Borås Memorial, Tirpitz Raid 1942 — Halifax W1020 & Lancaster L7572

Could you help us fill in the inscription?

On the night of 27 April 1942, Bomber Command launched one of its costliest single-target operations of the war — a raid on the German battleship Tirpitz, moored under massive anti-aircraft protection in Fættenfjord. Across three raids in spring 1942, Bomber Command would lose 17 aircraft against this single target. The night of 27 April was among the bloodiest.

Halifax Mk.II W1020, coded TL-K, of 35 Squadron, departed RAF Kinloss at 20:35. Crewed by six men under Flight Lieutenant Michael Pooles, the aircraft was hit by flak during the attack. Damaged and unable to make it home, Pooles may have attempted to reach neutral Sweden — the mountainside at Borås, Skjekstadmark lies on a heading that would be consistent with such an attempt. The aircraft crashed into the mountain. All six crew were killed.

Lancaster Mk.I L7572, coded OF-L, of 97 Squadron, had departed RAF Lossiemouth on the same operation. L7572 holds a particular place in Lancaster history: it was among the very first production batch, roughly the 46th Lancaster ever built, and 97 Squadron was one of the earliest Lancaster units in Bomber Command. On this night, the aircraft was engaged by both shore-based and ship-based anti-aircraft guns and became totally engulfed in flames. It crashed near Kaldadammen, close to the Halifax crash site. All seven crew were killed.

The proximity of the two crash sites — and the scale of the combined loss — led the local community to erect a single memorial at Borås. Dedicated on 24 June 1979, it comprises a main inscribed granite stone flanked by 13 individual stones, one for each of the men who died. All 13 airmen are buried at Trondheim (Stavne) Cemetery in the same plot.

The Tirpitz raids of spring 1942 are a stark illustration of the cost Bomber Command accepted in attacking heavily defended point targets. The battleship survived; 17 aircraft and their crews did not.

Every memorial has a story — why it was built, who campaigned for it, and what it means to the local community. If you know the story behind this memorial, we would love to hear it.

Do you know of any commemorative events or annual services held at this memorial? We would love to hear from local communities who remember.