115 Squadron

29/30 June 1941

Wellington Mk II - W5459 - KO-L

T/O 2314. Target: Hamburg and Bremen, Germany.
One of four modified Wellington's to carry a 4000lb bomb (blockbuster bomb or cookie.)
Shot down by night fighter Hptm Walter Ehle, II./NJG1.
Crashed at Altenwarder, 3,5 km. SW of Hamburg.

ORB. 29/6/1941.
11 aircraft (6 from 'A' Flight, and 5 'B' Flight) were detailed to attack Targets HAMBURG and BREMEN.
Aircraft took off between 2259. hours and 2315. hours.

In the attack on HAMBURG, carried out in good visibility, many bombs were dropped in the target area,
and the 4.000 lb. Special bomb, caused a large yellow explosion, which started a fire with a great deal of white smoke.

Attacking BREMEN at bombing height ranging from 11.000 feet to 14.000 feet, all bombs fell in target area,
and numerous small fires were started but no definite results were observed.
A/C. W.5459. (Captain F/L. BAILEY) and
A/C. R.1509. (Captain P/O. McSWEYN) Wellington MK IC R1509 KO-P failed to return from Operations, 5 POW, 1 escaped, and
A/C. R.1805. (Captain Sgt. PAYNE) crashed at MANBY on the return.
A/C. R.1085. (Captain Sgt. SMITH) A/C. later got off its course and passed over HELIGOLAND
and bombed BREMERHAVEN owing to time getting short.
A/C. R.1500. (Captain Sgt. MATTHEWS) returned owing to intercommunication failure.

0533. All aircraft with the exception of W.5459., R.1509. and R.1805. had returned safely to Base after Operations.

Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan.