Back to Berlin

23rd August 1943: RAF Bomber Command crews hear the daunting news that tonight's operation is 'all the way' to the German capital

Flying Officer R G Hayes (left) and Flight Lieutenant J Gordon, navigator and pilot respectively of a De Havilland Mosquito B Mark IV of No. 105 Squadron RAF, listen intently during the briefing for a night raid on Berlin, Germany in the Operations Room at Marham, Norfolk. Both men were killed on 5 November 1943 when their Mosquito, DZ587 'GB-B', crashed at Hempnall, Norfolk, while returning from an evening raid on Bochum

On the night of 23rd/24th August 1943 aircraft of R.A.F. Bomber Command carried out a heavy attack on Berlin. These photographs were taken on a Stirling station as some of the aircraft took off, and after their return. Stirlings, silhouetted against the darkening sky, taxi out for their journey to the German capital.

After the attacks on Hamburg and Peenemunde RAF Bomber Command had good reason to feel that it was finally becoming truly effective, not just damaging German industry but undermining German morale. There still remained a hope that bombing alone might win the war, that devastating raids might undermine the Nazi regime to such an extent that the German government would collapse. Maintaining that momentum meant taking the offensive to the heart of Germany, to Berlin.

The attack on Hamburg had resulted in relatively light casualties, as new RAF tactics confounded the night fighters. But the Luftwaffe was already adjusting to new circumstances. And Berlin was a tough target. It was a distant run over the German plains which helped the German defences guess where the attack was headed and prepare accordingly. Berlin itself was very well defended, bristling with searchlights and anti-aircraft guns. It already had a reputation amongst aircrews.

And if you go out thinking you won't come back’ thundered the Wing Commander, ‘you give the Hun that psychological advantage which comes from your own inferiority.’ A cathedral silence stilled the room.