ToT Mosquito raid on Hamburg 31.10.-1.11.1944
 

Dear all,

Who can provide me with the Time over Target (ToT) of the 49 Mosquitoes that bombed Hamburg on the night of 31 October - 1 November 1944?

Cheers and thanks, Theo

Re: ToT Mosquito raid on Hamburg 31.10.-1.11.1944
 

From 139 Squadron ORB, this squadron did the marking for the raid

First wave opened on Hamburg at 19:57 hrs
Second wave dropped markers at 21:26 (1 minute early)

The Bomber Command night raid sheet notes that the bombing on Hamburg started a few minutes before it opened on Köln

Martin

Re: ToT Mosquito raid on Hamburg 31.10.-1.11.1944
 

Thanks a lot Martin for sharing these useful details!

Cheers, Theo

Re: ToT Mosquito raid on Hamburg 31.10.-1.11.1944
 

Hi Theo,

the Luftlage Reich:
"Zwischen 19.00 und 22.00 zwei Angriffe durch Mosquito-Verbände auf Hamburg. Erster Angriff zwischen 19.00 und 20.40 Uhr mit 50-60 Mosquitos, ausholend nach Osten und Angriff aus Richtung Schwerin-Lüneburg, zweiter Angriff 20.50 bis 22.00 Uhr durch etwa 30 Mosquitos ebenfalls aus dem Osten, Raum Lübeck, Hamburg angreifend. Schadensmeldungen fehlen."

Regards,

Alexander

Re: ToT Mosquito raid on Hamburg 31.10.-1.11.1944
 

Hi Alexander,

Thanks for these additional details! Beste Grüsse, Theo

Re: ToT Mosquito raid on Hamburg 31.10.-1.11.1944
 

From notes I made whilst going to 'Bomber Harris's for afternoon tea on Sundays together with his wife Jill. [Just recently unearthed them in the attic from a period of 1977 (aged 15) to late 1983]

Cologne attacked by 500 Lancasters and Halifaxes at 9 o'clock, 2,500 tons of HE and Incendiaries dropped. Early in the evening Mosquitoes also attacked the city. Almost at the same time as these two attacks other Bomber Command Mosquitoes bombed Hamburg the first at just before 8 o'clock and the second at 9:30. The first attack lasted ten minutes and the send eight. Night fighters and intruders of BC supported bombers who attack specified airfields in Germany.

Also have a note: (Relating to Cologne)

Flight Sergeant A Leach: "The sky was completely crowded over the target that there seemed to be more danger of an air collision than being hit by flak. We were attacked by Ju 88 just before we released our bombs. The enemy pilot attacked us ten times after we dropped our load. We fought a running fight with him for about 15 or 20 minutes may be longer. Taking violent evasive action, and at last managed to give him the slip thankfully."

Regards

Andy Bird