Ammunition finds at Berneval France

[Antoon]

Hello,

I am looking for information about findings of ammunition at Saint-Martin Plage, 76370 Saint-Martin-en-Campagne and Le Petit Berneval, 76370 Berneval-le-Grand.

There have been two large attacks by RAF Bomber Command The first on 8/9 May 1944 by 32 Halifaxes and 7 Mosquitoes and the second attack on 2/3 June 1944 by 103 Lancasters and 4 Mosquitoes on a German Radar Jamming Station.

Greetings - Antoon

 

[Yodamaster]

Question sended to France.
Wait, wait, wait,...


Yoda

 

[Yodamaster]

First answer, apparently from a logbook :

" June 1944: Op 3: Lancaster R2: F/O Bennet/Crew
Pilot’s comments: Berneval W/T station. Bomb load 12000 lbs H.E. Slight flack and Searchlights.
Navigator’s comments: Berneval, We bombed a radar station with 12000 lb of H.E. This was on the coast of occupied France between Bolougne and Calais. Slight flak (A.A. fire) and searchlights but no fighters seen.
Mid-Upper Gunner’s comments: Berneval Le Grand, France - Bombed at 9000’ Carried cookie plus 1000 pounders H.E. Objective was a radar station reported to have been interfering with our radar controlled mosquitoes. Opposition was practically nil. Light flak. Three hours and forty five minutes. A/C all back.
Incidental: 103 Lancasters and 4 Mosquitos of Nos 1 and 8 Groups attacked a radar-jamming station at Berneval with great accuracy and without loss"


Yoda

 

[Antoon]

Youdamaster,
Thank for the reply. I know the bomb loads. A lot of cookies en 500 lb. GP and MC bombs, but no 1000-pounders. I am interested if the Service de Deminage have dealt with some bombs there and were the bombs were found.

Greetings - Antoon

 

[Yodamaster]

Research is busy ! I asked the question on another source, wait, wait, wait,...
Apparently, the Protection Civile is not about findings of unexploded bombs. Probably the Marine and his Plongeurs-démineurs.


Yoda

 

[Antoon]

Yoda,
Dropped 8/9 May 1944:
110 x 1000 lb. MC
365 x 500 lb. GP
6 x 250 T.I.

Dropped 2/3 June 1944:
101 x 4000 lb. HC
689 x 500 lb. MC
927 x 500 lb. GP
9 x 250 lb. T.I.

Source: National Archives London: AIR 14/2678 en AIR 14/2679.

So there have must been some UXO's

Greetings - Antoon