Bob Gill’s Operation No.47 16/17th June 1944 Sterkrade in the Ruhr – 35 Squadron Lancaster with Pilot S/Ldr George F H Ingram & Bob Gill as Mid-Upper Gunner
321 Aircraft
162 Halifaxes, 147 Lancasters, 12 Mosquitos – of No.s 1, 4, 6 & 8-Groups to Attack the Synthetic-Oil Plant at Sterkrade/Holten despite a poor Weather Forecast. The Target was found to be covered by thick Cloud and the Pathfinder Markers quickly disappeared. The Main Force Crews could do little but Bomb on to the diminishing Glow of the Markers in the Cloud. RAF Photographic Reconnaissance & German Reports agree that most of the Bombing was scattered, although some Bombs did fall in the Plant area, but with little effect upon Production. Unfortunately, the Route of the Bomber Stream passed near a German Night-Fighter Beacon at Bocholt, only 30-miles from Sterkrade. The German Controller had chosen this Beacon as the Holding Point for his Night Fighters. Approximately 21 Bombers were Shot Down by Fighters and a further 10 by Flak.
22 of the Lost Aircraft were Halifax’s, these losses being 13.6% of the 162 Halifax’s on the Raid.
No.77 Squadron, KN-Code from RAF Full Sutton near York, lost 7 of its 23 Halifax’s taking part in the Raid.
30th September 1944 –
Oberhausen (Sterkrade) – became a City in 1901, and they incorporated the Towns of Sterkrade & Osterfeld in 1929. The Ruhrchemie AG Synthetic Oil Plant (“Oberhausen-Holten” or “Sterkrade/Holten”) was a Bombing Target of the Oil Campaign of WW2, which pitted the RAF & the USAAF against Facilities supplying Nazi Germany with Petroleum, Oil, and Lubrication (POL) Products.
24 of 139 Bombers attempted to Hit the Cloud-covered Oil Plant
139 aircraft – 108 Halifaxes, 21 Lancasters, 10 Mosquitos – of 4 & 8 Groups attempted to Attack the Oil Plant at Sterkrade but the Target was Cloud-covered. Only 24 Aircraft attacked the Main Target; other Aircraft Bombed the general Town area of Sterkrade. 1 Halifax lost.
6th October 1944 – Oberhausen (Sterkrade)
The USAAF 466th Bombed Sterkrade
6th November 1944 – Oberhausen (Sterkrade)
134 Bombers Attacked the Synthetic Oil Plant.
21/22nd November 1944 –Sterkrade:
270 Aircraft
232 Halifaxes, 20 Mosquitos, 18 Lancasters – of 4 & 8-Groups. The Target was again the Synthetic-Oil Refinery. Bomber Command’s Report says that the Plant was not damaged, though some Labour Barracks near by were Hit.
22nd January 1945 Stekrade –
200 Britain-based Flying Fortresses & 100 Mustang Fighters dropped 600 Tons of Bombs on the Sterkrade Synthetic Oil Refinery in the Ruhr today in a concentrated Attack.
Air Gunner Bob Gill DFM 