The story
MANNHEIM/LUDWIGSHAFEN
105 aircraft - 42 Wellingtons, 41 Hampdens, 18 Whitleys, 4 Manchesters. 65 of these aircraft were detailed for Mannheim and 40 for Ludwigshafen.
Haze made identification of targets difficult. The local report suggests that no more than 10 aircraft succeeded in bombing the two targets. Damage was scattered and light. 5 people were killed and 3 injured.
26 aircraft reported that they had bombed alternative targets and there is an interesting report from Cologne where 16 aircraft reported bombing. Visibility must have been better at Cologne because direct hits were scored on several industrial premises and 1 bomb which hit the Hacketuer Barracks killed 92 soldiers in an air-raid shelter. 8 other people were killed in Cologne.
Minor Operations: 4 Hampdens minelaying in the Frisians, 2 O.T.U. sorties.
111 sorties were dispatched on this night without any loss.
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44 Blenheims on coastal sweeps over a wide area. No ships were seen but docks at St-Nazaire and Heligoland were bombed. 2 aircraft were lost.
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