From the Imperial War Museum film archive, there are 3 films from operations dad was on. In all 3 cases, the film was taken during dad's bombing runs, so you are watching footage of scenes my father actually witnessed. I wonder if any of the aircraft in the films may have been my father's?
Dresden, February 13/14, 1945
A Film Unit Lancaster, captained by F/Lt. Skelton 463 Squadron filmed the raid, noting "5-Group blazed the trail in [a] magnificent manner…We orbited the target for 8½ minutes allowing the film unit to do a good job."
[1] Skelton's crew bombed at 0136 hours and the film was taken 0128.5-0137 hours.[2] At the 01:42 minute mark, an aircraft can be observed exploding over the target.
RAF BOMBER COMMAND ATTACK ON DRESDEN 2ND ATTACK [Allocated Title]
Dad bombed at 0132.1 hours, so the film captures scenes he observed.
KB721 "B" Up 2105 down 0638. Target DRESDEN (1ST wave) with 1 x 4000lb HC Trinatol Nose inst; 3 x 500lb USA GP ANM. 64 TD.025; 2 x 500lb MC TD.025 and 4x 250 lb GP Tail Inst. Primary at 0132.1 hrs from 18,500ft 069 degs. 150 IAS. Clear. Ident. By red and green TI's, bend in river, built up area and fire. Bombed centre of red TI's in large explosion. M.C. not received. Fire from previous attack seen on run in for 100 miles. Large explosion just before bombing. TI's very scattered although fires all in built-up area. 1 x 500 USA GP ANM. 64 TD.025 hang up. Route and tactics good. Camera operated. A/C straight and level for run. [Note: Diverted, probably to Sudbury].[3]
Figure 4: Strike photo for F/Lt Cave for Dresden February 13/14, 1945. 0132 hrs at 18,500' 069o
Pforzheim: February 23/24, 1945
A film unit Lancaster from 5-Group accompanied the force on this trip.
Frightening scenes over Pforzheim recorded by the Film unit Lancaster from 5-Group[4]. Top: Target indicators cascade down and puffs of smoke mark exploding flak shells. Bottom: High explosive and incendiaries burn in the target area at the height of the attack. Three Lancasters are visible in the frame. Perhaps one of these was my father's. "We were always frightened"-HHM Cave. Photos: Imperial War Museum.
Figure 5: Lancaster PD337 'JO-V', of No. 463 Squadron RAAF, Waddington. This aircraft was converted for filming Bomber Command operations, and was fitted with a number of camera positions. It was later transferred to No. 5 Group Film Unit.[5] This film can be viewed here[6] at the 04:35 mark:
RAF BOMBER COMMAND ATTACK ON PFORZHEIM [Allocated Title]
And we were to bomb at 8,500 feet, which was awfully low. We were bombing between 6,500-8,500 feet. And Pforzheim was down past Mannheim, so it was a reasonably long trip. We carried one 4,000 lb bomb and 10 clusters of incendiaries and the trip was 8 hours and 25 minutes.
KB721 "B" Up 1540 down 0002. Target PFORZHEIM [Second Wave[7]] with 1 x 4000lb HC NI Trin.; 10 x No. 14 Clusters C6/10 Cap 42 Fuse and Ox5 NG97 Nickels. Primary at 2004.4 hrs from 8,500 ft. 058 degs. 160 IAS. Clear but hazy. Ident. by red and green TI's, Illuminating flares, rivers and Autobahn. Bombed centre of red and green TI's. MC not heard. PFF generous. First ones bombed out. Others spread the bombing out over good area. Everything burning nicely. Route and tactics fair. Would have liked to come out higher. Rate of climb increased at 165 IAS. Bombing run good. Predicted flak and other A/C thru us off our photographic run[8].
Figure 4: Strike photo for F/Lt Cave for Pforzheim February 23/24, 1945. 2004 hrs at 8,500' 058o
But boy, when we left that target, the place was loaded with fighters. Fighter aircraft. I've never seen so [many]. There was a lot of snow in the mountains around there and we were flying right over it and in the valleys and everything else, and we ended up going down to 2,000 feet and we were looking away up at the mountains I'll tell you. And we had two attacks on us.
