156 Squadron Mission Details
Target: Bottrop Mission Date: 3/02/1945 Mission Comments: 9 aircraft detailed to drain the oil of BOTTROP. The marking appears to have been very good, and the bombing was well concentrated in the later stage of the attack. There were numerous searchlights coming and enemy fighters were active over the target and on the return route. Two aircraft failed to return F/L M Spinley DFM and F/L J.G. Evans and crews.
Rego	Type	Captain	Departed	Over Target	Height	Returned	Flight Time	Comments	ORB Slide
PA966	Lancaster	S/L ROBERTSON	16:49	19.31	18000	21:23	04:34	Blind Sky Marker. Task. BOTTROP. Target attacked at 19.31 hrs from 18,000 ft. Red TI's down at 1926/27 hrs. Three lots of Green TO's seen down just after bombing, and those on right of Red TI's. Later still, a very good group of Red and Green TI's seen very close together. Bombing appeared well placed but late. One photo attempted.	DSCF0202
PB560	Lancaster	F/Lt JACKSON	16:51	19.33	17500	21:24			DSCF0202
PB505	Lancaster III	F/Lt SPINLEY	16:46					T/o 1646 Upwood to mark the Prosper benzol works. Crashed near Hechtel (Limburg), 22 km N of Hasselt, Belgium. Those who died rest in Leopoldsburg War Cemetery. The DFM receipients had flown with 37 Squadron and 75 Squadron, their awards being published on 16 February 1943, 21 January 1944, 15 June 1943 and 13 August 1943 respectively.	DSCF0203
PB468	Lancaster III	F/Lt HARRIS	16:48	19.32	18000	21:26	04:38		DSCF0203
ME366	Lancaster III	F/Lt EVANS	16:52					T/o 1652 Upwood to mark the Prosper benzol plant. Those who died rest in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. W/O Parr, an ex Halton apprentice, won his award while flying with 101 Squadron, details being published on 10 December 1943.	DSCF0203
PB517	Lancaster III	F/O WALLACE	16:54	19.35	18000	21:28	04:34		DSCF0203
ND591	Lancaster	S/L GRIFFIN	16:55	19.32	18000	21:21	04:26		DSCF0203
PB507	Lancaster	S/L CLAYTON	16:50	19.31	16,600	21:17	04:27		DSCF0205
SW259	Lancaster	F/Lt LEWIS	16:56	19.34	18,000	21:31	04:35		DSCF0205