Operation - Ostend docks and barges - 22 December 1940
First 103 Squadron Wellington Operation
Ostend docks 1940. Invasion barges clearly visible
103 Squadron was placed on operational duties with their new Vickers Wellington bombers from the 22 December 1940 when 4 machines operated in co-operation with 150 Squadron attacking docks, shipping and invasion barges at Ostend. Machines took off at 0445 hours and bombed with 5 x 500 lb GP and 2 containers of incendiaries. All pilots found their targets releasing their bombs between 11000 ft and 8000 ft. Small fires were observed to start. Two machines report negligible flak encountered and one remaining machine reported concentrations of searchlights on the coast and on flak ships up to 5 miles to sea.
F/L DDA Kelly did not take off due to engine trouble
22-Dec-40 – Ostend - Shipping and barges – Wellington – T2610 – F/O RD Max
22-Dec-40 - Ostend - Shipping and barges - Wellington - R1043 – Sgt Elliot
22-Dec-40 - Ostend - Shipping and barges - Wellington - T2617 – S/L CER Tait
22-Dec-40 - Ostend - Shipping and barges - Wellington - N2770 – F/L DDA Kelly – Did Not Take Off - Engine unserviceable
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Roy Max
Charlie Tait
Dermot Kelly
103 Squadron Vickers Wellington 1940/41 vintage
Compiled by David Fell. Photos from my archive
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