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

03 May  1945

B-150 Celle, Germany

The weather was pretty rough all day with fairly low 10/10ths overcast and cloud scattering partially in the afternoon; a fairly strong wind prevalent all day. Five operations totalling 40 sorties were carried out and all with the exception of one were on anti-shipping. The news these days is good; we figure that the Jerries will throw in the sponge any day now as they will soon be running out of people to surrender. If Germany capitulates, we understand that we will be on the continent for about six months. This delay, from all accounts, is due to shipping priority being given to move Air Force and Army personnel to the Far East, and to Air Force and Army personnel for doing their training in the United Kingdom  respecting the occupation of Germany. 17 aircraft are serviceable and 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
RB402 SW498 SW524 RB326 RB456 MP117 RB198 JR379	F/L LeGear V.H. F/L McCully A.B. F/L Gray J.O. F/O Bullock J.W. F/L Jackson S.C. F/O Burden G.F. F/L Breck A.W. F/L Cook J.H.	Dive Bombing & Strafing	08:05	09:15 ' ' ' ' 08:40 ' '
Details of Sortie or Flight Two Sections were briefed for a mission against the Hamburg-Elmshorn main line. 100 lb. bombs with 11 second delay tail fusing were carried. The Squadron led by F/L Vic LeGear took off at 08:05 hours and set course at 5000 feet to just east of Hamburg. 3/10ths cloud, 300 feet thick was at 6000 feet with some towering cumulus well to the north and east. The visibility was cut to 5 miles by haze. They circled north of Hamburg and headed for Elmshorn. A loco was spotted in the yards at Tarnesch, east of Elmshorn, so an attack was made at this point. A 45 degree dive, 6000 to 1000 feet west to east breaking to port was used. The engine was not hit but 8 cuts were made in the tracks just in front of it. Blue Section's bombs landed just west of the yard and 4 more cuts were made. Some light flak opposition was met. Blue Section went down and strafed twice - damaging the locomotive and at least six CTRG. Red Leader found a large shed just north-east of Uterson with letters P.O.W. This was pinpointed. Blue Section found another train just west of Pinneberg. A dive on this was met by a hail of light flak from the train. F/O George Burden flying as Blue Two received a direct hit and his aircraft burst into flames. He crashed on the northern outskirts of the village of Esingen. F/L Chuck Jackson put a long burst on the flak cars. Several locos with steam up were seen in the marshalling yards at Hamburg. The Squadron returned to base landing at 09:15 hours.  Claims: Rails - 12 cuts, LOCO - 1 damaged, CTRG - 6 damaged.
A/C Type & Number	Crew	Duty	Up	Down
RB407 SW498 PD608 JR379 RB262 RB456 RB477 RB324	F/L Marlatt S.D. F/O McGibbon D.S. F/O Harrison J.L. F/O Johnson D.E. F/O Saunders A.W. F/O Brock J.S. F/O Kubicki W. F/O Hallford F.M.	Dive Bombing	10:50	11:30
Details of Sortie or Flight The Squadron was briefed to attack shipping in the Elbe Estuary. Eight aircraft carrying 500 lb. bombs, 11 second delay tail fuses, took off at 10:50 hours. Cloud over base was 10/10ths at 1800 fee, and it was the same as they continued north. They went as far as the river , but could not get above 1500 feet, so they returned to base and landed with bombs on at 11:30 hours.
A/C Type & Number	Crew	Duty	Up	Down
RB441 RB324 EK219 RB262 RB326 RB198 PD608 PD4?1	F/L LeGear V.H. W/O Johnson K.R. F/O Fraser A.H. F/L Cook J.H. W/O Hornberger F.J. F/L Breck A.W. W/O Kidd E.F. F/L McCully A.B.	Dive Bombing	13:35	14:40 ' ' ' '14:15 14:10 14:40 '
Details of Sortie or Flight F/L Vic LeGear led two sections on an anti-shipping strike in Lubeck Bay. The aircraft carried 500 lb. bombs with 11 second delay tail fusing. The sections took off at 13:35 hours. F/L Gray  had his engine quit while taking off but he managed to stop the aircraft in time and get it off the runway. F/L McCully took off in his place. The cloud base was at 2000 feet except for a hole over base so the sections went up through this. F/L Breck had to turn back due to icing and W/O Hornberger losing the formation in cloud turned back also. The remaining six headed by compass course for their target at 13,000 feet just over the clouds. Over the bay the clouds broke somewhat but nothing was seen other than a small coaster heading up the west coast near ?ahme An almost vertical dive from 12,000 to 4000 feet was used breaking to starboard. The bombs were seen to fall in the water around the ship but no explosions were seen due to cloud. Some light flak was encountered. The Squadron reformed at 14,000 feet, let down through a break in the cloud over the Elbe River, and returned to base landing safely at 14:40 hours. No claims.
A/C Type & Number	Crew	Duty	Up	Down
RB441 RB198 SW498 EK219 RB262 RB369 RB477 RB326	S/L Beatty J.H. F/O McGibbon D.S. F/O Harrison J.L. F/O Johnson D.E. F/O Saunders A.W. F/O Horrocks L.J. F/O Kubicki W. F/O Bullock J.W.	Dive Bombing	16:15	17:35
Details of Sortie or Flight S/L Jim Beatty led the Squadron on an anti-shipping strike in Kiel Bay. Eight aircraft carrying 500 lb. bombs, 11 second delay tail fuses, took off at 16:15 hours. There was a lot of cloud of different kinds and at different heights all over the area. As they crossed the Elbe at Hamburg, they were at 2000 feet below cloud base in rain, but between this city and the target, they reached 14,000 feet in order to get over the top. Breaking cloud north-east of Kiel at 14,000 feet, they saw a number of ships in the harbour. Selecting a large one which looked like a yacht, they let down to 8000 feet and dived on it in a 70 degree dive. Two very near misses were scored, and one bomb hit a small craft near the target, and demolished it. There was light and medium flak from the target during the dive, but none of the aircraft were hit. Forming up, they returned to base, and all landed safely at 17:35 hours. Claims: 1 small boat destroyed.
A/C Type & Number	Crew	Duty	Up	Down
RB402 SW498 RB198 RB326 SW524 EK219 RB324 RB262	F/L Marlatt S.D. W/O Hornberger F.J. F/L Breck A.W. W/O Kidd E.F. F/L Gray J.O. F/O Brock J.S. F/O Hallford F.M. F/L Cook J.H.	Dive Bombing	19:05	20:15
Details of Sortie or Flight The day's last show was another anti shipping strike led by F/l Staff Marlatt; 500 lb bombs, 11 second delay tail fuses were carried on eight aircraft. They took off at 19:05 hours and crossed the Elbe at 4000 feet. North of the river, there was scattered cloud only, and they climbed to 10,000 feet, continuing in good visibility until they reached Eutin. Here they ran into a severe rainstorm, and did not emerge until they arrived at Kiel Bay. F/O Jack Brock became separated from the formation while in cloud, and returned to base alone with his bombs. In Hohwacht Bay, about three miles off shore, they saw a ship of approximately 2005 tons, accompanied by three craft which looked like tugs. The larger ship was attacked from 8000 feet in a 70 degree dive. Two direct hits were claimed but results were difficult to observe, as they were being bothered by Tempests. In order to avoid the rainstorm, they returned by way of Lubeck Bay; no movement was seen. When Tribune Squadron arrived over the target ten minutes later, it was so badly damaged that they did not attack it. All aircraft landed safely at 20:15 hours.  Claims: One 2005 ton freighter damaged.

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