Berlin spoof 21/22 January 1944 - info and ORBs

[Tim Homewood]

I'm researching a "spoof" raid by Lancasters and Mosquitoes on Berlin on 21/22 January 1944. The raid was an unsuccessful diversion for the main attack on Magdeburg that night.

I'm looking for the ORBs for the squadrons involved in the spoof raid and any further details that could come from other documents, log books, memoires, etc.

2 Lancasters from each squadron in 5 Group were scheduled to take part, as well as a group of 12 PFF Mosquitoes from 8 Group.

I've already been given the 630 Squadron ORBs for the raid and the Bomber Command Night Raid Report (thanks John and Alan).

I think the other squadrons from 5 Group involved on the night were:

• 9 Squadron
• 44 (Rhodesia)
• 49
• 50 - F/O Beetham (later Marshall of the RAF) was the pilot of one of the Lancasters
• 57 - F/L G Laing was the pilot of one of the Lancasters (from Bomber Flight Berlin)
• 61
• 106
• 207
• 463 RAAF
• 467 RAAF
• 619

The Mosquito squadrons were probably:

• 139
• 627
• 692

Any help or suggestions for further research would be appreciated.

Tim