1/2 April 1942 - April fool day tragedy of Bomber Command

[Faenor]

Hi,

I'm looking for information on individual squadron that participated in the operations of the 1st night to 2 April 1942.
Question is - how many aircraft have been deployed and are known for their serial numbers (from ORB of squadrons)?

Here is the summary of activities of Bomber Command this night:
http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/apr42.html

Here is summary of losses this night :
http://www.lostbombers.co.uk/results...&submit=Search

Link for losses of 214. SQ :
http://www.214squadron.org.uk/Crews_...Wellington.htm

Another issue is the German nightfighter claims for this night - Tony Wood´s claim is entitled only to this records - same info like in Nachtjagd war diaries part.1 (author Theo E.W. Boiten)

02.04.42

Fw. Hans-Joachim Schmidt 1./NJG 3 Hampden �� - 00.17 Film C. 2031/I Nr.94014/42

02.04.42
Oblt. Ludwig Bietmann 6./NJG 1 Wellington �� - 04.17 Film C. 2031/I Nr.93906/42

02.04.42 n.n. 4./NJG 3 - �� - 00.20 Film C. 2031/I Nr.94013

02.04.42 n.n. 4./NJG 3 - �� - 00.50 Film C. 2031/I Nr.94013
02.04.42 n.n. 4./NJG 3 - �� - 00.34 Film C. 2031/I Nr.94013
02.04.42 n.n. 4./NJG 3 - �� - 01.28 Film C. 2031/I Nr.94013

I think that this day would have deserved a little more to describe - it was an easy day for Bommer command crew, which resulted in tragedy for 57 and 214 SQ.

Any info, any references to web links, books, journal articles are pops, as well as arguments or discussion.

Faenor

[ian hunt]

Hi Faenor

Hang on a bit because I recently sent the guys who run the 214 Sqn website some details of 214's losses that night and they should be uploading those details sometime soon.

I believe that 214 in fact lost 8 a/c that night out of 14 dispatched. Apart from the 7 lost on the op itself, the 8th was badly damaged by flak and had to be written-off when it reached home. From memory, I think the post-raid analysis put the losses down to the difficulties of low-level navigation causing the a/c to drift off course and be shot down by flak.

Ian

[Faenor]

Hi Ian,

probably think of 214.Sq machine Z1169, which crashed in Manston (info see link)
http://www.flora.org/rosaleen/ATS214...er/Chapter%209

In this link is reported that 214 Sq attack from low level and 57 Sq from higher altitude, but the full moon, it was sheer suicide ... dribbling near the ground with the machine heavily loaded in trying to accomplish the task and avoid flak, searchlights and attack of nightfighters.

Honor the memory of men who this night brought the greatest sacrifice ...

Faenor

[MW Giles]

Sorties 01/02.04.42

Gardening Stirling 149 - 2 Ile de Croix
Gardening Wellington 419 - 4 Seine estuary
Gardening Manchester 61 - 5/6 Garonne
Gardening Manchester106 - 3/5 Deodars

Hanau Wellington 57 - 6/12 (5 lost)
Hanau Wellington 75 - 7/9
Hanau Wellington 214 - 6/14 (7 lost) Low level raid
Hanau Hampden 49 - 3
Hanau-Lohr Hampden 50 - 1/2
Hanau-Lohr Hampden 144 - 3/4 (1 lost) Molling
Hanau Hampden 420 - 3 NW Germany
Hanau Hampden 455- 2

Intruder Blenheim 114 - 1/3 Holland

Le Havre Wellington 12 - 3/4 (1 lost)
Le Havre Wellington 150 - 1/2
Le Havre Wellington 460 - 7/8
Le Havre Wellington 75 - 2
Le Havre Wellington 101 - 3/4
Le Havre Wellington 115 - 3/4
Le Havre Wellington 158 - 1/2
Le Havre Wellington 405 - 5
Le Havre Hampden 50 - 1
Le Havre Hampden 144 - 3/5
Le Havre Hampden 408 - 9/10
Le Havre Hampden 420 - 2
Le Havre Hampden 455 - 3/4
Le Havre Manchester 83 - 1

Nickel Hampden 49 - 1 Paris
Nickel Hampden 50 - 1 Paris
Nickel Hampden 408 - 0/1 Paris
Nickel Hampden 455 - 1 Paris
Nickel Manchester 61 - 1 Paris

Poissy Wellington 12 - 5
Poissy Stirling 15 - 4/5
Poissy Wellington 158 - 6/8
Poissy Wellington 405 - 3/4 (1 lost)
Poissy Whitley 51 - 10/12
Poissy Whitley77 - 10/12

Special Duties Lysander 161 - 1 (Easter - 1)
Special Duties Whitley 138 - 1/2 (Fuerty - 0/1, Sycamore/Adjudicate2 - 1)
Special Duties Whitley 161 - 1 (Mackerel - 1)
Special Duties Anson 109 - 2
Special Duties Wellington 109 - 2

4/5 would mean five a/c took off but 4 completed the mission and returned.

Regards

Martin

[Faenor]

Hi Martin,

Thank you for the information many times your answers. I know what direction I should take a closer at the description of the history of this day of Bomber Command.

Other ideas, information, links to individual participation in the SQ operaranšním date are welcome.

Faenor