Although the Lancaster is best remembered for dropping bombs, it also flew missions of mercy during World War Two. During Operation Manna from April 29 to May 7,1945, Lancasters dropped food parcels over a region of the occupied Netherlands to feed civilians in danger of starving. The mission was named after the biblical story of heavenly 'manna' provided by God for the Israelites in the Book of Exodus. Over 3,000 lancs' from the RAF's 1,3 and 8 Groups took part, accompanied by 145 DH Mosguitos, flying almost 3,300 sorties between them. The cargo had to be dropped without parachute, meaning the aircraft had to fly at extremely low level. Occupying German forces agreed to a ceasefire, though the first sorties were successfully completed before it was applied.
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