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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
22
September 1944
R.C.A.F.
Melsbroek, Belgium
Cloudy
all morning, improving in the afternoon, leaving high thin cloud and
made room for two operations.
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 |
| MJ
MP145
MN969
MP177
JR500
MN870
PD458
PD492
PD465 |
W/C
Judd M.J.
F/O
Rassenti N.H.
F/O
Laycock M.P.
F/O
Fraser J.G.
F/O
Johns R.A.
F/O
Burgess C.L.
F/O
Swingler B.P.
F/O
Laurence R.H.
F/O
Carr J.
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Dive-Bombing |
13:50 |
14:50 |
Details
of Sortie or Flight
This
was a Wing show in which 439 & 440 squadrons participated
with W/C Judd leading 439 Squadron. The target was a major road
crossing on the town of Cleves (west of Nijmegen) through which
then Hun was reported pouring supplies for the most recent
counter attack in the Nijmegen area. The target was reached
without incident and attacked in a 50 degree dive from the
northwest at 8,000 feet with 500 lb. bombs. 439 attacked first,
followed by 440. As a result of the bombing, pillars of smoke
could be seen rising from almost all sections of the town. Only
three pairs of bombs from the whole Wing were near the actual
road crossing intended. The town of Cleves turned out to be a
much larger place than indicated on the map and was filled with
road crossings. Consequently the bombing was scattered
throughout the town. No flak was seen throughout the trip and no
results observed. All aircraft returned safely to base at 14:50
hours.
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| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| MP177
MP145
MN989
MN345
PD465
JR500
PD458
PD492 |
F/L
Burton W.D.
F/O
McBride A.C.
F/O
Henderson A.L.
F/O
Brown J.A.
F/O
Stitt J.H.
F/O
Cote J.A.
W/O
Gray W.A.
F/O
Vokey R.W. |
Armed
Recce |
16:35 |
18:00
'
'
'
18:10
'
'
' |
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Details
of Sortie or Flight
This
show was an Armed Recce of the area Cleve-Goch-Geldren with
enemy transport playing the part of the "button". Red
Section, led by F/L Burton found and attacked a long goods train
heading south out of Goch. A number of the trucks were carrying
armoured cars and the remainder were closed cars. All of Red
Section attacked and put the train out of action. About eight of
the cars were left burning furiously and the engine knocked out.
No flak was seen throughout these attacks.
Blue
Section, led by F/O Stitt, meanwhile carried out a series of
attacks on three MET found about two miles south of the train.
Once again no flak was encountered and two of the MET were left
smoking with the other claimed as damaged. All aircraft returned
safely to base.
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