[Tim O.]

Hi Mirek

I have nothing for 1941 but a report from 2./KGzbV2 dated 28th Sept 1939 and held in the Bundesarchiv details 13 Ju 52 crews and states:

'The instruction to release was given by the pilot using the horn signal. The incendiary bombs themselves were thrown using a container attached to a wooden shaft, which had been made for this purpose by members of our own airfield operating company. For this purpose, three additional soldiers were assigned to each aircraft. Of the three-man crew: one threw the bombs, another armed them and the third loaded the implement. To this end all members of the squadron, the operations section and part of the Labour Service of the squadron was assigned to the task. Fulfilling the mission essentially depended on the speed of these people; because of the enemy defences it was essential to drop all 1200 bombs in the shortest possible time. This was achieved in an excellent way. In carrying out the attack brisk anti-aircraft activity was experienced. Polish fighters were not encountered.

Due to the difficulty in locating the target, it was not possible to hold together the squadron formation during the execution of the attack. Rather, it was necessary to go around again after the first flight over the city and throw off the rest of the bombs through individual holes in the clouds. Searching for the targets had been left to the separate flights and sometimes even individual pilots. In this the pilots demonstrated all prudence and independence.

The second attack was carried out on the same morning from Kachin. The approach was again performed from the northeast and on the whole the cloud cover was more dispersed than in the morning, so that the orientation was easier. On the other hand, dense clouds of smoke had enveloped the city and had formed over the centre of the capital as a result of the now numerous fires caused by the bombardment of the Stukas and bombers. In contrast, the north of the city was clear and allowed for perfect flying. The third attack had been ordered on the basis of observations from the previous results and the north of the city was the main target. An approach from the north was consequently planned and the attack directed only up to the railway line, which crosses the city from east to west. The last attack was directed high above the town centre itself. Even with that attack the Flak was still very active. Apparently the Poles possessed still more heavy Flak, which reached up to these heights.

A total of 28,610 incendiary bombs were dropped by the squadron on this day. There were no losses.'