Archie - A Pilot in RAF Bomber Command - W1055 ZA-Z from 10 Squadron

W1055 ZA-Z from 10 Squadron

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March 30/31 1942
Air Raid onTirpitz

April 27/28 1942
Air Raid on Tirpitz

April 28/29 1942
Air Raid on Tirpitz

Battleship Tirpitz

On 27th April 1942, the crew of Halifax W1055 ZA-Z from 10 Squadron took off at 2057 hrs from RAF Lossiemouth on the North East coast of Scotland to participate in an attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz which was moored at the time in Fættenfjord in Norway.

On arriving at the target, Tirpitz, they attacked through the smoke screen from 600 feet reporting that other than the smoke screen visibility was excellent. Severe flak was encountered from the sides of the fjord during the run up to the target. The crew also reported having seen a small ship, possibly a tanker, burning in Trondheimfjord just off Trondheim.

The aircraft and crew returned safely to RAF Lossiemouth landing at 0540 hrs on 28th April 1942.

Rank	Name	Force	Crew Position	Age	Home Town	Fate
Sgt	GRIBBEN		Pilot			Returned
P/O	DRAKE		2nd Pilot			Returned
Sgt	SIEBERT		Navigator			Returned
Sgt	WINDLE		W/Op Air Gunner			Returned
Sgt	SIMPSON		W/Op Air Gunner			Returned
F/Sgt	ELLISON		Tail Gunner			Returned
Sgt	WOOD		Flight Engineer			Returned

On 28th April 1942, the crew of Halifax W1055 ZA-Z from 10 Squadron took off at 2032 hrs from RAF Lossiemouth on the North East coast of Scotland to participate in an attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz which was moored at the time in Fættenfjord in Norway.

Visibility was recorded as having been excellent over the target area. The Tirpitz was clearly seen and a low level attack was delivered from 800 feet at 0051 hrs. No results of the attack were observed. Severe and accurate flak was encountered from both sides of the fjord during the bombing run up. One 1,000 lb mine hung up. The port outer engine started to overheat on the journey home and had to be shut down, and the aircraft was brought back on three engines.

The aircraft and crew returned safely to RAF Lossiemouth landing at 0535 hrs on 29th April 1942.

Rank	Name	Force	Crew Position	Age	Home Town	Fate
P/O	MURRAY		Pilot			Returned
Sgt	RAUCH		2nd Pilot			Returned
Sgt	JENKINS		Navigator			Returned
Sgt	HOWELLS		W/Op Air Gunner			Returned
Sgt	BEVAN		W/Op Air Gunner			Returned
Sgt	CULVERWELL		Tail Gunner			Returned
Sgt	TOMKINS		Flight Engineer			Returned