Wanne-Eickel Nov 9/44

[ClintCoffey]

Can anyone provide any details about this daylight raid, such as what sort of escort they had etc. I understand from one source that perhaps a new type of bombing technique was being tried that day? It seems the attack was not very successful... was the Wanne-Eickel plant ever destroyed?
Any and all info much appreciated.
Cheers, Clint

[JDCAVE]

228 Lancasters from 1-Group and 28 Lancasters and 21 Mosquitos from 8-Group and 1 Met Recce for HQBC. 6 Mosquitoes successful 15 abortive (oboe mosquitoes are often abortive). 242 Lancasters Successful attack on Primary. 5 X 8-Group Lancasters other targets. 2 Lancasters of 625 Squadron missing. 6-Group wasn't involved so I cannot consult any briefing documents that I have to provide information on fighter cover. The day raid sheets are not especially forth coming on any of this as there is no commentary, only tables.

The German Historian, Ralf Blank in his book "Bitter Ends" records "On the morning of November 9, 1944, 256 Lancasters and 21 “Mosquitos” again bombed the fuel plant in Wanne-Eickel under difficult weather conditions, which means that the bombs were dropped across the wide area. Little damage occurred in Wanne-Eickel, but four people were killed. There were 51 high explosive and four mine bombs in Dortmund and 24 high explosive bombs in Lünen killing several people and destroyed some buildings. One of the two missing “Lancasters” after this attack, crashed in Dortmund Urban area." [Google Translate and my edits of the translation for clarity].

Edit: I looked at the 8-Group ORB and there is no commentary, it only refers to another document, presumably an appendix in the ORB. So that supports what you had heard that there were possibly different methods Used on this attack.

Jim

[anglin.mj]

Hi Clint,

The day raid report is here https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...hD98XfsRo5w4MX As Jim says, be aware it’s no where near as detailed as the night versions.

On a side note, my Dad did on op with 77 Sqn to Wanne-Eickle on 2 Feb 45, so it was still in play up until then. The raid report for that details a “successful B” rating on the raid. He never went back there, but I’m not sure others didn’t.

Mike

[Steve Brew]

In my "Blood, Sweat and Valour" (2012), I have the following excerpts :

Operation - Ramrod 1363
Target - Wanne-Eickel Synthetic Oil Plant, Nordrhein-Westfalen
Bombers - 20 Mosquitos and 256 Lancasters
Casualties - 625 Sqn Lancs NG239 and LM731
Escort, Front - Bradwell Bay: 64, 126 & 312 Squadrons (31 Spitfire IX)
Escort, Centre - Andrews Field: 129, 306 & 316 Squadrons (34 Mstg III)
Escort, Rear - Andrews Field: 19, 65 & 122 Squadrons (37 Mstg IIIA)
Withdrawal Escort Front - Manston: 91, 124 & 504 Squadrons (35 Spitfire IX)
Target Cover - Lympne: 41, 610 & 350 Squadrons (37 Spitfire XIV)
Escort to & from Target - North Weald: 234 Squadron (11 Mstg III)

[...] conditions over the Continent proved less than favourable, and freezing conditions and thick cloud seriously hampered the operation. As the cloud cover over Wanne-Eickel reached 21,000 feet, the markers dropped by the Pathfinders disappeared soon after being released. As such, the town itself was bombed by 228 of the 256 bombers, which was severely damaged and ten people were killed. Two bombers were also lost to the Flak.

[...] They were not the only ones have trouble with the temperature. The 11 Group ORB Appendix records that, "Great difficulty was experienced owing to very severe icing conditions which compelled 6 a/c 504 Squadron to return early and at least seven others to land in Belgium…."

No mention of a new type of bombing technique, I'm afraid, but rather reports indicate that the bombing did not go as planned.

Regards
Steve

[ClintCoffey]

Thank you Steve, very helpful information!
I had no idea the fighter cover was organized in such a detailed fashion.
A follow up question : were all these Spits and Mustangs flying out of England with drop tanks, or were some flying from France and Belgium ?
Much appreciated, Clint

[JDCAVE]

Clint: it would be useful for you to acquire the 11-Group Records for this op as it will have considerable detail. I was provided these records for the daylight Op Duisburg Oct 14, 1944. Very useful. I don’t have these details for any other daylight ops.

Jim