[Alex van de Wetering]

12 Ventura's took off from Methwold at 16:43. They met up with the Spitfire escorts at Coltishall at 17:00 hours. One of the Ventura's, EG-Q, of Sgt A.G. Barker showed damage to the excape hatch and returned to Methwold, leaving 11 Ventura's for the bombing raid.

The intention was to fly low level to the Dutch coast and climb to bombing height when crossing the coast.....all to avoid attention from German fighters. However, the 11 Wing Spitfires had already alerted the Germans at that time as they reached the Dutch coast early.....and they flew too high which meant that German Focke Wolf 190's and Messerschmitt 109's were soon swarming the area. Some sources mention 50+ German fighters, other mention even more, 80+.
The 122 and 453 sq Spits had to return to the UK when running low on fuel, so all German fighters went after the Ventura's and their Spitfire escorts. It seems the 190's were tasked with attacking the Spitfire escorts, while the 109's attacked the Ventura's.

Attached is a layout of the 11 remaining Ventura's for the raid. picture taken at "Fort Veldhuis" museum of the Aircraft Recovery Group 1940-1945