Battle of Heligoland Bight

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The Battle of Heligoland Bight on 18 December 1939 is said to be the first 'named battle' of the Second World War. It proved to be a baptism of fire and a disaster for Bomber command, resulting in the loss of fifty-seven airmen and twelve Wellington Bombers.

Twenty-four Wellingtons of 9, 37, and 149 Squadrons were ordered to search for and attack German ships off Wilhelmshaven harbour. Twenty-two bombers reached the target area, located some German ships, and bombed from 13,000 feet.

For the first time in the war, German fighters were directed to the bomber force by a ground controller who was being given information from an experimental Freya radar station which had detected the Wellingtons when they were seventy miles out on their approach flight. Twelve of the twenty-two bombers were shot down. Two of the German fighters were shot down by the bombers. As a result of this ill-fated raid, Bomber Command reconsidered the concept of 'self-defending' bomber formations and effectively discontinued daylight bombing operations over mainland Germany in favour of night operations.

Two of the 9 Squadron Wellington pilots were Canadians and were killed, S/L A.J. Guthrie and F/O J.T. Challes. A third Canadian, P/O R.M. Ross, a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, was killed as well.

Bomber Command Museum of Canada