RAF raid on Germany night 3-4 Oct 1941

[barkas]

Hallo gentlemen,
please, do you know the details about RAF night air raid Germany on 3-4 Oct 1941? All I need is an extract from the Middlebrook´s War Diaries.


After this night local german gendarmers found about 15 kg chute flares with mark or part of marks "11 Feet IV Heathcoat Co. JHTD.10 May 1940" or, the second one "SR 362 Yeliov-AIDOI-- SPRA 7 - 740 - 1.OT 57"
Do you know what it means, do you know flare type?


Thank you, Jan

[RSwank]

The first markings would probably refer to the parachute used for the flares.

So, making some guesses.......

Diameter of the parachute was 11 Feet, IV may indicate the type of parachute, Heathcoat Co is the manufacturer of the parachute. JHTD identifies the factory, John Heathcoat, Tiverton, Devon. (J H T D) and 10 May 1940 is the date it was made.

The company still makes parachutes.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-devon-64393066

[RSwank]

I think the flare type may be a 4.5 inch or 5 inch reconnaissance flare. There is a photo here of such a flare being loaded.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205211880

Note a word which appears to be "YELLOW" on the flare. I think that is what your "Yeliov" actually says.

[barkas]

Great, friends, thank you.


Of course, it means "Yellow", but I´m using originaly german-gendarmerie report.

[barkas]

Dear friends,

I have one more similar question, after the leaflets air raid on Germany on the night of 23/24 February 1940, the gendarmes found, I quote their report:
"a 15 kg heavy light rocket with a magnesium filling and a white silk parachute with a diameter of 3.5 m.
The following markings are on the wings of the rocket: R.A.L.C. 1936 5.5 "T
The parachute is marked as follows: 11 FEET R1 L 8-36"


Please can you identify what weapon (perhaps a parachute flare) it was?


Thanks, Jan