Lancaster Bomber 514 Squadron

ORBs for LL692 A2-C - P/O R Harvey, Skipper. 17th June 1944. Weather: Mainly fine and sunny with cloudy intervals. Very strong winds.

Non-Operational Flying: Air Tests and Bombing Practices were carried out.

Operational Flying: BOMBING – MONTDIDIER.

14 aircraft were detailed to bomb the target. 13 took off and reached the primary target.
3 attacked primary and 11 aircraft were abortive owing to instructions from Master Bomber.
The three aircraft who attacked primary stated the Master Bomber was indistinct and no order was received until after bombing.
10/10ths cloud was encountered over target, there was no flak and no searchlights.
Many aircraft saw ‘Flying bombs’ on the return route.

F/L PB Clay in LL666, JI-D reported: Bomb load 16 x 500 GP, 2 x 500 ANM 64 GP.
Primary target: MONTDIDIER. Weather 10/10ths thin cloud. Bombed at 0258 hours from 10,000 feet red TIs.
Arrived early and did an orbit of target, voice heard instructing return to base but no call sign given at this period.

[SIZE=11pt]Target: Montdidier Railway Facilities[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft deployed total: 317[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 13[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft lost total: 1[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: Nil. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Comments: This was another two target raid. The Montdidier raid was aborted after only 12 aircraft had bombed. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]3 crews of 514 Squadron stated that the Master Bomber was indistinct and no order was received until after bombing. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Some crews reported seeing flying bombs on the return route.[/SIZE]

 

ORBs for LL692 A2-C - P/O R Harvey, Skipper. 21st June 1944. Weather: Cloudy with drizzle becoming fair.

Non-Operational Flying: 1 Air Test carried out. All Aircraft standing by for daylight operations.

Operational Flying: Squadron required to stand-by with Derby Figures for target in afternoon or evening.

BOMBING – DOMLEGER, FLYING BOMB INSTALLATIONS.

18 aircraft were detailed to make a daylight attack, all aircraft took off and 1 aircraft returned early with engine trouble.
Weather over target was 10/10ths cloud and aircraft were ordered to return to Base by Master Bomber.
All aircraft jettisoned part of load and landed safely at Base with remainder of load.

Slight heavy flak encountered over target.

P/O CJ Thomson RAAF in PB142, JI-A reported: Bomb load 18 x 500 MC. Primary target: DOMLEGER.
Returned to base as instructed by Master Bomber as TIs were not visible.
Jettisoned safe 8 x 500 MC at 1943 hours from 12,000 feet 5013N 0123E.

[SIZE=11pt]Target: Domleger Flying Bomb Installations[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft deployed total: 322[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 18 (1 returned early)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft lost total: Nil.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: Nil[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Comments: This was a cloud-affected raid. 3 targets were selected for this split raid, 2 of these raids were cancelled after only 17 aircraft had bombed. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The cancellations were due to the cloud cover obscuring the TIs.[/SIZE]

 

ORBs for LL692 A2-C - EA Campbell, Skipper. 27th June 1944. Weather: Showery with Thunderstorms.

Non-Operational Flying: Air Test and Fighter Affiliation were carried out.

Visits: Wing Commander L.M. Hodges, DSO, DFC, Bomber Command Tactics Officer visited the Squadron and attended Briefing, Take - off, Landing and Interrogation.
Air Commodore HJ Kirkpatrick, DFC, SASO 3 Group came to watch Landing and was present at Interrogation.

Operational Flying: BOMBING – BIENNAIS. FLYING BOMB INSTALLATIONS.

19 aircraft were detailed and took off. 19 aircraft attack the primary target and returned to Base on completion of their duty.
Weather was 10/10ths cloud over the target. Most crews bombed the glow of red TIs.
One crew went below cloud and reported 2 red TIs close together, but greens scattered.
Explosions were reported at 0111 hours, 0115 hours and 0117 hours. No flak or searchlights. 1 combat.

P/O LM Petry RNZAF in DS787, A2-D reported: Bomb load 16 x 500 GP, 2 x 500 ANM 64 GP.
Primary target: BIENNAIS. There was 10/10ths cloud. Bombed at 0110 hours from 13,500 feet red glow.
Combat with single-engined enemy aircraft; no claims.

[SIZE=11pt]Target: Biennais – Flying Bomb Installations[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft deployed total: 721[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 19[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft lost total: 3[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: Nil. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Comments: 6 separate targets were successfully attacked.[/SIZE]

 

ORBs for LL692 A2-C - EA Campbell, Skipper. 30th June 1944. Weather: Cloudy all day, rain at night.

Non-Operational Flying: Cross Countries, Air/Sea Firing and Local Air Tests were carried out.

Operational Flying: 29 Aircraft took off to attack troop concentrations at Villers Bocage.
1 Aircraft collided with a Lancaster on the way out and exploded in the air (2 survivors).
1 Aircraft is missing, believed to have been shot down over target. 27 Aircraft landed at Base on completion of their duty.

