Raid on Mannheim May 19/20 1942 - Inadvertent BBC recording

[StangStung]

Pretty interesting listening:

http://www.retronaut.co/2010/09/nightingales-and-bombers/

[soko121]

Stunning..... to think about such beauty and such horror mixed into one, so much is said yet with no words spoken!

Simon

[Chuck Giese]

Haunting. *That* is a time capsule worth saving.

[StangStung]

I thought so. A bit different that what we normally see on these boards, but a dose of vintage reality for sure.

And long overdue kudos for the BBC guys broadcasting this live to have the wits about them to (a) cut the live broadcast so as not to help give the Germans extra prep time for defense (though they surely must've seen their radar screens lighting up); and (b) to continue to record with the understanding that this wasn't something a recording engineer gets to hear everyday. Luckily, we are the recipients of their good judgment.

[RMAllnutt]

That was hauntingly beautiful. Thanks so much for posting this!

Cheers,
Richard

[Mossie]

Particuarly poignant listening to the tranquil sound of the nightingale against the feeling of fear that must have been felt by those men overhead. 11 of those aircraft never made it back.

JOHN HENRY STEPHENSON age 20 Sgt Air Gunner 218 Sqn, RAF - 19 May 1942
Son of John W. and Sarah J. Stephenson, of Keswick, Cumberland. Commemerated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Stirling Mk.1. DJ977 delivered to No.218 Sqdn 22nd Aprl 1942.

Airborne 23.16 on 19th May 1942 from Marham, 9 miles south east of Kings lynn on a operation to Mannheim.
Lost without trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

F/S S.A.Coggin KIA
Sgt R.P.M.Parker KIA
Sgt J.H.Stephenson KIA
Sgt P.H.Ward KIA
Sgt T.McDonagh KIA
F/S H.A.Worthington KIA
F/S W.H.Goodrum KIA
F/S F.N.Hanish KIA

The Bomber Command Report for the raid :
19/20 May 1942 Mannheim
197 aircraft - 105 Wellingtons, 31 Stirlings, 29 Halifaxes, 15 Hampdens, 13 Lancasters, 4 Manchesters.

11 aircraft - 4 Halifaxes, 4 Stirlings, 3 Wellingtons - lost.

155 aircraft reported hitting Mannheim but most of the bombing photographs showed forest or open country. The Mannheim reports described the long delay before the attack developed, with aircraft at greater heights than in previous raids passing to and fro searching for the target. When the raid did begin, bombs approximately equivalent to no more than 10 aircraft loads fell in the city. A concentrated group of about 600 incendiaries in the harbour area on the Rhine burnt out 4 small industrial concerns - a blanket factory, a mineral-water factory, a chemical wholesalers and a timber merchants. Only light damage was caused elsewhere in the city.