RNZAF Ramrod raid on Amsterdam. May 3rd 1943

[Alex van de Wetering]

Ramrod 16 (or 17) included 12 Lockheed Ventura bombers of 487 RNZAF Squadron, which were to be escorted by Spitfire mkV's of 118, 167 and 504 Squadron.

The aircraft would also meet up with Spitfire MkIX's of 122 Squadron and 453 Squadron. Some sources suggest these Spitfires were also tasked with support of the Ventura's, while other sources say they had their own mission, a Rodeo 212 diversionary attack on Vlissingen (Flushing), Netherlands.

There was another bombing mission at about the same time, Ramrod 17 (or 16), which was a raid by 6 Boston bombers of 107 Squadron on the IJmuiden Power station, near the IJmuiden Steelworks.

Edit: There is some confusion on to which of both missions as "Ramrod 17" and which was "Ramrod 16".
Edit: MkIX Spitfire Squadrons added.