Code: P27183-42
RAF Form 441. Approximately 28 x 43.5cm (opened out) x 2 plus another cut-down sheet. Document relating to a daylight Bomber Command raid on Essen, Germany by a Halifax crew of 10 Squadron on 11th March 1945. This was the largest raid of the war to date in terms of numbers of aircraft and the last one on the city. A staggering 1079 aircraft were involved with 750 Lancasters, 293 Halifaxes and 36 Mosquitoes of all bomber groups. The raid was highly accurate, allowing the Americans to enter the city shortly afterwards. The chart names the captain as Group Captain Allan and the navigator, Flight Lieutenant Douglas Newham. It records details of the flight from take off in Halifax RG440 'M' from RAF Melbourne, Yorkshire at 1142hrs. Numerous entries and checks are recorded throughout the sheets including crossing the coast at 1330hrs, running up to the target, the Martin Baker Sight on at 1507 and bombs gone at 1508. Also noted are 'running on for photo' and 'kite blew up over target'. Their aircraft landed back at base at 1716hrs. Signed off by a 'J. Watson', 'The usual good effort. Your D.R. is bang on Doug, lot's of work done, log and chart tidier than usual'. Scarce original documents that were actually completed on this late war bombing raid. Stock code P27183-42.
