Operation Bellicose: The Incredible WWII Mission You Never Heard About
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
- Operation Bellicose - The Pioneering World War 2 RAF Raid
Welcome to The Northern Historian! In this video, we delve into the fascinating and pivotal Operation Bellicose, a key World War 2 mission undertaken by the Royal Air Force (RAF). Join us as we explore the strategic objectives, innovative techniques, and significant outcomes of this remarkable bombing raid.
Introduction
Operation Bellicose, conducted from June 20 to June 25, 1943, was a groundbreaking mission that targeted the Zeppelin Works in Friedrichshafen, Germany. This facility was crucial to the Nazi war effort, producing Würzburg radar systems essential for German air defenses. This operation was one of the first to employ the innovative "shuttle bombing" technique, marking a significant evolution in RAF bombing strategies.
Key Objectives
The primary objective of Operation Bellicose was to cripple the Zeppelin Works, disrupting the production of radar systems that were pivotal for the Luftwaffe. A secondary target was the Italian naval base in La Spezia, aiming to hamper Axis naval operations.
Strategic Innovation
Operation Bellicose was notable for its strategic innovation. The shuttle bombing technique involved bombers flying to their target, bombing it, and then landing at a different airfield. This tactic aimed to confuse German defences and reduce the risk to RAF bombers. Additionally, the operation integrated bombing with photographic reconnaissance to assess damage in real-time, ensuring the effectiveness of subsequent raids.
Execution and Outcome
The raid on Friedrichshafen was highly successful, causing extensive damage to the Zeppelin Works. This significantly impacted the German radar production, weakening their air defence capabilities. The secondary raid on La Spezia, while less effective, still managed to disrupt Italian naval operations. Overall, Operation Bellicose demonstrated the increasing capability and strategic sophistication of the RAF's Bomber Command.
Historical Significance
Operation Bellicose was a critical moment in the Allied bombing campaign, highlighting the shift towards precision targeting of critical infrastructure. This operation paved the way for future strategic bombings, focusing on disrupting the technological and industrial backbone of the Axis powers.
Conclusion
Join us as we unravel the details of Operation Bellicose, a mission that showcases the ingenuity and bravery of the RAF during World War II. This operation not only achieved its immediate objectives but also marked a significant evolution in aerial warfare strategies.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:31 The Background
04:18 The Planning
11:03 The Mission
20:06 The Aftermath
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I am fortunate to have met most of the crew of one of the lead pathfinders from 97 Squadron. Like everyone from that period they faded into regular day jobs, but with a bond that was unshakeable. It takes a lot of growing up to really appreciate what bravery they showed, knowing it was about a 50/50 chance of survival. Dad and that crew did 48 times. Truly remarkable
My grandfather, Peter Burbridge, was the bomb aimer in Johnny Sauvage’s aircraft that night. Many thanks for this wonderful video.
NOTE: Unfortunately I have made an error on one of the Pathfinder pilots. When I referred to Pilot Office Jonah Jones RCAF, I should have stated him as being Sgt Doug Jones RAF. Many apologies for this oversight.
Thanks for the correction. The crew were in fact SGT JONES D.J. CAPT
SGT HEMMING M. F/E
SGT SILK A.J. NAV
P/O HODKINSON A/B
SGT HANNAH J.L. W/OP
SGT STRANGE M/G
SGT BRIERLEY R/G
@@ianhannah8329 it’s such a shame these amazing men were not recorded by their full names. Initials and surname are just impersonal labels.
It’s ok we all make mistakes
Hi, The Northern Historian.
Thank you for this doco., MUCH appreciated. I had heard of this raid before but with very little of the detail that you given.
The feud between Bennett and Cochcrane continued pretty much to the end of the war in Europe with Cochcrane and 617 squadron developing their own target marking techniques and even considering themselves to be pathfinders to the pathfinders.
Two of the leading lights in 617's side of this feud were Group Captain Leonard Cheshire, VC, and the Australian pilot Micky Martin who was possibly one of the greatest low level bomber pilots of WW2 and and a great proponent of trying new 'tricks' to spice up his flying.
He was returning from some bombing practice one day when he noticed a patch of seaweed in the ocean. Ever ready to have some fun, he peeled his Lancaster off into a fairly steep dive, aimed his plane straight at the seaweed and told his bomb aimer to let a couple of practice bombs go. He was amazed to see that the practice bombs did not skip or bounce off the water but went straight into the patch of seaweed.
