Bomber Command raid - night of 22/23 June 1943

MLHEIM
557 aircraft - 242 Lancasters, 155 Halifaxes, 93 Stirlings, 55 Wellingtons, 12 Mosquitoes. 35 aircraft - 12 Halifaxes, 11 Stirlings, 8 Lancasters, 4 Wellingtons - lost, 6.3 percent of the force.
The Pathfinders had to mark this target through a thin layer of stratus cloud but Mlheim's records contain reference to the accuracy of the markers over this medium-sized town and to the ferocity of the ensuing bombing. The now familiar area of fire and temporary breakdown of the fire and rescue services followed. In later stages of the raid, the Pathfinder markers and the bombing moved slightly, into the northern part of the town; this had the effect of cutting all road and telephone communications with the neighbouring town of Oberhausen, with which Mlheim was linked for airraid purposes. Not even cyclists or motor-cyclists were able to get out of Mlheim; only messengers on foot could get through. The centre and north of Mlheim and the eastern parts of Oberhausen were severely damaged. 578 people were killed and 1,174 were injured in the 2 towns. 1,135 houses were destroyed and 12,637 damaged. Other buildings hit were 41 public buildings, 27 schools, 17 churches and 6 hospitals. The only reference to industry is a general note: 'a large proportion of industries were severely affected'. The post-war British Bombing Survey Unit estimated that this single raid destroyed 64 percent of the town of Mlheim.
Minor Operations: 4 Mosquitoes each to Berlin and Cologne, 26 O.T.U. sorties. 1 O.T.U. Wellington lost.
Total effort for the night: 591 sorties, 36 aircraft (6.1 percent) lost.

---

LA SPEZIA
52 Lancasters from the force which bombed Friedrichshafen 3 nights earlier flew from North Africa, bombed La Spezia, and then flew on to England without loss. Bomber Command claimed damage to an armaments store and an oil depot at La Spezia.
Minor Operations: 3 Mosquitoes each to Cologne and Duisburg, 30 aircraft minelaying off Brittany and Biscay ports. No aircraft lost.