The story
WILHELMSHAVEN, EMDEN
48 Hampdens, Wellingtons and Whitleys, 32 to Wilhelmshaven, 16 to Emden. The target at Wilhelmshaven was the battleship Tirpitz. Crews reported bombs straddling the Tirpitz and many fires. Wilhelmshaven reports heavy damage in various parts of the town with 12 people killed and adds the comment that this was the first large raid for the local air-raid services.
9 Hampdens minelaying in the Elbe. No losses from any operation.
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1 Blenheim to Antwerp turned back.
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GELSENKIRCHEN
135 aircraft - 60 Wellingtons, 36 Blenheims, 20 Hampdens and 19 Whitleys - to bomb synthetic-oil plants. Only 56 aircraft reported bombing the designated targets. Gelsenkirchen reports bombs in the city and in the surrounding towns of Buer, Horst and Hessler. One person was killed in Gelsenkirchen. 1 Whitley lost.
Minor Operations: 15 Wellingtons to Rotterdam, 1 Blenheim to Calais and 4 Hampdens mine-laying in Kiel Bay. No losses.
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