December 1943

29th

This night there is no operation planned for William Uyen

457 Lancasters, 252 Halifaxes, 3 Mosquitos - returned to Berlin.

A long approach route from the south, passing south of the Ruhr and then within 20 miles of Leipzig, together with Mosquito diversions at Düsseldorf, Leipzig and Magdeburg, caused the German controller great difficulties and there were few fighters over Berlin.

Bad weather on the outward route also kept down the number of German fighters finding the bomber stream.

 No.78 Squadron

20 aircraft detailed for operation, Target Berlin.

For this operation the JP129, JN172, LW342, LW226 (with Rear gunner Sgt. W. Iddon), LW295, JP126, LW324, LW300, JP118, LW228, LW331, JP117, JP120, LW318 (with Mid-Upper Sgt. L.Nuggent), LW316, JD373, JD376, LW234, LW237 and LW277 were prepared by the ground crew for take off.

All the Halifax’s returned safely to Breighton after the run.

 Returned early

LW300 EY-H

Sgt. Roos took off from Breighton Air Base at 16:51 hour.

Returned early being unable to climb 60 Myles before reaching the Dutch coast at Den Helder

and turned back to England over the North Sea and jettisoned there bombs at 53.19N / 03.54E

Returned early

JD373

Sgt. Wilson departed Breighton Air Base at exactly 17:00 hour Returned being unable to climb above 11.000 ft.

Furthest point reached just after the Dutch Island Texel at 53.08N / 05.00E.

Safely returned on Breighton at 20:27 hour

Returned early

JP118

Sgt. Bradley took of from Breighton at 16:50 hour. Returned owing to failure to maintain height after reaching the Dutch Island Oost-Vlieland, turned back and dropped there bombs at 53.22N / 05.12E

Safely returned on Breighton at 20:28 hour just after the JD373

Returned early

LW288

Sgt. Bennet took to the air from Breighton Air Base at 4:43 p.mReturned owing to be hit by flak south of the main stream and turned after the Dutch town Enkhuizen, Furtherest point reached at 52.50N / 05.20E Boms jettisoned live.

 December 1943

30st

No Operations or standby for No.78 Squadron.

31th

17 aircraft detailed for operations, Later cancelled.

Weather: rain in the afternoon.

January 1944

1st--7th

Again this week no operations or standby for No.78 Squadron.

Weather: Cloudy with strong westerly wind which turned gusty at but later on the wind was fine with moderate north westerly winds.

8th

22 aircraft detailed for operation. cancelled shortly after.

Weather: Mainly cloudy. Visibility poor becoming moderate.

9th--13th

No Operations or standby for No.78 Squadron.