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Date
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Time
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Summary of Events SECRET
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References
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Night
2/3.1.44
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SUMMARY:- BERLIN.
16 Lancasters detailed. 2
A/C withdrawn
5
A/C missing (156/T – F/O Cairns
156/V – P/O Cromarty
156/J – P/O Borland
156/O – F/L Ralph
156/C – Sgt. Barnes
9
A/C attacked primary
COMBATS: - Two were
reported, by 156/Y and 156/K (See combat reports)
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C40. C41
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3.1.44
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10:10
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Make and mend.
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4.4.44
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10:10
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Squadron stood down.
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5.1.44
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09:50
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Target:
(provisionally) STETTIN.
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11:00
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4 B/Mkrs/Illrs., 1 Vis/Mkr., 2 Blind Backers-up, 5 Vis.
B/up, 6 Supporters.
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11:45
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Zero hour 03:45 hrs
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13:45
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Form B. received.
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A98
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Night
5/6/1/44
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23:46 to
08:52hrs
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As detailed in form B.561, 18 Lancasters of 156 Sqdn. Took
off from Warboys to attack Stettin.
METHOD: Primary Blind Markers were to mark the
A.P. with T.I. Green and also drop either Release Point Flares or Flares
white according to weather conditions at the target. Visual Markers were to
mark the exact A.P. with T.I. Red if able to identify positively, if not,
they were to retain their T.I.s. Visual Backers-up were to keep the A.P.
marked with T.I. Green, aiming at T.I. Red or T.I. Green if visible,
otherwise retaining their T.I.s and aiming their bombs at the Release Point
Flares. Blind Backers-up were to drop their Release Point Flares only if
cloud conditions prevented visual marking, otherwise they were to retain
their R/P Flares and revert to main force. Supporters were to drop their
bombs by Special Equipment if possible, otherwise aiming at the centre of the
T.I.s Green or at the R/P Flares.
WEATHER: Nil cloud, good
visibility. Nil haze, snow on ground. Cloud bank crossed target for a short
time.
RESULTS: Apart from some
reports of T.I.s being dropped early, the markers achieved a good
concentration. White flares were considered unnecessary owing to good
visibility and snow. The visual marker definitely identified the Aiming
Point. Red T.I.s were considered a little scattered, some falling on the E.
side of the River Oder. The attack generally was thought to be very
concentrated and successful.
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Date
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Time
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Summary of Events SECRET
|
References
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Night
5/6/1/44
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23:46 to
08:52hrs
cont.
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DEFENCES: Flak:
- slight to moderate. H/F:-
increasing to moderate. Slight L/F.
S/Ls:- about 30,
trying, unsuccessfully to cone.
Some fighter flares over the
target, but principally on route in from GRIEFSWALDE.
COMBATS: Two were reported by
156/C and 156/N
SUMMARY: STETTIN. 18 Lancasters
detailed. 17 Lancasters attacked primary.
1 Lancaster
returned early (156/V – Compasses and instruments u/s)
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C.42. C.43
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6.1.44
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10:00
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Squadron stood down.
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7.1.44
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09:47
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Squadron stood down.
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8.1.44
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10:20
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Target: LIMOGES
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10:47
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A/C required:- 3
Blind Marker Illuminators, 1 Visual Marker, 3 Supporters.
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12:15
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Zero hour:-
20:30hrs.
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14:40
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Form B. received.
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16:05
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Operations cancelled.
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A99
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9.1.44
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09:51
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Squadron stood down
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10.1.44
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10:00
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Make and mend.
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11:15
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Two experienced and two inexperienced crews required for
navigational and cross-country test. Take-off 16:00 hrs., duration 3 ˝ hrs.
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13:45
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Form B. received.
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A100
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16:00-19:34hrs
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4 Lancasters of 156 Squadron took off from Warboys to take
part in a navigational exercise as detailed in Form B.569. All 4 A/C
completed the course.
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11.1.44
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09:35
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Make and mend.
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16:10
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In the event of there being no operations tomorrow,
another navigational exercise will be held.
