U.K. - Document - Airborne Pamphlet Royal Airforce ww2 - 1943

Royal Air Force (RAF) bombing raid on Cologne with 1,000 bombers – propaganda flyer G30

During World War II the German city of Cologne was a target of air attacks; the best known of these was the first raid with 1,000 bombers, carried out by the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the night of 30 to 31 May 1942. This attack, codename 'Operation Millennium', was carried out on a large scale to demoralize the German war machine. Hamburg had originally been planned as the target for Operation Millennium, but due to poor weather conditions the focus shifted to the secondary target: Cologne. It was also the first time the tactic of the 'bomber stream' was employed, in which RAF aircraft flew in a continuous stream, overwhelming German air defenses. All bombers flew over Cologne within a 90-minute period to drop their bomb loads. The intense bombardment during these 90 minutes overloaded Cologne's fire brigade and caused massive fires; the destruction reminded one of the damage the Luftwaffe had wrought in 1940 during the 'Blitz' on London.

1,103 bombers took part in the attack on Cologne; the RAF lost 43 aircraft during the mission. Below is a propaganda flyer from the RAF (number G30) that was dropped ahead of the air raid over Cologne to warn the civilian population.

In good condition, small pamphlet and blotchy (see photos for a good impression of it)

Additionally, 3 more RAF propaganda flyers in reasonably good condition, one of which has perforation holes.