BOMBING – VILLERS BOCAGE.

29 aircraft were detailed to make a daylight attack on troop concentrations, all aircraft took off, 27 aircraft bombed successfully.
‘P’/514 collided with a 15 Squadron aircraft over Tangmere and blew up in the air. There were two survivors from the crash (Sgt TS Colbeck and Sgt CA Brown).
Weather was 5/10ths cloud with good breaks over the target.
Some crews bombed from high level, others obeyed the Master Bomber’s instructions and came down to 3-4000 feet.
Bombing was highly concentrated and large fires and smoke completely obscured the target.
T/514 was seen shot down over target, no parachutes seen to open.

P/O CB Sandland in LL635, JI-M reported: Bomb load 10 x 1000 MC, 3 x 500 GP. Primary target: VILLERS BOCAGE.
Bombed at 2000 hours from 4000 feet. Weather 4/10ths cloud at 6000 feet. Clouds of smoke obscuring target.
The aircraft received damage by flak to nose, also on port and starboard side of mid-upper turret. Much heavy flak. Good photo taken.
Lancaster aircraft just astern received direct hit by flak which broke tail off. Seen to hit ground no survivors, thought to be T/514.

[SIZE=11pt]Target: VILLERS BOCAGE.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft deployed total: 266[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 29[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft lost total: 2 [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 2[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Comments: To stop the advance of a German Panzer (Tank) Division, a major road junction was bombed. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Orders were received to bomb from 4,000 feet to ensure the bombs were correctly placed. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]1,100 bombs hit the mark as a testament to their accuracy. This put an end to the chances of any Panzer involvement.[/SIZE]

Missing aircraft:

PB178 JI-P. Collided with a Lancaster of 15 Sqn. at about 5000 feet and crashed at Pittsham Farm, near Midhurst, Sussex.
The other aircraft landed safely at Ford.

F/S JEK Hannesson RCAF (Pilot) Killed
F/S BG Lee RAAF (Navigator) Killed
Sgt TS Colbeck (Bomb Aimer) Survived
Sgt BA Brown (WOP/Air) Survived
Sgt AL George (MU Gunner) Killed
Sgt HJ Morgan (Rear Gunner) Killed
Sgt KEA Fox (Flight Engineer) Killed

LL620 JI-T. Seen to be hit by flak over target, which broke tail off. Aircraft seen to crash without survivors.

P/O DA Woods RAAF (Pilot) KIA
F/O P Longson (Navigator) KIA
F/S ET Shanks (Bomb Aimer) KIA
Sgt KR Heron (WOP/Air) KIA
Sgt WT Udell (MU Gunner) KIA
Sgt HL Doherty (Rear Gunner) KIA
[SIZE=12pt]Sgt EC Coles (Flight Engineer) KIA[/SIZE]

 

ORBs for LL692 A2-C - EA Campbell, Skipper. 2nd July 1944. Weather: Low cloud, some drizzle and rain.

Non-Operational Flying: No flying owing to daylight operations.

Operational Flying: BOMBING – BEAUVOIR – FLYING BOMB SITE.

26 aircraft were detailed and took off. 25 aircraft attacked the primary target and returned to Base, having successfully completed their sortie.
One aircraft returned early with engine trouble. Weather was 5-10/10ths broken drifting cloud.
Most crews bombed on yellow TIs as instructed by the Master Bomber.
Bombing on the whole was concentrated, but slightly scattered bombing extending to decoy airfield.
One crew went down to 3000 feet and reported yellow TIs in NW corner of decoy airfield about 300 yards from Aiming Point.

S/L PB Clay in PB143, JI-B reported: Bomb load 11 x 1000 MC, 4 x 500 GP. Primary target: BEAUVOIR.
Bombed at 1435 hours from 9000 feet on yellow Tis.

[SIZE=11pt]Target: Beauvoir – Flying Bomb Site[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft deployed total: 374[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 26 (1 returned early)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft lost total: Nil.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: Nil.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Comments: This raid had 3 targets. Bombing was achieved in good concentrations despite bad cloud cover.[/SIZE]

 

ORBs for LL692 A2-C - F/S R Hardwick, Skipper. 5th July 1944. Weather: Fair.

Non-Operational Flying: Air tests, Air/Sea Firing and Cross Countries were carried out.

Investiture: His Majesty the King, who was accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen and Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth
– in attendance Air Vice Marshall R Harrison, CBE, DFC, AFC, Air Officer Commanding No. 3 Group,
and Group Captain HR Hills, OBE, Staff Officer i/c Administration,
No. 3 Group, arrived at the Station at 1500 hours and proceeded to the Main Hangar, was there received by Air Commodore HH Down, AFC.
The personnel of the Station, who were on parade in the Hangar, were called to attention whilst the Guard of Honour presented arms and the Station Band played the National Anthem.