A daylight op to Cologne: March 2, 1945
Lancaster PD337 'JO-V', of No. 463 Squadron RAAF, Waddington filmed the progress of the raid. This aircraft was converted for filming Bomber Command operations, and was fitted with a number of camera positions. It was later transferred to No. 5 Group Film Unit.[9] An interesting comment appears in the ORB record: "Main stream a/c still do not adhere to flight planning heights." Filming took place 0958-1013 hours. The film of the raid can be seen here:[10]
RAF BOMBER COMMAND ATTACK ON COLOGNE [Allocated Title]
Notable observations in the film include a scarecrow exploding at the 6:06 mark and a bomb load going down at the 10:20 mark, a load that looks to be 1X4,000 lb HC and 16 or so 500 lb bombs, similar to the load F/Lt. Cave carried to the target.
KB865 "E" Up 0644 down 1257. Target COLOGNE with bombload same as "A". [1 x 4000lb HC NI Trinatol, 1 X 500 LB USA GP ANM64 TD.025, 2 x 500 lb MC TD.025[1]] [Dad's logbook states 1x 4000 lb and 16 x 500 lb bombs. Assume this is correct]. Primary at 1011.7 hrs from 18,500 ft. 095 degs (t), 175 IAS. 2/10ths strat cu[2] tops 5,000 ft. Vis very good. Ident visually and Gee Check. Undershot centre of upwind edge of smoke by 200 yds on MB's instructions. Bombing was very concentrated. 1 large orange explosion at 1010 hrs smoke rising to approx. 6,000 ft. After leaving target one small flack hole in bomb doors. Burst of heavy flak underneath. Camera run S and L. No Very cartridges fired.https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/#_edn1
[1] This load is too small for this target and the ORB entry must be in error.
[2] Stratocumulus clouds
https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/#_ednref1 419 ORB March 2, 1945 KB.865 Royal Canadian Air Force operations record book... - Héritage
There is no recorded strike photo for Dad. This is a fine "Aiming Point" Strike photo for P/O Black of 426 Squadron, 4 minutes after the attack opened. The left edge of the photo indicates the approach from the west.
[1] 463 ORB Feb 13/14, 1945 a/c PO.329. The National Archives AIR 27/1922/12.
[2] RAF BOMBER COMMAND ATTACK ON DRESDEN. Filmed by W/O Buckland and Sgt Pease. OPX 257. Imperial War Museum.
[3] 419 ORB Feb 13/14 1945 KB721 Royal Canadian Air Force operations record book... - Héritage
[4] Research revealed that 463 Squadron sent PD.337 with F/Lt. Perry (A.418872) and crew to Pforzheim. The ORB provides the following details: "Sortie completed. No cloud. Slight haze; bright moonlight. M.P.I. [?] of a cluster of six red T/I's. 9,500 ft 20.03 hrs. 1x4000 lb (minol) + 1880 [could be 1080] x 4 lb Inc. Good concentration. Bombs were bursting near and obliterating markers. Smoke rising 4/9,000 ft. One very big explosion at 20.03 [last digit not clear] and four minor ones. This attack appeared to result in its desired intention of destroying a built-up area with its associated industries. Moderate light flak, mainly from south of target. Lively fighter activity around Pforzheim. From Pforzheim to 48.15N 08.00E 20.03-20.19 hrs 9/9500 ft ten aircraft were seen shot down in flames and no parachutes were seen. Air to Air tracer observed on each occasion."
(National Archives AIR 27/1922/12)
[5] Imperial War Museum Catalogue Number IWM FLM 2229. IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM FILM FRAMES COLLECTION.
www.iwm.org.uk
[6] RAF BOMBER COMMAND ATTACK ON PFORZHEIM. OPX 261. At 04:35 minute mark. Imperial War Museum.
[7] Appendix to 419 Squadron ORB containing correspondence from No.419 Squadron to RCAF 6-Group 26 March 1945, providing a list of corrections to the Operations Record Book for February 1945 and confirming that KB.721 bombed Pforzheim during the First Wave." (LAC) Reel C 12292 Royal Canadian Air Force operations record book... - Héritage
[8] 419 ORB Entry Feb 23/24 1945 KB721 Royal Canadian Air Force operations record book... - Héritage
[9] 463 Squadron ORB a/c Pd337 F/Lt. Skelton, March 2, 1945. The National Archives AIR 27/1922/14.
[10] RAF BOMBER COMMAND ATTACK ON COLOGNE. OPX 263. Imperial War Museum.
Dresden, February 13/14, 1945
A Film Unit Lancaster, captained by F/Lt. Skelton 463 Squadron filmed the raid, noting "5-Group blazed the trail in [a] magnificent manner…We orbited the target for 8½ minutes allowing the film unit to do a good job."
