Bomber Command Minelaying Area Codes 1940 - 1945

Below is a table with a list of the codes given to sea lanes and areas that Bomber Command dropped mines in. The codeword for a mining operation was "Gardening", and the area codes used generally followed a horticultural theme, although there were a few exceptions, as can be seem from the list below. We are sure that this list is probably by no means exhaustive, and if anyone can add anything to it, please email us (please replace the "AT" with an "@" before sending your email) with details. The codes are listed alphabetically below, working down the left hand column first, and then down the right hand column. The codeword used is shown first, with the area or lane name following.

 

Anemones - Le Havre

Melon - Kiel Canal

Artichokes - Lorient

Mullet - Spezia

Asparagus - Green Belt

Mussels - Terschilling Gat

Barnacle - Zeebrugge

Nasturtiums - The Sound

Beech - St Nazaire

Nectarines - Friesan Islands

Bottle - Haugesund

Newt - Maas and Scheldt

Broccoli - Great Belt

Onions - Oslo

Carrots - Little Belt

Oysters - Rotterdam

Cinnamon - La Rochelle

Prawns - Calais

Cypress - Dunkirk

Privet - Danzig

Daffodil - The Sound

Pumpkins - Great Belt

Deodar - Bordeaux

Quinces - Great Belt / Kiel Bay

Dewberry - Bologne

Radishes - Kiel Bay

Eglantine - Heligoland Approaches

Rosemary - Heligoland

Elderberry - Bayonne

Scallops - Rouen

Endives - Little Belt

Silverthorn - Kattegat Areas

Flounder - Maas and Scheldt

Sweet Peas - Rostock and Arcone Light

Forget-me-Nots - Kiel Canal

Tangerine - Pillau

Furze - St. Jean du Luz

Tomato - Oslo Fjord Approaches

Hawthorn - Esbjerg Approaches

Trefoils - Texal (South)

Hollyhock - Travemunde

Turbot - Ostende

Hyacinth - St. Malo

Undergrowth - Kattegat

Geranium - Swinemunde

Verbena - Copenhagen Approaches

Gorse - Quiberon

Vine Leaves - Dieppe

Greengage - Cherbourg

Wallflowers - Kiel Bay

Jasmine - Travemunde

Welks - Zuider Zee

Jellyfish - Brest

Willows - Arcona to River Dievenow

Juniper - Antwerp

Xeranthemums - River Jade

Krauts - Lim Fjord

Yams - Heligoland Approaches

Lettuces - Kiel Canal

Yewtree - Kattegat

Limpets - Den Helder

Zinneas - River Jade

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