23rd December 1944 - raid on Koln/Cologne - VC for plane shot down

[RodM]

here is what the Bomber Command Operational Research Section (ORS) records for the causes of loss of the aircraft missing from the attack on the Gremberg M/Y on 23 December 1944:

35 Sqn PB678/F and 35 Sqn PB683/H - collided and crashed in sea
582 Sqn PB558/A - Flak and Fighter
582 Sqn PB141/F - H.Flak & Fighter
582 Sqn PB523/J - H. Flak & Fighter
582 Sqn PB120/P - H. Flak & Fighter
582 Sqn PB371/V - H. Flak (Palmer's Lancaster)
109 ML998/E - H. Flak

Of the aircraft damaged, 21 were damaged by Flak (including 105 Sqn ML981/D2 - Heavy Flak (Cat B damage)) and none due to fighters.

The ORS information for missing aircraft was based on the observations of other bomber crews and the testimony of repatriated aircrew PoWs. The information on damaged aircraft was based on ballistics investigation of the damaged aircraft.

Cheers

Rod