His Majesty then invested the following Officers and Warrant Officer with the DFC and DFM respectively:-

7081 S/LDR EGB Reid. Pilot. DFC.
115023 A/S/LDR AL Roberts. Pilot. DFC (Bar to)
37994 A/W/CDR M Wyatt. Pilot. DFC.
70126 A/S/LDR RC Chopping. Pilot. DFC.
148559 A/F/LT. C Payne. Pilot. DFC.
170661 P/O ABL Winstanley. Pilot. DFC.
132709 P/O KW Armstrong. Navigator. DFC.
169554 P/O JM Hydes. WOP/AIR. DFC.
138423 F/LT JN Pollock. Air Gunner. DFC.
1378365 W/O PM Ashpital. Pilot. DFM.

Their Majesties, after making a short tour of the Station, and taking tea in the information room, left again at 1615 hours.

Operational Flying: BOMBING – WATTEN CONSTRUCTIONAL WORKS.

22 aircraft were detailed, took off and attacked primary target.
22 aircraft returned to Base having successfully completed their sortie.
Weather was clear. Red TIs were in a line of three clusters, east to West.
Most crews bombed centre. Slight heavy flak, no combats.

W/C M Wyatt, DFC, in ME841, JI-H reported: Bomb load 11 x 1000 ANM 65, 4 x 500 GP. Primary target: WATTEN.
Bombed at 0009 hours from 11,000 feet, red TIs.

[SIZE=11pt]Target: Watten Constructional Works[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft deployed total: 542[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 22[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft lost total: 4[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: Nil.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Comments: The conditions were clear & the night moon-lit. 2 storage depots & 2 launch sites were the targets of this raid. All targets were successfully bombed.[/SIZE]

 

ORBs for LL692 A2-C - EA Campbell, Skipper. 10th July 1944. Weather: Cloudy with showers.

Non-Operational Flying: Air tests were carried out.

Operational Flying: BOMBING – NUCOURT. CONSTRUCTIONAL WORKS.

26 aircraft detailed, one failed to take off. 25 aircraft took off, attacked the primary target and returned to Base on completion of duty.
Weather was 10/10ths low cloud over the target, which made identification difficult and most crews bombed on GH.
Most crew saw red TIs going down, but they quickly disappeared in cloud. Two crews bombed red TIs. Flak was slight heavy, no sightings.

F/S GC France in ME841, JI-H reported: Bomb load 11 x 1000 ANM 65, 4 x 500 GP. Primary target: NUCOURT.
Bombed at 0607½ hours from 16,000 feet Gee Fix.

[SIZE=11pt]Target: Nucourt Constructional Works[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft deployed total: 223[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 25[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft lost total: Nil.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: Nil.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Comments: This target was a flying bomb storage site. Bad cloud cover hampered the raid & bombing was reported as inaccurate.[/SIZE]

 

ORBs for LL692 A2-C - EA Campbell, Skipper. 12th July 1944. Weather: Fair.

Non Operational Flying: Air tests were carried out.

Operational Flying: BOMBING – VAIRES – MARSHALLING YARDS.

23 aircraft were detailed and took off. 1 aircraft attacked primary, 1 aircraft attacked Bosville railway siding,
21 aircraft abandoned mission as instructed by Master Bomber. Weather was 8-10/10ths cloud over target.

P/O CJ Thomson RAAF, in PB142, JI-A reported: Bomb load 18 x 500 GP. Primary target: VAIRES.
Weather 8/10ths cloud, one thin patch. Bombed at 2000 hours from 15,000 feet yellow TIs.
Stream of aircraft port of track on run up to target. TIs clearly seen.

[SIZE=11pt]Target: Vaires – Marshalling Yards[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft deployed total: 159[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 23[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft lost total: Nil.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: Nil.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Comments: The target was an important railway yards near Paris. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Cloud cover caused early cancellation of the raid. Only 12 aircraft had bombed. [/SIZE]

 

ORBs for LL692 A2-C - EA Campbell, Skipper. 15th July 1944. Weather: Cloudy.

Non-Operational Flying: Navigation Exercises and Air Tests were carried out.

Operational Flying: BOMBING- CHALONS SUR MARNE – RAILWAY CENTRE.

24 aircraft detailed and took off, 18 aircraft attacked primary target, 5 aircraft abortive. 24 aircraft landed at Base.
Weather was clear below cloud and target was clearly marked and bombing concentrated.
Crews obtained good visuals of the yards and river.
Bombs were seen bursting across the yards. Flak was negligible. 3 combats reported.

S/L PB Clay in PB143, JI-B reported: Bomb load 18 x 500 GP. Primary target: CHALONS-SUR-MARNE.
Weather 5/10ths cloud below, 10/10ths above, clear for bombing.
Bombed at 0134 hours from 12,000 feet green TIs. ASI u/s shortly after take-off also starboard engine out on route to target.

