January 22, 1945 - Battle Dress

From the Operations Record Book:  

27 aircrews were briefed at 08.45 hours and were in their aircraft ready for action. The Squadron was to be led by the Station Commander G/Cpt McIntyre, but the intended operation was once again cancelled owing to adverse weather en route and over the target. Needless to say the boys were very disappointed for they all, without exception, thoroughly enjoy a daylight operation. A good training programme was laid on but had to be cancelled owing to the Squadron having to prepare for another operation for which 31 aircrews were briefed at 14.30 hours and successfully took of at approximately 16.45 hours. Although take off was good, it needed all the pilots skill to successfully accomplish the feat. The runways were on the treacherous side in spite of the amount of time and effort spent on clearing snow and spreading salt and sand. Watching take off my heart momentarily stood still a few times, several aircraft when about to become airborne had a tendency to swing sharply to starboard which looked decidedly dangerous.

The Squadron was led by Squadron Commander W/Cmdr Bryan Bell (Dingle) to attack the steel works at HAMBORN, the northern suburb of Duisburg. F/Lt Summons in "Q" returned early with C S U(?) trouble, but the remaining 30 had a very successful party. The target was clear of cloud, the marking was accurate and bombing concentrated. Several fires were started and explosions reported, one very impressive and 37 minutes after "N" hours. At the end of the attack the target was covered by a thick pall of smoke. Ground opposition was only slight and fighters little in evidence. All returned safely and unscathed to Base. Photographs brought back show excellent results. F/Lt Shenker and F/O Bell with their crews completed their first operational tours on the high note of this most satisfactory operation.

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Surprisingly, airmen had to buy their own uniforms.  With rationing in place, civilians and those in the services alike, received 44 clothing coupons per year.  In April 1944, Harris wrote home that he had to replace his uniform and this took up 24 of his coupons. 

Harris described in a letter to his wife Margaret the frustrating process of getting a battle-dress:  “First you go to clothing stores and fill in a form, which you take to the equipment officer to sign, then you go to the adjutant for his signature (and hand over your coupons).   Next you go to another office to get the items priced, and then find the accountant officer and pay up.  Finally, if everything has gone smoothly, you go back to your starting point and collect the suit.  How many yards of red tape is that?”