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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 Form
540
for
27
August 1944
R.C.A.F.
Lantheuil, France
Pretty
hazy this morning with a light westerly breeze. The movement of
the whole Wing to the south of St. Andre between Evereux and
Dreux has been announced, thus, once again a portion of TAF advances
to other spheres of activity. Two operations were on the program
today. The weather was very good during the latter part of the
morning, and the remainder of the day.
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
MN379
MP136
MP151
MN869
MN345
MN665
MN691
|
S/L
Norsworthy
W/O
Gray
F/O
Burgess
F/O
Laurence
F/O
Hogg
F/O
Brown J
F/O
Stelter
F/O
Rassenti
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Dive
Bombing
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13:15 |
14:10
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Details
of Sortie or Flight
It
has been reported that large numbers of enemy troops and
equipment were being transported across the river Seine at
the ferry of Mailleraye-sur-Seine and that a concentration
of equipment was developing in the town. Our Squadron,
under the guiding hand of S/L Norsworthy, DFC, carried 500
lb bombs into the air at 13:15 hours to strike at this
ripe target. Once the target area had been reached the
Squadron swung into line astern and dive-bombed the target
from the East from 7,000 down to 3,000 feet. As if the
first dive was a signal, all guns in the area opened up
and laid down a barrage of shrapnel which rose to 5,000
feet. All aircraft entered this barrage and each aircraft
came out of it with a whole skin.
Bombing
results were excellent, all bombs bursting well in the
centre of the target area and one bomb burst evidently
struck a petrol dump or van as a large flame broke out and
a large column of black smoke rose into the sky from the
target area. All aircraft returned to base at 14:10 hours.
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| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| MP136
MP152
MN765
MP134
MN869
MN665
MN969
MN345
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F/O
Johns
F/O
Hewson (1)
F/O
Swingler
F/O
MacDonald
F/O
Hogg
F/O
Fraser
F/O
Smith I.
F/O
Roberts
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Dive
Bombing
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20:30 |
21:25 |
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Details
of Sortie or Flight
Tonight
we thought we might catch Jerry asleep at the switch in
the vicinity of Mailleraye-sur-Seine. As the dark was
beginning to thicken and Allied activity waning over the
front, eight of our aircraft started up and F/O Hogg led
the Squadron into the air.
Despite
a heavy haze and scattered cloud which made map reading
more than a little difficult, the broad curves of the
river Seine were soon spotted and the target area reached
without interference. As we rolled into our attack dive
from the East at 9,000 feet, all the light flak guns in
the area came to life and hung a curtain of fire over the
target.
F/O
Swingler reported a number of vehicles on the roads
leading into Mailleraye from the West, so it is hoped that
the 14 x 500 lb bombs released did a good job. F/O Hogg
was unable to release his bombs and brought them home. The
return trip was made in the soothing quiet of the rapidly
gathering darkness and all aircraft effected safe night
landings at our home field, B.9
Webmaster's Notes:
(1) Flying in Typhoon M, F/O GW Hewson
records in his log book the following entry:
" Bombed Jerry as he tried to cross
the Seine . Good bombing. Show took place after dusk. Flak
very intense and pretty. Tracers at night."
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