March 2, 1945 - The RAF's Last Raid on Cologne

From the Operations Record Book:  

26 aircraft with their crews took off at approximately 06.45 hrs in the usual Squadron style to attack the approaches to the Rhine bridges at COLOGNE to prevent the retreating Huns from escaping to the east of the Rhine. For once the weather was kind. 5/10ths [5 tenths] cloud was encountered until approximately 20 miles short of the target which was clear. Visibility was good and crews had no difficulty in identifying the aiming point visually. Bombing was reported to be concentrated with a few hundred yards of aiming point. A generous fighter escort was supplied which discouraged the Luftwaffe from putting in an appearance. Flak over the target was moderate and accurate. Five aircraft from the Squadron were damaged. Photographs confirm that the aiming point was well and truly hit.

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The remains of Cologne's railway station in 1945
Source: https://www.worldwarphotos.info

The Harris Crew did not participate in this raid though 550 Squadron sent 26 aircraft to join a total of Allied 858 aircraft to attack Cologne in two waves.

After bombing the city many times in the course of the war, the March 2, 1945 attack would mark the RAF's last on this city.