Mosquito Raid

[Jim Oxley]

On 31/12/42 two Mosquito's of 8 Group conducted the first operational raid using Oboe, when they dropped six HE bombs on the German night-fighter control HQ at Florennes in Belgium. The attack took place in 10/10ths cloud at over 20.000ft.

Anyone know the results of the attack? Did the Mosquito's actually hit the target?

[Leendert]

Jim,

Found this on Bomber Command Diary http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/dec42.html

This was a trial raid, with the Mosquitos dropping target markers by Oboe for the small Lancaster force. Only 1 Mosquito was able to use Oboe. The Düsseldorf report shows that, out of 9 recorded bombing incidents, 6 were at industrial premises, though no serious damage was caused. 10 civilians and 2 Flak soldiers were killed, 34 people were injured and 7 more were classified as missing. Later in the night, 3 more Oboe Mosquitos were sent to attack the German night-fighter control room at Florennes airfield in Belgium. 2 Mosquitos operated their Oboe equipment satisfactorily and dropped 6 high-explosive bombs from 28,000ft through 10/10ths cloud. The results are not known. No aircraft lost.

Regards,

Leendert