Mining Operation
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Mining Campaign
Bomber Command squadrons meticulously strategised the placement of Parachute mines along the Atlantic Wall. They aimed to disrupt German naval and Merchant shipping routes, immobilise harbours/ports, and disrupt shipping traffic in rivers that fed factories/cities. The code-named waterways, using the names of Vegetables and Plants, added a layer of strategic depth to the operation, making it more than just 'Gardening'.
Not only did the Germans defend their cities and factories from Allied bombing, but they also had to commit more than 20,000 men to minesweeping activities and man flak boats along the coast of Europe. Constructing anti-aircraft batteries and having manoeuvrable flak cannons at key locations along the northern European coastline was a necessity.
Bomber Command Minefields/Vegetable Gardens
The Map of Europe pinpoints key locations by their code names. Select the number on the Map to find the corresponding Mining operation code name.
The aircrews, often facing enemy fire and adverse conditions, displayed immense bravery and determination. The Stirling aircrews released the mines (usually two) at intervals of 3 to 5 seconds, and their trajectory curved. Gravity, airspeed, air resistance, the nose fairing, and the parachute were all factors in planting a mine that would function. The crew then continued in a straight line for a few more minutes to confuse the enemy as to where the mines had been jettisoned, completing the drop. Their courage and determination were instrumental in the mission's success.
RAF 'Mining operations,' code-named 'Gardening', was a crucial campaign throughout World War II carried out by Bomber Command and Coastal Command. Aircraft would drop parachute naval mines at low level in enemy waters to disrupt shipping and naval operations, being the primary goal.
Minelaying was a vital and practical part of the war effort, though it was sometimes overlooked by historians who considered it a less glamorous task than direct bombing raids. In May of 2025, Female Bomber Command author & Historian Jane Gulliford Lowe published her book on Bomber Command Gardening Operation 1940-1945 called The Invisible Campaign under the publishing Company (Tempest Books), a must-have book for anyone interested in the RAF's wartime bombing operations. The term "invisible Campaign" refers to the largely overlooked but highly effective and important minelaying efforts by Bomber Command, highlighted in Jane Gulliford Lowes' ground-breaking work. To order a copy, go to www.mortonsbook.com (Highly recommended publication.
Left a Stirling Bomber ground crew mining up the bomb bay of the Stirling Bomber—photo via Chaz Bowyer.
The photo below shows No.218 Gold Coast Squadron Stirling MKIII EH984 HA-C for Charlie. lost on its 17th operation on 27/28th September 1943, to Hannover, Germany. Aircrew loss No. 81 pilot (Flight Sergeant John Albert Riley DFM). Photo via Steve Smith, 218 Gold Coast Squadron Association.
218 Gold Coast Squadron armourers loading a Stirling at RAF Downham Market with Sea Mines for a Gardening operation to the Nectarines (Holland) 1943.