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17:00
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Details of proposed navigational exercise received.
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12.1.44
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09:40
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Make and mend. Navigational exercise cancelled.
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13.1.44
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10:12
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Make and mend.
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Date
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Time
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Summary of Events SECRET
|
References
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14.1.44
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09:55
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TARGET:-
BRUNSWICK.
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10:40
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A/C required: 6 Blind Mkrs Illuminators, 2 Visual Mkrs, 2
Blind Backers-up, 2 Visual B/up, 9 Supporters.
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11:10
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Zero hour: 19:15hrs
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12:07
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Form B.572 received
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Night 15/15.1.44
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16:44 to 22:44hrs
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In accordance with instructions given in form B.572, 20
Lancasters of 156 Squadron took off from Warboys to attack Brunswick.
METHOD Blind Marker Illuminators were to
mark the A.P. blindly with T.I. Green and also drop Release Point Flares at
Captain’s discretion if cloud conditions made sky marking necessary. Visual
Markers were to mark the exact A.P. with T.I. Red after definite visual
identification, also carrying a bundle of flares White for additional
illumination, to be used at Captain’s discretion. If unable to identify
visually, they were to retain their T.I.s Red. Blind Backers-up who
were spread throughout the attack, were to keep the A.P. marked with T.I.
Green and also drop Release Point Flares if cloud conditions made sky marking
necessary. Visual Backers-up were to aim T.I. Green at the estimated
centre of all T.I. Red or T.I. Green. If cloud conditions rendered T.I.s
invisible, however, they were to retain their T.I.s and aim bombs at the
Release Point Flares. Supporters were to drop their bombs by Special
Equipment if possible, otherwise aiming at the centre of T.I. Red or at the
Release Point Flares.
WEATHER: 10/10ths St.Cu. tops
6/10,000ft. Good visibility above.
RESULTS: Concentration was
good at the beginning of the attack, but subsequently markers spread out in a
line 5 to 7 miles long. Results were difficult to observe owing to cloud and
most crews reported only a small glow from fires.
DEFENCES: Nil to very slight
H/F, nil L/F. S/Ls did not pierce cloud. Many nightfighter flares over target
in line of track in and out. Also concentrated N. and N.E. of Hannover.
COMBATS: Two were reported
(see Combat Reports)
SUMMARY: BRUNSWICK 21 Lancasters detailed. 1 Lancaster
withdrawn (M/U Turret u/s).
14 Lancasters attacked primary.
1 Lancaster attacked last resort (PIENE)
5 Lancasters missing (156/B – W/Cdr.
Mansfield. 156/H – P/O Bayot
156/M – P/O Palmer. 156/C P/O Illingworth.
156/N – F/L Stannard.)
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C44. C45.
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15.1.44
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09:50
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Make and mend.
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16.1.44
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09:53
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Make and mend.
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Date
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Time
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Summary of Events SECRET
|
References
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17.1.44
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09:54
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Make and mend.
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18.1.44
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09:50
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Make and mend.
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19.1.44
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09:35
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Make and mend.
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20.1.44
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09:52
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TARGET: BERLIN
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10:47
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Requirements:- 2 Primary B/Markers, 3 B/Backers-up, 6
Visual Backers-up, 10 Supporters
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11:48
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Zero hour . . . . 19:35hrs.
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12:55
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Preliminary Form B.580 received.
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A102
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Night 20/21.1.44
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16:16 to 00:25hrs
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In accordance with Form B.580, 21 Lancasters of 156
Squadron took off from Warboys to attack BERLIN.
METHOD Primary B/Mkrs. were to mark A.P. blindly
with T.I. Red and also drop a bundle of Release Point Flares blindly by
Special Equipment. Blind Backers-up were to keep A.P. marked with T.I. Green
and R.P. Flares, dropped blindly by Special Equipment. Visual Backers-up were
to aim T.I. Green at the estimated centre of T.I. Red or T.I. Green. If cloud
obscured T.I.s V/Bs/Up were to retain their T.Is and aim bombs at the R.P.
