mystery squadron with 2000 lbs

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello friends,

20th December 1942, Duisburg/Germany was bombed by RAF Bomber Command, squadrons were from 1, 3, 4, 5 and PFF Group.
The night raid report no.226 (AIR 14/3409) does specify the amount of explosives dropped on Duisburg:


35 x 4000 lbs. HC
6 x 2000 lbs. HC
8 x 1900 lbs.
291 x 1000 lbs.

(also lots of incendiaries but these are not relevant for my request for asking your help):

Group orders (AIR 25/1, 52, 93, 109A and 152) do specify the bombload for bombers of 1, 4, 5 and PFF, none of their bombers had 2000 lbs. bombs. Group orders for 3 Group do not specify the bombloads, thus suggesting that those 2000 lbs were dropped by one of its squadrons (in this night: 15, 75, 115, 149, 214 and 218 Squadron). However, from the ORB's of those squadrons who did send at least 6 or more bombers (15, 214 and 218) suggest that these Stirlings had no 2000 lbs. either !

Therefore 2 questions:
- is it a theoretical option, that a squadron (in other groups) instead of the ordered 4000 lbs. took 2000 lbs. with them? Or better:
- which squadron did carry 2000 lbs. during this raid?

Many thanks for any help someone could offer to solve the mystery. All the best and Merry Christmas,

Marcel Hogenhuis
www.fliegerhorst-venlo.net