[Brian Bines]

Nick sorry I have not found the 1944 QM lists, I just have the NVM's for most of the units involved, plus a list of aircraft with technical problems for the first three raids supplemented by some unit histories and help from other enthusiasts. I have just made up my own hand written lists ( typing takes me a while) if I had the 1944 QM's list I would pay someone to type for me from the proceeds.
Looking at Kurfursts last post from damage reports, NVM's, combat reports plus various PRO files perhaps this will help:-

Two wave attack on 21/22-1-1944 - first wave reported as 227 bombers carring 230T of bombs, second wave 217 bombers carrying 245T of bombs. the RAF put up 96 fighter sorties to oppose both attacks ( from Dr. Prices book) with 29, 85, 96, 151 and 488 Sqds. claiming 8 shot down 1 probable and two damaged additionally AA claimed several more.
Target given as the Waterloo area. PRO reports show that in the first wave around 100 crossed the South coast between Hastings and Dungeness with only 15 attacking London, of the second wave only 13 were reported over London other incidents in Essex and Sussex, and over 100 incidents in Kent. From the two wave attack only some 30T of bombs hit London. A Home Office report compares to the Birmingham raid of 29/30-7-1942 as follows:-

London 21/22-1-1944 4 killed 76 serious inj. 12 Key Points hit, 91 fires

Bimingham29/30-7-42 95 killed 289 serious inj. 35Key points hit, 333 fires

Luftwaffe losses for this night were 1 Me410. 6 Do 217's, 6 Ju 188's, 14 Ju88's, 8 He 177's and 1 Fw 190 - 9 of these fell on or near the UK, 14 crashed on the Continent and 13 were missing three of those crashing on the UK fell to AA and three more returned with AA damage. Aircrew losses from these were 44 killed including two who bailed out over the channel but whoes aircraft returned plus two Beobachter of KG66 one given as Hohenkrank and the other as Hohentod, 58 men were missing, 11 injured and there were 16 POW's. In addition another 39 aircraft suffered some form of technical problems ( those with crew losses are included above).
So the majority of losses do not seem to have been to the UK Defences.


For the raid on 24/25-2-1944 it was reported 170 bombers were available with 195T bombs to attack Goverment Buildings in the Westminster area. From the British side over 100+ bombers crossed the South Coast flying to a turning Point near High Wycombe then making for London where 80T of bombs were scattered over the capital with another 25T in the Home Counties. In London 75 people were killed 2 serious fires started with another 29 medium and 210 smaller fires (Home Office Figures).
Against RAF claims by 29, 85, 96 and 488 Sqd's. for 2 He177's, 2 Ju 188's a Ju88 damaged and another probable, a Me410 damaged, three D0217's and another probable the Luftwaffe lost 2 Do217's, 3 Ju 188's, 3 Ju88's plus one damaged, and a He177 ( six crashes on the UK, 2 aircraft missing and two crashing on the Continent with N/F damage ). In addition an Intruder of 605 Sqd claimed an enemy aircraft damaged at Melsbroek. Luftwaffe aircrew losses were 18 killed, 7 missing, 2 inj. and 14 POW's.

Hopefully this compares a raid with poor results to a more successful one.