Dortmund
596 aircraft,- the largest 'non-1000' raid of the war so far and the first major attack on Dortmund. 31 losses (5.2%) with a further 7 crashing due to bad weather at their bases, taking the total loss rate to 6.4%. PFF marking was accurate but backup marking was not. Also, decoy fires attracted many of the bombs. Severe damage was nevertheless caused to much of the central and northern areas of the city, including the Hoesch and Dortmunder Union steelworks. At least 693 people were killed, including 200 PoWs.
6 Bomber Group May 4/5, 1943
32 Halifaxes from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 47 Wellingtons from 426, 428, 429, and 431 Squadrons on an attack at Dortmund. The crews were over the target at between 12,000 and 21,000 feet, releasing 126,000 lbs of high explosives and 183,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused including 2 steel factories and the dock area. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
596 aircraft - 255 Lancasters, 141 Halifaxes, I IO Wellingtons, 80 Stirlings, IO Mos¬quitoes - on the largest 'non-r ,ooo' raid of the war to date and the first major attack on Dortmund. 31 aircraft - 12 Halifaxes, 7 Stirlings, 6 Lancasters, 6 Wellingtons - lost, 5·2 per cent of the force. A further 7 aircraft crashed in bad weather at the bomber bases.
The initial Pathfinder marking was accurate but some of the backing-up marking fell short. A decoy fire site also attracted many bombs. But half of the large force did bomb within 3 miles of the aiming point and severe damage was caused in central and northern parts of Dortmund. The city's report states that 1,218 buildings were destroyed and 2,141 seriously damaged, including the Hoesch and the Dortmunder Union steel factories and many facilities in the dock area. The old Rathaus was among 7 buildings of a cultural nature which were destroyed. At least 693 people were killed, including 200 prisoners of war, and 1,075 people were injured. The number of dead in this raid was a new record.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
The crew of Halifax aircraft W 7817 had successfully bombed the target Dortmund, Germany when they were attacked and the Halifax badly damaged by a German ME- 110 night fighter aircraft. Sergeant Stanley was killed during the fighter attack and the remainder of the crew bailed out. Four Canadians, Flying Officer C.J. Vaillancourt, Sergeants Morrison, A. Jaynes, J.L. Peck, and two RAF crew members were taken Prisoners of War.
Bomber Command Museum Monthly ORB
