February 9, 1945 - Back in the Air and New Arrivals 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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Due to a combination of Harris’ injury, poor weather conditions and the crew’s leave time, after more than three weeks on the ground, the Harris Crew would finally get back in the air today.  That flight would be a brief one - just a one-hour night flight.

Two new air gunners arrived at 550 Squadron that same day, both from 625 Squadron at RAF Kelstern:

RAF Sergeant Albert Colin (no age available) would stand-in as the mid-upper air gunner for the Harris Crew for their first live operation.  21-year-old RAF Sergeant Eric Raymond Robinson would stand-in as the mid-upper air-gunner for the crew on three occasions, including their last.