Bomber Command opened the new year of 1944 with a raid on Berlin with 421 aircraft on the nights of the 1st and 2nd of January. This was followed the next night with a raid of 383 aircraft. then, on the 20th and 21st, a large force of 769 aircraft took off again for Berlin - inflicting massive damage. Before the end of the month, 3 more raids hit Berlin - the Command was on the offensive.