Marcel
Further to my last post (adjacent) and you might be aware of some of the records available already.
I have found this link, but I was hoping to find the other post where the contributors were discussing B.C. Operational Reports in detail.
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=2033
The more detailed post regarding Bomber Command Reports of Ops and if my memory serves me correctly, Rod (RodM) from NZ and several other contributors were also looking at the various types of operational reports and intelligence available amongst the records at The National Archives, Kew.
One book I found extremely useful about the various record Series and what Classes might be available at the PRO / TNA, Kew and which also contains examples and Catalogue numbers too for those researching a particular Bomber Command Op, or any aspect of the Op, is:-
"PRO Readers' Guide No 8"
"RAF Records in the PRO" by PRO Publications.
Page 77 "Examples of Research" - "A Bombing Operation" and p.79 tracing "The life of an aircraft" (the page 77/78 example deals with the dam-busting Op by 617 Squadron), but many of these types of record Series survive for other Ops.
Out of print, but usually available from s/h book dealers online. I personally felt this was a better book, than what appears to be the replacement.
Squadron Daily Returns (example)
Some Squadron daily returns (Squadron Appendices) known as an "Operations And Statistical Summary" also survive which give Small Arms SAA Expenditure lost, on missing or wrecked aircraft and Bomb Expenditure was also given / lost, with a separate column for expenditure for missing or wrecked aircraft. I presume these Forms were still in use later in the war?
One 51 Squadron Statistical Form I photocopied for 15.8.1940 also noted that one of the aircraft on 51 Squadron "Active operations in air" that 14/15th night had fired 600 rounds, despite no mention in the returning crews Intelligence of any attacking aircraft, or reason for the firing in the Squadron ORBs.
Although the 4 Group ORB indicated a friendly aircraft had opened fire on another friendly, I'm left wondering if maybe the friendly fire incident accounts for the "No. of rounds fired 600".
Note
Although the Raid Form in AIR 14 states the 51 Squadron Whitley aircraft successfully completed their op in 1940 and crashed on return, it is interesting to note in the AIR 27 No.51 Squadron "Operations and Statistical Summary" that the bomb load for the wrecked aircraft was officially classed as "lost".
Which gives me a huge question now, did the Whitley really get to its objective, as claimed in the Raid Form intelligence to the War Room?
On reflection, it might be difficult to prove with 100% certainty what an aircraft had on board when crashing?
As you will know, occasionally aircraft came back with one, or some hung up, which had not released.
Mark