156 Squadron Mission Details
Target: Royan
Mission Date: 4/01/1945
Mission Comments: The enemy pocket of resistance still holding out in the BORDEAUX area received a reminder that they were not forgotten when the Squadron contributed 14 aircraft for an attack on ROYAN. The weather was clear with some haze drifting across the area. The illuminating flares lit the area well and all crews were able to see the built up area and the bay. The bombing appeared to be well concentrated on the aiming point and several minor explosions and some fires were reported. The raid was directed by S/L J.A. Wilson as Master Bomber and F/L G. Lewis as Deputy. 19 non operational flights.
Rego Type Captain Departed Over Target Height Returned Flight Time Comments ORB Slide
PB375  Lancaster  F/Lt WILSON  02:59  5.33  10500  08:23  05:24    DSCF0170 
PB701  Lancaster III  F/Lt PELLY  03:02  5.29  10100  08:12  05:10    DSCF0170 
NE119  Lancaster  F/Lt LEWIS  03:05  5.26  7000  08:18  05:13    DSCF0170 
PB593  Lancaster  F/Lt MASON  02:57  5.23  12000  08:14  05:17    DSCF0171 
PB468  Lancaster III  F/Lt SPINLEY  03:00  5.30  12000  08:02  05:02    DSCF0171 
ND929  Lancaster  F/Lt FREEMAN  03:03  5.22  12000  08:20  05:17    DSCF0171 
NE120  Lancaster  F/Lt NEAL  03:04  5.22  12200  08:07  05:03    DSCF0171 
PB505  Lancaster III  F/Lt KITSON  03:07  5.30  11000  08:26  05:19    DSCF0171 
PB560  Lancaster  F/Lt TODD  03:01  5.26  12000  08:31  05:30    DSCF0173 
PB186  Lancaster III  S/L GRIFFIN  03:09    12000  08:11  05:02  Primary Blind Indicator. Task.Royan. Target attacked at 0522.30 hrs from 12,000 feet. Nothing seen before we dropped our flares. Afterwards 2 red TI's were seen close together, Greens were seen cascading as we turned away. We bombed on M/B's instructions to bomb centre of Red TI's. Some bombing seen which appeared good. One photo attempted. Bomb load 10 x CP No3.4 x 1000 HC TD 025  DSCF0173 
PB611  Lancaster  F/Lt HISCOCK  03:10  5.23  12000  08:04  04:54    DSCF0173 
ME366  Lancaster III  S/L LETFORD  03:11  5.30  12000  08:05  04:54    DSCF0173 
PA966  Lancaster  P/O CUTHILL  03:13  5.32  12000  08:16  05:03    DSCF0173 
PB517  Lancaster III  F/Lt WILLIAMS  02:58  05.36  12,000  08:09  05:11    DSCF0174