[Andrei Demjanko]

Originally Posted by Bomber Boy

Hi everyone.

Could anyone tell me about the dortmund ems canal raid on 12-13 august 1940. Im really interested to find out more information about the raid. Many thanks

John Ward's 'Beware of the Dog at War' (operational history of 49 Squadron) described the mission :

During Monday evening 12 August, 11 Hampdens lifted from their Scampton home around 21.00hrs, 5 were from 83 Squadron and 6 from 49 Squadron. Of the attacking force, 2 failed to locate the target whilst 4 carried out diversionary attacks, leaving the remaining 5 to make the main attack

Under intense enemy fire, F/Lt Pitcairn-Hill and crew of 83 Squadron went in first and although very badly shot up, they managed to put their bombs in the right spot. The second and third attacks were made by 83 Squadron crews; both were shot out of the sky, CRASHING NEAR THE TARGET. The fourth attacker was P/O Matthews and crew of 49 Squadron; they ploughed their way through the light flak being hit repeatedly. With one engine out of action, a successful attack was made. P/O Matthews and crew now had the task of nursing their battered aeroplane back to Scampton on the one remaining good engine.

F/Lt Learoyd and crew of 49 Squadron, having seen the previous attacks, now confronted the full force of the German defences head-on. With searchlights almost blinding him, the pilot brought his Hampden down to 150ft above the canal. Ignoring the ferocity of the deadly cannon shells, both pilot and bomb aimer concentrated intensely on the task at hand. The bombs were placed spot on target and their mission was accomplished with complete success! But now they too, like the Mathews crew, faced the return journey with a badly damaged aircraft. Both engines were still going strong, but there was a problem with the hydraulic system. Not wishing to endanger his crew any further, F/Lt Learoyd circled Scampton until it became daylight before bringing M-Mother in for a trouble free perfect landing. The Mathews crew had also made it safely home.