439 Tiger Squadron Operations This Day In History 02 August 1944

This Day In History

Summary of Events for No. 439 (CAN) Squadron

as recorded in the 439 Squadron Operations Record Book

for

02 August 1944

R.C.A.F. Lantheuil, France

Cloudy in the morning with a haze so that there was no prospect of doing "ops". It cleared up considerable in the afternoon, paving the way for operations. A policy letter was received from Group Headquarters reinstating leave for Aircrew Personnel, and permitting 7 days every three months. As yet, no indication was received when groundcrew personnel may proceed on leave. This was the first time this Squadron has performed four operations in one afternoon. All told, 34 sorties were carried out, 58 x 1000 lb. bombs and 8 x 500 lb bombs were dropped, making a total of 31 tons of concentrated high explosive which were successfully utilized. Six of our pilots landed at Boscombe, in the south of England this afternoon. The purpose of the trip was to give further evidence on the General Purpose bombs which failed on the operation of the 17th July. It is assumed that tests will also be carried out.

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* *MN560* *MN665* *MN352* *JR521* *MN310* *MN869* *MN553*	*S/L Norsworthy* *P/O Smith I.* *W/O Gray* *F/O Monson* *F/O Laurence* *F/O Smith R.* *F/O Hogg* *F/O Laycock*	*Dive Bombing*	*15:20*	*16:00*
*Details of Sortie or Flight* The Squadron, headed by S/L Norsworthy, took off at 15:20 hrs. with 1000 lb bombs to be dropped on an enemy troop concentration in the woods just south of Bellengrivelle at map reference U1260. No flak was encountered throughout the mission in which the two other squadrons of the Wing, 438 & 440 also participated . The wood was attacked in a very steep dive at 75 degrees from 8000 to 1500 feet from West to East. All bombs were closely concentrated in the target area. To finish the job, the Squadron mercilessly straffed the adjacent woods, all in all, anything or anyone unfortunate enough to be in that vicinity at that time, sure caught hell. No claims were made on the wood was thick and no specific cases of damage could be reported, but the whole target area was covered with dense smoke. While landing at his home base, W/O Gray was unfortunate enough to catch a wing tip but fortunately did not ground loop, but rendered the aircraft Cat A.C. All other aircraft returned undamaged to base.
*A/C Type & Number*	*Crew*	*Duty*	Up	*Down*
*MN581* *MN989* *MN310* *JR362* *MN401* *MN375* *JR521* *JR506* *MN379*	*F/L Burton* *F/O Henderson* *F/O Moen* *F/O Stelter* *P/O Allen* *F/O Burgess* *F/L Fiset* *F/L Scharff* *F/O Stitt*	*Dive-Bombing*	*17:25*	*18:20*
*Details of Sortie or Flight* Again the Squadron was a part of a Wing Show today. The target this time, was an enemy strong point on the outskirts of the village of Tilly la Campagne. Unfortunately, a heavy cloud bank was hanging at 4000 feet over the area, and F/L Fiset was forced to lead the Squadron down in a very shallow dive around the cloud. The dive was from 8000 to 2000 feet and the target was attacked from the Northwest to Southwest. Due to the shallow dive of 20 degrees, the bomb bursts were well scattered throughout the target area. The 18 x 1000 lb bombs released must have done considerable damage to the Infantry, guns, mortars located there. No flak was seen and all aircraft returned home safely.
*A/C Type & Number*	*Crew*	*Duty*	Up	*Down*
*MN555* *MN989* *MN869* *MN401* *MN375* *~~MN569~~* *MN379* *MN765* *MN870*	*S/L Norsworthy* *F/L Laycock* *F/O Hogg* *F/O Rassenti* *F/O Johns* ~~F/O Laurence~~ *F/O Brown R.A.* *F/O Swingler B.* *W/O Gray*	*Dive-Bombing*	*19:20*	*20:00*
*Details of Sortie or Flight* This was the third Wing Show of the day and S/L Norsworthy was Wing Leader for the second time today. Because of the haze and the large number of aircraft employed, S/L Norsworthy decided to adopt the Spitfire formation of fluid sixes, but using three aircraft per section. This kept the Squadron close together and under better control. The target this time was the town of Conde Sur Noireau for 438 and 440, and the village of Pontecoulant for 439 squadron. It was believed that the 9^th Panzers were pulling out through these places and we were to slow them down. The village was attacked from the East to West by our seven aircraft in a steep dive of 70 degrees from 6000 to 1500 feet. 12 x 1000 lb bombs were seen to burst in the target and two others overshot by 800 to 1000 yards because of a temporary hang-up in the aircraft flown by F/O Rassenti. F/O Laurence burst a tail wheel tire just prior to the take-off and didn't make the grade. F/O Johns had an R/T failure which caused him to jettison his bombs in the Channel and return to base. Heavy flak picked up the Wing enroute to the target and again on its return. Over the target itself, the light flak boys were pumping lead like mad! but it was in vain. A second dive was made on the target in which cannon attacks were made on a small number of vehicles seen. One smoker and one flamer were claimed. W/O Gray pulled out sharply to avoid striking the ground on the last attack and popped a very large number of rivets in both mainplanes. F/O Swingler pulled out in a valley at 500 mph plus, and looked up into the startled faces of some flak gunners on the hill beside him. All aircraft returned to base having created their share of destruction and consternation on the enemy forces in the frying pan there.
*A/C Type & Number*	*Crew*	*Duty*	Up	*Down*
*JR506* *MN379* *MN569* *MN765* *MN352* *MN869* *MN310* *MN401* *JR521*	*F/L Fiset* *F/O Burgess* *F/O Smith I.* *F/O Stitt* *F/O Monson* *F/O Smith R.* *F/O Stetler* *F/O Brown J.A.* *F/O Henderson*	*Dive-Bombing*	*21:20*	*21:50*
*Details of Sortie or Flight* This show, which turned out to be the best of the day, was another all out attack against enemy ground forces. This time the German troops and vehicles reported in the wood immediately south of Aunay-sur-Odon were selected as the bulls-eye (map reference 8349). Enroute to the target, one 1000 lb bomb dropped from the aircraft piloted by F/O Stelter and was reported to have fallen safe in our own lines. In the ensuing dive on the target, our Squadron released 9 x 1000 lb bombs and 8 x 500 lb bombs. As time was slipping by fast and it was necessary to bomb up the aircraft in a hurry, this mixed assortment of bombs were used. The attack began from 6000 to 2000 feet in a 62 degree angle dive to the south of the target and the bomb bursts effectively covered the rather wide area. Intense and accurate light flak was thrown up at the boys on the way home, three miles southeast of the target but none of our aircraft was hit.

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