[1] Skelton's crew bombed at 0136 hours and the film was taken 0128.5-0137 hours.[2] At the 01:42 minute mark, an aircraft can be observed exploding over the target.
RAF BOMBER COMMAND ATTACK ON DRESDEN 2ND ATTACK [Allocated Title]
Dad bombed at 0132.1 hours, so the film captures scenes he observed.
KB721 "B" Up 2105 down 0638. Target DRESDEN (1ST wave) with 1 x 4000lb HC Trinatol Nose inst; 3 x 500lb USA GP ANM. 64 TD.025; 2 x 500lb MC TD.025 and 4x 250 lb GP Tail Inst. Primary at 0132.1 hrs from 18,500ft 069 degs. 150 IAS. Clear. Ident. By red and green TI's, bend in river, built up area and fire. Bombed centre of red TI's in large explosion. M.C. not received. Fire from previous attack seen on run in for 100 miles. Large explosion just before bombing. TI's very scattered although fires all in built-up area. 1 x 500 USA GP ANM. 64 TD.025 hang up. Route and tactics good. Camera operated. A/C straight and level for run. [Note: Diverted, probably to Sudbury].[3]
Figure 4: Strike photo for F/Lt Cave for Dresden February 13/14, 1945. 0132 hrs at 18,500' 069o
Pforzheim: February 23/24, 1945
A film unit Lancaster from 5-Group accompanied the force on this trip.
Frightening scenes over Pforzheim recorded by the Film unit Lancaster from 5-Group[4]. Top: Target indicators cascade down and puffs of smoke mark exploding flak shells. Bottom: High explosive and incendiaries burn in the target area at the height of the attack. Three Lancasters are visible in the frame. Perhaps one of these was my father's. "We were always frightened"-HHM Cave. Photos: Imperial War Museum.
Figure 5: Lancaster PD337 'JO-V', of No. 463 Squadron RAAF, Waddington. This aircraft was converted for filming Bomber Command operations, and was fitted with a number of camera positions. It was later transferred to No. 5 Group Film Unit.[5] This film can be viewed here[6] at the 04:35 mark:
RAF BOMBER COMMAND ATTACK ON PFORZHEIM [Allocated Title]
And we were to bomb at 8,500 feet, which was awfully low. We were bombing between 6,500-8,500 feet. And Pforzheim was down past Mannheim, so it was a reasonably long trip. We carried one 4,000 lb bomb and 10 clusters of incendiaries and the trip was 8 hours and 25 minutes.
KB721 "B" Up 1540 down 0002. Target PFORZHEIM [Second Wave[7]] with 1 x 4000lb HC NI Trin.; 10 x No. 14 Clusters C6/10 Cap 42 Fuse and Ox5 NG97 Nickels. Primary at 2004.4 hrs from 8,500 ft. 058 degs. 160 IAS. Clear but hazy. Ident. by red and green TI's, Illuminating flares, rivers and Autobahn. Bombed centre of red and green TI's. MC not heard. PFF generous. First ones bombed out. Others spread the bombing out over good area. Everything burning nicely. Route and tactics fair. Would have liked to come out higher. Rate of climb increased at 165 IAS. Bombing run good. Predicted flak and other A/C thru us off our photographic run[8].
Figure 4: Strike photo for F/Lt Cave for Pforzheim February 23/24, 1945. 2004 hrs at 8,500' 058o
But boy, when we left that target, the place was loaded with fighters. Fighter aircraft. I've never seen so [many]. There was a lot of snow in the mountains around there and we were flying right over it and in the valleys and everything else, and we ended up going down to 2,000 feet and we were looking away up at the mountains I'll tell you. And we had two attacks on us.
A daylight op to Cologne: March 2, 1945
Lancaster PD337 'JO-V', of No. 463 Squadron RAAF, Waddington filmed the progress of the raid. This aircraft was converted for filming Bomber Command operations, and was fitted with a number of camera positions. It was later transferred to No. 5 Group Film Unit.[9] An interesting comment appears in the ORB record: "Main stream a/c still do not adhere to flight planning heights." Filming took place 0958-1013 hours. The film of the raid can be seen here:[10]
RAF BOMBER COMMAND ATTACK ON COLOGNE [Allocated Title]
Notable observations in the film include a scarecrow exploding at the 6:06 mark and a bomb load going down at the 10:20 mark, a load that looks to be 1X4,000 lb HC and 16 or so 500 lb bombs, similar to the load F/Lt. Cave carried to the target.
