Target folder, operation number GQ. 1514, Böhlen, 1943-1944

Target information folder prepared by the Air Ministry Target Section giving details of the synthetic oil plant at Böhlen.

Oil was crucial to Germany’s war fighting capability, however it had very few domestic oilfields, approximately only 10% of its needs. Germany relied heavily on synthetic oil produced at 16 synthetic oil plants. These plants were systematically targeted by aircraft from not only Bomber Command and the 8th Air Force USAAF but also by Allied aircraft operating from North Africa and Italy. Bomber Command first attacked Böhlen October 1940, four further larger raids by Bomber Command aircraft were conducted in early 1945.