This Day In History

Summary of Events for  No. 439 (CAN) Squadron 

as compiled by  C20089 F/L M. Harrison  in the  439 Squadron Operations Record Book Form 540

for

29 April  1945

B-150 Celle, Germany

Low cloud, a high wind that threatened the tents continuously all day and it was pretty frigid. In spite of this the show must go on and we were able to do an armed weather recce in the morning, another operation in the afternoon and one in late afternoon. On the first show, F/O Buck McGibbon pranged his kite on the runway due to the stiff crosswind and no brakes, but finger trouble is also suspected. So far our Bond Sales on the 8th Victory Loan Campaign, is in the amount of $16,250.00 (Canadian currency1945) and we expect to exceed this by tomorrow afternoon. One aircraft was transferred away today as a result of the prang mentioned leaving a total of 15 with only one unserviceable.

 

Detail of Work Carried Out by  No. 439 RCAF Squadron 

as compiled by J23040 F/L V.H. LeGear, J37015 F/O A.W. Saunders, and C200589 F/L M. Harrison in the  439 Squadron Operations Record Book Form 541

A/C Type & Number Crew Duty Up Down

RB262

RB377

SW498

PD608

F/L Marlatt S.D.

F/O McGibbon D.S.

F/L Whelan M.J.

F/L Breck A.W.

Armed Weather Recce

11:10

11:45

 

Details of Sortie or Flight

This short trip was a weather recce of the tactical area, to prepare for a close support job for the army. F/L Staff Marlatt led the Section of four aircraft off at 11:10 hours. They climbed to 4000 feet but as they approached the Elbe the ceiling became lower, and they crossed the river at 1500 feet. The weather became worse as they went further north, so after penetrating about 5 miles into enemy territory, they turned about and returned to base. F/O Buck McGibbon had tough luck when his undercarriage collapsed on landing, but he was unhurt. The rest of the Section landed safely at 11:45 hours. No claims.

 

A/C Type & Number Crew Duty Up Down

SW524

SW446

SW534

RB198

RB456

RB477

EK219

MN691

S/L Beatty J.H.

W/O Hornberger F.J.

F/O Saunders A.W.

W/O Kidd E.F.

F/L Jackson S.C.

W/O Johnson D.E.

F/O Fraser A.H.

F/O Johnson D.E.

Dive Bombing

16:05

16:45

 

Details of Sortie or Flight

Eight aircraft led by S/L Beatty took off at 16:05 hours to smear the town of Schewarzenbek with cluster bombs. The ceiling was 1500 feet and visibility was cut down by mist and rain. They headed directly for the target in close formation - a feature of the show was the good formation under adverse conditions throughout the whole period. Red Section flew straight and level over the town followed by Blue Section led by F/L Chuck Jackson. The bombing was spread over the whole town all bombs landing in or close to the target area. Some light flak was thrown up but this was stopped when the bombs landed. One train facing west was spotted just west of the town but no attack was made as many Tempests and Spitfires were milling about. The Squadron returned directly to base landing safely at 16:45 hours.

 

A/C Type & Number Crew Duty Up Down

SW534

RB262

SW498

SW446

SW524

RB369

RB477

RB198

F/L LeGear V.H.

F/O Burden G.F.

F/O Harrison J.L.

F/O Hallford F.M.

F/L Gray J.O.

W/O Horrocks L.J.

F/O Kubicki W.

F/L Breck A.W.

Dive Bombing

19:50

20:50

20;50

20;50

20:50

20:40

20;40

20:40

20:40

 

Details of Sortie or Flight

Red and Blue Sections led by F/L Vic LeGear and F/L Tex Gray were briefed to cut the Boizenburg main line just east of the town by request of the Second Army. The eight aircraft carried 500 lb bombs with