158 SQUADRON, ESSEN, 1st JUNE 1942. The 2nd Thousand Bomber Raid on Germany. 158 Squadron Op's Records Extracts(© Ref:-PRO, AIR27/1048) (Form 540) Operations Summary 1/6/42. Ops Order No. 98. Operations ordered for seven crews. Of the above crews six took off for a raid upon Krupp's Works at Essen. Considerable haze and large fires prevented accurate bombing but undoutedly Krupp's Works were hit. Weather: - Fair or Fine becoming cloudy with chance of slight rain. Visibilty: - 10 - 20 Miles becoming 2 - 6 miles this afternoon. Sorties Reports. Take off: - 23.20 hours. AIRCRAFT, WELLINGTON Mk II. "P" - Serial Number: - W.5564. CREW: - Flight Sergeant: - PHILLIPS....: - Captain. Sergeant.........: - BRENNAN..: - Bomb Aimer/Navigator/Observer. Sergeant.........: - EVERSHED.: - 1st Wireless Operator. Sergeant.........: - SEYMOUR..: - 2nd Wireless Operator. Sergeant.........: - RAE..............: - Rear Gunner. MISSION REPORT: - Target - ESSEN. Attack carried out from 13,500 feet with 6 S.B.C. (90 x 40) and 3 S.B.C. (8 x 30). Essen was identified but target was not in view when bombs were dropped owing to cloud and haze. Several fires were seen through cloud. One fire seen to increase greatly after bombs were dropped. Time of attack 01.22 hours. Camera. Time home 04.17 hours. Raid No.182 Take off: - 23.25 hours. AIRCRAFT, WELLINGTON Mk II. "J" - Serial Number: - Z.8429. CREW: - Flight Sergeant....: - TAIT................: - Captain. Squadron Leader: - SKEET.............: - 2nd Pilot.("A" Flight Commander). Flight Lieutenant..: - SOMERVILLE: - Bomb Aimer/Navigator/Observer. Flight Sergeant....: - BECK..............: - 1st Wireless Operator. Sergeant.............: - HOOPER.........: - 2nd Wireless Operator. Sergeant.............: - DAVISON.......: - Rear Gunner. MISSION REPORT: - Target - ESSEN. Attack carried out from 13,000 feet with 1 x 4,000 lb bomb. Target was identified and bomb was dropped on edge of fires which were already burning. These were thought to be at the South End of Krupp's Works. Burst was not seen. Time of attack 01.32 hours. Camera. Time home 04.23 hours. Raid No. 183. Take off: - 23.29 hours. AIRCRAFT, WELLINGTON Mk II. "Z" - Serial Number: - Z.8585. CREW: - Sergeant.....: - WEBB.................: - Captain. Sergeant.....: - WINCH..............: - 2nd Pilot. Sergeant.....: - PALMER(473)....: - Bomb Aimer/Navigator/Observer. Sergeant.....: - HUDDLESS........: - 1st Wireless Operator. Sergeant.....: - BRIDGEWATER: - 2nd Wireless Operator. Pilot Officer: - HANSON...........: - Rear Gunner. MISSION REPORT: - Target - ESSEN. (Possible). Attack carried out from 14,000 feet with 6 S.B.C.(90 x 40), 3 S.B.C.(8 x 30). Target was not identified owing to 10/10ths cloud. A/C bombed on ETA. Results were not observed but one fire was started. Time of attack 01.29 hours. Camera. Time home 04.35 hours. Raid No. 186. Take off: - 23.36 hours. AIRCRAFT, WELLINGTON Mk II. "K" - Serial Number: - Z.8523. CREW: - Sergeant: - CHAMBERS: - Captain. Sergeant: - THOMAS.....: - Bomb Aimer/Navigator/Observer. Sergeant: - LISTER.........: - 1st Wireless Operator. Sergeant: - PALM...........: - A/Gunner. Sergeant: - REDLER.......: - A/Gunner. MISSION REPORT: - Target - ESSEN. Attack carried out from 10,500 feet with 1 x 4,000lb bomb. Essen itself was seen but results were not observed. Time of attack 01.26 hours. Camera. Time home 03.50 hours. Raid No. 187. Take off: - 23.38 hours. AIRCRAFT, WELLINGTON Mk II. "G" - Serial Number: - W.5424. CREW: - Sergeant.....: - WHITE...........: - Captain. Pilot Officer: - JOHNSTONE: - Bomb Aimer/Navigator/Observer. Sergeant.....: - MOGG...........: - 1st Wireless Operator. Sergeant.....: - SHEARER......: - 2nd Wireless Operator. Pilot Officer: - CURTIS..........: - A/Gunner. MISSION REPORT: - Target - ESSEN. Attack carried out from 12,500 feet with 1 x 4,000 lb bomb. Target was not definitely located but built up areas were clearly seen in light of Flares. Burst of bomb not identified owing to fires and other bursts. Weather: - Scattered low cloud. Time of attack 01.30 hours. Camera. Time home 04.06 hours. Raid No.184. A/C - Wellington "A" Z.8400 - (P/O. AGUTTER, Captain) did not start owing to rear turret trouble. ********* HOME PAGE PAGE TOP SITE CONTENTS All content Copyright © Michael A.R.Skeet. 2001-2007, except where otherwise stated.