Operation Abigail Rachel, Mannheim 16/17 December 1940

[ChristianK]

Gentlemen,

a friend asked me to help him finding out which RAF squadrons took part in the bombing of Mannheim on 16/17 December 1940 (Operation "Abigail Rachel").

He also asked where he might find photos of A.W. Whitleys that most likely or definitely took part in this operation.

Can anyone help?

Kind regards and thanks in advance,
Christian

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Hello Christian,
Here are the losses over Manheim on the night you are looking for:
ImageTypeSquadronSerial No.X1DOperationHampden49X3063EA-?MannheimWellington99T2461LN-?MannheimWellington311T2577KX-QMannheimBlenheim101P6953SR-?MannheimWhitley77T4138KN-HBerlinWhitley77T4292KN-PBerlinWhitley102P5012GE-GBerlinBlenheim101Z5801SR-?MannheimBlenheim101T2039SR-?MannheimBlenheim114R3744RT-?MannheimHampden61X3128QR-?MannheimWellington149P9268OJ-AMannheim
Try this site and click on each aircraft to know more:
http://www.lostbombers.co.uk/results...&submit=Search

I also suggest the very good book by Martin Middlebrook: The Bomber Command War Diaries.
Hope this helped you a bit.
Adriano Baumgartner

[ChristianK]

Thanks Adriano, I will suggest Middlebrook's book to my colleague.

If anyone has any further details or photos regarding this operation this will still be appreciated!

Cheers,
Christian

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Christian...I will be home in 1 hour. I will try to check the entry of that day for you on the book of Middlebrook. I do promiss that I will write down "word by word" tonight or tomorrow, ok?
BUT, the book is a very good and really worth it - advise your friend.
Yours
Adriano

[ChristianK]

Thanks for your kind offer Adriano, and please take your time, no need to hurry - I won't see him again until next tuesday

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Christian,
Sorry! I scanned the page at work, but the computer here does not have a photoshop or other Image Editing system...Could you inform me your personal email? The file has 1,30 MB and the Forum only alows 194,5 kb for PDF scans...I can either sent the scanned DOC from home, this afternoon, or from my job ( 1,3 MB ) if you provide me your email. Yours...
Adriano
PS: In Bomber Command War Diaries no much details about the Squadrons involved...however there is a very interesting subject about 8 Wellingtons ( from which Squadron I do not know ) that acted for the first time as precursors to the "Pathfinders". They were selected amongst the best crews to create a fire ( they only carried incendiaries ) in the centre of Mannheim. According to the book, they failed and most of the bombing was not in the centre of the town...You will see on the scanned DOC.
I am waiting for your email or you can wait for a small archive here tonight. I am sorry I moved out and part of my possessions ( scan included ) is still back home ( with the 700 + books and photos, etc..).
ADRIANO