Operation – Bremen – 2/3 July 1942
The Final 103 Squadron Wellington Operation
Five aircraft captained by Sgt D W Spooner, Sgt K M Frith, G/C H A Constantine, Sgt A T Little and W/O R Telfer were detailed to cause maximum dame to point of aim B at Bremen. All aircraft carried nickels to be dropped on the Leer area and all carried cameras. Weather over the route was good although there was no cloud over the target there was some ground haze. Over the target moderate heavy flak was encountered increasing in accuracy and intensity towards the end of the period. There was also some slight light flak, fairly accurate and being aimed at searchlight cones at approximately 9000 ft. Bombs were dropped as briefed from 9000 ft to 14000 ft. Of the five aircraft detailed for this mission only three returned to base. Nothing has been heard of the two remaining aircraft and their crews have been posted as non-effective missing
……….
02-Jul-42 – Bremen - Point of Aim – Wellington – R1617 – Sgt DW Spooner RAAF – FTR - Night fighter victim. Crashed at Vahren near Cloppenburg
02-Jul-42 – Bremen - Point of Aim – Wellington – R1163 – Sgt KH Frith
02-Jul-42 – Bremen - Point of Aim – Wellington – Z1140 – G/C HA Constantine
02-Jul-42 – Bremen - Point of Aim – Wellington – DV611 – P/O AT Little RAAF – FTR - Night fighter victim. Crashed near Brookholt 3km North of Nordhorn
02-Jul-42 – Bremen - Point of Aim – Wellington – HD946 – W/O RL Telfer RCAF
Hugh Constantine
103 Squadron Spooner RAAF
……….
2/3 July 1942 - Bremen
325 aircraft - 175 Wellingtons, 53 Lancasters, 35 Halifaxes, 34 Stirlings, 28 Hampdens. 13 aircraft - 8 Wellingtons, 2 Hampdens, 2 Stirlings, 1 Halifax - lost.
265 aircraft claimed to have bombed in good visibility but it is probable that much of the attack fell outside the southern borders of the town. A brief Bremen report says that more than 1,000 houses and 4 small industrial firms were damaged. 3 cranes and 7 ships in the port were also hit; 1 of the ships, the 1,736-ton steamer Marieborg sank and is recorded as having become a danger to navigation. Only 5 people were killed and 4 injured.
Intruders: 24 Blenheims were dispatched and attacked many airfields without loss.
Compiled by David Fell. Photos from my archive
....................
|