[SIZE=11pt]Target: CHALONS SUR MARNE – RAILWAY CENTRE.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft deployed total: 229[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 24 (5 aborted)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft lost total: 3[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: Nil.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Comments: Two targets were both successfully bombed.[/SIZE]

 

ORBs for LL692 A2-C - EA Campbell, Skipper. 18th July 1944. Weather: Fair to cloudy.

Non-Operational Flying: No non-operational flying took place today owing to operational flying.

Operational Flying: BOMBING – EMIEVILLE – TROOP CONCENTRATIONS.

26 aircraft were detailed to attack German troop concentrations at Emieville, taking off early in the morning.
All took off and landed safely at base on completion of the duty. Weather was clear and target well marked.
Bombing was highly concentrated.

F/S GC France in LM180, JI-G reported: Bomb load 11 x 1000 MC, 4 x 500 GP. Primary target: EMIEVILLE. Weather clear.
Bombed at 0607 hours from 10,500 feet, South East corner of smoke as directed by Master Bomber. A good attack.

[SIZE=11pt]Target: Emieville – Troop Concentrations..[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft deployed total: 942[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 26[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft lost total: 6[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: Nil. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Comments: This attack was in support of ‘Operation Goodwood’ a [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]British Army attack in Normandy, 18th – 20th July 1944. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]By the raid’s end, it was considered one of the most effective bombing operations in support of the Army of the whole war. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Weather was clear for the raid, which included American aircraft in the early morning attacks. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Support from Navy gunfire & Army artillery meant there were few reports of flack as they suppressed the AA guns. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]In total, Bomber Command dropped 5,000 of the 6,800 tons total for the raid. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The result was that two whole German enemy divisions were severely affected. [/SIZE]

BOMBING – AULNOYE – RAILWAY JUNCTION.

18 aircraft were detailed to attack the railway centre at Aulnoye, taking off at night.
All took off and landed safely at base on completion of the duty. Weather was cloudless with slight haze.
One Me.109 is claimed as destroyed, by the crew of A2-B.

F/Sgt. Geoffrey France reported: Bomb load 18 x 500 GP. Primary target: AULNOYE. Weather clear.
Bomber at 0054hrs from 10,000ft red and green TIs. A quiet trip, weather good.

[SIZE=11pt]Combat Report: LL697, A2-B. At 0105 hours the M.U Gunner reported an unidentified aircraft with navigation lights burning on the starboard beam up. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]A minute later the Rear Gunner reported a S/E fighter (later identified as a ME-109) coming in from the starboard quarter down range about 300 yards. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The Rear Gunner gave orders to corkscrew starboard, and at the same time the E/A opened fire, his trace passing well behind our A/C. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The Rear Gunner returned fire with a 3 second burst, there was a small explosion and the E/A dived to the ground [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]enveloped [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]in flames [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]where it was seen to burn for a considerable period by the Mid Upper Gunner and Rear Gunner. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]During the combat the aircraft burning navigation lights was kept under observation by the Mid Upper Gunner. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]As the ME-109 dived to the ground the other aircraft switched off its lights and was not seen again.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]M.U. Gunner – W/O Craig – Nil. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Rear Gunner - Sgt. Backford - 500 rounds. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Target: Aulnoye – Railway Junction[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft deployed total: 263.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 18[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft lost total: 22[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: Nil. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Comments: Another split attack with 2 targets, Aulnoye & Revigny railway junctions. Both attacks were successful & both junctions destroyed. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]On the Revigny raid, the allied Lancasters were ambushed by Luftwaffe fighters, with the subsequent loss of 24 aircraft. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]This represented 22% of the crews involved in that raid. This was the second operation of the day for many of the crews. [/SIZE]

 

The ORBs list a second mission for LL692 A2-C 18-Jul-44 prior to or after EA Campbell's mission.
(Special Operations? Falling under the Official Secrets Act? There are many instances of unrecorded missions for SOE and SO missions.}

D Lancaster LL692 A2-C Ops Emieville S/L PB Clay

No other information.

 

ORBs for LL692 A2-C - EA Campbell, Skipper. 20th July 1944. Weather Fair to cloudy.

Non-Operational Flying: Cross-countries and air tests were carried out.

Operational Flying: BOMBING – HOMBERG – OIL PLANT.

24 aircraft were detailed to attack oil plant at Homberg.
All took off, 17 attacked the primary target, 2 aircraft returned early and 1 aircraft (P/O Watkins’ LL726) jettisoned in the target area due to fighter attack.
20 aircraft landed back at Base, 4 aircraft are missing. Weather was clear with a slight haze over the target.
Red TIs were reported very concentrated. Large fires and explosions were seen and columns of black smoke.
Enemy fighters were very active and moderate heavy flak experienced.

W/O CE Williams in LM206, JI-C reported: Bomb load 1 x 4000 HC, 2 x 500 MC, 14 x 500 GP.
Primary target: HOMBERG. Weather slight haze. Bombed at 0120 hours from 20,000 feet red TIs.
Satisfactory raid. Considerable number of fighters.

