My tour of OPS comprised of 36 1/2 trips, including our OTU leaflet raid in a Wellington. The tour extended from October 1943 to end of August 1944. Most crews completed a tour in much less time. This slow progress was due in part to the promotion of pilot to Wing Commander. Because of his duties we didn’t fly on all raids although we were exposed to all briefings and the fluttering stomach and nervous pees that were a part of that preparation.

At least 13 ot our flights were to major targets including 2 to Berlin. That target seemed to be reserved for Lancasters that flew somewhat higher than our Halifax. We didn’t complain. Mannheim, our second trip, was the only dicey venture. The rest were more or less routine although the losses on each trip were heavy. This is a matter of luck. Although the introduction of better navigation equipement (H2S) in January 1944 helped us pick out coastlines, built up areas etc. certainly helped in achieving accuracy, effieciency and decreased exposure to risk. Even so some of our best and experienced crews were shot down over safe targets close to the enemy coast. Nine of our trips were devoted to Gardening (dropping mines from 15,000 ft.) These trips were a piece of cake although one trip over Brest harbour was hot due to heavy flak protecting the battle cruisers Sharnhorst and Gneisenau. We had to make 2 runs over the target which didn’t please the rest of the crew. The remaining trips were on marshalling yards, V1 rocket sites etc. which, generally were close to the coast. For awhile the rumor went that these “easy” trips should only get a credit of 1/3 trip. However this rumor died when the crews indicated they would only fly 1/3 of the way to the target and would only carry 1/3 of the bomb load. The 1100 heavy bomber raid on German troop concentrations at Caen on July 18 was exciting.
The main risk was possible hits by bombs from the planes above. This raid was referred to in the book “The Guns of Normandy” by George Blackburn which revealed the terrible slaughter experienced by English and Canadian troops opposing Rommel’s tanks and crack troops. Their holding effort allowed Paton to circle south and east around the Germans, from his original postition well west of Caen.
Many of my good friends from earlier training exercises who were on Ops before me, didn’t  return from raids.
The year 1943 was a bad time to be fling over Germany. Their loss didn’t help my moral particularly when posted to the Ghost Squadron.