The three 'Thousand Bomber Raids' were a significant turning point in the history of Bomber Command. The first was a raid to Cologne on the night of 30/31 May 1942, the second to Essen on 1/2 June, and the third to Bremen on 25/26 June.

The following excerpt from the biography, 'Johnny', provides background to the raid and tells of the preparation and execution of the first 'Thousand Bomber Raid' from the point of view of 405 Squadron RCAF and its C/O, Johnny Fauquier. Following operations using the twin-engined Wellington aircraft, the squadron had only recently converted to the Halifax Mk II and this was their first operation with the new type.

'Johnny' was published by the Bomber Command Museum of Canada and is available at the museum or through our on-line gift shop.