[SIZE=11pt]Combat Report: LL726, A2-H. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]At 0120 hours, an unidentified aircraft was seen by the Rear Gunner to fall in flames astern and a JU-88 was silhouetted against the glare on the port quarter down. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The Rear Gunner opened fire immediately at a range of 300 yards, and ordered the Pilot to corkscrew to port. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The E/A opened fire as the Pilot commenced to corkscrew and the starboard outer engine of ‘H2’ was put out of action. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]During this time, the Rear Gunner continued to fire and observed hits on E/A , which pulled up as if to break away, rolled over [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]on [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]its back [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]and started to spin down with a red glow., bursting into flames after the aircraft had spun for a few seconds. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The E/A was observed by the Rear Gunner, Pilot and Mid Upper Gunner to hit the ground where it burst into a patch of flames.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]M.U. Gunner – Sgt. Dawson – Nil.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Rear Gunner – Sgt. Ferries - 800 rounds.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Combat Report: DS620, A2-D. At 0147 hours, in position 51.42N. - 05.05E. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Rear Gunner reported an E/A (later identified as an FW-190) attacking from the port quarter up, range 500 yards. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Rear Gunner immediately gave order to corkscrew port. Mid Upper Gunner opened fire immediately and E/A continued to close in, [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Rear Gunner opened fire from 450 yards. As Lancaster corkscrewed, E/A opened fire from 400 yards but Lancaster sustained no hits. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Mid Upper Gunner claimed strikes on E/A which was seen to burst into flames and fall through the cloud. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]M.U. Gunner - Sgt. O' Brian. - 150 rounds.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Rear Gunner – Sgt. Mac Donald – 350 rounds.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Combat Report: LL697, A2-B. At 0115 hours, Rear Gunner reported a T/E unidentified aircraft passing from port to starboard above range, 700 yards. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The E/A was next seen coming in from the starboard quarter level range 400 yards. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The Rear Gunner immediately gave order to corkscrew starboard and as our Lancaster started to corkscrew the E/A opened fire with a short burst. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The Mid Upper and Rear Gunners opened fire at 450 yards and observed their trace hitting the E/A, which burst into flames and fell away to the starboard quarter. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The E/A was seen to fall in flames by the 2 Gunners and the Flight Engineer. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]M.U. Gunner - Sgt. Gardiner. - 200 rounds. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Rear Gunner – Sgt. Bentley. - 400 rounds.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Target: Homberg – Rhein-Preussen Synthetic Oil Plant.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft deployed total: 158[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 24 (2 returned early)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft lost total: 20[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 4 [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Comments: Although this raid completed its objective of disrupting the supply of aviation fuel, for 514 Squadron, this first visit to Homberg proved to be a costly operation. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Second only to the ‘Nuremburg Raid’, in total, 7 of the Squadron’s aircraft reported combats, not including the 4 aircraft that were lost. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]75 (NZ) Squadron also suffered badly, losing 7 of its 25 aircraft. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt] Heavy damage was caused to the oil plant which caused disruption to the supply of fuel from 6000 tons, down to under 1000 tons per day.[/SIZE]

Homberg was to feature significantly on the casualty lists of both squadrons in the future.
Night fighters were a significant problem on this op. F/S Richardson, pilot of DS813, reported ‘We had five fighter attacks within 30 miles of target’.
F/S John Lawrie, flying DS826 early in his tour, reported a combat with an enemy fighter,
whilst W/O Boston in LL677 noted a ‘Head on attack by single engine fighter just after leaving the target area’.
Seven crews reported combat with enemy fighters, in addition to the four crews posted missing.

Missing Aircraft: There were no survivors from any of the crews.

HK570 JI-P. Shot down, possibly by either Hptm. Heinz-Martin Hadeball, 3./NGr.10, or Hptm. Ernst-Wilhelm Modrow, 1./NJG1.
HK570 crashed at 0159 in the sea off the Dutch coast (presumably on return leg as the squadron aircraft bombed between 0119hrs and 0125hrs).

W/O JL Lassam (Pilot) KIA
Sgt WC Taylor (Navigator) KIA
Sgt WJ Anthony (Bomb Aimer) KIA
F/S AR Hope (WOP/Air) KIA
Sgt BH Cooper RCAF (MU Gunner) KIA
Sgt DP Manchul RCAF (Rear Gunner) KIA
F/S EJ Hack (Flight Engineer) KIA

HK571 JI-L Probably shot down by Hptm. Hermann Greiner, 11./NJG1, crashing at 0124 at Daubenspeckhof 1 km W of Moers (in target area).

