Bombing of Augsburg in World War II
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The Bavarian city of Augsburg, Germany, was bombed twice by the RAF during World War II.
[edit] 1942
The Augsburg air raid on 17 April 1942 was one of the most daring of World War II.
The first squadron to take delivery of the 4-engined Avro Lancaster was No. 44 Squadron based at RAF Waddington, followed shortly thereafter by No. 97 Squadron based at RAF Woodhall Spa (delivery was taken whilst the squadron was still at RAF Coningsby).
The first major operation by the Lancasters of 44 and 97 Squadrons was a joint operation, to attack the MAN U-boat diesel engine factory at Augsburg in southern Germany. The objectives of the operation was twofold; to disrupt the supply of U-boat engines and so aid the Battle of the Atlantic and to test out the capabilities of the new bomber. The raid was to take place in broad daylight with the Lancasters flying at low level a round trip of 1,250 miles. The attack itself would be made against the engine assembly shop with each bomber carrying four 1,000 lb high explosive bombs each fitted with 11 second delays. Flying at such low level it was hoped would elude enemy ground fire and cause problems for the Luftwaffe fighters. Unfortunately Bf-109's of jagdgeschwader 2 intercepted the formation over France and four Lancasters were soon shot down. During the bombing run two further aircraft were destroyed.
The raid was initially thought by RAF Intelligence to be a success, putting the submarine diesel engine production out of action for several weeks, but post-war analysis indicated damage was minor; five of the bombs dropped had failed to explode. 8 machine tools were destroyed out of a total of 2,700, and 5 cranes out of 558. The cost was very high, of the twelve Lancasters that took part in the raid, only five returned. 37 men died with a further 12 taken as prisoners of war out of the total complement of 84 RAF personnel who took part in the mission.
The raid is one of the most daring ever undertaken by the RAF Bomber Command. For the RAF it finally laid to rest the notion that unescorted heavy bombers could operate in daylight over occupied Europe without sustaining heavy losses; something the USAAF's Eighth Air Force would also learn the following year.
For his outstanding leadership of the raid Wing Commander John Nettleton was awarded the Victoria Cross. Other aircrew who had participated in the raid also received awards.
[edit] 1944
Ausburg was subject to a standard large Allied attack on the 25 February 1944. During the day the USAAF Eight Air Force bombed the Messerschmitt works. That night (25/26 February 1944), RAF Bomber Command followed with a raid by 594 aircraft that was devastatingly accurate. The centre of Augsburg was completely destroyed by high explosive and fire. As the river was frozen fire fighting measures were limited. The Germans made full use of the propaganda value of the target claiming it was a "terror raid". 21 RAF aircraft, 3.6 per cent of the force was lost. At least 4 of these were due to collision.
[edit] External links
- RAF web site: Augsburg, 17 April 1942
- RAF web site:Campaign Diary 17 April 1942
- RAF web site:Campaign Diary 25/26 February 1944
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