.
                                 1 Lancaster missing (156/P – F/L Stimpson.)
           Frankfurt-am-Oder    6 Lancasters detailed.
                                 6 Lancasters attacked Primary.

C.48

16.2.44

09:55

TARGET:    BERLIN.

11:32

A/C required:- 3 Prim. B/Mkrs., 6 Blind B/Up, 3 Vis. B/Up, 8 Supporters.

11:49

Zero Hour:- 21:25 hrs (First Wave),   23:30 hrs (Second Wave).

12:35

Form B.619 received.

A111

15:03

Operations cancelled.

17.2.44

09:45

TARGET:    BERLIN.    ALTERNATIVE – LEIPZIG.

11:00

A/C required:- 3 Prim. B/Mkrs., 3 Blind Bk/Up, 2 Vis. Bk/Up, 4 Supporters. (1st Wave)

                3 Prim. B/Mkrs., 3 Blind Bk/Up, 1 Vis. Bk/Up, 2 Supporters. (2nd Wave)

A112

11:35

Preliminary Form B received. BERLIN & LEIPZIG.

12:03

Zero Hours:- BERLIN 21:35 and 00:05 hrs.   LEIPZIG 21:50 and 00:05 hrs.

13:05

BERLIN confirmed as target.

16:00

Operations cancelled.

Date

Time

Summary of Events                                                                   SECRET           

References

18.2.44

09:50

TARGET:    BERLIN.

11:00

A/C required:- 8 Prim. B/Mkrs, 4 Blind B/Up, 4 Vis. B/Up, 5 Supporters.

11:40

Preliminary Form B.624 received.

A113

16:39

Operations cancelled.

19.2.44

09:35

TARGET:    LEIPZIG.

11:03

A/C required:- 6 Prim. B/Mkrs, 6 Blind B/Up, 4 Vis. B/Up, 5 Supporters.

12:05

Preliminary Form B. received.

A114

12:32

Zero Hour:-     04:00 hrs.

Night 19/20.2.44

23:36 to 07:24 hrs.

In accordance with instructions given in Form B. No.626, 20 Lancasters of 156 Squadron took off from Warboys to attack LEIPZIG.
METHOD:    Prim. B/Mkrs were to mark the Aiming Point blindly with T.I. Red and R/P Flares Green/Red stars. Blind B/Up were to keep the Aiming Point marked throughout the attack with T.I. Green and R/P Flares. Vis. B/Up were to aim T.I. Green at the centre of T.I. Red and T.I. Green if seen, otherwise retaining their T.I.s and bombing by Special Equipment or at R/P Flares. Supporters were to bomb blindly, or if Special Equipment u/s, visually or on good D.R.
WEATHER:   10/10ths cloud, tops 5/6,000ft. Layer of thin cloud at 22,000ft. Visibility good.
RESULTS:   The attack opened early and a good concentration of Release Point Flares quickly formed. Sky Marking was well maintained until about 5 mins. after Zero Hour, when a gap of about 4 mins. occurred. T.I.s were only faintly visible through cloud. Glow of good fires could be seen and large explosions were reported.
DEFENCES:  Negligible H/Flak, increasing to Slight. A few S/Ls illuminating cloud. Many fighter flares seen in triangle – STENDAL-BERLIN-LEIPZIG.
SUMMARY:   LEIPZIG-   21 Lancasters detailed.
                      1 Lancaster withdrawn (magneto drop).
                     18 Lancasters attacked Primary.
                      2 Lancasters missing (156/T – S/L Saunders & 156/Q – W/O Stanners.)

20.2.44

10:07

TARGET:-   STUTTGART.

11:15

A/C REQUIRED:- 5 Prim. B/Mkrs, 6 Blind B/Up, 3 Vis. B/Up, 4 Supporters.

12:45

Preliminary Form B.628 received.

A115

Date

Time

Summary of Events                                                                   SECRET           

References

13:00

Zero Hour: 04:00 hrs.

Night 20/21.2.44

00:14 to 06:54 hrs.

In accordance with Form B.626, 14 Lancasters of 156 Squadron took off from Warboys to attack STUTTGART.
METHOD:    Prim. B/Mkrs. were to mark the Aiming Point blindly with T.I. Red and R/P Flares Green/Red stars. Blind B/Up were to keep the Aiming Point marked throughout to attack with T.I Green and R/P Flares. Vis. B/Up were to aim T.I. Green at the centre of all T.I. seen but if cloud obscured the T.I.s they were to retain their T.I.s and aim bombs by Special Equipment at R/P Flares. Supporters were to bomb blindly, or if Special Equipment u/s, either visually or on good D.R., unless markers had already dropped, in which case they were to bomb T.I.s or R/P Flares.
WEATHER:   5-8/10ths cloud, tops 6,000ft. Visibility moderate.
RESULTS:   The attack opened early and a good concentration of R/P Flares formed but T.I.s could also be seen through gaps in cloud. T.I. Red were very concentrated in circular cluster and Green T.I.s covered them over wider area. Good fires were seen burning.
DEFENCES:  Moderate/Intense H/Flak, some L/Flak. Nil S/Ls. Nightfighters operated over target after attack had started.
SUMMARY:   STUTTGART  18 Lancasters detailed.
                      4 Lancasters withdrawn before take-off.
                     10 Lancasters attacked Primary.
                      3 Lancasters aborted.
                      1 Lancaster missing (156/C – F/L Mackay).

