This Day In History

Summary of Events for  No. 439 (CAN) Squadron 

as recorded in the  439 Squadron Operations Record Book Form 540

for

17 September 1944

 R.C.A.F. Melsbroek, Belgium 

The heavy ground haze taunted us again and although it dispelled somewhat in the late morning, it persisted throughout the whole day with cloud. J.25397 F/O R.W. Vokey arrived today from 83GSU to boost up our pilot strength. A signal was received today appointing F/O A.J. Monson to Acting Flight Lieutenant so that he has now left "A" Flight as Deputy Flight Commander to take over the "B" Flight Commander post, but not before he was properly initiated at the officer's bar. Three operations were carried out today not counting the one at the bar.

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
MP151

MP145

MN869

MN989

MN581

PD458

PD465

MN691

MJ

MN345

MN375

MP177

 

S/L Fiset K.J.

F/O Fraser J.G.

F/O Hogg J.E.

F/O Henderson A.L.

F/O Monson A.E.

W/O Gray W.A.

F/O Stitt J.H.

F/O Laurence R.H.

W/C Judd M.J.

F/O Carr J.

F/O Swingler B.P.

F/O Smith R.V.

Dive Bombing

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11:15

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10:55

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12:20

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12:05

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Details of Sortie or Flight

Eight pilots, led by S/L Fiset, DFC, took-off with 500 lb. bombs (fused nose & tail instantaneous) on a Ramrod. The target was flak positions in the area of Nijmegan (E.766560) in Holland, in support of the Airborne invasion to follow. The flight was made at 10,000 feet. The bombs were released in a dive ranging from 70 to 50 degrees. Results being difficult to ascertain due to the obscure nature of the target. Considerable light flak was experienced coming out of the dive, thought to be coming from a small village south of the target at E.7852.

The other four aircraft led by W/C Judd, together with four other aircraft of 440 Squadron, formed a separate squadron. Target was similar to 439 Squadron in the near vicinity. Here the bombing results were much the same and a little flak experienced. All aircraft returned safely to base.

A/C Type & Number Crew Duty Up Down
MP151

MP134

MN765

MP136

MN581

MP145

MN691

MN665

MN869

MN345

MN375

PD458

PD465

S/L Fiset K.J.

F/O Cote J.A.

F/O Swingler B.P.

F/O Burgess C.L.

F/L Burton W.D.

F/O Roberts J.

F/O Rassenti N.H.

F/O Fraser J.G.

F/O Hogg J.E.

F/O McBride A.C.

F/O Smith I.W.

W/O Gray W.A.

F/O Stitt J.H.

Straffing 14:50 15:50
 

Details of Sortie or Flight

Twelve pilots and a spare took-off on an Armed Recce sortie in support of the British 2nd Army. Nine pilots were led by S/L Fiset, DFC, and the other section led by F/O Hogg formed Blue Flight in the composite Squadron. The target area was along the Eindhoven road running south and targets were allotted by Army Ground Control. The squadrons straffed forests containing enemy concentrations with unobserved results, except for two houses burning at E.425110. F/O Cote's aircraft was rendered Cat B as a result of very little flak encountered. All aircraft returned safely to base.

A/C Type & Number Crew Duty Up Down
MP151

MP177

MN989

MN345

MN581

JR500

MN765

PD458

S/L Fiset K.J.

F/O Carr J.

F/O Henderson A.L.

F/O Brown J.A.

F/L Monson

F/O Laurence R.H.

F/O Burgess C.L.

F/O Bernhart N.H.

Armed Recce 17:40 18:25
 

Details of Sortie or Flight

This show was led by S/L Fiset, DFC, and the eight aircraft under his command carried out an Armed Recce over the roads of Breda to Roosendaal. The show was almost uneventful as the only movement seen was a convoy of half a dozen ambulances moving east at map ref D.7733. A large fire was also reported burning at map ref. E.1939. No attacks were carried out and no flak seen. All aircraft returned safely to base.

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