When he landed back at base, he told Group Captain Cheshire about the incident. Cheshire immediately took his Lancaster out and tried it, finding that it worked. He and Martin then used the technique on several raids with great results before telling AOC Cochcrane about it.
Cochcrane gave them permission to keep marking targets in this fashion and eventually got them Mosquitos to do the marking because they were a smaller target and a more nimble plane than the Lancasters. This method progressed even further when Cheshire 'procured' a P51 Mustang from some of his American friends and used that to mark the squadron's targets. He was flying a Mustang the night that 5 Group hit the Munich Marshalling Yards.
Thanks again.
Just my 0.02.
You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.
There is a very interesting Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshaven, and if you are rich you can go for a flight in an airship - the factory is next door to the museum.
At Last Some Accurate Factual History with Valid Photo's
A very interesting and well researched story. There is a well known photograph of the Hindenburg flying over Barrow in Furness in May 1936 on its return from America, just a year before its loss. As it was flying very low over Barrow I imagine that plenty of photographs of the shipyard were being taken.
I have never heard of this operation until now . So thank you for your carefully crafted and researched story as always and maintaining our links with our brave past .
These stories need to be remembered as it is part of all our history and should not be forgotten including the human sacrifices made !
Glad you enjoyed it
@@TheNorthernHistorian. There was a Zeppelin shed at Frankfurt Airfield. It rotated on a circular rail track to permit the airship to leave and enter into wind. I understand it was dismantled because it was too distinctive land mark. Really enjoyed this video.
One of those rare occasions when no allied casualties were reported...Many thanks for sharing.
Great tale, well told. I had never heard of this raid before. Good work on digging it up!
I've been in the zeppelin halls there many times, and flown in and out of Friedrichshafen once or twice. The gearbox plant you refer to is ZF, and is a huge bus and truck transmission factory to this day. That one plant employs a huge number of people in that area. The people down there are thrifty but kind... much like the people of the north of England were, at least when I was young. They produce some wicked local schnapps too! I didn't know about the V2 stuff there, that's also new to me. Good job!
What a great story and very well chronicled. Thank you very much.
You explain the "fog of war" very well, how subtle changes can effect the outcome of the mission.
We'd like to think everything always went exactly as planned, and everyone is home for tea and medals.
So often these commanders and crews had to improvise on the fly.
My respect and admiration for them only grows.
Thank you so much
Really good video.I have watched a few of your films that you have "posted" and found them always to be very good.Your work with these films keeps us all "in touch" with a very important part of our history which with the way you narrate gives identity to the various crew members.Thank you so much.
That was a thrilling story well told. Thank you
Thank you for posting a very interesting video of a raid I had not heard of. And even greater thanks for your time in researching, finding footage, editing the video and writing the script. A great outcome and thoroughly interesting
Very good episode and well narrated. Thanks for your efforts.
Many thanks!
@@TheNorthernHistorian I met a number of aircrew survivors in the 60s as a teenage student, working during the summer hols. Heroes to a man. Thank you for your diligence and presentation.
Slante. (I have had an Irish passport since before "Brexit").
An excellent review, thank you.
The various targeting techniques are "horses for courses": some are appropriate for certain circumstances, others for others.
Great Story. Lots of details that are largely forgotten. Thanks for the upload.
Well worth waiting for. Nice one. I knew nothing about this attack.
Glad you enjoyed it.
How brave were these men .Lumbering along at crawling speed compared to the German butcher bird fighters.Balls of steel.
I'm entirely sure it was their NOT flying back to old Blighty that saved their bacon!
Extremely well researched and presented as always!
Thank you so much, Glad you enjoyed it
Interesting and informative. Excellent photography job enabling viewers to better understand what/whom the orator was describing. Special thanks to veteran ( RAF ) pilots& crews.Sharing personal information/combat experiences. Enabling historians to replicate those diaries/memoirs for future generations to appreciate the hard ships/sacrifices put forth by the air force personnel.
Brilliant! meticulous research and detail on a now -forgotten but heroic raid..(And what amazing navigation too!)
This was a very interesting video, thanks for sharing
Excellent thank you 👍
Brilliant! Thanks, I loved this.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I'm pretty sure RV Jones never worked at RAF Medmenham. For a start he was a civilian and his main expertise was in electronics and he become Assistant Director of Intelligence very early in WW2.
You're pretty much correct - according to his book Most Secret War he visited Medmenham and had a close working relationship with the people there and with the RAF Photoreconnaissance pilots, but he was mostly based in London. His story is worthy of a video in its own right, particularly the Battle of the Beams.
