RAF Bomber Command Operations 08/09 July 1941
 

I am trying to ascertain the RAF Bomber Squadrons that undertook operations on the night of 08/09 July 1941.

The targets were Hamm, Munster, Bielefeld and Merseberg.

Any help on the identification of the Squadrons and indeed any additional information concerning these raids really will be very well received indeed.

Many thanks in anticipation.

Regards Richard.

Re: RAF Bomber Command Operations 08/09 July 1941
 

Richard,

Not a full list of squadrons for that night but squadrons that lost aircraft during these raids, taken from 'Bomber Command Losses' Vol.2 - Chorley......


9 Squadron - Munster (1)
10 squadron - Hamm (1)
35 Squadron - Merseburg (1)
44 Squadron - Hamm (2)
58 Squadron - Hamm (1)
78 squadron - Hamm (3)
83 Squadron - Hamm (1)

.................................................. ..............

Bomber Command raids of 8/9 July 1941

Hamm.

45 Hampdens and 28 Whitleys. Only 31 aircraft were able to bomb in the target area. 4 Whitleys and 3 Hampdens lost.

Munster.

51 Wellingtons. 1 lost. Large fires were claimed in the railway-station area. Munster recorded 15 people killed.

Bielfeld.

33 Wellingtons to attack a power-station. No losses.

Merseburg.

13 Halifaxes and 1 Stirling to the Leuna oil plant. 1 Halifax lost.

'The Bomber Command War Diaries' - Middlebrook/Everitt

Re: RAF Bomber Command Operations 08/09 July 1941
 

Hello Richard,

I can add that 150 Sqdn was also amongst the attacking force.

Kind regards,
Hans Nauta

RAF Bomber Command Operations 08/09 July 1941
 

Gents

Very many thanks indeed for your help with my request. I have been able to piece together the information below:

If anyone can add to it (no Sqns listed for Bielefeld for example) or point to any ammendments needed, please let me know.

Hans, do you have additional information on 150 Sqn's involvement on this night of operations?

Regards Richard.

Royal Air Force Bomber Command Missions, 08 July 1941
Targets – Hamm, Münster, Bielefeld, Merseberg.

Hamm

10 Sqn.
Operating Base:RAF Leeming
Aircraft: Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley MkV
Aircraft lost:
Z6627 ZA- (Shot down by Lt. Rudolf Schoenert 4./NJG1 at 03:40 over North sea, 60km N.W. Vlieland)

44 Sqn.
Operating Base: RAF Waddington
Aircraft: Handley Page Hampden MkI
Aircraft lost:
AE153 KM- (Lost without trace)
AD840 KM- (Crew buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetary)

58 Sqn.
Operating Base: RAF Linton-on-Ouse
Aircraft: Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley MkV
Aircraft lost:
Z76666 GE-E (Crashed 02:40 near Velden (Limburg) 5 km N. of Venlo)

78 Sqn.
Operating Base: RAF Middleton St George
Aircraft: Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley MkV
Aircraft lost:
Z6625 EY-L (Port engine failed on return leg, crashed 04:05 near RAF Bircham Newton, Norfolk)
Z6555 EY- (Shot down by Lt. Rudolf Schoenert 4./NJG1 at 02:51 over North Sea, 60km N.W. Vlieland)
T4209 EY-W (Badly damaged by Flak and subsequently ditched at 04:29 off East coast)

83 Sqn.
Operating Base: RAF Scampton
Aircraft: Handley Page Hampden MkI
Aircraft lost:
X3139 OL-V (Shot down by Ofw. Paul Gildner 4./NJG1, crashed 00:56 in North sea off Vlieland)

73 aircraft despatched (45 X Handley Page Hampdens 28 X Armstrong Whitworth Whitley, only 31 aircraft were able to bomb in the target area))
8 aircraft lost

Münster (Large fires claimed in area of railway station)

IX Sqn.
RAF Honington
Vickers Wellington IC
T2973 WS-G (Crashed at Neuss, Germany)

51 aircraft despatched
1 aircraft lost

Bielefeld - Power Station
33 aircraft despatched
0 aircraft lost

Merseberg – Leuna Oil Plant

35(B) Sqn. RAF Linton-on-Ouse
Handley Page Halifax
L9521 TL-Z (Shot down by Lt. August Geiger 9./NJG1 at 03:32, crashed near Mook 10km S. Nijmegan)

14 aircraft despatched (13 X Handley Page Halifax & 1 X Short Stirling)
1 aircraft lost


Losses

A total of 171 aircraft took off from bases in England.
10 aircraft lost.

34 Aircrew Killed or Missing
9 Aircrew taken as POW

Re: RAF Bomber Command Operations 08/09 July 1941
 

Hello Richard,

Actually not, I only have a note that I've checked this squadron for a bombardment on a secondary target here in Holland.

But as I see you try to compile the night's events from bits of info, I would recommend you to visit the National Archives in Kew, Londen. Document reference number AIR14/3372 hold the Interception and Tactic Reports for 1941 in which every night is assessed. Apart from bombing results these reports also contain involved squadrons, numbers of aircraft, wheather conditions, route, attacks and encounters with German night fighters, reported Flak and Search light defences, etc.

Together with the appendices of the Operations Record Book of Bomber Command in AIR24/233 which includes intelligence reports and naratives you will have pretty much insight into the efforts in the night of 8/9th July 1941!

Good luck!

Hans Nauta

RAF Bomber Command Operations 08/09 July 1941
 

Hans!

Very many thanks for the pointer!

I will definatly follow this up through the National Archives and put my findings here in due course.

Regards Richard.