On the night of 17/18 August, Operation Hydra was conducted against the Peenemünde Army Research Center, the site of the V-2 rocket and other German guided missiles and munitions; 17 Lancasters were lost in the costly but successful attack, mainly to German night fighters.Richards 2001, p. 200. Five days later, Lancasters struck numerous chemical works across Germany, including those in Leverkusen and Düsseldorf. On 23 August, a major raid on Berlin was conducted, dropping roughly 1,700 tons of bombs on the city; German night fighters responded, causing a 5.4% loss rate amongst Lancasters, while the Halifax and Stirling bombers suffered 8.8% and 12.9% loss rates respectively. Numerous strikes on the German capital occurred over the following weeks, sometimes by an all-Lancaster force.Robertson 1964, p. 37.
On the night of 17/18 August Operation Hydra was conducted against the Peenemünde Army Research Center the site of the V-2 rocket and other German guided missiles and munitions; 17 Lancasters were lost in the costly but successful attack mainly to German night fightersRichards 2001 p 200 Five days later Lancasters struck numerous chemical works across Germany including those in Leverkusen and Düsseldorf On 23 August a major raid on Berlin was conducted dropping roughly 1700 tons of bombs on the city; German night fighters responded causing a 54% loss rate amongst Lancasters while the Halifax and Stirling bombers suffered 88% and 129% loss rates respectively Numerous strikes on the German capital occurred over the following weeks sometimes by an all-Lancaster forceRobertson 1964 p 37