Strategic Bomber tour of duty mission logs - QV-L 'L for Love'

Strategic Bomber Mission Log
No. 19 Squadron assigned RAF Bomber Command.

Aircraft: Douglas Boston III (QV-L) 'L for Love'
Pilot: Sqn/Ldr M. J. Dixon DFC
Bomb Aimer: Cpl B. Southerland
Gunner: L/Ac J. R. Green

Bomber Mission No. 1 of 30
Night Precision Bomber Raid

Date: 28th of January 1941
Time: 23:45hrs
Origin: Heist Airfield, Knokke, Belgium

Target: Rhenania-Ossag Oil Refinery, Dusseldorf, Germany
Strength: 3 Douglas Boston III ('L for Love', 'N for Nan', 'S for Sugar')
Lead Aircraft: 'S for Sugar'
Master Bomber: 'L for Love'
Payload: 8x 250lb GP

Mission Log:

'S for Sugar' forced to abandon mission due to mechanical failure, Lead Aircraft passed to 'N for Nan'

Aircraft departed at fifteen minute intervals to make own way to target area:

23:45 - 'N for Nan'
24:00 - 'L for Love'

Two or more unidentified aircraft were spotted whilst crossing the German border, however the bomber flight was able to remain undetected during the mission.

Bombers climbed to 14,500ft to begin their attack runs on Rhenania-Ossag Oil Refinery, 'N for Nan' reached the target at approx 24:15hrs but was forced to abort bomb run due to heavy cloud over target between 10,000ft and 13,000ft.

'L for Love' reached the target at approx 24:30hrs and was able to drop bombs from the north west as a result of cloud clearing over target at approx 24:20hrs. 'N for Nan' then made it's attack from the east at approx 24:35hrs after being forced to go around a number of times.

Both bombers then regrouped and headed back to base in formation at 14,500ft. Landing at Antwerp Airfield, Belgium at 24:45hrs.

Casualties: None

Bomb Damage Assessment:

Target Damage: Heavy damage to storage tanks A and B, Heavy damage to secondary complex, light damage to main refinery complex.
Bomber Accuracy: Target damage and bomb spread coincides with that expected from multiple bomber payloads.
Target Status: Operational
Does the target require further attacks: Yes
Mission Result: Moderate Success


(We didn't realy set off in 15 minute intervals, I pranged my prop and had to fly back again, but that doesn't sound as good, and yes I do give imagrinary names to my bomber crew.)

good report MJ.

we'll target more as the campaign progresses, problem is I don't fancy meeting one of those bloody F4's up there

Axis are planning an RDP raid sunday, might be a good time to do one of our own...

I like the fine print

Bomber Mission No. 2 of 30
Night Precision Bomber Raid

Date: 12th of February 1941
Time: 22:20hrs
Origin: Evere Airfield, Brussels, Belgium

Target: Rhenania-Ossag Oil Refinery, Dusseldorf, Germany
Strength: 3 Douglas Boston III ('K for King', 'L for Love', 'S for Sugar')
Lead Aircraft: 'S for Sugar'
Master Bomber: 'S for Sugar'
Payload: 8x 260lb HE

Mission Log:

Aircraft departed at one minute intervals to form up over Evere Airfield:

22:20 - 'S for Sugar'
22:21 - 'K for King'
22:22 - 'L for Love'

Ground RDF reports a number of aircraft contacts on the far side of the German border, however no enemy aircraft were encountered by the flight.

Bombers climbed to 14,500ft to begin their attack run on Rhenania-Ossag Oil Refinery, 'S for Sugar' and 'L for Love' reached the target at approx 22:45hrs dropping their bombs through heavy cloud formations at 14,000ft.

'K for King' is believed to have dropped it's bombs on target, however contact was lost with 'K for King' as it dropped below the cloud level out of visual range.

Both remaining bombers then regrouped and headed back to base in formation at low altitude. Landing at Antwerp Airfield, Belgium at 23:00hrs.

Casualties: None ('K for King' landed at secondary airfield.)

Bomb Damage Assessment:

Target Damage: light damage to storage tanks A and B, moderate damage to secondary complex, heavy damage to main refinery complex.
Bomber Accuracy: Target damage and bomb spread coincides with that expected from multiple bomber payloads. Approximate 66% bomber accuracy.
Target Status: Operational
Does the target require further attacks: Yes
Mission Result: Success

Bomber Mission No. 3 of 30
Night Precision Bomber Raid

Date: 12th of February 1941
Time: 23:10hrs
Origin: Evere Airfield, Brussels, Belgium

Target: Rhenania-Ossag Oil Refinery, Dusseldorf, Germany
Strength: 2 Douglas Boston III ('L for Love', 'S for Sugar')
Lead Aircraft: 'L for Love'
Master Bomber: 'L for Love'
Payload: 8x 260lb HE

Mission Log:

Aircraft departed at one minute intervals to form up over Evere Airfield:

23:10 - 'L for Love'
23:11 - 'S for Sugar'

Ground RDF reports no contacts en route to the target area and only light contacts over the target, no enemy aircraft were encountered by the flight.

Bombers climbed to 19,500ft to begin their attack run on Rhenania-Ossag Oil Refinery, 'L for Love' and 'S for Sugar' reached the target at approx 23:40hrs dropping their bombs on the primary target and also secondary target, through light cloud formations at 14,000ft.

Both bombers then regrouped and headed back to base in formation at low altitude. Landing at Antwerp Airfield, Belgium at 23:55hrs.

Casualties: None

Bomb Damage Assessment:

Target Damage: Heavy damage to storage tanks A and B, moderate damage to secondary complex, heavy damage to main refinery complex. Light damage to secondary target.
Bomber Accuracy: Target damage and bomb spread coincides with that expected from a single bomber payload - additional damage reported on secondary factory complex to the east north east from second bomber payload.
Target Status: Operational
Does the target require further attacks: Yes, however target now of lower priority
Mission Result: Success