| 156 Squadron Mission Details
|
Target: Pforzheim
Mission Date: 23/02/1945
Mission Comments: 10 aircraft detailed for a night attack on enemy troop concentrations and communications in the town of PFORZHEIM. Bombing on the TI's was good. Fires soon got started and they were stoking up beautifully by the time the last aircraft left the target area. Several minor explosions were reported and the glow of fires could be seen from 100 miles away on return. Shortly after becoming airbourne an engine in the aircraft flown by F/O W.F. Keeler feathered. He pressed on and made the flight of 6 hours 30 minutes on three engines. Skilful airmanship and good Captaincy brought him to the target on time.
|
| Rego
|
Type
|
Captain
|
Departed
|
Over Target
|
Height
|
Returned
|
Flight Time
|
Comments
|
ORB Slide
|
|
PB593 |
Lancaster |
F/Lt WALLACE |
16:16 |
19.54 |
8200 |
23:08 |
06:52 |
|
DSCF0228 |
|
ME377 |
Lancaster |
F/O WALLACE |
16:18 |
19.55 |
|
23:20 |
07:02 |
|
DSCF0228 |
|
NG438 |
Lancaster |
F/Lt NICHOLLS |
16:19 |
19.55 |
9500 |
22:54 |
06:35 |
No fighters were reported before target, but from 2003 to 2018 hrs about 8 a/c in all were seen shot down in flames from target area to about 0700 East. |
DSCF0228 |
|
PB560 |
Lancaster |
F/Lt JACKSON |
16:24 |
20:03 |
12500 |
23:17 |
06:53 |
|
DSCF0229 |
|
SW259 |
Lancaster |
F/O EDGE |
16:27 |
19.55 |
10000 |
23:05 |
06:38 |
Blind Illuminator |
DSCF0229 |
|
ME368 |
Lancaster |
F/O KEELER |
16:28 |
20.03 |
8000 |
23:30 |
07:02 |
|
DSCF0229 |
|
PA966 |
Lancaster |
S/L ROBERTSON |
16:30 |
18.58 |
13000 |
23:15 |
06:45 |
Blind Sky Marker. Task PFORZHEIM. Target attacked at 1958.18 hrs from 13,000 feet/ As A/C came in 1st Red TI seen to cascade at 1952 hrs. Red TI's seemed to be well placed except one to W of town with some illuminating flares near. Aslo one set of illuminating flares to N otherwise illuminating flares and marking were good. 'Cookie' bursts seen around TI's. Not much bombing early. Green TI's were seen as A/C was leaving target area. Glow of fires seen as far as 600 EE on return. One photo attempted. Bomb load 1 x GP No.1 R/G Cap. 6.1 x 4000 HC MIN 4 x 1000 ANM 59 TD 025 |
DSCF0229 |
|
PB517 |
Lancaster III |
S/L HAGUE |
16:32 |
19:59 |
13000 |
23:10 |
06:38 |
|
DSCF0229 |
|
PB611 |
Lancaster |
F/Lt DOWNES |
16:25 |
19.56 |
8000 |
23:30 |
07:05 |
|
DSCF0230 |
|
PB468 |
Lancaster III |
F/Lt HUGHES |
16:29 |
19.55 |
10000 |
23:13 |
06:44 |
|
DSCF0230 |