loading bombers with bombs

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello,

The ORB's of squadrons do not contain info about the bomb loads of aircraft that didn't return to England. Sometimes the group records do reveal something but this info is mostly not specific as for individual aircraft.

Who has knowledge about the units who loaded the bombers or does know where to find info in archives about this subject?

Any help will be much appreciated ! Best wishes,

Marcel Hogenhuis / Venlo

[Smudger Smith]

Hi Marcel,I research the squadrons of No.3 Group and have all the squadron ORB’s. Dependent of what period, there are a number of instances where the ordnance is recorded with some degree of detail, however as you have rightly commented there are also many occasions where details are omitted. If the squadron ORB is not of use, I usually try the Station or Group ORB ( of which I also have), yet another source for the bomb load is the Bomber Command loss Cards, these record the type and bomb load . Yet after source, of which I am soon to investigate is the FORM E (see my post), this document records in great detail the bomb loads for each of the aircraft dispatched, sadly it appears only for the period 1939-1942.If I can help with No.3 Group squadron losses please let me know.