21 Feb '45 BC attack Wörms
 

Dear All,
21/22 February 1945, 349 a/c attacked the town, 1 Lancaster lost
Does anyone know which Bomber Command Groups carried out the attack so I can do some further research.

Many Thanks
Andrew Bird

Brief Background;
This was the first and only large Bomber Command raid on Worms. The raid was an area attack in which 1,116 tons of bombs were accurately dropped.
A post-war survey estimated that 39 per cent of the town's built-up area was destroyed.

Re: 21 Feb '45 BC attack Wörms
 

Andrew:
PB668 635th Sq. - Crash landed Luxemborg 2/22/45
Mission - Worms
Mike

Re: 21 Feb '45 BC attack Wörms
 

Hi Andrew!
From Bomber Command War Diaries ( Middlebrook ) we do not have any further indication. However it probably could have being 6 Group ( 10 Halifaxes were recorded lost ).
I do know that Obstlt JABS claimed two Lancasters from the Duisburg raid. No further information on the Worms raid itself a part the losses.

Mitteland Canal was attacked by aircrafts from 5 Group. So there is a great possibility for Worms being the target of 6 Group or 8 Group as Mike posted early.

Have you checked AIR Records? I know you probably has access to them...Cheers!

Adriano

Re: 21 Feb '45 BC attack Wörms
 

Hello Andy:

The RAF's Bomber Command webpage indicates that the Command's Feb 45 attacks made up of forces like those which carried out the Worms attack were made by No.'s 4, 6 and 8 Groups:

http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/feb45.html

In other words, attacks in Feb 45 made of about 300 Halifaxes/30 Lancasters/20 Mossies were made by No.'s 4, 6 and 8 Groups.

This could be a useful lead, while working through the files.

Good luck

Don (Boomerang)

Re: 21 Feb '45 BC attack Wörms
 

Don't you just love it when you go to the trouble of
finding information and never hear from the guy
that asked for Help ?

Re: 21 Feb '45 BC attack Wörms
 

Not why anyone does it, but some feedback is nice!

Don (Boomerang)

Re: 21 Feb '45 BC attack Wörms
 

6 Group RAF
102 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 425, 426, 427, 429, and 432 Squadrons were ordered on an attack at Worms. The crews were over the target at between 17,000 and 19,000 feet, releasing 224,000 lbs of high explosives and 387,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports severe damage was caused.

S/Ldr R. Norris from 408 Squadron was hit by flak, not serious.
W/O1 R. Craven and crew, flying Halifax VII NP-742 coded EQ-U, were attacked by an unidentified single engine enemy aircraft, there was no damage or claim.
F/Lt D. Sanderson RCAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif and crew, flying Halifax VII NP-711 coded EQ-O, failed to return from this operation.

1. Sgt J. Wilson RAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif
   F/O R. Smith RCAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif
   F/O W. Gilmore RCAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif
   P/O W. Wagner RCAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif
   P/O N. Anderson RCAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif
   P/O D. Sherman RCAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif

All were killed.

F/Lt R. Fleming RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax VII RG-477 coded EQ-N, failed to return from this operation.

1. Sgt S. Powell RAF–POW
   F/O H. Hinson RCAF–POW
   F/O G. Keech RCAF–POW
   F/Sgt J. Gazo RCAF–POW
   F/Sgt A. Olson RCAF–POW
   F/Sgt D. Steele RCAF–POW

All were POWs.

http://www.rcaf.com/6group/bar81b.gif
F/O A. Galley and W/O2 L. Russell from 415 squadron were hit by flak, not serious.
http://www.rcaf.com/6group/bar81b.gif
P/O R. Bagnell and crew from 420 Squadron, flying Halifax III NR-290 coded PT-K, were attacked by an unidentified single engine enemy aircraft. Strikes were seen and it was claimed probable as it was on fire.
P/O E. Cole landed at Mendlesham Heath on return as the hydraulics were u/s.
http://www.rcaf.com/6group/bar81b.gif
F/O A. Davies from 426 Squadron was hit by flak, not serious.
F/Lt A. Jones landed at Carnaby on return.
http://www.rcaf.com/6group/bar81b.gif
F/Lt G. Tegerdine and crew from 427 Squadron flying, Halifax III MZ-452 coded ZL-E, were attacked by an ME-110, there were strikes on the fuselage and starboard engine, it was claimed damaged.
F/O F. Kaye and crew, flying Halifax III MZ-755 coded ZL-R, were attacked by a unidentified single engine aircraft, many strikes were seen and it burst into flames and broke in two pieces, it was claimed destroyed.
F/Lt W. Towne and crew, flying Halifax III RG-347 coded ZL-G, were attacked by an unidentified enemy aircraft, many strikes were seen and it caught fire and dove to the ground, it was claimed as destroyed.
P/O W. Wilson RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax III NR-288 coded ZL-F, failed to return from this operation.

1. Sgt J. Taylor RAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif
   F/O L. Webster RCAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif
   P/O R. Stuart RCAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif
   P/O D. Henderson RCAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif
   F/Sgt L. Foisy RCAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif
   P/O A. McLeod RCAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif

6 crew were killed and 1 POW.

http://www.rcaf.com/6group/bar81b.gif
F/Lt C. Pope and crew from 429 Squadron, flying Halifax III NR-230 coded AL-H, were attacked by an FW-190, strikes were seen and it rolled on its back and exploded, a parachute was also seen. It was claimed as destroyed.
F/O L. Morrison and crew, flying Halifax III MZ-318 coded AL-F, were attacked by a unidentified single engine aircraft, there was no claim or damage.
F/O R. Scott and crew,, flying Halifax III LW-139 coded AL-P, were attacked by a JU-88, there was no claims or damage.
http://www.rcaf.com/6group/bar81b.gif
F/Lt J. Wallace from 432 squadron was hit by flak, not serious.
P/O R. Bradley RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax VII NP-803 coded QO-I, failed to return from this operation.

1. Sgt J. Reid RCAF–POW
   F/O J. Fraser RCAF–POW
   F/O R. Mueller RCAF–POW
   P/O J. Stephen RCAF–POW
   Sgt V. Shulz RCAF–POW
   Sgt D. Duffy RCAF–POW

All were POWs.

F/Lt E. Maguire RCAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif and crew, flying Halifax VII RG-451 coded QO-D, failed to return from this operation.

1. Sgt A. McDonald RAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif
   F/Lt J. Maguire RCAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif
   F/O C. McMillan RCAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif
   F/Lt C. Moir RCAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif
   F/Sgt F. McLachlan RCAF–POW
   P/O E. McClarty RCAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif

6 crew were killed and 1 POW.

F/O F. Baxter RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax VII RG-476 coded QO-T, failed to return from this operation.

1. P/O A. Hogg RAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif
   F/O J. Bleich RCAF
   F/O G. Creswell RCAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif
   F/O G. Armstrong RCAF–POW
   P/O A. Hunter RCAFhttp://www.rcaf.com/6group/poppy2.gif
   F/Sgt S. Waterbury RCAF–POW

4 crew were and 3 POWs.

Regards
Andy