Operation - Urft Dam 3/4 December 1944
This attack has always been a mystery to me. The target was a reservoir dam on the Rur River of no particular importance in the North Eifel region, a very quiet picturesque part of Germany near the Belgium border. The dam was of no strategic value and had no generating capacity.
The structure was completed in 1905 and at the time the dam wall was the tallest in Europe at 192 ft high and 741 ft wide.
The attack was made at the request of the American military who were advancing towards that area.
It was thought that if the Urft dam was breached upstream from the Schwammenauel Dam then the water level may be raised to a level to weaken and cause a breach if that was bombed as well.
The plan was referred to SHAEF (Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force) and they allotted the task to RAF Bomber Command who had a proven record in low level precision attacks.
After consultation with the RAF, who considered the idea impractical, the matter was referred back to SHAEF. However the RAF did say that if it was thought to be of paramount importance they would reconsider and after a further request they agreed to try.
The whole idea was doomed to failure as targets of this nature require specialist weapons and not the pitifully inadequate 1000 lb semi armour piecing bombs available
Arthur Harris strongly and rightly objected to the plan as it was doomed to failure from the start and would be a waste of resources and trained personnel.
The attack was delayed by bad weather but finally an attempt was made on the 3/4th December 1944. The attack was aborted because of very poor visibility. Both 103 Sqn and 576 Sqn participated.
A further attempt was made by a large force from 5 Group three days later which did not involve either 103 or 576. A few hits were made on both dams but to little effect.
The RAF agreed to make two more attempts which were both thwarted by the weather. At this point the air attacks were abandoned as pointless.
Aerial view of the Urft Dam as it is today
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3 December 44 – Urft Dam near Hemibach – Germany – Reservoir/Army support – Day.
103 Sqn - 10 aircraft detailed. All took off in good weather. First up F/L Pamplin and crew in PB528 at 0730. On arrival in the target area it was found covered in 10/10ths cloud with tops to around 10/12000 ft. On the Master Bombers instructions the operation was cancelled and all machines brought their bombs back. All aircraft returned to base except F/L Pamplin who was diverted to Finningley. First down F/L Pamplin and crew in PB528 at 1202
576 Sqn - 12 aircraft detailed. Take off was made at dawn with slight haze. First up S/L Masters and crew in NG273 at 0745. 4/10 to 6/10ths cloud over base at 3000 ft. From base to Channel 6/10ths with considerable haze on the ground. At the French coast the weather cleared until about 50 miles from the target where the cloud began to form again. Over the target there was 8/10 to 10/10 cumulus cloud with tops at about 7000 ft. Similar conditions on return to the English coast. From Orfordness 10/10ths cumulus base about 1000 ft to 1500 ft. At base on return cloud was down to 800 ft with ground haze.
There was a Master Bomber for this attack who ordered the crews to orbit the target due to cloud cover while he went down to investigate. He was heard to tell his deputy that he was down to 4000 ft and still could not identify the target properly. Owing to the fact that the attack required high precision the Master Bomber ordered crews to abandon the mission. No Pathfinder markers were seen to fall and no accurate visual sighting of the target was made.
Opposition in the target area was very slight heavy flak barrage. No enemy fighters were encountered.
All aircraft returned safely with full bomb loads and despite adverse weather conditions good landings were made by all. First down F/L L Arthur and crew in ME801 at 1155.
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187 aircraft of 1 and 8 Groups attacked this dam near the small town of Heimbach in the Eifel region. This was in support of an American ground attack in the area. The Master Bomber and the Pathfinders could not identify the target due to the cloud and ground haze and the Lancasters were ordered to abandon the raid. No aircraft lost.
Compiled by David Fell.
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