The story
GELSENKIRCHEN
101 aircraft - 61 Wellingtons, 21 Hampdens, 19 Whitleys - to bomb oil plants. 1 Wellington lost.
Gelsenkirchen reports its worst raid of the war so far. The city itself was not badly hit; the worst damage was caused by Flak shells exploding on descent! But one of the oil plants, the Hydriewerk Scholven, was hit by an estimated 16 aircraft bomb loads. Much damage was caused, 5 fires started and 5 workmen killed. The company housing estate near by was also bombed. Total casualties were 9 killed. Production at the plant stopped completely but it is not stated for how long.
DÜSSELDORF
24 Blenheims. No losses.
ROTTERDAM
7 Whitleys and 5 Blenheims attacked the oil-storage tanks and fires were started. No losses.
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4 Blenheims on coastal sweep; shipping bombed off Dunkirk and Ostend. No losses.
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LORIENT, DÜSSELDORF
37 Wellingtons and Whitleys to Lorient submarine base but haze prevented accurate bombing. 21 Hampdens to DÜSSELDORF. 5 Blenheims on a 'special operation', probably airfield Intruder work. 4 of them bombed Vannes airfield.
There were no aircraft losses on this night.
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