RAF Bomber Command Squadron Profiles 106 Squadron www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca RAF Bomber Command Squadron Profiles 106 Squadron by Chris Ward with Herman Bijlard Bomber Command Books from www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca This edition first published 2016 by Mention the War Ltd., 32 Croft Street, Farsley, Yorkshire, LS28 5HA. Copyright 2016 © Chris Ward. The right of Chris Ward to be identified as Author of this work is asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. The original Operational Record Book of 106 Squadron and the Bomber Command Night Raid Reports are Crown Copyright and stored in microfiche and digital format by the National Archives. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without the written permission of the copyright owners. This squadron profile has been researched, compiled and written by its author, who has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in it. The author will not be liable for any damages caused, or alleged to be caused, by any information contained in this book. E. & O.E. Cover design: Topics - The Creative Partnership www.topicsdesign.co.uk A CIP catalogue reference for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN 978-1-911255-04-8 www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca Also by Chris Ward: Dambusters. Forging of a Legend by Chris Ward, published 2009 by Pen & Sword. RAF Bomber Command Squadron Profiles – 617 Squadron 103 Squadron (with David Fell) by Chris Ward, published 2015 by Mention the War Ltd. Dambusters- The Definitive History of 617 Squadron at War 1943-1945 by Chris Ward, Andy Lee and Andreas Wachtel, published 2003 by Red Kite. Dambuster Crash Sites by Chris Ward and Andreas Wachtel, published 2007 by Pen and Sword Aviation. Images of War: 617 Dambuster Squadron at War by Chris Ward and Andy Lee, published 2009 by Pen and Sword Aviation. 1 Group Bomber Command. An Operational History by Chris Ward with Greg Harrison and Grzegorz Korcz, published 2014 by Pen and Sword Aviation. 3 Group Bomber Command. An Operational History by Chris Ward and Steve Smith, published 2008 by Pen and Sword Aviation. 4 Group Bomber Command. An Operational History by Chris Ward, published 2012 by Pen and Sword Aviation. 5 Group Bomber Command. An Operational History by Chris Ward, published 2007 by Pen and Sword Aviation. 6 Group Bomber Command. An Operational History by Chris Ward, published 2009 by Pen and Sword Aviation. www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca Contents Introduction............................................................................................................................................... 8 Section One: Narrative WWII History.................................................................................................... 11 1939/40 ................................................................................................................................................... 13 1940 ........................................................................................................................................................ 14 1940 Final Quarter .................................................................................................................................. 16 January 1941 ........................................................................................................................................... 19 February 1941 ......................................................................................................................................... 19 March 1941 ............................................................................................................................................. 20 April 1941 ............................................................................................................................................... 23 May 1941 ................................................................................................................................................ 26 June 1941 ................................................................................................................................................ 29 July 1941 ................................................................................................................................................. 33 August 1941 ............................................................................................................................................ 37 September 1941 ...................................................................................................................................... 42 October 1941 .......................................................................................................................................... 45 November 1941 ...................................................................................................................................... 49 December 1941 ....................................................................................................................................... 51 January 1942 ........................................................................................................................................... 54 February 1942 ......................................................................................................................................... 57 March 1942 ............................................................................................................................................. 60 April 1942 ............................................................................................................................................... 65 May 1942 ................................................................................................................................................ 71 June 1942 ................................................................................................................................................ 78 July 1942 ................................................................................................................................................. 81 August 1942 ............................................................................................................................................ 86 September 1942 ...................................................................................................................................... 92 October 1942 .......................................................................................................................................... 97 Novemberwww.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca 1942 .................................................................................................................................... 102 December 1942 ..................................................................................................................................... 106 January 1943 ......................................................................................................................................... 110 February 1943 ....................................................................................................................................... 114 March 1943 ........................................................................................................................................... 119 April 1943 ............................................................................................................................................. 126 May 1943 .............................................................................................................................................. 132 June 1943 .............................................................................................................................................. 137 July 1943 ............................................................................................................................................... 142 August 1943 .......................................................................................................................................... 147 September 1943 .................................................................................................................................... 154 October 1943 ........................................................................................................................................ 157 November 1943 .................................................................................................................................... 161 December 1943 ..................................................................................................................................... 165 January 1944 ......................................................................................................................................... 169 February 1944 ....................................................................................................................................... 174 March 1944 ........................................................................................................................................... 177 April 1944 ............................................................................................................................................