218 “Gold Coast” Squadron

9th Apr – ORB shows “10. aircraft were detailed and 10 aircraft attacked primary target.
The target was the Lille Marshalling Yard. Thin layer of low stratus over the target. Only 2 aircraft saw the railway lines in the light of the large explosions which were reported by most crews on the run up to the Target. The target itself was observed by a pall of smoke up to 8,000 ft when aircraft left. T.I. Markers were on time and were bombed by all aircraft. 94,000 Ibs. of bombs were dropped during this operation.
12th Apr – ORB shows “This was a Gardening effort. 2 aircraft were off Egmond – Holland. 12 mines were laid in the Garden area. No opposition encountered. A quiet trip. 2 aircraft off S.W. end of Texel Island. 1 aircraft returned early and 1 aircraft brought mines back owing to failure of special equipment in both cases”
18th Apr – ORB shows “13 aircraft detailed and 12 attacked the primary target. This was a mining effort in Kiel Bay. 1 aircraft “F” (F/Lt. A. T. King} was attacked by a fighter just after crossing the Danish Coast on the way to the Target. The rear gunner Sgt Hancock was seriously wounded and a fire started in the aircraft. The mines were laid in the alternative area and the aircraft was brought safely back to base. There was a considerable increase in the fighter activity over Denmark, particularly in the S. E. JESBURG area. Fighter flares were numerous and 1 aircraft was seen to be shot down. Marker flares were well on time and the visibility was good. 58,500 lbs. of seeds were planted.
20th Apr – ORB shows “14 aircraft were detailed. 3 aircraft dropped 27×1000 lbs. on Primary Target which was Chambley Railway Depot N. of Paris. 9 aircraft had abortive sorties due to lack of reception on Special Navigation Equipment. 53×1000 lbs. were jettisoned and 28×1000 lbs. brought back. 1 aircraft landed at Enstone and 1 aircraft was reported missing. Visibility was good but no ground detail was seen. Very little opposition by flak and one enemy fighter seen just North of Paris. 88,000 lbs. of bombs were used on this operation.”
22nd Apr – ORB shows “14 aircraft detailed. The target was Laon Marshalling Yard. 9 aircraft attacked the primary target. 3 aircraft “J”, “P” and “N” returned early. 1 aircraft failed to take off (“B” F/Lt. I.F. Lock) and 1 aircraft “M” S/L. Poulter was missing. Weather was clear but some haze. Reception from M.C. was quite good but some interference was experienced. Flares illuminated aircraft and enemy aircraft were operating in the area when the attack started. All aircraft bombed on T.I‘s as directed by the M.C. Very little ground detail identified. One Bomb Aimer saw the Railway loop and thought that the Markers were in the right place and the attack fairly concentrated. 106,000 lbs. of bombs were dropped during this operation.”
23rd Apr – ORB shows “12 aircraft detailed, 11 attacked primary, 1 returned early Port Inner Engine u/s and jettisoned bombs in emergency just off the Air Field (“B” F/Lt. Lock.) Weather was clear over the target but hazy. Special Navigation Aids used for bombing in all cases and no failures were reported. Only bomb bursts were seen. Defences were very negligible. No fires were seen. The target was Vilvorde Depot. 88,000 lbs. of bombs were dropped during this operation.”