Operation 'Oiled'

[Steve Smith]

Hi,

I have been trying to locate any documents on operation 'Oiled' the attack on the Tirpitz on January 30th 1942. Can anyone point me in the right diected, or help?

TIA

Steve

[Nick Beale]

The log of the Tirpitz for 25. Febr. 1941–30. Sept. 1942 is online at the Bundesarchiv: file RM 134/200.

[Buckeye30]

This is the AHB narrative for the period, the "Tirpitz" attack 29-30 Jan. is from p. 295; it says 7 Stirlings from 15 Sqn. and 9 Halifax from 76 Sq.sent, this contradicts the 2 ORBs which say only 5 and 5 respectively took off and list serials so should be right. Due to bad weather only 1 Halifax bombed target, L9617 / V, no damage.
On 28 Jan. No. 10 Sqn. sent 6 Halifax from Leeming to Lossiemouth to await orders; early on 30th. 4 sent to bomb "Tirpitz" but all returned due to weather and low fuel.


https://www.raf.mod.uk/what-we-do/ou...february-1943/


Nick

[Steve Smith]

Nick,

It also falses to record the effort by two Short Stirlings of No.149 Squadron !

Thanks for the pointer.

Steve

[Buckeye30]

Thanks Steve, didn't know about that. Been checking 149's "Summary" for Jan. and says 2 aircraft sent to Lossiemouth for "Oiled" but target not located, returned with bombs (1 crash-landed). The 29/30 Jan. "Records of events" seem to be missing ( would have serials) but Appendix (B.403) for that date has.........
Mildenhall 24 sorties
Stradishall 9 "
Mildenhall 2 "
Marham 3 "
Feltwell 5 "
Honington 2 "
Wyton 4 "
"Target D.197 TIRPITZ " I presume that's 149's 2 aborted sorties? but not sure about others. Maybe all scheduled for same target but stood down.


Regards
Nick

[Stig Jarlevik]

Our friend Geoffrey Sinclair wishes to add the following

Operation Oiled,

AIR 14/929 says 9 Halifax and 7 Stirling sent, 1 Halifax Category E and
1 Stirling Category B, both not enemy action, 1 Halifax attacked a
secondary target, a ship at sea, with 2x2000 pound AP and 2x500 SAP
bombs. W R Chorley says L9581 of 76 squadron ditched and W7642 of 149
squadron crashed on landing.

Geoffrey Sinclair

[Steve Smith]

Originally Posted by Buckeye30

Thanks Steve, didn't know about that. Been checking 149's "Summary" for Jan. and says 2 aircraft sent to Lossiemouth for "Oiled" but target not located, returned with bombs (1 crash-landed). The 29/30 Jan. "Records of events" seem to be missing ( would have serials) but Appendix (B.403) for that date has.........
Mildenhall 24 sorties
Stradishall 9 "
Mildenhall 2 "
Marham 3 "
Feltwell 5 "
Honington 2 "
Wyton 4 "
"Target D.197 TIRPITZ " I presume that's 149's 2 aborted sorties? but not sure about others. Maybe all scheduled for same target but stood down.


Regards
Nick

Nick,

149 contributed just two crews aboard Stirling W7452 OJ-A and W7462 OJ-T. They got to within 100 miles of the Norwegian coast before turning back due to the weather conditions. OJ-T slid off the runway at Lossiemouth due to ice, hitting a ditch which almost ripped off the u/c. The pilot was F/Lt R Turtle.

Steve