KB865 "E" Up 0644 down 1257. Target COLOGNE with bombload same as "A". [1 x 4000lb HC NI Trinatol, 1 X 500 LB USA GP ANM64 TD.025, 2 x 500 lb MC TD.025[1]] [Dad's logbook states 1x 4000 lb and 16 x 500 lb bombs. Assume this is correct]. Primary at 1011.7 hrs from 18,500 ft. 095 degs (t), 175 IAS. 2/10ths strat cu[2] tops 5,000 ft. Vis very good. Ident visually and Gee Check. Undershot centre of upwind edge of smoke by 200 yds on MB's instructions. Bombing was very concentrated. 1 large orange explosion at 1010 hrs smoke rising to approx. 6,000 ft. After leaving target one small flack hole in bomb doors. Burst of heavy flak underneath. Camera run S and L. No Very cartridges fired.https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/#_edn1
[1] This load is too small for this target and the ORB entry must be in error.
[2] Stratocumulus clouds
https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/#_ednref1 419 ORB March 2, 1945 KB.865 Royal Canadian Air Force operations record book... - Héritage
There is no recorded strike photo for Dad. This is a fine "Aiming Point" Strike photo for P/O Black of 426 Squadron, 4 minutes after the attack opened. The left edge of the photo indicates the approach from the west.
[1] 463 ORB Feb 13/14, 1945 a/c PO.329. The National Archives AIR 27/1922/12.
[2] RAF BOMBER COMMAND ATTACK ON DRESDEN. Filmed by W/O Buckland and Sgt Pease. OPX 257. Imperial War Museum.
RAF BOMBER COMMAND ATTACK ON DRESDEN 2ND ATTACK [Allocated Title]
Night attack by Avro Lancaster bombers of the RAAF 463 Squadron against Dresden, Germany. Filmed by on board cameras. Camera plane piloted by Flight Lieuten...
film.iwmcollections.org.uk
[4] Research revealed that 463 Squadron sent PD.337 with F/Lt. Perry (A.418872) and crew to Pforzheim. The ORB provides the following details: "Sortie completed. No cloud. Slight haze; bright moonlight. M.P.I. [?] of a cluster of six red T/I's. 9,500 ft 20.03 hrs. 1x4000 lb (minol) + 1880 [could be 1080] x 4 lb Inc. Good concentration. Bombs were bursting near and obliterating markers. Smoke rising 4/9,000 ft. One very big explosion at 20.03 [last digit not clear] and four minor ones. This attack appeared to result in its desired intention of destroying a built-up area with its associated industries. Moderate light flak, mainly from south of target. Lively fighter activity around Pforzheim. From Pforzheim to 48.15N 08.00E 20.03-20.19 hrs 9/9500 ft ten aircraft were seen shot down in flames and no parachutes were seen. Air to Air tracer observed on each occasion."
(National Archives AIR 27/1922/12)
[5] Imperial War Museum Catalogue Number IWM FLM 2229. IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM FILM FRAMES COLLECTION.
ROYAL AIR FORCE BOMBER COMMAND, 1942-1945.
Avro Lancaster B Mark I, PD337 'JO-V', of No. 463 Squadron RAAF, preparing for take off from Waddington, Lincolnshire, on a daylight operation. PD337 was specially converted for filming Bomber Command operations, being fitted with a number of camera positions and used by cameramen of the Royal...
RAF BOMBER COMMAND ATTACK ON PFORZHEIM [Allocated Title]
Night attack by Avro Lancaster bombers of RAF 1 Group against Pforzheim, Germany. Filmed by on board cameras. Camera plane piloted by Flight Lieutenant Perry.
film.iwmcollections.org.uk
[8] 419 ORB Entry Feb 23/24 1945 KB721 Royal Canadian Air Force operations record book... - Héritage
[9] 463 Squadron ORB a/c Pd337 F/Lt. Skelton, March 2, 1945. The National Archives AIR 27/1922/14.
[10] RAF BOMBER COMMAND ATTACK ON COLOGNE. OPX 263. Imperial War Museum.
RAF BOMBER COMMAND ATTACK ON PFORZHEIM [Allocated Title]
Night attack by Avro Lancaster bombers of RAF 1 Group against Pforzheim, Germany. Filmed by on board cameras. Camera plane piloted by Flight Lieutenant Perry.
film.iwmcollections.org.uk
Last edited:
