Operation Identification Challenge 99

[K4KittyCrew]

Ok Chaps,

This notable target was raided numerous times, however, on this occasion, the Pathfinders came up against cloud cover.

Can you name the target and most importantly, the date of this large operation.
Good Luck !
John

[AlanW]

I'll start off with Nuremburg, 19/20th Oct 44

[PAFG]

Well done, Alan - definitely Nuremburg. I'll go different on date though and suggest 30/31st March 1944...

[AlanW]

Mmmm, i think you're right with the date.

[K4KittyCrew]

Mmmm, i think you're right with the date.

I think otherwise gents, that would be too easy and that operation was after this one ............. the Pathfinders attempted to ground-mark the area but they were in most part, obscured by cloud .............
John

[AlanW]

In that case, i'll go for 10/11th Aug 43.

[K4KittyCrew]

Well done Alan, your Navigator is bang on again with the correct target and so is your pilot has done well to slide into the correct bomber stream for that given date.
I think Richard is still circling the target waiting for the correct date to come around!
Cheers,
John

[PAFG]

...found we'd left the Nav at home by mistake - by the time we'd gone back to get 'im it was all over..

[david layne]

My father was there too. Here is my account of his experience.

52nd operation 10th August 1943 NUREMBERG (GERMANY)

Take off time from Bourn 2145. Lancaster ED 866 P Crew: F/O Fletcher, Sgt. Nelson, F/Sgt. Dunn, Sgt. Beesley, F/Sgt. Layne, Sgt. White, Sgt. Coates.

A total of 653 heavy bombers were dispatched with 596 of them reporting that they had bombed the target. The Pathfinder Force planned to mark the target with ground markers but the heavy cloud cover obscured the markers from much of the attacking force. Despite the cloud cover extensive damage was experienced by the inhabitants of Nuremberg to both industrial and housing complexes. R.A.F. losses were reported as 16 aircraft, 2 of these being from 97 Squadron.

Wally and his crew mates were detailed to bomb Nuremberg with 1 x 4,000 lb. bomb, 5 x 500 lb. bombs, and 4 x 250 lb. markers. The route out was from Beachy Head to Le Treport and from there to the target. On arrival at Nuremberg the bomber crews found that the target was largely obscured by clouds. However the Fletcher crew attacked from 18,000 feet with 8/10th cloud being noted. The visibility above the clouds was good with a ½ moon. The crew bombed a T.I. marker that was in the bomb sights but was disappearing into the clouds as they were on their bombing run. A red explosion was seen at 0122 hours and nothing else was observed.

The German searchlights were unable to penetrate through the clouds which covered the target area, the crew reported that the moderate flak which they encountered over the target was largely ineffective. The return to base was made with a total flight time of 6.50 hours.