Operation OYSTER, the daylight attack on the Philips radio and valve works at Emmasingel, Eindhoven, Holland, by No. 2 Group. Low-level oblique photograph showing incendiary bombs dropped by Lockheed Venturas bursting on the roof of the Emmasingel lamp and valve factory. C 3268 Part of AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION No. 21 Squadron RAF
For 10 years I worked for Philips and was not aware of this bit of the company’s history, although I worked in a different plant in another city, the links to Eindhoven were substantial because HQ was located there.
On this day 80 years ago the Philips Radio Works in Eindhoven, in the Netherlands was bombed by the RAF. It was a daring low-level attack which turned out to be a notable success for the allies as it cost the Germans an estimated six months’ loss of production.
On 6th December 1942, the RAF mounted Operation Oyster, a daylight low-level bombing raid on the Philips electronic company in Eindhoven, Holland. It was hoped that this approach would minimise casualties amongst Dutch civilians. It also provided the opportunity to build a well-photographed publicity exercise around the whole raid. The Mosquito was developing quite a reputation for this low-level work, although only a small proportion of the aircraft on the raid was of this type.
Squadron Leader Charles Patterson was one of the more experienced pilots taking part, his observer’s seat was occupied by Flying Officer Jimmy Hill from RAF Film Unit – the footage from this raid can be seen in the video below:
93 aircraft took part in the raid;
47 (PV-1) Venturas Mk. Is of RAF No. 21, RAAF No. 464 and RNZAF No. 487 Squadrons.
36 (A-20) Boston IIIs of Nos. 88, 107, and 226 Squadrons
10 Mosquito Mk. IVs of No.105 and No.139 Squadrons;
83 aircraft dropped bombs and one Mosquito was a photographic aircraft.
Eindhoven is beyond the range of fighter escorts so the raid was flown at a low level and in clear weather conditions.
Operation OYSTER, the daylight attack on the Philips radio and valve works at Eindhoven, Holland, by No. 2 Group. Ground crews prepare De Havilland Mosquito B Mark IV, DK336, of No. 105 Squadron RAF for the raid at Marham, Norfolk. C 3298 Part of AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION RAFFPU
Operation OYSTER, the daylight attack on the Philips radio and valve works at Eindhoven, Holland, by No. 2 Group. Wing Commander H I Edwards VC (left), leader of the De Havilland Mosquito B Mark IVs of Nos. 105 and 139 Squadrons RAF on the raid, and his navigator approach their aircraft before taking off from Marham, Norfolk. C 3304 Part of AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION RAFFPU
Mosquito B Mark IV Series 2, DK338, in flight after completion. DK338 served with No. 105 Squadron RAF as ‘GB-O’, and took part in the successful low-level raid on the Phillips radio factory at Eindhoven, Holland, (Operation OYSTER) on 6 December 1942, led by the Squadron Commander, Wing Commander H.I.Edwards VC. CH 7781 Part of AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION De Havilland photographer for Ministry of Aircraft Production
The bombing had to be very accurate to only cause damage to factories in the complex as the Factories were in the middle of the town. Normally they were also full of Dutch workers under Nazi guard so the raid was carried out on a Sunday to try and reduce civilian casualties. Unfortunately, some bombs fell in nearby streets killing 148 Dutch people and seven German soldiers.
Full production at the factory was not reached again until six months after the raid.
Operation OYSTER, the daylight attack on the Philips radio and valve works at Eindhoven, Holland, by No. 2 Group. Douglas Bostons fly over the burning Emmasingel lamp and valve factory at the height of the raid. The works were so severely hit that full production was not resumed for six months. C 5755 Part of AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION No. 2 Group RAF
Operation OYSTER, the daylight attack on the Philips radio and valve works at Eindhoven, Holland, by No. 2 Group. Low-level photographic-reconnaissance aerial taken over the Stryp Group main plant 30 minutes after the attack, showing extensive damage to the radio assembly shop and fires still burning at several points. Full production of electrical material at the factory was not reached again until 6 months after the raid. The bombers suffered a loss rate of 15 per cent for the whole force. C 3281 Part of AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION No. 139 Squadron RAF
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