Flares. Supporters were to bomb the A.P. blindly by Special Equipment. If
this was u/s, they were to bomb visually, without waiting for Blind Mkrs., or
on good D.R. Should Mkrs. or R/P Flares have been dropped already, they were
to bomb centre of T.I.s seen or aim at the R/P Flares.
WEATHER: 10/10ths cloud, tops 8,000ft., with local
small breaks.
RESULTS: T.I.s disappeared
quickly into cloud. Skymarkers formed two concentrations, one large and one
small, which soon joined into a line 2/3 miles long, approx. parallel to
track. A large explosion was seen in the south of the target area.
DEFENCES: Moderate H/F, slight L/F. Only occasionally S/L
penetrated cloud. Some fighter flares were seen S. of Berlin.
COMBATS: 2 were reported, by
156/A and 156/E (see combat reports attached).
SUMMARY: BERLIN 21 Lancasters
detailed.
20 Lancasters
attacked Primary
1 Lancaster
returned early.
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C.46 C.47
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09:45
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TARGET MAGDEBURG
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11:15
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Requirements: 8
B/Mkrs, 1 Visual Mkr, 5 Vis. Bks/Up, 7 Supporters.
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12:17
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Zero Hour – 23:00 hrs.
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|
|
Date
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Time
|
Summary of Events SECRET
|
References
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12:25
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Preliminary Form B. received.
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A103
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Night 21/22.1.44
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19:50 to 02:57 hrs
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In accordance with Form B.582, 14 Lancasters of 156
Squadron took off from Warboys to attack Magdeburg.
METHOD: Primary B/Mkrs., if
cloud conditions were less than 7/10ths and conditions appeared favourable
for visual marking, were to mark A.P. blindly with T.I. Green and also drop
bundles of Flares White Hooded. If more than 7/10ths cloud they were to drop
T.I. Green and Release Point Flares Red/Green stars. Visual Mkrs. were to
mark A.P. with T.I. Red after definite visual identification, otherwise retaining
their T.I.s. Flares White Hooded could also be dropped at Captain’s
discretion to assist visual identification. Blind Bkrs Up, if visual marking
was possible, were to retain their R/P Flares and drop T.I. Green and bombs
blindly. If their Special Equipment was u/s a long way from the target, they
could revert to Visual Bkrs/Up. If cloud conditions rendered visual
identification impossible, they were to drop R/P Flares and T.I. Green
blindly. Visual Bkrs/Up were to keep the A.P. marked throughout the attack
with T.I. Green, aiming at the T.I. Red in the early stages if visual marking
possible, otherwise T.I. Green. If cloud obscured T.I., they were to retain
T.I.s and aim bombs at the R/P Flares. Supporters were to bomb A.P. by
Special Equipment. If u/s they were to bomb visually or on good D.R. unless
markers had already dropped, in which case they were to bomb the centre of
T.I.s seen or the R/P Flares.
WEATHER: 8/10-10/10ths thin
cloud, clearing to S.E. Good visibility above.
RESULTS: Some crews reported
seeing T.I. Red short of target. Green T.I.s in fairly good concentration.
Skymarkers well concentrated. Bombing generally good, though incendiaries
were reported well to the S. of the target. Fires burning well.
DEFENCES: Slight H/F
SUMMARY: MAGDEBURG 21 Lancasters detailed. 9 Lancasters attacked primary.
7 Lancasters
withdrawn (156/V bogged, 156/E taxied into 156/A
156/B art. horizon u/s, 156/P Mag drop
156/Z Navigator sick, 156/? Mag drop)
3 a/c returned early (156/D S/B outer u/s,
156/R Rear Gnr. Ill, 156/H – Turrets u/s)
1 a/c jettisoned (156/J overshot Primary.)
1 a/c missing (156/O – F/L Kilvington)
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22.1.44
|
09:36
|
Make and mend.
|
|
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23.1.44
|
09:45
|
Squadron stood down.
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