Ok a Halifax is fine, but how about a real bomber, the Short Stirling.!!!!!

Chaps,

Taken on a project I’m working on detailing the role & operations of No.3 (Bomber) Group, RAF Bomber Command. Taken via numerous file at the NA, happy to supply refs this evening.

Friday 8th September 1944. Le Havre

Daylight

118 Avro Lancaster’s detailed.

115 Sqdn (21) 514 Sqdn (14) 75(NZ) Sqdn (23) 622 Sqdn (14) 15 Sqdn (14) 90 Sqdn (20) 218 Sqdn (10)

4 Short Stirling’s detailed.

149 Sqdn (4)

Cancelled : 0
Abortive : 2
Missing : 1

This time the target was attacked in two waves each with a different aiming point. Crews attacking the first aiming point found cloud down to 3,000ft and had considerable difficulty identifying the aiming point or hearing the Master Bomber.

In view of the nearness of our troops and the general uncertainty of the situation most crews brought their bombs back. The attack cannot be considered successful.

The second aiming point was attack under rather better conditions from 4,000ft and crews had no difficulty in seeing the T.I’s or identifying the target, bombing was good and concentrated. Towards the end of the attack bombs were starting to overshoot, rather than risking our own troops the Master Bomber called “Abandon Mission.”

The attack on this aiming point while better than the first Aiming point cannot be considered entirely successful. Light flak was considerable on both attacks, several aircraft were damaged, one being seen shot down.

Forgot to mention in my earlier post…

‘A Thousand Shall Fall’ by Murray Peden , exceptionally well written by a decorated Lanc pilot.

‘Think Like A Bird’ by Alex Kimbell,a journey with the author through his training as an Army Air Corps pilot and on ‘ops’ in DHC Beavers,brilliantly written!!

Have to agree with this, however Murray Peden flew Short Stirling’s and the B17 Fortress with No.214(BS) Squadron.

My two favourites are :

Three Strips and Four Browning’s : Bill Jackson, 218 Squadron Reargunner.

High Adventure : R.Austin, Navigator with 218 Squadron.

Both books for me Convey the tension and fear of operational flying with RAF Bomber Command.

well said, the original act is very sad and deplorable, sadly however it provides an excuse for the verbal onslaught of bigotted and racist views that centre on popular scapegoats. If you want to change the world do as Kev suggests or even just something small closer to home will make a small difference.

Wake up and smell the coffee, it’s too bloody late, there’s no turning back, the sacrifices over the past hundred years of servicemen fighting for this country mean nothing to the present lot in power. If they had their way there would be no bloody Remembrance Day. !!! Saint Blair would not stop them not if there was any milage in it for him. .

And yes you could call me a bigot, when you have had over £3000 worth of farming equipment and stock pinched by Albanians in 4 months it tends to concentrate the mind wonderfully especially when they get free legal aid and I have to pay for a solicitor each time.

My grandfather, (WW.1) father (Korea) and brother (Northern Ireland) did not serve this country to have our hard work and livelihood pinched by a load of unwanted in their own country Gypo’s.

Rant over. :diablo:

Hi Ian,

Avro Lancaster, LM179.

Type: Mark I. Built by Armstrong Whitworth. R.R. Merlin 24 Engines. Cont No.239.

Taken on charge by No.90 Squadron on 17.06.44 Authority 9 18/6

Listed Category E (Missing) on 25.06.44 Authority FB A043

Struck off charge on 02.07.44 Authority 1623/64

Total Flying Time : 2 hours 10 mins.

Regards

Steve

Hi Ian,

My mistake had the wrong crew, however I have located the following information which you may find of some interest.

Flight Sergeant Mellors and crew were posted onto No.90 (Bomber) Squadron w.e.f 25th April 1944 via No.1653 Conversion Unit.

Crew undertook the following operations.

01.05.1944 : Mining : Frisians : Short Stirling EJ122 ‘E’
12.05.1944 : Mining : Cherbourg : Short Stirling LK570 ‘Y’
10.06.1944 : Dreux : Avro Lancaster NE146 ‘G’
12.06.1944 : Gelsenkirchen : Avro Lancaster LM157 ‘C’
14.06.1944 : Le Havre : Avro Lancaster NE145/G ‘D’
17.06.1944 : Montdidier : Avro Lancaster LM615 ‘B’
21.06.1944 : Domleger : Avro Lancaster LM615 ‘B’
24.06.1944 : Rimeux : Avro Lancster LM179 ‘M’

During early June 1944 No.90 Squadron started to convert from the Stirling Mk.III to the Lancaster Mk.I & III’s.

LM179 carried 18 x 500lb MC.

No.90 Squadron dispatched 16 aircraft

Saturday 24th / Sunday 25th June 1944 :
Flying Bomb Site at Rimeux.
Night

Night

Time over Target : 0030hrs

100 Avro Lancaster’s & 10 Short Stirling’s detailed.

115 Sqdn (15) 514 Sqdn (20) 75NZ Sqdn (25) 622 Sqdn (14) 15 Sqdn (14) 90 Sqdn (16) 218 Sqdn (10)

Cancelled : 0
Abortive : 0
Missing : 4

Apart from a few erratic sticks of bombs this raid developed quite well. T.I’s were well placed and bombs were well concentrated. Opposition from flak was moderate however enemy fighters were active over the target and route home. Our 4 losses were probably shot down by fighters, several other aircraft were hit and badly holed.

Ruisseauville

149 Squadron dispatched 14 Short Stirling’s. 2 aircraft failed to return. One fighter encounter, no claim.

Gardening

4 Short Stirling’s detailed.

218 Sqdn (4)

Gardens : HYACINTH, SULTANAS II and ‘HOSTILE ZONE’

No losses or failures reported, 23 mines lifted and successfully dropped.

I’m afraid the AM Form 78’s are will a friend will post next week.

Regards

Steve

What can you say? The PC Gestapo & Pinkie Tree Huggers will say that they are unprivileged and had a rough upbringing in a deprived home.

Who gives a flying *********, this is an insult to all normal law abiding members of society. If it’s not the usual Gypo’s it’s the unstoppable hordes eastern Europeans who are currently invading us. A recent spat of missing livestock resulted in an arrest of four *****ing Albanians who slaughter a dozen chickens, my small freehold. Police did nothing other than sympathize, but told me I would be nicked if I kicked the Sh** out of them if I caught them again. 😡

This poor Country under this Government is like my chickens,…….. STUFFED. 😮

Rant over….