Wellington HE182 B. Mk. X - Bombing Berlin Germany - 1943-03-29 to 1943-03-30
Squadron: (B) Sqn (RCAF)
Start Date: 1943-03-29
Completion Date: 1943-03-30
Mission: Bombing
Operation: Battle of the Ruhr
Target City: Berlin Germany
Target Specific:
Base: Burn
Take Off Time: 19.50
Squadron Code: SE A
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City:
Crash Specifics:
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: flak
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim:
War Diary Unavailable

6 Bomber Group March 29/30, 1943

22 Halifaxes from 405, 408, and 419 Squadrons were ordered on an attack at Berlin. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 14,000 lbs of high explosives and 21,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the weather was poor, with severe icing. Bombing was scattered over the target.

While the Halifaxes went to Berlin, 70 Wellingtons from 420,424, 425,426, 427, 428, 429, and 431 Squadrons were ordered on an attack atBochum.The crews were over the target at between 14,000 and 19,000 feet, releasing 107,000 lbs of high explosives and 85,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and bombing was scattered. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)

329 aircraft - r 62 Lancasters, r 03 Halifaxes, 64 Stirlings. 21aircraft - 11 Lancasters, 7 Halifaxes, 3 Stirlings - lost, 6·4 per cent of the force.

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Weather conditions were difficult, with icing and inaccurately forecast winds. The marking for the raid appeared to be concentrated but in a position which was too far south and the Main Force arrived late. Most of the bombs fell in open country 6 miles south-east of Berlin. German records say that 148 people were killed in Berlin and 148 buildings were totally destroyed but there is some doubt about the accuracy of these figures.

source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt

Wellington aircraft HE 182 missing, presumed over the target, presumed enemy action. Sergeants E.J. Aspden (RAF), R. Davies (RAF), and J.H. Kinnber (RAF) were also killed. One other member of the crew, not Canadian, missing believed killed.

General RAF Commands