Last updated on
10 June, 2009
|
| Reference | AIR20/8474 | ||
| Name of operation | BRASENOSE (completed) | Date of operation | 13-14 Sep 1943 |
| Aircraft | Lysander (No. J) | Squadron | 161 Squadron, RAF |
| Based at | RAF Tangmere, Sussex, UK | Pilot(s) | S/L Verity |
| Personnel In | 3 | Packages In | a few |
| Personnel Out | - | Packages Out | 2 |
| Area | Reims | Pinpoint | 49° 21' 40'' N / 03° 37' 45'' E (E. of Soissons) |
| Recognition signal | "B" Beer | Answering signal | "R" Robert |
| Takeoff | 20:55 | Landing | 23:35 |
| Time on ground | 3 minutes | ||
| Takeoff | 23:38 | Landing | 01:05 |
[Note: this information was copied from the original handwritten report filed under reference AIR20/8474 held in the UK National Archives]
Meteorological report
Weather generally good. The medium cloud cover over target area, did not obscure the moonlight, but just diffused it. There was some low cloud just inland of the French coast.Enemy opposition
None.Report by pilot
The target was reached as planned, via GRANDVILLIERE and COMPIEGNE. It was positively identified by the junction of the river & canal two miles to the north. After some minutes, I spotted a torch flashing dots, the “wait” signal, from a road some two miles south of the target. I went away and returned at ten minute intervals, noting the progress of the flashing light along the wood. Eventually, having waited for one hour and a quarter, I saw a “B” signalled from the field. The field was almost entirely ploughed, but the flarepath was laid on a narrow uphill strip of stubble between two haystacks. Apparently, MARTIN understood that the ETA was 2300 hrs GMT whereas I was given 21:00 hrs GMT. The return journey was without incident.Signed by H.B.Verity
Remarks by OC 161 Squadron
Field not recommended – haystacks too close to landing area.Signed by L.M.Hodges