“May 1942: The first thousand-bomber raid, the target was Cologne, Germany.1,047 Allied aircraft were dispatched, this number being made up as follows:1 Group – 156 Wellingtons3 Group – 134 Wellingtons, 88 Stirlings = 222 aircraft4 Group – 131 Halifaxes, 9 Wellingtons, 7 Whitleys = 147 aircraft5 Group – 73 Lancasters, 46 Manchesters, 34 Hampdens = 153 aircraft91 (O. T. U.) Group – 236 Wellingtons, 21 Whitleys = 257 aircraft 92 (O. T. U.) Group – 63 Wellingtons, 45 Hampdens = 108 aircraft Flying Training ,nd – 4 WellingtonsAircraft totals: 602 Wellingtons, 131 Halifaxes, 88 Stirlings, 79 Hampdens, 73 Lancasters, 46 Manchesters, 28 Whitleys = 1,047 aircraft”