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Raid details are not yet known but aircraft reliability must be checked and routine armament testing carried out, all essential for a successful operation. Flying across to the North Sea aircraft checks are carried out and over the water the gunners can concentrate on the efficiency of the guns by firing into the sea. All is well and return to base for refuelling and "bombing up" with up to 6 tons high explosive or with a mixture of incendiaries.

Briefing is over and we are now aware of the target and the reason for the raid, the industrial centre of Cologne is to be annihilated. Over 1000 bombers will concentrate the attack from West to East with the aiming point of Neumarkt in the centre of the old town with all bombing to be completed in just 90 minutes. The first wave fully loaded with incendiaries and the final wave of four engined heavy bombers completing the raid with high explosives and incendiaries in the last assault of fifteen minutes.

As time for take off approaches we are ferried to the aircraft. Engines running and all checks carried out we taxi to runway to await take-off signal, the green light flashes and with throttles opened to full power and boost the aircraft gather speed down the runway, a slight bounce and we are airborne. The lights of the flare path disappear below into the darkness and the raid begins as we trim for climb and set course.

In the dim glow of the cockpit all is well and with everyone in his place silence reigns until the navigator’s voice comes over the intercom with words "enemy coast ahead". Shortly after crossing the coast we encounter the defensive line of searchlights and anti aircraft guns set up to protect entry into Germany.

The searchlights sweep the night sky and should an aircraft be caught the master searchlight immediately focuses onto it, then all others follow suit. The guns begin what is called a box, they fire above, below ahead and astern and gradually reduce the box until the aircraft is hit or can take violent evasive moves to extricate itself.

Silence once again as we enter enemy territory with its defences now on alert following earlier waves, broken only by the gunners as they quietly check with each other regarding the sighting of a night fighter, we do not attack to give away our position but observe in case of a sudden turn for hostile action. The first wave have now attacked and in the distance a red glow is already visible in the sky.

Above the fleecy lining of the clouds hiding the enemy below all seems so peaceful, another aircraft appears ahead and travelling at the same speed we are motionless. Suddenly the heavy anti-aircraft guns open fire and the exploding shells shatter our world of peace. The aircraft ahead receives a direct hit and with a blue flash is gone. Taking the immediate evasive action of undulating and banks to port and starboard we continue our course.

Closing in on the target the intensity of the fire becomes more apparent, not the usual cluster of separate burnings, it appeared that the complete area below was ablaze in one large fire. A feeling of sorrow came but with a ferocious burst of anti-aircraft fire bouncing the aircraft about with explosions, concentration on the purpose of the mission became uppermost. With the most dangerous part now commencing a level and steady course must be maintained for accurate aiming, the navigator lying down over the bombing sight gives instructions for lining up the target — ‘left, left, steady, right, steady, bombs away’. As all bombs are released at once the aircraft relieved of its heavy load rises like a lift and with so many bombers above could cause a serious problem unless quickly controlled.

Course is now set for home and the running of the gauntlet of Ack Ack, searchlights and night fighters once again. Dropping down to an altitude below the range of the heavy guns and above light fire we are suddenly in a ring of searchlights giving a most eerie feeling, a ghostly light filling the darkness of the cockpit. The tracer shells from the guns seem to be still as you look at them, coming up and then flash past the windscreen, a bank to starboard gives the gunners a better view to return fire, the aircraft is filled with the sinister sound of machine guns firing at a rate of several thousand rounds a minute.

Searchlights are hit and the tracers shells coming up like water from a hose pipe moving around to cover an area also cease. Dawn is breaking as we cross the coast and the number of aircraft in the sky is awe inspiring. Back at base it was discovered the navigator had cuts on each side of his neck, probably caused by shrapnel during the steady bombing run in course. If so a slight waver could have proved fatal. The raid was considered an outstanding success and smoke clouds at 15000 feet delayed photographs being taken for several days.

915 tons of incendiaries and 540 tons of high explosives were dropped in 90 minutes causing awful devastation. After de-briefing we were told "have something to eat and get a rest" you are on again tonight.

Mr Martin’s story continues in ‘2nd & 3rd 1000 Plane Bomber Raids & capture by the Germans’. For other stories by Mr Martin, see ‘2nd & 3rd 1000 Plane Bomber Raids & capture by the Germans’; ‘Evacuation of Stalag Luft VI’; and ‘The Long March to Freedom’.

This story was entered by Jenni Waugh, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Outreach Officer, on behalf of Victor Arthur Martin, who accepts the site’s terms and conditions.

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