MP379

MP152

MN581

PD465

MN665

MN869

MN989

MN969

F/O Johns

F/O MacDonald

F/O Hewson ⁽¹⁾

F/O Smith I.

F/O Swingler

F/O Stelter

F/O Rassenti

F/O Henderson

F/O Smith R.

Details of Sortie or Flight

The show of nine aircraft took to the air this morning to search for concentrations of enemy motor transport in the region of Fleury and Lyons, just across the Seine near Rouen. Almost as soon as the Squadron, led by F/O Johns, set course from base, the Controller informed us that enemy aircraft were present in our area. The Squadron, made more alert by this warning, crossed over the Seine at 9,000 feet and released their bombs on the road running through the woods from M420064 to M405058 (just east of Fleury). All of the 500 lb bombs dropped were seen to burst on or very near the road at this spot. A short armed recce was carried out in this area, but no movement seen was the report turned in. 

The attack dive was 60 degrees from 9,000 feet in the east and was carried down to 3,000 feet. No flak was fired at our Squadron throughout the show, but some was fired at a Thunderbolt squadron from the vicinity of Gournay. All aircraft returned safely to base.

Webmaster's Notes:

(1) On his only mission of the day, flying in Typhoon M, F/O GW Hewson records in his log book that the bombing was good with very little flak. He also notes that "Bags of e/a reported" . The "woods" noted in the above mission report was described as "a bush" in his log book.  I guess its all a question of perspective.