The flight distance to Algiers from Lake Konstanz is further than RAF Scampton, so I think the real reason was that they would be spotted in daylight on the return route.
Does anyone know why the bombers did not use airfields in southern Enland to increase their oprational range?
Excellent. Thank You.
You are welcome!
Enjoyed your show very much. Fascinating story considering the navigation required with just slide rules and paper.
Many thanks!
I found your channel a few months ago and quickly subscribed. I rarely comment, but just wanted to thank you for producing such well researched, interesting and informative videos. I hope you continue to produce many more.
Thank you so much.
Can’t criticise this effort I must admit but I suggest you give « Mark Felton « a try if you want to be truly impressed.
Lot's of history, New stuff to me. Great presentation and very interesting to listen to. Thanks a lot.
Glad you enjoyed it
Great video gentleman cheers
Glad you enjoyed it
Very professional job. Thanks
Thank you so much.
RAF Bomber Command-50%+ loss of life-BRAVE MEN -THANKS
Thankyou again
Always welcome
Excellent video. Well researched and well narrated. Thanks. Subscriber who found you a few months back.
Awesome, thank you!
Great story teller. Brave soldiers. Very Brave!
Really interesting and well researched and presented video. The first of yours I've seen but it won't be the last. Thank you 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!
Only just found your channel, really impressed with your well researched content, detailed description’s and presentation. I’m hooked 👍🏴
Much appreciated!
Superb video great job
Thank you! Cheers!
Excellent excellent video love the narration and story although I've heard about this op never in this depth love the Lancaster and it's operations
Thank you very much!
Great work, really interesting...
Thank you! Cheers!
What an excellent account of this valuable and heroic raid.
RAF scampton should become a heritage centre.
Never knew about this raid. Thanks Geordie!
You're very welcome Jay.
Excellent well told history,👏
Thank you very much
Friedrichs-hafen. Not all one word. A minor irritation in an otherwise excellent piece of work. Thank you.
Yes, that's been pointed out to me. I've learned something there. Glad you enjoyed the video though.
Brilliant!
Thanks for that very interesting did not know of that one. M
My Dad's Late Cousin was radio Operator in 625 bomber command I am Radio Amateur myself
Very fascinating story and well presented. One little correction in pronounciation though - it's not "Friedrich-shafen" but "Friedrichs-hafen". "Hafen" is the german word for harbour and the "s" at the end of Friedrich is pointing to the owner and therefor is to be pronounced at the end of the name but must not be combined together with the following "h" from the word "hafen" to form a "sh" sibilant. Think of it as if you would say "Frederick's harbour" for it essentially means just that and the pronounciation follows the same logic.
Greetings from Switzerland 🙂
Thanks for the correction. I do try to be as accurate as possible with this sort of thing but occasionally one slips through.
I noticed this as well, because as a small child, I thought it meant 'shaven' as in 'ludwig has been shaven'.
Quite a bit of language learning later, I found out what it really meant.
Also I think that I originally saw the word on the label of BASF cassettes (shows how old I am !)
Keep up with the excellent content (I have subscribed) !
@@OldSonyMan 'ludwig has been shaven' - splendid! 😂
I had some similar misconceptions about the english language back in the days when BASF cassettes were a thing and teenage me tried to decipher the lyrics of some of the pop songs I just recorded on them so I could sing along. Unfortunately they don't come to my mind right now.... well, I guess that shows how old I am too 🥸
thanks mate.you took the words out of my mouth.
I wonder if you could do an episode on the first time RADAR (H2S ?)was used instead of one of the standard bomb aiming sights? I'd love to know how much this helped eliminate the problem of "Bomb Creep?" keep up the good work :)
Hi Peter, if you ever come across a book called 'the bombers eye', it's a great source of history. I can't remember the author but it covers all the work Robert-Watson Watt and His team did. Regards, Colin.
I note your reference to the work of RAF Medmenham and photo reconnaissance in this video. It caused me to reflect that their work is sorely neglected in so many programmes on this era. It can, I'm sure be argued that it's on a par with the work of Bletchley Park, in terms of importance to the outcome of the war in Europe and elsewhere but I've never seen it referred to before. Would it be worth a separate programme in its own right?
I do tend to agree with you. Bletchley Park has a deserved reputation but that's not to say other areas of British Intelligence Services were not equally as important. I may look further into it. Thanks for the suggestion.
