Ventura Participation on 4 September 1943

[Leo Etgen]

Hello

On 4 September 1943 the RAF dispatched formations of Ventura twin-engined bombers against Abbeville in the morning and Boulogne in the afternoon. Could anyone inform me of the number of aircraft used on these raids and if these were escorted by fighters what was the number of those as well? Were these two missions part of Ramrod S30? Any additional details would be most welcome.

Horrido!

Leo

[Laurent Rizzotti]

On this day Allied air forces were attacking German positions in Northern France as a part of Operation Starckey.

I did not find when the Ventura flew, but this day they were at least three Ramrod, S.29 in the morning, S.30 around noon and S.31 in late afternoon.

[Leo Etgen]

Hello Laurent

If I am not mistaken 21 Sqn, RAF flew its missions at 8:00 and at 13:30 against the objectives mentioned above. Unfortunately, I have no idea if any other units participated nor the numbers involved for either of these.

Horrido!

Leo

[Leendert]

From Tony Wood's website it appears that Ramrod S.29 (also?) was with 24 x Bostons of 88 and 107 Squadrons. Escort from 66, 165, 331 Squadrons (Spitfires). This from 8.20 hrs. Target R/Y Amiens-Longeau.

Then Ramrod S.30 also by 88 & 107 Squadrons (23 Bostons), at 14.00 hrs.
Escort from 129 Squadron (Spitfires). Target Bassin Loubet (Boulogne).

More fighter squadrons may have been involved, only those with claims/losses/damages are mentioned.

Ramrod S.31 (four different R/Y targets in Belgian-French border area) in early evening was with USAAF B-26s (322, 323,386, 387 BG). These were escorted by RAF Spitfires, after USAAF P-47s had made sweeps before.

No Ventura a/c listed here.

Regards,

Leendert

[Laurent Rizzotti]

In the book "Fighter Command War Diaries vol 4: June 1943-June 1944" by John Foreman, the 4 September 1943 is extensively described.

Ramrod S.29 in the morning was a five-part operation:
_ B-17s escorted by P-47 were sent to Romilly and Paris but these raids were cancelled.
_ Mitchells, Bostons and Venturas were escorted to Rouen, Amiens and Abbeville by 29 Spitfire squadrons

Ramrod S.30 followed, Venturas, Mitchells and Bostonss hitting Boulogne in waves from 1400 hrs.

At 1740 hrs, Marauders attacked M/Y at Lille, Courtrai, St Pol and Hazebrouck in Ramrod S.31 while Mitchells bombed Boulogne harbour in Ramrod S.32.

[Larry deZeng]

Hi Laurent - Quick question re the Foreman Fighter Command War Diaries books. Do these indicate damage to targets for each raid? For example, if Ramrod Venturas, Mitchells and Bostons hit a particular airfield, does Foreman indicate the damage, e.g., runway cratered, 2 of the 3 hangars severely damaged, 4 aircraft shelters in the East dispersal destroyed, etc.?

Larry

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hi, Larry

No, Foreman does not say anything about the damage done by the raid. After listing the operations given above, he then only gives details about air battles between the involved units and German fighters, info that you can find in Tony Wood files as said by Leendert.

Best regards

Laurent

[Larry deZeng]

Hi Laurent - Thanks for the information. That saves me some time.

Larry

[Leo Etgen]

Hello

Many thanks to all who answered for your very helpful information. It was certainly quite a day with a large number of operations and aircraft involved in these and your responses have helped me greatly make sense somewhat of this.

Horrido!

Leo