Operation – Mine laying Biarritz / Biscay coast - 21 November 1942
First 103 Squadron Lancaster Operation
Biarritz is situated on the south western French Basque coast just south of the mouth of the River Adour. This was the target of the first operation of 103 Squadron after they converted to Avro Lancasters. This was a mine laying operation planting sea mines in the mouth of the River Adour. U boats may have used the River Adour at some point or blockade runners.
103 Squadron ORB – Captained by S/L Powdrell, S/L J N Kennard, F/O J K Douglas, Sgt A S Cook, Sgt K H Berry and F/S R M Newitt, six aircraft were detailed to lay each 4 x 1500 lb mines in the water off Biarritz and take the following route :- Base - Oakham – Selsey Bill – Isigny – Coulon – Biarritz – Coulon – Isigny – Selsey Bill – Oakham – Base.
The visibility was excellent in spite of 9/10ths cloud with base at 1500 to 3000 ft and because of the bright moon run ups were made off good pin points. A little light flak and searchlight activity was encountered and in particular four big naval or artillery guns off the north shore of the river mouth were quite accurate. All aircraft lay their mines from between 650 ft and 1000 ft and a returned to base. A successful trip,
103 Squadron Powdrell WH
103 Squadron Newitt R and crew
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21-Nov-42 - Biarritz/Biscay coast - Mine laying - Lancaster - W4338 – F/S RM Newitt RCAF
21-Nov-42 - Biarritz/Biscay coast - Mine laying - Lancaster - W4362 – S/L WH Powdrell
21-Nov-42 - Biarritz/Biscay coast - Mine laying - Lancaster - W4340 – S/L JH Kennard
21-Nov-42 - Biarritz/Biscay coast - Mine laying - Lancaster - W4363 – F/O JK Douglas RAAF
21-Nov-42 - Biarritz/Biscay coast - Mine laying - Lancaster - W4364 – Sgt AS Cook RAAF
21-Nov-42 - Biarritz/Biscay coast - Mine laying - Lancaster - W4337 – Sgt KH Berry
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21/22 November 1942 - Minelaying - 30 aircraft to Biscay ports from Lorient to Bayonne without loss.
Compiled by David Fell. Photos from my archive
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