RAF 158 Squadron navigator's raid log/chart - France

RAF 158 Squadron navigator's raid log/chart - France

Code: P23578

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RAF Form 441.  Approximately 28 x 43.5cm (opened out) x 1.  Document relating to a Bomber Command raid on flying bomb sites in Northern France, by a Halifax crew of 158 Squadron on 23rd July 1944.  This was part of a 116 strong aircraft raid with 102 Halifaxes, 2 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitoes of 4 and 8 Groups.  It names the aircraft captain, Squadron Leader Thomas Lindsey Parry (DFC/bar, 106234) and navigator, Pilot Officer Eric Geoffrey Huband (DFC, 184967), gives the weather forecast and details the flight from take off from RAF Lissett at 2249hrs, crossing the coast, bombs being fused at 2400hrs, and bombs being dropped at 05301/2hrs.  They landed back at base at 0245hrs.  Numerous entries and checks are recorded throughout the sheet.  Also annotated in ink 'Average - a good enough trip but spoilt : try to  a. check ETA more frequently, on legs near target b. Reset API more often : the W/v was not too light for another 2 or 3 resettings. c. Plot all your fixes & label then on chart. d. Avoid sloppy navigation on way home...'  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.  Scarce original documents that were actually completed on the bombing raid.  Stock code P23578.

1 sheet plus map.