Raids

Bergen - A personal account of the Bergen Raid

I will try to describe the events that led to this, and several other failed bomraids at Laksevaag during 1944-45. During the last months of 1939, and the first ones in 1940, the German submarines attacked allied ships, mainly in the Atlantic ocean. The range of the German submarines was limited, and they had no ability to attack the very important allied convoys to Murmansk in Russia. In addition to the u-boat bases in France and Biscaya, the Germans needed bases in Norway to be able to really hurt the allies. After the invasion in Norway, it was decided to build u-boat bases inTronheim and Bergen.

In may 1942 started the construction of the u-boat bunker in Bergen. It contained 7 pens, and had a 6 meter thick roof, and the walls was 2,5 to 4 meters thick. The u-boat bunker was planned to be completed in July 1945. The 11.Unterseebootsflottille was formed in mid-42 and was stationed in Bergen. By the end of the war, they had been assigned over 190 u-boats of VII, XXI and XXIII type.

When the Germans withdrew from France in 1944, the u-boats was transferred to Norway, and caused a big treat to the allied convoys in the North sea. The RAF was, because of this, very eager to bomb the u-boat bunkers. The bomb raid on the bunker in 1944 was to become one of biggest tragedies in Norway during WW2.

It was early morning 09:05, 4.october 1944, when the first planes was observed. They came in from the west and turned north over the city, when they suddenly dropped their bombs. The target was the u-boat bunker, but the bombs hit everywhere, and it seemed like the RAF was carpet bombing the whole of Laksevåg. One of the bombs hit Holen skole, crashing through the roof and exploded over the air-raid shelter that was housing 350 children, teachers and men from the civil airdefence. The rescue teams and firefighters that found the dead children said that at the instant of death, some of the children had clung to their teachers and was now nearly impossible to remove. Others died under collapsing walls, and of suffocation.

It is impossible to imagine the dreadful seconds in the shelter, when the lights went out, and the panic started among the children. 61 children, 2 teachers and 16 men from the civilian airdefence died on Holen Skole that day. A total of 193 Norwegian civilians died as a result of the bomb raid, 180 was wounded, 60 houses was totally destroyed and over 700 people was homeless. The Germans lost 12 men,2 u-boats (damaged or destroyed: U-228 and U-993) and at least one auxiliary boat (E. Bornhofen). It is believed that a few russian POW's working on the bunker was killed too, but this is not in any record and remains unknown. The Bunker was hit several times, but the bombs could not penetrate the thick roof, hence no damage was added to the bunker during this attack.

The RAF had used 93 Halifaxes, 47 Lancaster bombers and 12 mosquito's in this raid, and lost only one bomber. 1260 450 kg bombs and 172 225 kg bombs was dropped within 11 minutes. The raid had been a partial failure. RAF would later try a second bomb raid on the 29. october 1944, with 244 planes. Due to dense clouds, only 47 dropped their bombs, killing a total of 52 civilians and no Germans. No damage was inflicted to the u-boat bunker. 3 planes was shot down.

The second raid had been a failure.

The third bomb raid was on the 12. january 1945 (Please read the story below ). This time with 33 Lancaster loaded with tallboy bombs, weighing about 5000 kg.(10 000 lb.) . The accuracy of the bombing had improved, and three tallboys found their primary targets, and struck the bunker. One penetrated the roof, causing a 8 meter wide crater on the top and a 4 meter crater inside! Little damage was caused though, 20 Germans where killed, 2 u-boats was lightly damaged.

In the harbor the minesweeper M1 was steaming towards Helleneset (Away from Bergen), trying to avoid the Lancasters, that had orders to find secondary targets like boats etc., if they was not able to ensure a hit on the Bunker. One Lancaster decided to go for the minesweeper, and managed to hit the boat. It is probably the only time a minesweeper was hit by a tallboy! 20 of the crew on 34 was immediately killed. The RAF lost three planes.

Who was to blame for these tragic accidents? Many meant that the Germans wanted civilians to live near the bunker to avoid bombing, and a nearby school was to further ensure that bomb raids from the allies was avoided. The Germans claimed that they had tried to persuade the local government to hand over the school for military use, and that this was not successful. Anyway, the RAAF should not have chosen to bomb the U-boat base at a time when there was kids at the nearby school. They was fully aware that the school was used for civil purposes, and seemed total confident that none of the 1422 bombs would hit the school. It is easy to judge this action afterwards, but someone in the RAAF back then, must have known that the school was very likely to be hit. This loss must have been calculated up against the damage potential a fleet of u-boat from this base would have caused. The conclusion from the RAAF was, to bomb the bunker at any cost.

The allies never managed to destroy the bunker during the war. Today the bunker is used by the Norwegian navy to maintain and repair u-boats. Holen skole was demolished, and rebuilt in 1958. Today there is little left to remind about the accident in 1944, except the U-boat bunker 300 meters away.

Many thanks to Kurt Monsen for this story.

