156 Squadron Mission Details
Target: Hanover
Mission Date: 5/01/1945
Mission Comments: 16 aircraft detailed for operations against HANOVER. 1 aircraft was withdrawn owing to engine trouble. Fires were still burning from the previous raid in the evening. Incens were seen to be across the built up area, and a pall of smoke hung in the sky over the target area. The glow of fires could be seen from 150 miles away on the return journey. F/L Hiscock's aircraft was extensively damaged by flak and enemy fighters but was sucessfully landed at base and graded Cat A/C.
Rego Type Captain Departed Over Target Height Returned Flight Time Comments ORB Slide
PB701  Lancaster III  P/O CUTHILL  19:21      23:45  04:24  Aborted over target  DSCF0174 
PB517  Lancaster III  F/Lt WILLIAMS  19:22  21.44  18000  23:49  04:27    DSCF0174 
PB186  Lancaster III  S/L LETFORD  19:29  21.47  18,000  23:52  04:23    DSCF0174 
NE120  Lancaster  F/Lt NEAL  19:19  21.47  18000  23:47  04:28    DSCF0175 
PA966  Lancaster  F/Lt JACKSON  19:25      00:19  04:54  Blind Marker Illuminator. Task. Hanover (2nd Attack).Abortive. Marking appeared good in good number. 2 red TI's seen first and followed by green TI. Bombing seemed very good and several explosions seen in T/A. Decoy seen 10 miles NE of T/A. Bomb Load as above.. Viz 10 x CP no.3 (B). 2 x TI Green ( C ) .2 X TI Green LB ( C )  DSCF0175 
ND591  Lancaster  F/Lt HISCOCK  19:27  21.45  18000  00:06  04:39  Aircraft extensively damaged by flak and enemy fighters but was sucessfully landed at base and graded Cat A/C (extract from ORB)  DSCF0175 
PB560  Lancaster  F/Lt TODD  19:30  21.50  17500  00:11  04:41    DSCF0175 
ME366  Lancaster III  F/Lt SPINLEY  19:31  21.46  18000  00:05  04:34    DSCF0175 
ND929  Lancaster  F/Lt FREEMAN  19:22  21.52  18000  00:01  04:39    DSCF0176 
PB468  Lancaster III  F/Lt HARRIS  19:28  21.49  18000  00:17  04:49    DSCF0176 
PB507  Lancaster  S/L WILSON  19:32  21.47  18000  00:03  04:31    DSCF0176 
PB593  Lancaster  F/Lt CLELAND  19:33  21.52  17000  00:13  04:40    DSCF0176 
PB611  Lancaster  S/L NICHOLLS  19:36  21.53  18500  23:56  04:20    DSCF0176 
ND875  Lancaster  F/Lt WILSON  19:35  21.45  18000  23:57  04:22    DSCF0177 
PB505  Lancaster III  F/Lt JAMES  19:54  21.54  17500  00:15  04:21    DSCF0177