Code: P23594
RAF Form 441. Approximately 28 x 43.5cm (opened out). Documents relating to a Bomber Command raid on the Kalk-Nord railway yard at Koln (Cologne) in Germany, by a Halifax crew of 158 Squadron on 30th December 1944. It names the aircraft captain Squadron Leader Thomas Lindsey Parry (DFC/bar, 106234), Navigator, Pilot Officer Eric Geoffrey Huband (DFC, 184967), gives the weather forecast and details the flight from take off at 1738hrs, sighting of the target and opening of the bomb doors at 2058hrs, bombs being dropped at 2103hrs, returning to base at 2345hrs. Numerous entries and checks are recorded throughout. Comes with the section of plotting map used on the raid. The route to and from the target has been marked in pencil with times recorded at various points. The raid strength was 470 strong with 356 Halifaxes, 93 Lancasters and 21 Mosquitoes of 4, 6 and 8 Groups. Cloud cover caused problems for the Pathfinders but local reports showed severe damage to the target and other local areas. 2 aircraft failed to return. Scarce original documents that were actually completed on the bombing raid. Stock code P23594.
2 sheets plus map section.
Some raid details sourced from The Bomber Command War Diaries - Middlebrook & Everitt.
