February 2, 1945 - Sergeant Towle Arrives at 550 Squadron

From the Operations Record Book:  

28 aircraft and crews were accepted and briefed to attack WEISBANE where enemy troops were reported to be resting and being re-fitted preparatory to a move to the Eastern Front. Of the 28 aircraft, only 26 aircraft took off, 2 aircraft were non-starters owing to one developing engine trouble and the other being bogged due to a temporary failure of some perimeter track lighting. The weather again was our chief enemy. Cloud up to 20,000 ft had been predicted over the Channel only, but in point of fact the worst conditions were over the target where there was layer cloud up to this height and over. Markers were completely obscured and in the circumstances it hardly seems likely that a concentrated attack could have been made. Flak was very ineffective but three of our aircraft saw enemy fighters and opened fire on them without response or conclusive result. All our aircraft returned safely one landing at Kirmington.

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On February 2, 1945, RAF Sergeant William Towle was posted to 550 Squadron from 71 Base.  Towle served as mid-upper air gunner with the crew on one operation - a raid on Chemnitz - which would be his first, and the Harris crew’s second live operation.  Towle joined Flying Officer H. A. Findlay’s crew and went on to complete 20 more successful operations including participation in Operation Manna, air-dropping food to the Dutch in April and May 1945.