Attack on the Coastal Battery at Flushing 28th October 1944.

[Steve Smith]

Hi,

Twenty Five Lancasters of 3 Group ( 115,149,195,218 Squadrons) attacked the gun battery on the island of Walcherin between 10.00hrs and 10.18hrs. I have two conflicting reports regarding the marking. One report records the marking was carried out by the PFF, while another the Master Bomber was the C/O of No.15 Squadron.

Can anyone confirm either.

TIA

Steve

[COL BRUGGY]

Steve,

3 Group was involved attacking three separate targets on October 28, 1944:

No.3 Group operations.

1.
Flushing, battery W6 (J/106) T.O.T. H to H +5 (10.00-10.05)
No. 90 Squadron - 32 Base - 7/8 Lancasters - Tuddenham.
No. 186 Squadron - 32 Base - 4/4/ Lancasters - Tuddenham.
No. 15 Squadron - 32 Base - 13/13 Lancasters - Mildenhall.

Master Bomber ('Lofty') - No. 15 Sqn. Lancaster ME884 'C', (F/L W. H. Hall RCAF) - Master Bomber - Capt: W/C W. D. G. Watkins DSO, DFC, DFM.

2.
Flushing, strong point W7 (J/107) T.O.T. H to H + 5 (10.00-10.05)
No. 514 Squadron - 33 Base - 11/12 Lancasters - Waterbeach.
No. 75 (NZ) Squadron - 33 Base - 13/13 Lancasters - Mepal.
Bombed visually.

3.
Dishoek, battery W 11 (J/139) T.O.T. H to H + 5 (10.00-10.35)
No. 7 (PFF) Squadron - Green T.I. - 6/6 Lancasters - Oakington.
No. 115 Squadron - 33 Base - 8/8 Lancasters - Witchford.
No. 195 Squadron - 33 Base - 7/7 Lancasters - Witchford.
No. 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - 32 Base - 5/5 Lancasters - Methwold.
No. 149 Squadron - 32 Base - 5/5 Lancasters - Methwold.

Master Bomber - ('Hotspur') - No. 7 (PFF) Sqn. Lancaster PB124 'H', S/L H. J. Davies DSO. DFC.
Deputy Master Bomber - ('Hotspur 2') - No. 7 (PFF) Sqn. Lancaster PB626 'K' - F/L D. S. McKechnie (RCAF) + 4 Supporters.

See:
"AIMING POINT WALCHEREN" Operation 'Infatuate' Phase II. The Bombardment of Gun Emplacements & Strong Points Walcheren Island, October 1944.
Crucq.Paul M.
Vlissingen:Author,2003.
pp.71-86.

Col.

[Steve Smith]

Col,

As usual my sincere thanks.

Not a book I am familiar with so just brought a copy.

One question, I note that the operation, to Dishoek Battery the M/B is S/Ldr Davies DSO DFC, the squadron is 7 (NZ). ?

Thanks again mate.

Regards

Steve

[COL BRUGGY]

Steve,

7 (NZ) Sqn, should read 7 (PFF) Sqn. Have corrected (my error, not Crucq's) - Thanks.

Paul M. Crucq wrote a companion volume to the aforesaid book:

"WE NEVER BLAMED THE CREWS" The Flooding of Walcheren Island October 1944 Operation 'Infatuate' Phase I.
Crucq,Paul M.
Vlissingen:Author,2000 (Laminated boards,209 pages).

They are magnificent books, the way aviation history should be recorded. Quality paper, wonderful photographs (including docs), personal accounts (now impossible to obtain), Battle Orders, maps and target shots aplenty, and crystal-clear crew/aircraft shots. The only thing really lacking was an index so you could quickly locate all this material

The books just ooze class. Trouble is, they are expensive (GBP180.00, not being unusual for a 2-volume set).

Col.

[Steve Smith]

Col,

Might I ask one more favour, does the book AIMING POINT WALCHEREN" record the M/B for the following attack.

October 29th 1944 ; especially target 2/J/174 (A) attacked by 115,218,195, 149 Squadrons.

TIA

Steve

[COL BRUGGY]

Steve,

No. 3 Group Operations
Westkapelle, strong point W825 (J/174 'A')
October 29,1944.

Pathfinder Force

No. 7 Squadron, 8 (PFF) Group (Oakington)

Master Bomber, Lancaster PB124 'H'; S/L H. J. Davies.

Deputy Master Bomber, Lancaster PB623 'L'; F/O Wainwright.

Supporter, Lancaster PB582 'X'; F/O Thornton.

Supporter, Lancaster ND849 'M'; F/O Neilsen (RAAF).

See: 'Aiming Point Walcheren"/Crucq/p.130-4.

Col.