The Raid

Commanding Officer at the time was Group Captain J.E Fauquier

12th January 1945

NF992 KC-B Type Lancaster I took off from Woodhall spa at 8.30am (12th January 1945) carrying tallboy bombs the mission was to attack the U-Boat pens at Bergen, they were attacked by german 190's off the Norweigen coast. The Lancaster was seen by other crews to have an engine fire, but made a perfect landing on the sea at approx 1315 hours. All the crew managed to scramble onto the top of the aircraft even life saving equipment was dropped to them by a Warwick aircraft, this had to take evasive action due to enermy aircraft "Junkers 88" the Junkers proceeded to strafe the downed Lancaster killing all onboard. The only body found was that of F/O Ellwood. The DFM awarded to W/O Anderson had been published on the 14th September 1943 following service with 467 squadron.

In Memory of Ian Steward Ross
Flying Officer 18839 Royal Australian Air Force
Died: on Friday, 12th January 1945.
Age: 24
Additional Information: Son of Alexander McLachlan Ross, and of Christina Lillian Ross, of Alphington, Victoria, Australia
Commemorative Information: Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, UK
Grave Reference/ Panel Number: Panel 283
Location: This Memorial overlooks the River Thames on Cooper's Hill at Englefield Green between Windsor and Egham on the A308, 4 miles from Windsor.

In Memory of William Walter
Flight Sergeant 1866667 617 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died: Friday, 12th January 1945.
Commemorative Information: Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, UK
Grave Reference/ Panel Number:Panel 273.
Location: This Memorial overlooks the River Thames on Cooper's Hill at Englefield Green between Windsor and Egham on the A308, 4 miles from Windsor.

In Memory of Sydney Rodd Anderson DFM
Warrant Officer 1098277 617 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died: Friday, 12th January 1945.
Age:22.
Additional Information: Son of Robert and Norah Anderson; husband of F. Joan Anderson, of Dollis Hill, Middlesex.
Commemorative Information: Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, UK Grave Reference/ Panel Number: Panel 269.
Location: This Memorial overlooks the River Thames on Cooper's Hill at Englefield Green between Windsor and Egham on the A308, 4 miles from Windsor.

In Memory of Edward George Tilby
Pilot Officer 184159 617 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died: Friday, 12th January 1945.
Commemorative Information: Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, UK
Grave Reference/ Panel Number: Panel 269.
Location: This Memorial overlooks the River Thames on Cooper's Hill at Englefield Green between Windsor and Egham on the A308, 4 miles from Windsor.

In Memory of Leslie Douglas Griffiths
Flight Sergeant 1580829 617 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died: Friday, 12th January 1945.
Age: 22. Additional Information: Son of Mrs. E. M. Griffiths, of Handsworth, Birmingham.
Commemorative Information: Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, UK
Grave Reference/ Panel Number: Panel 271.
Location: This Memorial overlooks the River Thames on Cooper's Hill at Englefield Green between Windsor and Egham on the A308, 4 miles from Windsor.

In Memory of Alexander Farley McKellar
Flying Officer 176945 617 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died: Friday, 12th January 1945.
Age: 20.
Additional Information: Son of Alexander and Elsie McKellar, of Edinburgh.
Commemorative Information: Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, UK
Grave Reference/ Panel Number: Panel 267.
Location: This Memorial overlooks the River Thames on Cooper's Hill at Englefield Green between Windsor and Egham on the A308, 4 miles from Windsor.

In Memory of Mowbray Ellwood DFM
Flying Officer 54542 W.Op. 617 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died: Friday, 12th January 1945.
Age: 24.
Additional Information: Son of Linnard and Winifred Ellwood; husband of Primrose Mary Ellwood, of Boston, Lincolnshire. A IV British.
Commemorative Information: Trondheim (Stavne) cemetery, Norway
Grave Reference/ Panel Number: A 10.
Location: The town of Trondheim stands on the west coast of Norway approximately 300 km north of Oslo.Approaching Trondheim from the south on the main E6 route from Oslo exit the A6 shortly before the toll bridge at junction 11a signposted route 715 to Fosen. Follow the 715 turning right at the T junction and right again at the roundabout approximately 1 km further on, still signposted to Fosen. 50 metres beyond the roundabout turn right into a short lane at the sign for Stavne church. The churchyard is 100 metres along on the left. From the entrance to the churchyard the Cross and war plot can be plainly seen at a distance of 100 metres immediately behind the wooden chapel.

Historical Information

Trondheim (Stavne) Cemetery contains the largest Commonwealth War Graves Plot in Norway, where servicemen of the 1939-1945 War are buried. Three of the graves were transferred here from Namsos in 1957 and a further six from four other burial sites in 1961, of whom three came from Nesna Cemetery, one from Valoy Cemetery Extension and one from each of the two churchyards at Bronnoysund and Selsverket. Among those buried here are the first casualties of the Norwegian campaign, six sailors from the destroyer Glowworm which blew up after attacking and ramming the German cruiser Hipper on 8th April, 1940. Some of the soldiers belonged to the force which landed at Namsos later that month and advanced towards Trondheim, while many were casualties from the raid made on the island of Vagsoy at Christmas 1941. The majority are airmen who were shot down in this area, many whilst attacking German shipping in Norwegian coastal waters, the losses being particularly heavy during the spring of 1942. The entrance to the War Graves Plot is beside the chapel facing the long lines of graves, on which Portland stone headstones have been erected in the wide expanse of level turf. Outlined against a background of pines at the back of the plot stands the Cross of Sacrifice, which was unveiled by the General Officer Commanding, Trondheim District, on Remembrance Day 1949. There are twenty-six unidentified burials within the cemetery.

