Combat report of 616 Squadron/Royal Air Force on the attack on Nordholz Air Base on 24 May 1945

The squadron was sent that day with its 'Meteor' jet fighters for armed reconnaissance in area "Z" and to attack the Nordholz airfield a few miles south of Cuxhaven. That day the cloud ceiling in the area was 3000 feet (approx. 1000 meters). The first operational flight was carried out with four aircraft. The squadron leader on this operation was A. Mc. Dowall. The commanding officer attacked with his aircraft from an altitude of 8000 feet with the sun at his back. A Ju 88 (other sources report an Arado 234) and a military truck on the ground were damaged. Two tank wagons with fuel and an airfield building were destroyed by F. Wilson and 12 railway wagons by F. Moon, who also silenced a gun post with a long burst of fire. No doubt some of the German air force soldiers wanted to see the first British jet. Lieutenant TG. Clegg spotted a large truck full of soldiers on the airfield, apparently watching the action. Unfortunately for them, a burst of fire from the four machine guns put an end to the action, killing all of them. Apart from a few hits and one engine failure on T. Wilson's Meteor, all of the aircraft returned to base successfully. Another attack led by Squadron Leader LW. Watts flew into the same area in the afternoon with Lieutenant JK. Rodger and Lieutenant GR. Hobson. Squadron Leader LW. Watts destroyed a military transport and an airfield building at Nordholz, while JK. Rodger attacked an anti-aircraft bridge. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire, one pilot claimed, "I could have put my wheels on and rolled over." Although the anti-aircraft fire was intense, no one was reported injured. However, two of the jet fighters were slightly damaged.

There are now various statements about this RAF operation. The British one, with a destroyed "Junkers Ju 88" and various damage to vehicles, buildings and several German soldiers killed.

The German side mentions damage to an "Arado 234 - Blitz" and minor, insignificant damage, no dead or injured soldiers. The truth is unlikely to be discovered today.

Source: Runway B 91