@@TheNorthernHistorian I found 'Spies in the Sky' by Taylor Downing very entertaining reading on the subject.
My uncle worked as a photo interpreter until he was sent to India. He missed D-Day but contracted pneumonia on the ship. That arguably saved his life (he never saw combat) but left him aerobically disabled for the rest of his life.
You sound like a Northerner to me but I thought initially a little Welsh inflection.😅😂
Great Work that Man !!
💣🎯🎖️
Definitely a Northerner, from Newcastle! Glad you enjoyed the video
@@TheNorthernHistorian Thanks for your reply.Love your Work.
Afterthought, I couldn't countenance the idea of going to war in a plane so I ended up in an APC in a silly green suit, go Figure ( as the Yanks say ) Good Luck.☮️
About bloody time!:)
Many apologies for the gap since last video. I've had a torrid time personally over the past few months but I'm getting back on track. Plenty more video ideas in the pipeline.
@@TheNorthernHistorian I’m sorry to hear that, mate. I hope you’re feeling back to your old self. Everyone has there personal battles and frankly they are exhausting. Glad that you’re ok enough to get back to ‘work’ so to speak. :)
Great!
A thought for aircraft historians. Would this raid have been more successful if they had used Mosquitoes rather than Lancasters?
Long range at high speed and proven accuracy. They would need 2x as many aircraft but about 1/2 as many crew at risk.
No. The Bomber Command Mosquitos at this time consisted of 3 Squadrons in the PFF (around 36 operational aircraft), 24 of which could not bomb anything outside the range of OBOE as they had no visual bombing capability. The Mosquito of 1943 was very much a light Bomber which could carry a 3000lb load (4x500lb bombs internal), plus a 500lb bomb on each wing. If the 3000lb load was carried, the range of the aircraft was nowhere near long enough to carry out this attack. The Pathfinder Lancaster could find this target as they had H2S, No Mosquito got that kit until a Couple of 139 Squadron got a couple of aircraft fitted with it in early 1944. The Mosquito was never more accurate than a Lancaster, unless it attacked from ultra low level, which it never did against really heavy German Air Defences ever (All of the places were the Mosquitos put bombs through windows of Gestapo HQ, were places that didn't have Rhur Valley levels of light Flak.
My da flew in Mitchell's and my Namesake was killed on the Dambusters raid. RIP J.E. Adams .
It was a hot summer night
And the Zepp Sheds were burning
Phosphorous fog crawling over the sand
When I listen to your heart I hear the whole world turning
I see the shooting stars falling from the Pathfinders trembling hands
Sqd. Ldr. Meatloaf 1943
Bravery beyond comprehension.
I come from Germany actually from southern Germany, Friedrichshafen is only about a half hour drive away, there was also the headquarters of the fighter production of the company Dornier at the time which was also a target for bombers, Friedrichshafen is not pronounced Friedrich shafen, but Friedrichs hafen, like Friedrichs (whos port) and simple Hafen as Port. Friedrichshafen was one of the few cities that were bombed here on Lake Constance because they did not want to hit Switzerland.
Hallo Nachbar, Friedrichshafen ist immer noch/wieder auf der Zielscheibe. Such mal nach "Keine Waffen Vom Bodensee".
Eeèeh
That was Canny Like !!
Great story.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Absolutely superb video. Well researched and well delivered! So much better than most of the shoddily researched WW2 nonsense appearing on UA-cam these days. Well done .
Thank you so much.
In the 70s we went to Wilhelmshaven with motorbikes and tents . The shop keepers were extremely rude as were the campers .Being young we didn't know what was what . Departed quickly . Back at work l told a mate ...He said you were in the sticks and the RAF bombed the crap out of the German Navy. Saying that l was in Essen for a few weeks and the people were great ,in fact we went to a huge shopping mall with a lake in the middle I said to a German, this is wonderful,when was it built ..He said well your Lancasters started it ..this was Krupps. 😮
7.08 The Augsburg raid might have been a daring low level attack it was also a complete disaster. It was Harris's attempt to show the best way to defeat U boats was to destroy the factories manufacturing them and Augsburg manufactured their diesel engines. Seven of the 12 aircraft taking part were shot down in return for blowing the roof off a shed and damaging a crane and one lathe.
The aircraft were shot down from around 300 feet in broad daylight and having them fly over a German fighter airfield en route did not help. Very very few of the crews escaped but the survivors were sent round the country on morale boosting tours portraying it as a great success. A shed load of well deserved medals were given out but they knew it was a complete disaster but went along with it.
