First Australian aircraft attack on Nazi Germany

On this night, a single Handley Page Hampden bomber from No 455 Squadron, RAAF, took off from Swinderby in Lincolnshire to make the first attack by an Australian aircraft on Nazi Germany with both the aircraft and aircrew returning safely. This attack was the beginning of Australia’s involvement in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany that would, over the next four years, involve over 10 000 members of the RAAF and claim the lives of almost 3500 Australian airmen.