[Brian Bines]

The RAF estimated the raid as follows KG2 Do217/Ju188 60 a/c, KG6 Ju88/188 65 a/c, KG54 Ju88 30 a/c, KG66 Ju88S/Ju188 (Pathfinders) 10 a/c and I/KG100 He177 10 a/c. The total bomb tonnage for the raid was 140 T of HE's (with 215 no. SC50's) and 155 T. of IB's. As no aircraft were shot down that night over the UK there are no POW reports to verify bomb loads, the Ju188 figures in my previous post coming from Unit histories. Either BC50 or SC50's were carried on internal bomb racks with 8-10 being the normal number for a Ju88, or Ju188, Do217's are shown as 4-8 depending on main bomb load, therfore I guess the , He177's and Pathfinders (50kg.Flares) could be discounted as bombing Nuthampstead. While many bombers came in over the Thames Estuary ( 50 incidents in Essex), flares reported in the Cambridge suggest some bombers approaching from the north these flares being route markers. RAF airfields at Earls Colne, Panshanger and the ballon station at RAF Chigwell were also hit this night, like Nuthampstead it is likely these were early releases by individual crews as the target was Dock area of London. Unless someone has a logbook or more information it is unlikey that it will be possible to identify who exactly bombed Nuthampstead.