156 Squadron Mission Details
Target: Hannau
Mission Date: 18/03/1945
Mission Comments: 16 aircraft detailed for night operations against Hanau. Groundmarkers were extremely well concentrated in the built up area throughout the attack, and the bombing was reported good. One large explosion was reported, and good fires developed with smoke rising to 3/4000 feet. An engine in F/L W.E.B. Mason's aitcraft cut out 50 minutes from the target, and on the way back from the target he was attacked by an enemy aircraft, which he sucessfully evaded by corkscrewing. One crew reported two J.U. 88's coming out of the target area, and saw three combats take place. The raid appears to be a very sucessful one.
Rego Type Captain Departed Over Target Height Returned Flight Time Comments ORB Slide
ME377  Lancaster  S/L LETFORD  01:19  4.25  15000  06:54  05:35    DSCF0276 
NE120  Lancaster  F/Lt NEAL  01:14  4.31  15300  06:59  05:45    DSCF0277 
NG438  Lancaster  F/Lt HISCOCK  01:16  4.29  16000  07:05  05:49    DSCF0277 
PB517  Lancaster III  S/L HAGUE  01:18  4.32  16000  07:10  05:52    DSCF0277 
ND929  Lancaster  F/O KEELER  01:22  4.34  12000  07:12  05:50    DSCF0277 
PB403  Lancaster III  F/Lt WILSON  01:01  4.32  16000  07:19  06:18    DSCF0278 
ND875  Lancaster  F/Lt MASON  01:09  4.26  13000  07:27  06:18    DSCF0278 
ME378  Lancaster  F/Lt JACKSON  01:20  4.33  16000  07:07  05:47    DSCF0278 
PB507  Lancaster  F/Lt WALLACE  01:21  4.34  16000  07:26  06:05    DSCF0278 
ND591  Lancaster  F/Lt PAULL  01:02  04.26  12000  07:18      DSCF0279 
SW259  Lancaster  F/O EDGE  01:05  04.26  16000  07:22  06:17  Task HANNAU. Target attacked at 04.26.20 hrs from 16,000 ft. Master heard giving time check at 0419 hrs then at 0422 hrs, he said "Illuminators Yes". At 0429 hrs he said "Bomb cascading Reds and Greens" which we did. First markers to drop were Red/Green flares at 0425 hrs, these were followed by the Oboe Reds almost at once and then the Red/Green mixed loads fell at about 0428hrs. Marking was very concentrated forming a good cluster in built up area which was visible in the light of the flares. Bombing appeared good and on looking back the whole area appeared carpeted with incends. The glow from target was visible 50/60 miles away. One photo attempted.  DSCF0279 
PB468  Lancaster III  F/O WALLACE  01:06  04.25  16000  07:16      DSCF0279 
PB630  Lancaster  F/Lt WILSON  01:17  4.32  12500  07:32      DSCF0279 
PB611  Lancaster  F/Lt JAMES  01:08  4.29  11100  07:04      DSCF0280 
PB593  Lancaster  F/Lt CLELAND  01:11  4.28  12000  07:13      DSCF0280 
ME368  Lancaster  F/Lt GRANT  01:13  4.31  12000  07:30      DSCF0280