6 Bomber Group July 3/4 1943
42 Halifaxes from 408, 419, 427, and 428 Squadrons were joined by 34 Wellingtons 429, 431, and 432 Squadrons on an attack at Cologne. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 21,000 feet, releasing 205,000 lbs of incendiaries and 104,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing was accurate and serious damage was caused. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
From Operations Record Book:
Weather:-10/10 at first, clearing by mid day to fine. Visibility ability poor at first becoming very good. Light northerly wind.
OPERATIONS: BOMBING ATTACK ON "COLOGNE" 11 Aircraft detailed Ten of our aircraft reached and bombed primary from an average height of 19,500 feet on red and green TI in good visibility. Target was a mass of fires with smoke up to 10,000 feet.One of our aircraft was attacked by an unidentified night fighter and severely damaged, the starboard elevator and tail assembly by canon shells; canon shells to starboard centre mainplane, wing internally damaged, fuselage, holed, and bomb doors shot up and mid upper turret astro dome were also holed. Captain of this aircraft is 13399011 Sergeant Phillips J who had much difficulty in preventing aircraft getting into stalling speed because aircraft would not be stopped from climbing. This was overcome by tying the control column to the rudder [word?] by means of the dinghy rope, which was slightly successful although pressure still had to be maintained on the stick. The mid upper gunner was slightly injured in his leg. One of our aircraft is missing. members of the crew were ....... Nothing has been heard from this crew since time of takeoff.
Bomber Command Museum Monthly ORB