The shed and one crane myth was started by the RMVP (for obvious reasons) and seems to have been perpetuated by the more unquestioning although in fact the damage was considerably greater than this. The raid proved that Bomber Command could attack targets farther afield than the heavily defended Ruhr and as such caused Germany to disperse its fighter defences reducing their effectiveness. For the loss of a relative few aircraft it could be considered a strategic if not tactical success.
In war, truth is the first casualty😐
Balls of steel, everyone of them
Hey i used to work at Danesfield House
Hey up!
I'm from Barrow too!
This channel , The Northern explorer deserves much more exposure.
How can we assist?
I'm actually over in Newcastle. You can assist by keep watching my videos, thanks for your support.
@@TheNorthernHistorian Gan canny!
I will do so😉
Excellent as usual. Thanks for detailing this fascinating raid. Hippie New Year.
Thank you very much, Happy New Year to you also.
Just a minor thing: it's pronounced friedrichs-hafen (Friedrich's harbour). Just FYI. Thanks for the interesting video.
My mate told me his father had been a lancaster pilot and bombed germany then flew on to africa, maybe he had been on this raid? He said the only casualty was over the italian coast when a fighter engaged them once. He couldn't contact his navigator so someone checked on him and his head had been blown off.
Excellent story...thanks. Sooooooo- what happened to the bomber damaged in Africa?
This was my grandfather’s aircraft. It was written off and the crew made their way home via Gibraltar.
Great but an explantory narration would have been nice. I want the technical details, please
15.39 "eight high explosive 500 pound bombs" 4,000 pounds
I have checked my Bomber Command Losses for 1943 and I cannot locate this operation. Do you have an exact date and the squadrons involved. That part of your story is sketchy. Sixty Lancasters is not a large formation.
The mission took place between 20th-24th June 1943, there were no Lancasters lost in the raid. The pathfinders were from 97 Sqn and the main force was drawn from several squadrons derived from No.5 Group. Granted, the formation was not of the scale of some but 60 Lancasters flying over your head would still summon up the word, large. It's all relative I suppose.
Tip: Fredricks hafen.
The photo of the explosiemotor after the bombing of Laspezia in Italy shows a Handley Page Halifax bomber and not a Lancaster. Therefor the photo is not correct....
Frie-drichs-hafen actually nearer to Lichtenstein than Austria
I would be very interest with out gittish music
Harris's attempt to pre-empt American thunder from the Regensburg Raid planned for August '43 ?
Do you know anything about a German plane crashing near consett during ww2
It's Selsey Bill NOT Selsea.
Ooops, good spot. A little careless on my part. Thanks for pointing that out.
Just a comment not negativ the town is Friedrichs-haven not Shafen, hafen is port in English. So separate from Friedrich
It's Selsey Bill not Selsea.
new vid
if mosquito photo recon planes could reach the target, why couldn't mosquito pathfinders be used?
It wasn't a limitation of the aircraft's range, it was a limitation of the radio transmission used in Oboe. It relied on 'line of sight' and the curvature of the earth at such distances would break the line of sight..
I wonder if and how many slave workers were killed.
Friedrichs-Hafen, not schafen!
If no aircrafts were lost, how did they suffer casualties?
Flack?One aircraft had undercarriage damage.
Yes, one bomb aimer was killed by a flak fragment over the target.
The concept is good and accurate as far as we know, however, the video falls down by the choice of ac commentator, sounds like a foreigner to me which spoils a good video.
Hi John. I'm sorry you disapprove of my accent but I'm afraid there is not much I can do about that. Thank you so much for taking the time to write a comment however and giving the algorithm a bit of a boost. Have a nice day.😀
Hey. No matter who you are, how you talk and where you come from, you'll always be a stranger somewhere. 😊
The Gestapo would of been quite busy in the area thinking a Spy ring was reporting
Lancaster bomb aimers had more power to inflict destruction than any other ordinary warriors in the whole history of war.
Have ever heard of the Enola Gay and Bocks Car, the two B29s that struck Hiroshima and Nagasaki with atomic bombs?
Enjoyed this video good production quality would give the WOKE BBC a run for its money
marvelous video of the Hindenburg not killing 65% of the passengers aboard unlike Boeings 737 max when its computer flies it into the ground.
please learn how to say Friedrichshafen .
It's sad to see that men are not men in 2023.