The End of the War Approaches: Berchtesgaden Operation

On 25 April 1945, the Pathfinders, part of a force of 359 Lancasters and 16 Mosquitoes, attacked Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps, a command centre and the favourite resort of Nazi grandees including Hitler, whose Eagle’s Nest redoubt was targeted.

hitler at berchtesgaden 2

635 Squadron played a major part in this raid, sending 16 aircraft amongst whom was the Master Bomber crew of Wing Commander J W Fordham. This was in addition to the 4 aircraft which the squadron sent on the Wangerooge operation of the same day.

berchtesgaden 3

Bennett
Horace Bennett of the Fordham Crew, Master Bombers on 25 April 1945 on the Berchtesgaden operation. Courtesy of Adam Morris.

See also, Horace Bennett with the CO of 635 Squadron: 635 Squadron – Tubby Baker

wamgerooge and berchtesgaden