Falkenberg Forest Cemetery - SWE. 359
Fjelie Churchyard - 459
Halsingborg (Palsjo) Municipal Cemetery - 157
Kviberg Cemetery - 560
Malmo Eastern Municipal Cemetery - 1262
Malmo Jewish Cemetery - 1363
Ockero Churchyard - 1763
Varberg Churcb New Cemetery - 2663
Varobacka Churchyard - 2764

Sweden

Although Sweden retained her neutrality throughout the 1939-1945 War, 121 Commonwealth servicemen, of whom 113 were airmen died there during the war and are buried in nine cemeteries and churchyards. Most of them lost their lives when they failed to return from air raids over Germany or neighbouring German-occupied territory. Some crash-landed over Sweden and the bodies of others were washed up on the west coast. A large number were buried at Halsingborg, but many whose bodies drifted ashore in remote places were buried in uninhabited islands and other scattered sites difficult of access. The remains of 43 casualties buried in 19 such places were therefore concentrated in 1961 to a newly established Commonwealth War Graves Plot in Kviberg Cemetery, provided for the purpose by the Gothenburg Church Commission, together with most of the casualties of the 1914-1918 War from these and other burial sites in Sweden, where their graves could more easily be maintained. The remaining cemeteries and churchyards in Sweden containing Commonwealth burials of the 1939-1945 War are also located on the south-west coast, in the area lying between Gothenburg and Malmo. The citizens and local authorities of Sweden have always taken a great interest in the graves of the servicemen of both World Wars who died in their country, and have erected private memorials in many of the cemeteries in honour of those buried there.

PD233 KC-G Type Lancaster I took off from Woodhall spa at 8.30am (12th January 1945) carrying tallboy bombs the mission was to attack the U-Boat pens at Bergen. Crashed at Lille Landon Norway, NW of Bergen. Sent to prisoner of war camp, it is reported that F/L Kendrick's parachute failed to open after he baled out of the aircraft.

F/L H.J Pryor (DFC) . POW
W/O A.L Winston . POW
F/O H Ellis (DFC) . POW
P/O A Hepworth . POW
F/L E.N Armstrong (DFC) . POW
W/O E.C Temple (DFM) . POW

In Memory of George Aldred Kendrick
Flight Lieutenant 135033 Air Bomber 617 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died: Friday, 12th January 1945.
Age: 24
Additional Information: Son of Archibald and Sarah Alice Kendrick, of Erdington, Birmingham.
Commemorative Information: Bergen (Mollendal) church cemetery, Norway
Grave Reference/ Panel Number: D. 5.
Location: Bergen is a large seaport in south-west Norway, about 500 kilometres by rail from Oslo. The cemetery is located approximately 2.5 kilometres from the harbour. To locate the cemetery from the harbour, take the signs to Kong Oscar's Gate, follow RV585 along Kalfarveien and Kalvedalsveien. Turn right before the tunnel to Mollendalsbakken. The main entrance to the cemetery will be found 50 metres on the left along this road.

Historical Information

Bergen (Mollendal) church cemetery is a large seaport in south-west Norway, connected by steamship services with the UK (Newcastle-on-Tyne). To locate the cemetery from the harbour, take the signs to Konogoscar's Gate and then Koffovveien, and after about 1 kilometre the Sykehus Hospital is seen on the hill to the right hand side, and the cemetery Is below the hospital. In Mollendal Church Cemetery is a Commonwealth War Graves Plot containing 46 war burials. They comprise 4 men of the Royal Navy of whom one is unidentified, 2 soldiers of the 1st Airborne Squadron and 34 airmen all from the UK, and 2 airmen of the Royal Canadian Air Force, 2 of the Royal Australian Air Force and 2 of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The non-world war graves of 3 airmen of the Royal Air Force are also located in the same plot. The graves of the airmen who were killed in and around Bergen were tended by the local citizens during the German occupation and were later concentrated here by the Municipality. A Memorial erected by the Norwegian authorities stands on a raised platform at the entrance to the plot. Steps on either side lead up to the four rows of graves, two lining the side of the plot and two the centre marked by Commission headstones.

Also lost on this raid was a Lancaster from 9 Squadron.

NG257 WS-N Type Lancaster 1 took off from Bardney at 8.48am (12th January 1945) armed with a Tallboy bomb, they were shot down over the target.

F/O E.C Redfern (DFC)
F/S J.W Williams
SGT R.W.R Cooper
F/O O.P Hull
SGT L.G Roberts
SGT W Brand
SGT D Winch

 
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