[andy bird]

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