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This
Day In History
Summary
of Events for No.
439 (CAN) Squadron
as
recorded in the 439 Squadron Operations Record Book
for
04
July 1944
R.C.A.F.
Lantheuil
Heavy
scattered cloud during the morning but one operation was carried
out. For this show our Squadron proceeded in two sections, one preceding
the other by several minutes. At 02:00 hrs a heavy barrage
prevented us from having a full nights sleep. F/O Cody Monson
and F/O Pete Henderson, both Americans, did a little celebrating
today on the occasion of Independence Day, which is an American
holiday. Our Squadron was placed on a 30 minute readiness at
10:00 hrs but no further operations materialized. Our Squadron
has experimented with Anti-Flak camouflage. There is a black
spot painted on the nose of the aircraft, i.e., the spinner, and
in addition a spiral has been painted on some aircraft. The
objective is to give the aircraft a lop-sided appearance on a
dive as well as possibly simulating loss of control. It is believed
that the enemy gunners have been confused on many occasions.
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 |
|
MN555
MN316
MN569
MN336
MN665
MN869
MN379
JR506
JR521
|
S/L
Norsworthy F/O
Kalen F/O
Smith F/O
Swingler F/O
Stitt F/O
Hogg F/O
Rassenti F/O
Stetler F/O
Allen
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Dive
Bombing
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07:45
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08:00
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Details
of Sortie or Flight
After
four days of rain, the Squadron once more took to the
air when S/L Norsworthy led a nine plane attack against
a position where German armour was known to be
concentrated. The position was St. Germain on the water outskirts
of Caen. The Squadron, divided into two flights, dived
bombed from south to north from 6000 ft. to 2000 ft. Of
the 18 x 500 lb. bombs carried into the air, 16 were
seen to explode in the immediate target area. As in the
case of such targets, the results of the attacks could
not be discerned. 2 x 500 lb bombs could not be release
and were carried back to base by F/O Hogg. Some light
but inaccurate flak was encountered over the target.
None of the aircraft were damaged. Due to the close
proximity of our own troops, the artillery used red
smoke shells to indicate the target. The operation was
quite successful.
Webmaster's Note:
(1)
The Squadron at this time was extremely close to the
front lines as can be attested to by the duration of
this mission. From take-off to target to landing, all
done in 15 minutes!
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