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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
17
August 1944
R.C.A.F.
Lantheuil, France
The
weather was nothing to speak of which had its operational
effect. But we managed to squeeze in one show late in the day
when the fellows went out on a barge busting party. Other than
sports, the one operation and the chatter regarding the escape
of some of the Jerries from "Falaise Pocket", there
was nothing of particular interest at our dispersal.
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 |
| MP177
MP152
MN379
MP136
MP134
MN352
MN985
MN969
|
S/L
Norsworthy
F/O
Hewson (1)
F/O
Stitt
F/O
Burgess
F/O
Barnhart
F/O
Monson
F/O
Henderson
F/O
Laycock
|
Dive
Bombing & Straffing
|
19:05 |
20:15 |
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Details
of Sortie or Flight
The
first show of the day for the squadron finally came
through at 18:30 hours. Our eight aircraft, led by S/L
Norsworthy carried 1,000 lb bombs into the air to carry
out an Armed recce of the Seine River from Rouen to Le
Harve. For the first time the tail fuses were instantaneous
as they were believed more effective against floating
targets.
A
few barges found on the seine were attacked in a vicious
dive from the east from an altitude of 8000 feet. The
barges attacked were distributed from map reference M2000
to M1500 and four barges were claimed as sunk. Red
Section, S/L Norsworthy leading, attacked a small Dredger
in the same area and each man claimed "bags of cannon
strikes" on it from bow to stern. Throughout these
attacks, the Squadron was under continuous light flak
ack-ack fire and so they broke to port over Elbeuf, they
came into a barrage of heavy flak. a further recce was
carried northwest of this spot but nothing else was
spotted or attacked. All aircraft returned safely to base
at 20:15 hours.
Webmasters Notes:
(1) F/O
Geale W. Hewson recorded in his log book that he claimed
one of the four barges were sank as well as several
strikes on the dredger. He also noted some
"peculiar hay carts", as well
as "bags of light flak".
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