Operation - Wilhelmshaven - 11/12 February 1943
This raid proved an outstanding success even though the target was completely cloud covered. Bad weather was forecast and the Pathfinders used the recently adopted H2S radar to identify the target and a sky marking technique using parachute flares.
H2S was a ground mapping radar developed by Dr Lovell at the TRE. The radar produced an image of the ground below on a cathode ray tube screen and was very effective in areas of coastline, rivers and lakes where the water features showed up well. In the case of Wilhelmshaven, where the target was the port and naval base, the coastline was relatively easy to recognise from the radar screen and the experienced Pathfinder navigators could identify the target area with some accuracy. The radar was self contained within the aircraft. The main disadvantage of this system was that it was active as opposed to passive and in February of 1944 the Germans introduced a search apparatus called Naxos which could home onto the H2S emissions. This was fitted to their night fighters and enabled them to find the bombers from quite a distance. The Germans also developed a ground based H2S detection system called Korfu which could give them a constant plot of the bomber stream and was so sensitive that it could even detect the H2S test transmissions from bomber aircraft parked at their dispersals in the UK.
The sky marking technique was the least reliable of the 3 marking techniques being used by the Pathfinders. Parachute flares were dropped over the target area and fused to burst above the expected height of the cloud. The technique was referred to by the code name of Wanganui, which is incidentally a town in New Zealand. The Main Force crews were instructed to release their bombs when they had a flare in their bomb sights. This could be a problem as it was sometimes difficult to aim accurately at a flare which was prone to drift with the wind. On this particular operation the technique worked extremely well.
On the night of the 11/12th February 1943 177 aircraft took part in this raid, 129 Lancasters, 40 Halifaxes and 8 Stirlings. In addition 2 Mosquitos were tasked to bomb Bochum and Hamborn, 36 aircraft undertook minelaying duties and there were 5 OTU sorties.
At Elsham Wolds 10 aircraft and crews were detailed for this raid including several notable figures in the Squadron history. The senior pilot was S/L J H Kennard RAFVR. Among the pilots who flew that night were Sgt G Maddern RAAF, F/L J A Temperley RAFVR , F/S W F Austin RAFVR and Sgt S G Burton RAFVR.
F/S Austin was the first to take off at 1751. The aircraft carried 1 x 4000lb HC bomb and large quantities of 4lb and 30lb incendiaries. Sgt J C H Young was forced to return early with engine trouble.
They found the target cloud covered as forecast. Predicted flak was moderate to heavy and there was considerable light flak up to 15,000ft. No searchlights were seen. Sgt Maddern was attacked by a Bf109 which was first spotted by his gunners flying a reciprocal course. It turned to follow them and climbed steeply and dived to attack from the port quarter opening fire from 150/200yards. Sgt Maddern jettisoned his 4,000lb bomb as his gunners returned fire and took evasive action. The fighter was seen to be hit and go into a vertical dive through the cloud. It was claimed as probably destroyed. Sgt Maddern continued the operation bombing with incendiaries from 15,000ft at 2008.
A very large explosion on the ground was noted by the crews. This could clearly be seen even through cloud and lasted for a good 10 minutes.
All the 103 Squadron aircraft returned to Elsham Wolds safely. Only 3 Lancasters in total were lost on this operation. S/L Kennard stayed over the target area for several minutes to observe the bombing and effects of the raid. On his return to base his report reflected the feelings of all the crews that this had been a very successful sky marked operation. Many fires could be seen through the cloud and were still visible from 50 miles away.
The large explosion noted by the crews was the destruction of the naval ammunition depot at Mariensiel just South of Wilhelmshaven. The resulting explosion devasted an area of 120 acres causing considerable damage to the naval dockyard and the port. Much damage was caused by other bombs. Details of casualties on the ground are unknown.
The raid was a considerable success against an important target. It represented the first blind bombing success for the newly introduced H2S and was the precursor of many more to follow.
Item written by David Fell with reference to the 103 Sqn ORB, Middlebrook's Bomber command War Diaries, Journeys into Night by Don Charlwood and the Bomber Command Handbook by Jonathon Falconer.
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