21.2.44

09:50

Make and mend.

22.2.44

09:50

Target:    SCHWEINFURT.

11:28

A/C required:- (1^st attack)- 2 Blind Mkrs/Illm., 2 Vis. Mkrs., 2 B/B/Up, 2 Vis. B/Up, 2 Supp.
               (2^nd attack)- 3 Prim. B/Mkrs, 2 Blind B/Up, 2 Vis. B/Up, 2 Supp.

A116

12:03

Zero Hours:-    22:45 and 01:15 hrs.

12:39

Target changed to FRANKFURT.

13:29

Preliminary Form B. received.

17:35

Operations cancelled.

23.2.44

09:55

Make and mend.

Date

Time

Summary of Events                                                                   SECRET           

References

24.2.44

09:40

Target:    SCHWEINFURT.

10:39

A/C required:- (1^st attack)- 4 Blind Mkrs/Illm., 2 Vis. Mkrs., 1 B/B/Up, 2 Vis. B/Up, 4 Supp.
               (2^nd attack)- 3 Prim. B/Mkrs, 1 Blind B/Up, 1 Vis. B/Up, 3 Supp.

11:55

Preliminary Form B. received.

Night 24/25.2.44

18:33 to 05:01 hrs.

As detailed in Form B.635, Lancasters of 156 Squadron took off from Warboys to make two attacks on SCHWEINFURT. 13 aircraft took part in the first attack and 8 aircraft in the second attack.
FIRST ATTACK- METHOD - Blind Marker Illuminators were to mark the Aiming Point blindly with T.I.Green. If cloud conditions were less than 7/10ths they were to drop bundles of Flares White. If cloud was more than 7/10ths they were to retain their Flares White and drop T.I. Green and Release Point Flares Green/Red stars. Visual Markers were to mark the A.P. after definite visual identification with T.I.Red. If unable to identify, they were drop T.I. Red on the exact centre of the area marked by all the T.I. Red. If more than 7/10ths cloud, they were to retain T.I.s and drop R/P Flares Green/Red stars. Blind B/Up, if cloud conditions necessitated sky marking were to retain T.I. and drop R/P Flares blindly, otherwise retaining them and aiming bombs at centre of T.I.s. Visual B/Up were to keep the A.P. marked with T.I. Red, aimed at centre of T.I. Green, but if cloud obscured T.I.s they were to aim bombs only at R/P Flares. Supporters were to bomb blindly if possible, otherwise visually or on a good D.R. or at centre of T.I.s or R/P Flares if already dropped.
WEATHER:   Nil cloud, slight ground haze.
RESULTS:   One of this squadron’s two visual markers was able to identify visually and found the first load of T.I. Green had fallen right in the centre of the town, his own T.I. Reds falling 100yds. NE of the A.P. and being followed by other Reds and Greens in good concentration. Subsequently, T.I.s became rather scattered, but fires covered the whole area of the town.
DEFENCES:  Moderate H/Flak, bursting at about 23,000ft. Belt of S/Ls on W. side of target, coning only occasionally. Many fighters in the METZ/STUTTGART area.
COMBATS:   Two were reported by 156/Z and 156/P (See attached reports)

SECOND ATTACK- METHOD – Primary Blind Markers were to mark the Aiming Point blindly with T.I.Green and drop R/P Flares Green/Red stars. Blind B/Up were to mark the A.P. blindly throughout the attack with R/P Flares. Visual B/Up were to aim T.I. Red at the centre of all T.I.s seen with 2 sec overshoot. If cloud obscured T.I.s, they were to drop bombs only, either by Special Equipment or at the R.P. Flares. Supporters were to bomb blindly if possible, otherwise visually or on good D.R. or if markers had already fallen at the centre

Date

Time

Summary of Events                                                                   SECRET           

References

Night 24/25.2.44

18:33 to 05:01 hrs.
cont.

of T.I.s or R/P Flares.
WEATHER:   Nil cloud, much smoke and haze, good visibility above.
RESULTS:   The attack opened on time with T.I. Greens and R/P Flares dropping in NE. of built-up area. Subsequent Green T.I.s formed a compact cluster SW. and NE. and this concentration was well maintained throughout the attack. Several loads of incendiaries undershot by 5 to 10 miles. The whole town area was ablaze at the end of the attack.
DEFENCES:  Moderate H/Flak, predicted at outset, quickly dwindling to negligible. S/Ls in belt, forming loose cones. Some fighter flares seen over target and a few on route home.

SUMMARY    SCHWEINFURT.    (First Attack)  13 Lancaster III detailed.
                                           10 Lancaster III attacked the Primary.
                                            3 Lancaster III missing (156/K W/C Porter,
                                                     156/F F/L Day, 156/L P/O Neighbour).
                           (Second Attack) 8 Lancaster III detailed.
                                            5 Lancaster III attacked the Primary.
                                            3 Lancaster III returned early.