23 Halifaxes from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 33 Wellingtons from 426, 428, 429, 431, and 432 Squadrons on an attack at Essen. The crews were over the target at between 14,000 and 19,000 feet, releasing 97,000 lbs of high explosives and 134,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and bombing was scattered. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
518 aircraft - 274 Lancasters, 151 Halifaxes, 81 Wellingtons, 12 Mosquitoes. 23 aircraft- I I Halifaxes, 6 Lancasters, 5 Wellingtons, 1 Mosquito -lost, 4·4 per cent of the force.
The weather was cloudy and sky-marking had to be used. The main bombing was scattered, with many aircraft undershooting. The limited damage caused in Essen was mainly in the central and northern districts. 488 buildings were destroyed. 196 people were killed and 547 injured. Bombs fell in 10 surrounding Ruhr towns.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Wellington aircraft HE 294 missing from night operations over Essen, Germany. R.G. Allan, R.M. Murray, J.A. Farnham, R.E Taylor and A.G. Bailey were killed.