One of the most interesting aspects of Bomber Command’s operations in the summer of 1944 was the increasing number of daylight operations. After years of flying under the cover of darkness, the shift was especially evident over northern France, where Allied air superiority had diminished the threat posed by enemy fighters. Nevertheless there were other risks.
While researching my book ‘Sledgehammers for Tintacks’, I had the pleasure of meeting Ken Grantham, a wireless operator with No. 35 Squadron.
Today marks the 81st anniversary of the raid on Oisemont, a key part of Bomber Command’s efforts to neutralize the threat of V1 flying bombs. Here, Ken recalls that operation in his own words:
Told to stand by for ops in the morning and we were called to briefing at 11.30. It appears FBs [flying bombs] are getting serious in London and we are switched to daylight bombing to try to keep them down until the Army reaches their areas. Take-off 12.30 and flew most of the way in cloud. Channel was clear however. We map read to the aiming point, which was identified without difficulty. There appeared to be quite a lot of a/c [aircraft] on this trip approaching in a broad front, from the coast, concentrating and narrowing at the aiming point, and fanning out again thereafter. They bombed, turned to starboard and doubled back to the coast. As we flew in, the bomb aimer, George, was instructing, and at the moment of release another Lanc swung in below, in line of aim. Dawson [the pilot] closed the bomb doors, then decided not to go home and report a ‘no drop’ trip. Rather to circle to port and come in again. By the time we had done a wide circle everyone else was off home and we were the only kite coming up on the target. Asking for it, we got it, lots of bangs and flashes underneath and the smell of cordite . . . drifting in. Straight and level on the bombing run, jinking was out. I saw several large holes appear in the wings and several ugly red flashes and smoke puffs out to starboard. As George released, the flak boys got us in their sights again. Rear gunner’s turret controls were severed and the nose perspex shattered. Alan got a cut face and had to have first aid. Bomb doors were closed and Dawson started jinking and lost the next burst.
Despite the damage the pilot, Lieutenant Dawson Kornegay USAAF, managed to bring his aircraft and crew back to England and in recognition of his skill he received an immediate award of the DFC.
(My research into Bomber Command’s campaign against the V1s forms the basis of a documentary proposal which can be viewed here.)