P/O SM Anderson (Pilot) KIA
WO2 WOD Larmouth RCAF (Navigator) KIA
Sgt KE Rhodes RCAF (Bomb Aimer) KIA
Sgt RP Whitehall (WOP/Air) KIA
Sgt KA Jeffrey RCAF (MU Gunner) KIA
Sgt CN Samson RCAF (Rear Gunner) KIA
Sgt A Wilson (Flight Engineer) KIA

LM181 JI-E Probably shot down by Fw. Klaus Moller, 12./NJG3, or Ofw. Heinrich Schmidt, 2./NJG6.
LM181 crashed at 0122 in the target area. No further details.

F/O LW McLean RNZAF (Pilot) KIA
F/S AT Stone RNZAF (Navigator) KIA
F/S WS McIraith RNZAF (Bomb Aimer) KIA
F/S TK Durie RNZAF (WOP/Air) KIA
Sgt M Duncan (Rear Gunner) KIA
Sgt RE Digby (MU Gunner) KIA
Sgt GW Bumstead (Flight Engineer) KIA

ME858 JI-J. Shot down at 0114 hours by the Bf 110G-4 of Uffz. Gustav Sarzio, 6./NJG1.
The aircraft crashed at 0116hrs at Limburg (approaching the target). The aircraft was lost on its way to the target.

According to Dutch historian, Ton Bosmans, the Lancaster's complete bomb load was on board when it crashed.
Only a few bombs exploded in the open field outside the village of Hunsel.
The Lancaster was also carrying a large 4000 HC (Cookie) bomb which did not explode.
According to an eye-witness, the aircraft was hit in one of the wings and ex
ploded high in the air. None of the crew members was able to leave the Lancaster.
Parts of the plane are laying in a circle of 500 meters around the crash site.’ (Source: Balfour Collegiate, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada)

F/O D Millar (Pilot) KIA
F/O DO Brown RCAF (Navigator) KIA
Sgt HM Glansford (Bomb Aimer) KIA
Sgt GH Holt (WOP/Air) KIA
Sgt WE Blore (MU Gunner) KIA
Sgt HE Long (Rear Gunner) KIA
Sgt N Derham (Flight Engineer) KIA

 

ORBs for LL692 A2-C P/O R Harvey Skipper 23rd July 1944. Weather cloudy.

Non Operational Flying: Fighter affiliation and air tests carried out.

Operational Flying: BOMBING – KIEL – WAREHOUSES AND DOCKS.

22 aircraft were detailed to attack Kiel harbour installations. All aircraft took off. 20 aircraft attacked the primary target.
2 aircraft returned early, the remainder landed safely at base after completion of the duty.
Weather was 10/10ths thin cloud over the target. Sky marking was good but bombing scattered.
Flak over target moderate to heavy, few searchlights and fighters.

F/S GC France in PB143, JI-B reported: Bomb load 10 x 1000 MC, 5 x 500 GP. Primary target Kiel.
Weather 10/10ths cloud. Bombed at 0120hrs from 20,000 feet, centre of red and green TIs.
Large explosion giving an orange glow at 0121hrs.

[SIZE=11pt]Combat Report: PB165, A2-F. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]At 0125 hours the Rear Gunner saw a S/E unidentified A/C attacking a Lancaster on the starboard beam, range 700 yards. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The Mid Upper and Rear Gunners opened fire, as did 3 other Lancasters in the vicinity. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The E/A was last seen falling in flames, stern down. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]M.U. Gunner – Sgt. O' Brian – 80 rounds .[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Rear Gunner – Sgt. MacDonald – 160 rounds.[/SIZE]

Several crews noted carrying 'special nickels'.

[SIZE=11pt]Target: Kiel – Warehouses and Docks[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft deployed total: 629 [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 22 (2 returned early)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft lost total: 4[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: Nil.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Comments: This operation went much more smoothly, with over 600 aircraft dropping their bomb loads in a mere 35 minutes. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]This was the first time in 2 months that an operation was carried out on a German target and the largest attack on Kiel of the war. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Damage was extensive and the U-Boat facilities and the port were heavily bombed. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]500 pound delayed action bombs ensured that recovery operations were made more difficult for the enemy.. [/SIZE]


F/S John Lawrie and crew returned early due to an unserviceable intercom whilst F/O BK Richardson had to return with a u/s rear turret.

 

ORBs for LL692 A2-C P/O R Harvey Skipper 24th July 1944. Weather: Cloudy.

Non-Operational Flying: Cross countries and air tests were carried out.

Operational Flying: BOMBING – STUTTGART.

18 aircraft were detailed to attack Stuttgart. All took off and 12 attacked the primary target.
Five aircraft returned early, one aircraft is missing. Weather was 10/10ths cloud, tops at 5-7000 feet.
Red TIs quickly disappeared into cloud. Master bomber gave instructions to bomb on sky markers.
Attack believed scattered.

F/S GC France in PB143, JI-B reported: Bomb load 7 x 1000 MC and 4 x 500 GP. Primary target: STUTTGART.
Weather 10/10ths cloud. Bombed at 0148hrs from 20,000 feet south east corner of green and yellow star sky markers.
Glow seen beneath cloud.

[SIZE=11pt]Target: Stuttgart Area[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft deployed total: 614[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 18 (5 returned early)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft lost total: 21[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 1[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Comments: This raid was to be the first of three raids on the city, planned over the next five nights. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Many of the city’s public buildings in the city centre were destroyed.[/SIZE]

Missing Aircraft:

PB185 A2-F. Probably shot down at 0233 hours by Hptm. Paul Zorner of Stab III./NJG5 in the vicinity of Trier, returning from the target. All crew lost.
Despite Sgt. Stafford being identified at the time he, along with the rest of the crew, are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, for aircrew with no known resting place.

F/O TJ Middleton (Pilot) KIA
F/O FK Beers RCAF (Navigator) KIA
F/O AG Burgess (Bomb Aimer) KIA
F/S TD Jones (WOP/Air) KIA
Sgt ABE Booth (MU Gunner) KIA
Sgt C Brown (Rear Gunner) KIA
Sgt RW Stafford (Flight Engineer) KIA

F/S John Lawrie reported this as a 'moderate attack', having bombed at 0149 from 19,000 ft onto green and yellow sky markers.

W/O Jennings and F/O Watkins both reported combats with enemy aircraft.

This was the first of three nights of bombing Stuttgart, and caused the most serious damage of the war to the city.

 

ORBs for LL692 A2-C - EA Campbell, Skipper. 25th July 1944. Weather: Cloudy with intermittent drizzle.

Non-Operational Flying: Cross countries and air tests were carried out.

Operational Flying: BOMBING - STUTTGART.

18 aircraft were detailed, 17 aircraft took off, 13 aircraft attacked the primary target and 4 aircraft returned early.
3 aircraft landed away from Base on return, short of petrol.
Weather was 10/10ths cloud, tops up to 22,000 feet for most of route with a break over target.
Bombing started early on scattered marking.
Slight to moderate heavy Flak was encountered. 3 combats were reported.

P/O PF Carter RNZAF in ME841, JI-H reported: Bomb load 7 x 1000 MC, 4 x 500 GP. Primary target: STUTTGART.
Weather clear. Bombed at 0216 hours from 14,000 feet centre of fires.
Very large fire in centre of target, smaller fires covering an area approx. radius 5 miles.

F/L Dods reported: Large red glow seen in sky 80 miles away.

F/S Oliver reported: Combats with Me110, Ju88 and S/E (single-engined) aircraft. No damage and no claims.

[SIZE=11pt]Target: Stuttgart Area[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft deployed total: 550[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 17 (4 returned early)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft lost total: 12[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: Nil.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Comments: 12 Aircraft lost on this return raid to Stuttgart. Further damage was done to the target. [/SIZE]
Most of 514 Sqn bombed between 0150hrs and 0155hrs, apart from P/O Carter and F/S Williams who turned up some twenty minutes later.

F/O R Harvey returned early when his port inner engine suffered a rapid drop in oil pressure and caught fire.

On what was not a good night for port inner engines,
F/S Holland's aircraft also suffered a failure and landed at Ford, where it overran the runway sustaining damage to the fuselage.

[SIZE=12pt]F/S Wilson's engines were all working correctly but unfortunately his mid-upper turret wasn't, necessitating an early return.[/SIZE]

 

ORBs for LL692 A2-C - F/L DBK McDonald, Skipper 27th July 1944. Weather: Cloudy with some showers.

Non-Operational Flying: Air tests were carried out.

Operational Flying: BOMBING - LES CATELLIERS FLYING BOMB SITE.

12 aircraft detailed and took off. 11 aircraft attacked primary and 12 aircraft landed back at Base on completion of sortie.
Weather over the target was 6-7 10ths cloud. All crews bombed on leading Mosquito, bombs seen to straddle target.
1 aircraft had to jettison owing to engine trouble.

F/S SE Wilson in FS726, JI-J reported: Bomb load 18 x 500 GP. Primary target: LES CATELLIERS. Bombed at 1851 hours from 16,000 feet on Mosquito.

[SIZE=11pt]Target: Les Catelliers Flying Bomb Site[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft deployed total: 72[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 12[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft lost total: Nil. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: Nil. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Comments: [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]This series of split raids introduced the first use of the ‘ GH Leader technique’. where the following aircraft would release their bombs when they saw the Leading GH equipped aircraft doing so. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]5 separate targets were on for Bomber Command for tonight. Cloud cover hampered efforts, making the bombing scattered. [/SIZE]
Use of this equipment, of course, became a speciality of 514 Squadron and is reflected in the squadron crest.
The aircraft with engine trouble was flown by F/L McDonald.
No further details given and all crew reports simply gave time of release without further observations.

 

ORBs for LL692 A2-C - EA Campbell, Skipper. 28th July 1944. Weather: Cloudy, few showers.

Non-Operational Flying: Fighter affiliation and cross-countries were carried out.

