Milestones of the Air War, 1939

A series of brief accounts examining selected notable operations in which either or both 103 Squadron and 576 Squadron took part from 1939 to 1945. All are of great significance in one way or another in the development of the RAF bombing offensive during the Second World War. The operations are listed in chronological order and each account gives a summary of the operation, its results and implications with details of the participation of 103 Squadron and/or 576 Squadron.

The main reference sources used in preparation of these items are -

103/576 Squadron Operational Record Books.
Bomber Command War Diaries by Middlebrook and Everitt
Bomber Command Losses by Bill Chorley
By Night and Day by Ken Merrick
Black Swan by Sid Finn

Other major sources of information are shown after each item if relevant.

Click on the headings below to view the article:

Sedan area - 14th May 1940

Brest, Cherbourg and La Pallice - 24th July 1941

Berlin, Mannheim and Cologne - 7/8th November 1941

Lubeck - 28/29th March 1942

Cologne - 30/31st May 1942

Wilhelmshaven - 11/12 February 1943

Essen 5/6th March 1943

Mine laying off coast of Northern Europe - 28/29th April 1943

Essen - 25/26th July 1943.

Peenemunde - 17/18th August 1943