A. S . O . SUMMARY NO: 1367 . 19 AUG.1944.

PART I - PAGE 3.

B . C . ( Contd )2. 18 AUG - DAY OPERATIONS

296 aircraft were despatched on the following operations:

• 169 on FORET DE LISLE ADAM II Western Aimlg 113 Lancasters

  Supply Depot Point. 3 Mosqultos
  Eastern Aiming 45 Lancasters
  Point. 8 Mosquitos

• 43 on RIEME-ERTVEVELDE Fuel Depot. 38 Lancasters

  (9 miles North of GHENT) 5 Mosquitos

• 26 on BORDEAUX Fuel Depot Lancasters
• 24 on LA PALLICE U/Boat Pens 23 Lancasters 1 Mosquito
• 28 on Seven LaunChing Sites, 16 Halifaxes

  PAS DE CALAIS 12 Lancasters

• 4 on One Launching Site, AMIEN9 Area Lancasters
• 2 on Weather Reconnaisaances Mosquitos
• 157 Spitfires of the A.E.A.F, were detailed as support for the main operations.

RESULTS

FORET DE LISLE ADAM II Supply Depot

Intention:-

Western Aiming Point - To degtroy access facilities and crater the area.
Eastern Aiming Point - To block entrance to the tunnels.

Western Aiming Point

97 Lancasters and three MosQuitos attacked between 1406 and 1411 hours, dropping approximately 539 tons of H.E. (1,016 x 1,000 lb and 383 x 500 lb.) and 6 x 500 lb smoke bombs from between 11/14,000 feet in conditions of 5/10ths to 7/lOths strato-cumuls cloud with tops between 7/8,000 feet.
Weather conditions made visual bombing extremely difficult and the aircraft which bombed through gaps in the cloud reported a number of bursts in the target area, although examination of photographs indicate that some bombs fell well North of the target.
16 aircraft returned without attacking. DECLASSIFIED

A. S . O . SUMMARY NO: 1367 . 19 AUG.1944.

PART I - PAGE 4.

B . C . ( Contd )

2. Eastern Aiming Point

40 Lancasters and six Mosquitos attacked between 1357 and 1412 hours, dropping approximately 227 tons of H.E. (431 x 1,000 lb. and 156 x 500 lb.) 6 x 500 lb. smoke and 12 x 250 lb. marker bombs from between 9/10,300 feet.
In this attack also cloud hindered visual identification of the target although some stlcks of bombs are reported in the target area. Slight heavy flak was encountered but there was no fighter activity.
Two Lancasters on the Eastern Aiming point are missing.

RIEMIE-ERTVELDE Fuel Depot

Intention:-

To destroy the underground storage depot.

38 Lancasters and four Mosquitos attacked between 1344 and 1400 hours, dropping approximately 206 tons of H.E. and 40 x 250 lb marker bombs in conditions of 8/lOths strato-cumulus cloud with base at about 4,000 feet and tops between 8/9,000 feet.
The Master Bomber ordered crews to come down below the cloud base to bomb. Early markers were estimated to have fallen just North of the aiming point but these were followed by others which fell right on the aiming point and bombing was then directed on to these markers.
A good concentration of bombing followed and the target area was soon obscured by smoke and dust. Several good fires were started and a large explosion in the centre of the target occurred about 1358 hours.
No opposition of any kind was encountered throughout the operation,.

BORDEAUX Fuel Depot

24 Lancasters attacked between 2004 and 2010 hours, dropping approximately 121 tons of H.E. bombs (143 x 1,900lb.) in condltions of no cloud but slight haze.
All crews bombed visually, but intense accurate heavy flak made the bombing runs difficult and while some bomb bursts were seen in the vicinity of the target the attack as a whole appeared scattered.
No enemy fighters were seen.

One Lancaster is missing.

LA PALLICE U/Boat Pens

22 Lancasters attacked between 1508 and 1516 hours.dropping approximately 118 tons of
H.E. bombs 6 x 12,000lb.) and 96 x 2.000 lb A.P.) in clear weather with good vislbility.
/Accurate assessmemt

DECLASSIFIED

Mise à jour le 15 Décembre 2011.