This Day In History

Summary of Events for  No. 439 (CAN) Squadron 

as recorded in the  439 Squadron Operations Record Book

for

03 May 1944

 R.A.F. Hurn

Fair  weather in the morning with patches of cumulus cloud, improving in the afternoon. Ten of our aircraft flew to Predannack, near Lands End, where they were briefed and bombed up for an operation north of Brest, near Morley the target being an Elbing Class Destroyer. The Destroyer was damaged by near misses and strafing. The operation was carried out in co-operation with 440 RCAF Squadron located at 143 Airfield. F/O Jimmy Hogg's aircraft was damaged by flak. F/O Tex Henderson did not make the take-off from Predannack, as his aircraft wouldn't start at take-off time. 

F/O Chuck Burgess came back early from Predannack, as the armament personnel could not find any fuse box in his aircraft. On return, our armourers found the fuse box which was positioned differently than in our other aircraft. This aircraft was new to our Squadron. F/O Moen was grounded due to a cold.

 

Detail of Work Carried Out by  No. 439 RCAF Squadron 

as compiled by in the  439 Squadron Operations Record Book Form 541

A/C Type & Number Crew Duty Up Down

MN572

MN401

MN553

MN210

MN356

MN316

MN931

MN516

 S/L Norsworthy

F/O Burton

F/L Dadson

F/O Hogg

F/O Scharff

F/O Smith

F/O Hewson

F/O Burgess

Dive Bombing & Straffing

16:30

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16:35

17:35

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17:30
 

Details of Sortie or Flight

Our aircraft together with those of 440 Squadron took off from 143 Airfield and landed at Predannack, near Lands End, where the crews were briefed and loaded up with 500 lb. bombs. The target was an Elbing Class Destroyer beached north of Brest, near Morley which was damaged by near misses and straffing. The take-off for the operation from Predannack was 1630 hrs. and the return to that base was at 1735 hrs from which the aircraft took off for 143 Airfield Airfield at 1900 hrs. and landing at 19:50 hrs.

F/O Hogg's aircraft was damaged by flak. F/O Henderson could not get his engine to start and consequently did not operate. F/O Burgess came back early as the Armourers at Predannack reported that the fuse box was missing from his aircraft but on returning here it was found that the fuse box was located in a different position as this was a new aircraft just received by this Squadron.

 

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