Operational Flying: BOMBING – STUTTGART.

20 aircraft were detailed, 18 took off, 14 attacked the primary target, 1 abortive sortie - jettisoned. 3 aircraft missing.
Weather was 10/10ths thin layer of cloud over the target. TM was scattered.
Several clusters of green and red TIs seen and Master Bomber was not always specific as to which cluster should be bombed.
Consequently bombing was scattered. Little evidence of bombing, although reflection of fires seen through cloud.

F/S DC Gordon, RAAF in PB142, JI-A reported: Bomb load 7x 1000 MC, 2x500 GP. Primary target: STUTTGART.
Weather 8/10ths cloud. Bombed at 0157 hours from 19,000 feet green TIs as instructed. Much fighter activity. Should be a good attack.

F/S GC France in PB143, JI-B reported: Bomb load 7x 1000 MC, 2x500 GP. Primary target: STUTTGART.
Weather 9/10 thin layer of cloud. Bombed at 0200hrs from 20,000 feet glow of green TIs. Uneventful trip.

F/S Oliver: Abortive sortie. Starboard outer fluctuating, temperature and pressure oil leak on port inner.

[SIZE=11pt]Target: Stuttgart Area[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft deployed total: 496[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 18[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Aircraft lost total: 39[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]514 Squadron: 3[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Comments: The final in the series of attacks on this target. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]A bad night for Bomber Command, saw the loss of 39 aircraft. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Night fighters infiltrated the return stream of bombers which led to the high losses. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The combined damage over the 3 raids was extensive, with the central areas of the city badly affected.[/SIZE]

Missing Aircraft:

LM206 JI-C. Shot down by a JU88 flown by Oblt. Heinz Roekker of 2./NJG2 at 0117 hours, 7 km NW of Neufchateau, en route to target.

F/O R Jones (Pilot) KIA
Sgt GF Robinson (Navigator) POW
F/O KH Loder (Bomb Aimer) KIA
F/S FS Jones (WOP/Air) KIA
Sgt R Lane (MU Gunner) KIA
Sgt AR Braine (Rear Gunner) KIA
Sgt TH Harvell (Flight Engineer) evaded

DS813 JI-N. Crashed at Deinvillers, near St. Die, circumstances not known.
Possibly shot down by Ofhr. Walter Swoboda, 2./NJG6, who claimed a Lancaster in the St. Die area at 0130 hours.
F/L Chapman was Gunnery Leader for the squadron.

F/L AF Fowke RCAF (Pilot) KIA
F/O JT Daly (Navigator) KIA
F/O RJ Bennett RCAF (Bomb Aimer) KIA
Sgt SA Picton (WOP/Air) KIA
F/L HCA Chapman (MU Gunner) KIA
F/O GR Murphy (Rear Gunner) KIA
Sgt HG Carter (Flight Engineer) KIA


LL692 A2-C. The first aircraft to be shot down that night, LL692 was brought down at 0001 hours by the JU88 G1 4R+AK flown by Lt. Johannes Strassner of 2./NJG2.
The location was 4 km. East of Chateaudun. F/L Campbell and most of his crew fortunately survived and their tale is told in a short film produced by his son.

F/L EA Campbell RCAF (Pilot) evaded
F/O RR Griffin KIA
F/S EF Garland RCAF (Navigator) evaded
F/O JE Chapman RCAF (Bomb Aimer) evaded
Sgt AR Lyons (WOP/Air) evaded
F/S ER Jones (MU Gunner) evaded
F/S SA Harvey (Rear Gunner) evaded
Sgt WA Donaldson (Flight Engineer) evaded

[SIZE=12pt]F/O RR Griffin is not listed in the ORB as part of the crew of LL692 but was part of the crew on this flight, on a ‘second dickey’ trip. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]He is listed in ‘Bomber Command Losses’ by WR Chorley (Ian Allen Publications).[/SIZE]

 

Great job Fred. It was interesting to see verification of more of our story and correction
of more details I had mistaken. One in particular was on our first daylight raid of June 30/44
to Villers Bocage. As it says we were called down to a lower level at the target. I believe an
Aussie friend of mine P O Woods was acting as a Master Bomber (or "MC") that day and was
already at the lower altitude and may have been the one to order the main force to come down.
However as we were responding to this change our crew alerted us to a stricken plane below
with it's tail section blown off. We saw both sections gyrating frantically to earth. I had always
assumed it was a "friendly" bomb from above that caused this to happen. It was not uncommon.
Am not sure what "ORB" is but is most certainly interesting.
Thanks and cheers Fred Alex Campbell Skipper of Lancaster A2 C

 

ORB=Operational record Book

Cheers,
Don

 

For future reference for people dropping into this thread.

Read here about the form, structure and content of RAF Operational Record Books (ORB) and Form 541 (The Daily Summary of Sorties.)
See: http://www.211squadron.org/squadron_records.html